4 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CARPET CLEANING

Misconception #1:  You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet. 

No.  Dirt is abrasive – like sandpaper. Every time you step on the carpet, you grind dirt into your carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster.  A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet.  And while vacuuming helps, it’s not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out. 

Misconception #2:  The only reason to clean carpets is to get out the dirt.

No.  As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, bacteria, cigarette smoke, car exhaust – and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollutants in your hair and on your shoes and clothing. Not surprisingly, all those dirt wind up in your carpet.

If you have allergies, asthma, or other breathing problems – one major source of your problem could be the pollens, bacteria, and chemicals in your carpet.

In addition, as you may know, tobacco smoke contains many different chemical compounds, some of which cause cancer. And even if you don’t smoke, those chemicals get on your shoes.  You track them in to your home and leave them in your carpet. If you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke, you might find that you’ll breath easier after you hire a company to get those harmful chemicals out of your carpet. 

So in addition to getting rid of dirt, another important reason to clean your carpet is to get rid of pollens, bacteria, chemicals, and residue from tobacco smoke.

Misconception #3:  Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.

Not true. Many companies own good equipments. But a large number of employees don’t know how to use them correctly. You probably know someone who bought the latest computer on the market – but didn’t know how to use it for a year or more. The same is true with carpet cleaning machines. This is why it’s important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully.

The best carpet cleaning companies are those that have been certified by the Institute of Inspection, cleaning and Restoration Certification, also known as the IICRC. A carpet cleaning company cannot buy this certification. The cleaner must earn the certification through study, experience and the successful completion of a formal, written examination. The institute provides written credentials to the cleaners it certifies.  So before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see proof of IICRC certification.

Misconception # 4:  The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.

Maybe – but not always true.  Here are two important points to consider.

Point #1:  The price you see may not be for the services you want. Before you select a company, decide what you want to accomplish. If you want the carpet cleaner to remove only some of the dirt, you can choose from hundreds of companies that use small machines or other cleaning methods. Or, you can even rent a small machine at the grocery store and do the job yourself. 

Or the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned – if you want to remove all the harmful dirt – then you need to hire a company that uses a powerful machine mounted in a truck. This is the only way to assure that your carpet remains healthy and free from disease-causing dirt and harmful chemicals. So remember that the price you see may not be for the services you want.

Points #2:  the price you see advertised may not be the price you pay.

Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised was not the actual amount they were charged. 

And if you’ve ever hired a carpet cleaner, you too may have been the victim of false or misleading adverting. You probably learned the hard way that cleaners offer a very cheap price and then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Some of them may even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.  As in all business and professions, the carpet cleaning industry has its share of bad apples. I take no pleasure in telling you this, but some are unethical – and, sadly, a few are dishonest. 

Then you’ll find other carpet cleaners – professionals like me who work hard to earn your trust and respect. As a way of improving our profession, I’ve dedicated my business to educating the public. The only way you can make an intelligent decision is to have all the facts you need. This is why I’ve recorded this message to help promote consumer awareness and education.

RECOMMENDATIONS

If you’re thinking about having your carpets cleaned, I offer these four recommendations:

Recommendation #1:  Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned.  The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they’ll wear out.  Plus the longer you have to breathe all the pollens, chemicals and dust mites that live in your carpet.

Recommendation #2:  List your objectives.  Do you want only the dirt removed, something you could do with a rented machine.  Or do you want the bacteria, fungus and chemicals removed, which will require a hot water truck mount system, like I 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 may not be in business tomorrow.

Recommendation #3:  Ask questions.  The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers.  Here are the questions I suggest you ask:

1. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
2. What type of equipment do you use to clean carpet?
3. What does your equipment remove from my carpet?
4. How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
5. What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
6. Are you a member of any trade associations and, if so, which ones?
7. Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certificate?

Recommendation #4:  Once you’re satisfied that you’re working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing.  A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost – no surprises.

By following these four recommendations, you’ll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision.  If you want a quick, cheap cleaning job, many companies in the phone book can help you.  Or you can rent a small machine and do the job yourself.

But if you want your carpet to be completely and thoroughly cleaned – removing the bacteria, pollens, and tobacco residues – then I invite you to call Sundance Cleaning.  I’ll be happy to answer your questions – or come into your home and give you a free carpet evaluation and written quotation – without obligation of any kind.