Consumers Guide To Carpet Cleaning
Provided by Crystal Carpet Cleaners
Questions call; 474-9407 or 485-7781
Read this guide and you’ll discover:
* How to avoid 4 carpet cleaning rip-offs
* 6 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning
* Crawling critters and crud: A guide to the slime, grim and livestock sleeping, creeping and crawling throughout your carpet
* Which cleaning method cleans Best
* 8 mistakes to avoid when choosing a carpet cleaner
* The importance of value and price
* Why you want a clean, healthy carpet
* 100% no–risk Guarantee
* 4 steps to choosing The Right Carpet Cleaner for your needs to give you fresh, clean, healthy carpet
How to avoid 4 carpet cleaning Rip-Offs
Rip-off #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE. To some degree all of us are attracted by low price because we want to work within a budget. But some carpet cleaners use price as bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price usually between $9.95 - $19.95 per room and once they’re in your home, they pressure you into buying “add-ons. It’s as if you were buying a car and found out the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical carpet cleaners would have you believe.
Rip-off #2: BAIT AND SWITCH. Dual-process carpet cleaning describes the process of shampooing or heavy preconditioning followed with hot-water extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use dual process as a bait-and-switch technique. Here’s how it is done. First, they “bait” you with a basic cleaning (single process) at an unbelievably low price. Then, when you call them, they try to “switch” you to a more expensive dual-process cleaning. If you don’t fall for their switch and choose their basic service, you will likely receive poor workmanship using little or no cleaners and they will not guarantee their work.
Rip-off #3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS, i.e. “THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST.” You’ll read this in almost every ad. You’ll hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner. However, remember this: the method that’s best for you is the method that achieves your goal. If you want a method that dries quickly, then a method that takes a long time to dry isn’t the best for you. So before you choose a carpet cleaner, identify your objectives. Then select the method that best reaches those objectives.
Rip-off #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS, i.e. “HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET.” Years ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by “technicians “who didn’t know how to properly clean using hot water. But today, we know that’s false. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned in the same way that the person who showers and then rinses will be much cleaner than the person who takes a sponge bath. Obviously, each carpet cleaner will be biased toward his own method and each method does have advantages. So, I suggest you look to what carpet manufactures say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot-water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used buy firms with IICRC Certified Technicians
SIX COSTLY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CARPET CLEANING
MISCONCEPTION #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
No. Dirt is like a abrasive like sandpaper. Every time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife. This cutting causes your carpet to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last as long as clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps, by itself, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpets cleaned, the more damage you will do to your carpet and the faster it will wear out.
MISCONCEPTION #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to remove the dirt.
No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and hundreds of other chemicals. When you come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria, and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals and toxins wind up in your carpet.
MISCONCEPTION #3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. The dry cleaning methods, which are dry foam, dry chemicals, and dry compound, do not rinse your carpet in any way. Instead, they leave a dirty residue. You might say they clean your carpet only halfway. The most effective cleaning method is hot water extraction.
Hot-water extraction means a hot water cleaning solution, under high pressure, is forced into your carpet then sucked back out of your carpet. Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacture, recommends hot water extraction as the primary method of cleaning carpets, along with IICRC cleaning Technicians.
Carpet cleaners use one of two types of hot water extraction. I f thy use a large unit that operates outside your facility, it is called Truck – Mounted extraction. If they use a small unit that can be brought inside, it is called portable extraction. Shaw’s first choice is the truck – mount unit, and it recommends the small , portable unit only in areas where the truck – mounted unit won’t reach.
The truck–mount extraction cleans much better because it heats the water to a higher temperature, which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and pollens in the carpet. Then the machine uses high suction to draw out dirt and chemicals in the carpet. This is the method my company uses.
MISCONCEPTION # 4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.
Not true. Many companies own hot water cleaning equipment, but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. This is why it is important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully. The best cleaning companies are those that have been certified by by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, known as the IICRC. Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ASK TO SEE WRITTEN PROOF of the technician certification who is going to do the job! If they don’t have it, DON’T USE THEM!
MISCONCEPTION #5: The company which offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
No, I’ve seen so many problems arise from lowest-bed companies that I suggest you NEVER hire the company that quotes the cheapest price. The two most common problems are:
(1) The price may not be for the services you want performed. The company may be equipped to remove only the dirt from your carpet. But you may want bacteria, fungus, pollens, dust mites, and tobacco residues removed, as well.
(2) The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many home owners have learned that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the carpet cleaner got into their home. Then they were pressured into paying a lot more for a variety of add-ons. (Some carpet cleaners even break the law by using illegal bait- and-switch tactics.)
MISCONCEPTION #6: Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price quote over the phone.
I wish this were true, but it isn’t.
Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies almost never price carpet cleaning by the room. Instead, carpet cleaning is usually priced by the square foot. So, if you’d like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need you to tell me the size of your room to be cleaned, i.e. the exact number of square feet. And to get an accurate measurement, I use a measuring wheel on your floor to calculate the exact size of the carpeted area.
To give you an idea of how we estimate the cost of cleaning, here are the 3 things we consider:
First, the type of carpet you have. Certain types of carpet are harder to clean than others;
Second, the amount of soiling. Carpet that has not been cleaned in 10 years will obviously take longer to clean than carpet cleaned in the last 6 months;
Third, the amount of furniture we have to move. If you move your furniture for us, that will save you money.
CRAWLIN’ CRITTERS AND CRUD: A GUIDE TO THE SLIME, GRIME AND LIVESTOCK THAT ARE SLEEPING, CREEPING AND TREASURE-HUNTING THROUGHOUT YOUR CARPET.
Asphalt, Bacteria, Car exhaust, Chemicals, Dirt, Dust, Dust mites, Earth, Food particles, Fungus, Germs of all sorts, Gravel, Grease, Hair, Industrial Waste, Lint, Moisture, Mud, Pet dander, Oil, Pollen, Pollutants, Sand, Smoke, Soil, Soot, Tar, Tobacco smoke, Urine, Vomit.
Plus, don’t forget the live creatures, such as dust mites and fleas, as well as their excrement. They all live, hide and breed in your carpet. Think about that for a minute.
(Will you help us? We are trying to find one thing matching every letter of the alphabet that is probably, or more likely than not, present today in your carpet. We have remaining letters J,K,N,Q,W,X,Y,Z. If you can think of something, call or text and we will add your entry into our next consumers guide.) Thank you!
SO WHICH METHOD CLEANS BEST?
Dry Foam: The carpet cleaner applies shampoo to your carpet, allows it to dry; then, without rinsing, extracts the dried shampoo into a vacuum. Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing it with suction? This method leaves dirty, sticky residue in and on top of your carpet, which is one very good reason dry foam is not an effective method.
Absorbent pad (bonnet cleaning): This method is similar to dry foam, except that the company sets a large cotton bonnet on your carpet, and with a floor polishing buffer machine on top, “buffs” the carpet. The rotating motion causes the bonnet to absorb dirt from your carpet. This method is also called bonnet cleaning. Bonnet cleaning is like trying to use a large cotton towel or mop to rub the dirt out of your carpet. Very ineffective, don’t you think?
Dry, absorbent powder: The dry-compound method spreads a moist, absorbent powder through the carpet. The powder is allowed to dry and then sucked into a vacuum. This method spreads a moist, absorbent powder through the carpet. The powder is allowed to dry and then sucked into a vacuum. This method leaves dry sponge particles at the base of the carpet yarn. And because the carpet is not rinsed, it, too, is not an effective method of carpet cleaning.
Hot-water extraction: This is a fancy way of saying that a hot water cleaning solution under high pressure is forced into your carpet and then sucked out of your carpet.
In a recent Technical Bulletin, Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, “recommends the hot-water extraction system, which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning”.
You can choose from two different types of this method: Truck-mount extraction – done with a large machine mounted in a truck or van or portable extraction – done with a small, hand-held unit.
Help choosing the right method in this instance, Shaw’s Technical Bulletin states: “[cleaning] can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the facility with only the hose and want brought inside, or where a truck-mounted unit cannot reach, by a portable, self-contained system brought into the facility”.
As you can see, Shaw recommends the truck-mounted unit first. And this isn’t surprising. You see, the truck-mounted unit cleans much better because it heats the water to a high temperature and shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at higher pressures. This breaks up the dirt, bacteria chemicals, and pollens in the carpet. Then, the machine produces huge vacuum volume to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet. This is the method my company uses.
No question, the most effective way to clean carpeting is with a hot-water unit mounted in a truck. It is the most powerful cleaning machine on the market and the only machine that cleans your carpet of dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, and tobacco residue, as well as dust mites.
Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet, but this isn’t true. The dirt and pollutants are what damage your carpet. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, we clean completely – in the same way that a person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath.
8 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER
MISTAKE #1: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone. No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment. But he also needs something else. He needs employees who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own hot-water extractors, but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. The best way to know that the carpet cleaner’s employees have been properly trained is to make sure the cleaner has been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company’s and the technician’s IICRC certification.
MISTAKE #2: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price. Low price could be a problem in 3 ways: (1) Low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call. But once the cleaner gets into your home, he pressures you into a much more expensive job. (2) Low price can be for single-process cleaning. Rarely does the consumer know what this means and, when told, asks for dual-process cleaning instead which costs much more. (3) Low price means the carpet cleaner has cheap equipment, which will not effectively clean your carpet.
MISTAKE #3: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single phone call. Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written quote. Then you will know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends – and you won’t be the victim of high pressure tactics when the technician steps into your living room.
MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who does not offer a money-back guarantee. In my view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for its work. And, if you aren’t pleased with the job in every way, you should not have to pay for it. PERIOD. Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee. Of, if they do, the guarantee may be “limited.” Ask the carpet cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quote.
MISTAKE #5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from previous clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past work. And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his work.
MISTAKE #6: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn’t certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
If your carpet cleaner is not a close friend, you may not know whether he has the knowledge or experience to clean your carpet well. If you want to be sure you’re hiring a competent professional, make sure he is IICRC certified. The carpet cleaner must earn that certification through study, experience and successful completion of formal, written examination. In effect, cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have earned a college degree in carpet cleaning.
MISTAKE #7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who is not a member of the Truck-mount Forum (TMF) cleaning industry community. This is a trade association of carpet cleaners who are dedicated to: (1) honest, ethical business practices, (2) staying current on the latest methods for carpet and upholstery care, cleaning and restoration, and (3) the highest possible level of customer service. You are making a wise decision when you have your carpets cleaned by a member of Truck-Mount Forums.
MISTAKE #8: Choosing a carpet cleaner who does not use a truck-mounted, hot-water extraction system.
You might expect this from me, since my employees and I use this type of system. And there are several good reasons why. Portable hot-water systems are good, but they aren’t as good as a truck-mount system. A truck-mounted system is the Rolls Royce, as they say, of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable hot-water systems, truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure and stronger suction. So, all-in-all, you get a much better job.
THE IMPORTANCE OF VALUE AND PRICE
Price is what you pay; value is what you get.
When you select a carpet cleaner, you’ll choose from a wide variety of cleaning methods and prices.
Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction from a truck-mounted unit and using a portable unit only in areas where the truck-mounted unit won’t reach. Here’s why: A truck-mounted unit cleans much better than a portable unit for 3 reasons:
(1) It heats the water to a higher temperature. For every 18-degree increase in temperature above 118 degrees F, you double the water’s cleaning capacity. So if the water temperature is 136 degrees F, it will clean twice as well as water that is only 118 degrees F and 154 degree water will clean four times as well as 118 degree water. And so on, until you reach a water temperature of 250 degrees F.
(2) It shoots the cleaning solution into your carpet at higher pressure which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and pollens which means 300-400 pounds per square inch is the optimum pressure for truck-mount hot-water extraction.
(3) The machine uses stronger suction to draw the dirt, chemicals, bacteria, pollens, and tobacco smoke residue out of your carpet.
Not surprisingly, having your carpet thoroughly cleaned with truck-mount hot water extraction costs more than renting a shampooer at the corner grocery or super store.
If you bought the cheapest carpeting you could find, then renting a small shampooer might be all you need. No question, it will get out some of the dirt – but, the key word here is “some.” It will not get out many of the pollens, chemicals, bacteria, pet or dust mite residues.
On the other hand, if you want your carpet to look good and give you years of dependable service, then you need to take extra good care of it. This means you need to have it cleaned by a qualified skilled technician at least every six months to one year, depending on the amount of soiling and foot traffic it receives. You need to have it cleaned thoroughly and disinfected, as only a truck-mount hot water extractor can do.
WHY YOU WANT A CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET!
Which is more important to you – a clean carpet or a clean and healthy carpet? Yes, I assure you, there IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Each carpet cleaning method has advantages and disadvantages. Some methods will get out only the dirt; other methods will get out dirt and grease, and still others will get out virtually everything. To be sure, some are more expensive than others for that very reason.
If all you want Is a cheap, rinse-the-dirt-off-the-top cleaning – which you might find for $9.95 per room – then I respectfully ask that you call another company.
But, if you want to protect your health – if you want to protect your investment in carpeting – if you want to protect your family from the countless bacteria, fungus, pollens and dust mites that reside in your carpet, then you’re invited to call me.
The truck-mounted hot water unit we use is the most effective cleaning system available today. Likewise, it is one of the most expensive units on the market. But we bought this unit for a very good reason: more and more families want the good health benefits that come from having a fresh clean carpet. Have you ever seen how dirty a little boy’s pants get when he plays outdoors? You know then that you can brush his pants off and make him think they’re clean! Or, if you want the job done right, you can machine wash them in hot water and detergent and you KNOW they are clean!
The same is true for your carpet. You can hire someone for $50 to $95 who will “brush off” your carpeting and make you think it is clean. But if you want the job done right, I will clean your carpets with hot water and detergent using my state-of-the-art cleaning system and you will KNOW that they are truly clean.
So if you seriously want a thoroughly clean carpet – if you are willing to invest in your family’s good health – you are invited to call us. You will receive a written estimate at no cost or obligation. And, if you give us the go-ahead, you are further protected with our…
100% NO-RISK GUARANTEE
We want you to be super pleased with every carpet and upholstery job we do. So every job comes with our iron-clad, risk-free guarantee. What does that mean? Simply this: if you aren’t happy with our work, completely satisfied with the results, we will re-clean the area free. And if you still aren’t pleased, you pay nothing. Not one red cent. Many companies do not guarantee their work, but we fell nothing is more important than your complete and total satisfaction. We stand behind every job 100%. If you ever have any questions or concerns about our work, please call us without delay.
4 STEPS TO A FRESH, CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET
If you are thinking about having your carpets cleaned, we encourage you to follow these four steps:
STEP #1: Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned. The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they will wear out and the longer you have to breathe all the pollens, fungus and chemicals that hide in your carpet.
STEP #2: List your objectives. Do you want only the dirt removed, something you could do with a rented shampooer, or do you want ALL the bacteria, fungus, chemicals and dust mites removed, as well, which will require a hot water, truck-mounted cleaner which we use. Do you want to work with an honest, reputable company or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers you the lowest price knowing that the company might not be in business tomorrow?
STEP #3: Ask questions. The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are 8 tough questions to ask any carpet cleaner BEFORE he begins to clean your carpet:
1. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
2. What type of equipment do you use to clean carpet?
3. What will your equipment remove from my carpet?
4. What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
5. Are you a member of the Truck Mount Forums?
6. How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
7. Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certification certificates?
8. Are your cleaning technicians certified by the IICRC and can I see their certification?
STEP #4: Once you are satisfied that you are working with an honest and competent professional, invite him into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quote gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost – no surprises.
By following these four steps, you will gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet cleaning job, many companies exist today online and still in your phone book that can help you. Or you can rent a shampooer from the local store down the street and do the job yourself. That comes with NO guarantee!
However, if you really want your carpeting to receive the best life has to offer, to be completely and healthfully cleaned, removing all the pollutants, bacteria, fungus, spores, filth, tobacco and pet residues, then seek out the best. We invite you to give us a call.
We will be happy to answer any of your questions and provide you with a ball-park estimate over the phone or we can come into your home, measure, and give you a free written quote without cost or obligation of any kind. Does it really get any better or easier than that? To reach us, call 941-474-9407 or 941-485-7781.
THANKS YOU!
…for reviewing our new CONSUMERS GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING. I hope you have found this information helpful.
Again, if you have any questions or comments – or if you would like us to give you an exact written quotation to clean your carpet and upholstery, clean and seal tile and grout, please give us a call at 941-474-9407 or 941-485-7781.
We have dedicated our business to consumer education and service. We’ll be pleased to help you in every way we can.
Like us on Facebook and visit us on the web at www.crystalcarpetcleaners.com and www.tilecarpetcleaningvenice.com
AGAIN, THANKS!
Provided by Crystal Carpet Cleaners
Questions call; 474-9407 or 485-7781
Read this guide and you’ll discover:
* How to avoid 4 carpet cleaning rip-offs
* 6 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning
* Crawling critters and crud: A guide to the slime, grim and livestock sleeping, creeping and crawling throughout your carpet
* Which cleaning method cleans Best
* 8 mistakes to avoid when choosing a carpet cleaner
* The importance of value and price
* Why you want a clean, healthy carpet
* 100% no–risk Guarantee
* 4 steps to choosing The Right Carpet Cleaner for your needs to give you fresh, clean, healthy carpet
How to avoid 4 carpet cleaning Rip-Offs
Rip-off #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE. To some degree all of us are attracted by low price because we want to work within a budget. But some carpet cleaners use price as bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price usually between $9.95 - $19.95 per room and once they’re in your home, they pressure you into buying “add-ons. It’s as if you were buying a car and found out the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical carpet cleaners would have you believe.
Rip-off #2: BAIT AND SWITCH. Dual-process carpet cleaning describes the process of shampooing or heavy preconditioning followed with hot-water extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use dual process as a bait-and-switch technique. Here’s how it is done. First, they “bait” you with a basic cleaning (single process) at an unbelievably low price. Then, when you call them, they try to “switch” you to a more expensive dual-process cleaning. If you don’t fall for their switch and choose their basic service, you will likely receive poor workmanship using little or no cleaners and they will not guarantee their work.
Rip-off #3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS, i.e. “THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST.” You’ll read this in almost every ad. You’ll hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner. However, remember this: the method that’s best for you is the method that achieves your goal. If you want a method that dries quickly, then a method that takes a long time to dry isn’t the best for you. So before you choose a carpet cleaner, identify your objectives. Then select the method that best reaches those objectives.
Rip-off #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS, i.e. “HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET.” Years ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by “technicians “who didn’t know how to properly clean using hot water. But today, we know that’s false. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned in the same way that the person who showers and then rinses will be much cleaner than the person who takes a sponge bath. Obviously, each carpet cleaner will be biased toward his own method and each method does have advantages. So, I suggest you look to what carpet manufactures say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot-water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used buy firms with IICRC Certified Technicians
SIX COSTLY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CARPET CLEANING
MISCONCEPTION #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
No. Dirt is like a abrasive like sandpaper. Every time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife. This cutting causes your carpet to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last as long as clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps, by itself, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpets cleaned, the more damage you will do to your carpet and the faster it will wear out.
MISCONCEPTION #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to remove the dirt.
No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and hundreds of other chemicals. When you come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria, and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals and toxins wind up in your carpet.
MISCONCEPTION #3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. The dry cleaning methods, which are dry foam, dry chemicals, and dry compound, do not rinse your carpet in any way. Instead, they leave a dirty residue. You might say they clean your carpet only halfway. The most effective cleaning method is hot water extraction.
Hot-water extraction means a hot water cleaning solution, under high pressure, is forced into your carpet then sucked back out of your carpet. Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacture, recommends hot water extraction as the primary method of cleaning carpets, along with IICRC cleaning Technicians.
Carpet cleaners use one of two types of hot water extraction. I f thy use a large unit that operates outside your facility, it is called Truck – Mounted extraction. If they use a small unit that can be brought inside, it is called portable extraction. Shaw’s first choice is the truck – mount unit, and it recommends the small , portable unit only in areas where the truck – mounted unit won’t reach.
The truck–mount extraction cleans much better because it heats the water to a higher temperature, which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and pollens in the carpet. Then the machine uses high suction to draw out dirt and chemicals in the carpet. This is the method my company uses.
MISCONCEPTION # 4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.
Not true. Many companies own hot water cleaning equipment, but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. This is why it is important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully. The best cleaning companies are those that have been certified by by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, known as the IICRC. Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ASK TO SEE WRITTEN PROOF of the technician certification who is going to do the job! If they don’t have it, DON’T USE THEM!
MISCONCEPTION #5: The company which offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
No, I’ve seen so many problems arise from lowest-bed companies that I suggest you NEVER hire the company that quotes the cheapest price. The two most common problems are:
(1) The price may not be for the services you want performed. The company may be equipped to remove only the dirt from your carpet. But you may want bacteria, fungus, pollens, dust mites, and tobacco residues removed, as well.
(2) The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many home owners have learned that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the carpet cleaner got into their home. Then they were pressured into paying a lot more for a variety of add-ons. (Some carpet cleaners even break the law by using illegal bait- and-switch tactics.)
MISCONCEPTION #6: Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price quote over the phone.
I wish this were true, but it isn’t.
Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies almost never price carpet cleaning by the room. Instead, carpet cleaning is usually priced by the square foot. So, if you’d like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need you to tell me the size of your room to be cleaned, i.e. the exact number of square feet. And to get an accurate measurement, I use a measuring wheel on your floor to calculate the exact size of the carpeted area.
To give you an idea of how we estimate the cost of cleaning, here are the 3 things we consider:
First, the type of carpet you have. Certain types of carpet are harder to clean than others;
Second, the amount of soiling. Carpet that has not been cleaned in 10 years will obviously take longer to clean than carpet cleaned in the last 6 months;
Third, the amount of furniture we have to move. If you move your furniture for us, that will save you money.
CRAWLIN’ CRITTERS AND CRUD: A GUIDE TO THE SLIME, GRIME AND LIVESTOCK THAT ARE SLEEPING, CREEPING AND TREASURE-HUNTING THROUGHOUT YOUR CARPET.
Asphalt, Bacteria, Car exhaust, Chemicals, Dirt, Dust, Dust mites, Earth, Food particles, Fungus, Germs of all sorts, Gravel, Grease, Hair, Industrial Waste, Lint, Moisture, Mud, Pet dander, Oil, Pollen, Pollutants, Sand, Smoke, Soil, Soot, Tar, Tobacco smoke, Urine, Vomit.
Plus, don’t forget the live creatures, such as dust mites and fleas, as well as their excrement. They all live, hide and breed in your carpet. Think about that for a minute.
(Will you help us? We are trying to find one thing matching every letter of the alphabet that is probably, or more likely than not, present today in your carpet. We have remaining letters J,K,N,Q,W,X,Y,Z. If you can think of something, call or text and we will add your entry into our next consumers guide.) Thank you!
SO WHICH METHOD CLEANS BEST?
Dry Foam: The carpet cleaner applies shampoo to your carpet, allows it to dry; then, without rinsing, extracts the dried shampoo into a vacuum. Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing it with suction? This method leaves dirty, sticky residue in and on top of your carpet, which is one very good reason dry foam is not an effective method.
Absorbent pad (bonnet cleaning): This method is similar to dry foam, except that the company sets a large cotton bonnet on your carpet, and with a floor polishing buffer machine on top, “buffs” the carpet. The rotating motion causes the bonnet to absorb dirt from your carpet. This method is also called bonnet cleaning. Bonnet cleaning is like trying to use a large cotton towel or mop to rub the dirt out of your carpet. Very ineffective, don’t you think?
Dry, absorbent powder: The dry-compound method spreads a moist, absorbent powder through the carpet. The powder is allowed to dry and then sucked into a vacuum. This method spreads a moist, absorbent powder through the carpet. The powder is allowed to dry and then sucked into a vacuum. This method leaves dry sponge particles at the base of the carpet yarn. And because the carpet is not rinsed, it, too, is not an effective method of carpet cleaning.
Hot-water extraction: This is a fancy way of saying that a hot water cleaning solution under high pressure is forced into your carpet and then sucked out of your carpet.
In a recent Technical Bulletin, Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, “recommends the hot-water extraction system, which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning”.
You can choose from two different types of this method: Truck-mount extraction – done with a large machine mounted in a truck or van or portable extraction – done with a small, hand-held unit.
Help choosing the right method in this instance, Shaw’s Technical Bulletin states: “[cleaning] can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the facility with only the hose and want brought inside, or where a truck-mounted unit cannot reach, by a portable, self-contained system brought into the facility”.
As you can see, Shaw recommends the truck-mounted unit first. And this isn’t surprising. You see, the truck-mounted unit cleans much better because it heats the water to a high temperature and shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at higher pressures. This breaks up the dirt, bacteria chemicals, and pollens in the carpet. Then, the machine produces huge vacuum volume to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet. This is the method my company uses.
No question, the most effective way to clean carpeting is with a hot-water unit mounted in a truck. It is the most powerful cleaning machine on the market and the only machine that cleans your carpet of dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, and tobacco residue, as well as dust mites.
Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet, but this isn’t true. The dirt and pollutants are what damage your carpet. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, we clean completely – in the same way that a person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath.
8 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER
MISTAKE #1: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone. No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment. But he also needs something else. He needs employees who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own hot-water extractors, but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. The best way to know that the carpet cleaner’s employees have been properly trained is to make sure the cleaner has been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company’s and the technician’s IICRC certification.
MISTAKE #2: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price. Low price could be a problem in 3 ways: (1) Low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call. But once the cleaner gets into your home, he pressures you into a much more expensive job. (2) Low price can be for single-process cleaning. Rarely does the consumer know what this means and, when told, asks for dual-process cleaning instead which costs much more. (3) Low price means the carpet cleaner has cheap equipment, which will not effectively clean your carpet.
MISTAKE #3: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single phone call. Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written quote. Then you will know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends – and you won’t be the victim of high pressure tactics when the technician steps into your living room.
MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who does not offer a money-back guarantee. In my view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for its work. And, if you aren’t pleased with the job in every way, you should not have to pay for it. PERIOD. Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee. Of, if they do, the guarantee may be “limited.” Ask the carpet cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quote.
MISTAKE #5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from previous clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past work. And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his work.
MISTAKE #6: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn’t certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
If your carpet cleaner is not a close friend, you may not know whether he has the knowledge or experience to clean your carpet well. If you want to be sure you’re hiring a competent professional, make sure he is IICRC certified. The carpet cleaner must earn that certification through study, experience and successful completion of formal, written examination. In effect, cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have earned a college degree in carpet cleaning.
MISTAKE #7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who is not a member of the Truck-mount Forum (TMF) cleaning industry community. This is a trade association of carpet cleaners who are dedicated to: (1) honest, ethical business practices, (2) staying current on the latest methods for carpet and upholstery care, cleaning and restoration, and (3) the highest possible level of customer service. You are making a wise decision when you have your carpets cleaned by a member of Truck-Mount Forums.
MISTAKE #8: Choosing a carpet cleaner who does not use a truck-mounted, hot-water extraction system.
You might expect this from me, since my employees and I use this type of system. And there are several good reasons why. Portable hot-water systems are good, but they aren’t as good as a truck-mount system. A truck-mounted system is the Rolls Royce, as they say, of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable hot-water systems, truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure and stronger suction. So, all-in-all, you get a much better job.
THE IMPORTANCE OF VALUE AND PRICE
Price is what you pay; value is what you get.
When you select a carpet cleaner, you’ll choose from a wide variety of cleaning methods and prices.
Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction from a truck-mounted unit and using a portable unit only in areas where the truck-mounted unit won’t reach. Here’s why: A truck-mounted unit cleans much better than a portable unit for 3 reasons:
(1) It heats the water to a higher temperature. For every 18-degree increase in temperature above 118 degrees F, you double the water’s cleaning capacity. So if the water temperature is 136 degrees F, it will clean twice as well as water that is only 118 degrees F and 154 degree water will clean four times as well as 118 degree water. And so on, until you reach a water temperature of 250 degrees F.
(2) It shoots the cleaning solution into your carpet at higher pressure which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and pollens which means 300-400 pounds per square inch is the optimum pressure for truck-mount hot-water extraction.
(3) The machine uses stronger suction to draw the dirt, chemicals, bacteria, pollens, and tobacco smoke residue out of your carpet.
Not surprisingly, having your carpet thoroughly cleaned with truck-mount hot water extraction costs more than renting a shampooer at the corner grocery or super store.
If you bought the cheapest carpeting you could find, then renting a small shampooer might be all you need. No question, it will get out some of the dirt – but, the key word here is “some.” It will not get out many of the pollens, chemicals, bacteria, pet or dust mite residues.
On the other hand, if you want your carpet to look good and give you years of dependable service, then you need to take extra good care of it. This means you need to have it cleaned by a qualified skilled technician at least every six months to one year, depending on the amount of soiling and foot traffic it receives. You need to have it cleaned thoroughly and disinfected, as only a truck-mount hot water extractor can do.
WHY YOU WANT A CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET!
Which is more important to you – a clean carpet or a clean and healthy carpet? Yes, I assure you, there IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.
Each carpet cleaning method has advantages and disadvantages. Some methods will get out only the dirt; other methods will get out dirt and grease, and still others will get out virtually everything. To be sure, some are more expensive than others for that very reason.
If all you want Is a cheap, rinse-the-dirt-off-the-top cleaning – which you might find for $9.95 per room – then I respectfully ask that you call another company.
But, if you want to protect your health – if you want to protect your investment in carpeting – if you want to protect your family from the countless bacteria, fungus, pollens and dust mites that reside in your carpet, then you’re invited to call me.
The truck-mounted hot water unit we use is the most effective cleaning system available today. Likewise, it is one of the most expensive units on the market. But we bought this unit for a very good reason: more and more families want the good health benefits that come from having a fresh clean carpet. Have you ever seen how dirty a little boy’s pants get when he plays outdoors? You know then that you can brush his pants off and make him think they’re clean! Or, if you want the job done right, you can machine wash them in hot water and detergent and you KNOW they are clean!
The same is true for your carpet. You can hire someone for $50 to $95 who will “brush off” your carpeting and make you think it is clean. But if you want the job done right, I will clean your carpets with hot water and detergent using my state-of-the-art cleaning system and you will KNOW that they are truly clean.
So if you seriously want a thoroughly clean carpet – if you are willing to invest in your family’s good health – you are invited to call us. You will receive a written estimate at no cost or obligation. And, if you give us the go-ahead, you are further protected with our…
100% NO-RISK GUARANTEE
We want you to be super pleased with every carpet and upholstery job we do. So every job comes with our iron-clad, risk-free guarantee. What does that mean? Simply this: if you aren’t happy with our work, completely satisfied with the results, we will re-clean the area free. And if you still aren’t pleased, you pay nothing. Not one red cent. Many companies do not guarantee their work, but we fell nothing is more important than your complete and total satisfaction. We stand behind every job 100%. If you ever have any questions or concerns about our work, please call us without delay.
4 STEPS TO A FRESH, CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET
If you are thinking about having your carpets cleaned, we encourage you to follow these four steps:
STEP #1: Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned. The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they will wear out and the longer you have to breathe all the pollens, fungus and chemicals that hide in your carpet.
STEP #2: List your objectives. Do you want only the dirt removed, something you could do with a rented shampooer, or do you want ALL the bacteria, fungus, chemicals and dust mites removed, as well, which will require a hot water, truck-mounted cleaner which we use. Do you want to work with an honest, reputable company or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers you the lowest price knowing that the company might not be in business tomorrow?
STEP #3: Ask questions. The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are 8 tough questions to ask any carpet cleaner BEFORE he begins to clean your carpet:
1. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
2. What type of equipment do you use to clean carpet?
3. What will your equipment remove from my carpet?
4. What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
5. Are you a member of the Truck Mount Forums?
6. How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
7. Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certification certificates?
8. Are your cleaning technicians certified by the IICRC and can I see their certification?
STEP #4: Once you are satisfied that you are working with an honest and competent professional, invite him into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quote gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost – no surprises.
By following these four steps, you will gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet cleaning job, many companies exist today online and still in your phone book that can help you. Or you can rent a shampooer from the local store down the street and do the job yourself. That comes with NO guarantee!
However, if you really want your carpeting to receive the best life has to offer, to be completely and healthfully cleaned, removing all the pollutants, bacteria, fungus, spores, filth, tobacco and pet residues, then seek out the best. We invite you to give us a call.
We will be happy to answer any of your questions and provide you with a ball-park estimate over the phone or we can come into your home, measure, and give you a free written quote without cost or obligation of any kind. Does it really get any better or easier than that? To reach us, call 941-474-9407 or 941-485-7781.
THANKS YOU!
…for reviewing our new CONSUMERS GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING. I hope you have found this information helpful.
Again, if you have any questions or comments – or if you would like us to give you an exact written quotation to clean your carpet and upholstery, clean and seal tile and grout, please give us a call at 941-474-9407 or 941-485-7781.
We have dedicated our business to consumer education and service. We’ll be pleased to help you in every way we can.
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AGAIN, THANKS!