Important
Consumer Information
The following
information comes from our years of experience in the industry and
the advice of other experts such as the Institute of Inspection,
Cleaning and Restoration Certification www.iicrc.org.
Being armed with this knowledge will protect you from unethical
companies and help you choose a reputable carpet cleaning company.
Questions
to Ask A Carpet Cleaner Before Scheduling A Cleaning
1.
What type of method of cleaning do you use?
Truck Mounted Hot Water Extraction (also called steam cleaning)
has been endorsed by many experts as the best carpet cleaning method
available. In fact the major carpet mills require that you use this
type of cleaning in order to fulfill the warranty.
There are other methods that can work well though under certain
circumstances. (For more information see the section on carpet cleaning
methods)
2.
What type of equipment do you use? If choosing extraction
ask: Do you use truck mounted equipment or portable?
If the answer is "We use portables" - unless your access is limited,
find another cleaner. Portable cleaners are not as powerful as truck
mounted machines and remove only a fraction of the contaminants
that others can remove.
3.
Do you guarantee complete odor removal?
If the answer is "Yes we guarantee complete odor removal",
find another company. (See Pet Urine below) Be very careful of any
company that makes unreasonable claims that cannot really be met.
4.
Are your technicians certified and by what organization?
The IICRC
(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
- www.iicrc.org) is the organization that certifies technicians
by means of schooling and testing. Major carpet manufacturers use
these companies to perform warranty work. Should you settle for
less?
5.
Do you guarantee complete stain removal?
No reputable professional carpet cleaner will be able to guarantee
complete removal without pre-testing. If the answer you get is,
"Yes we guarantee it", find another cleaner.
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Carpet
Cleaning Methods
Hot water
extraction (also called steam cleaning)
- Truck Mounted
System - The cleaning solution is heated and sprayed into the
carpet fibers. The truck mounted system has a high powered vacuum
that sucks out the dirt and water and puts it in a waste water
tank located in the truck. (This is the method that is required
by the major carpet mills to fulfill the warranty)
- Portable
System - The cleaning solution is sprayed into the carpet fibers
and sucked out with a vacuum. Tap water is poured into the portable's
fresh water tank. The vacuum is less powerful and extracts less
of the water. (This method is acceptable when accessibility to
the home or apartment is limited)
Bonnet Cleaning
(also called dry cleaning)
Cleaning solution is sprayed onto the carpet and a cotton bonnet
is placed on a machine similar to a floor buffer. The bonnet scrubs
the fibers and when it becomes soiled is replaced by another cotton
bonnet. (This method is acceptable for periodic cleaning, but must
be used in conjunction with with an occasional full extraction cleaning
as well.)
Foam Cleaning
Cleaning solution is foamed, brushed into the carpet and then vacuumed.
(This methods may leave the carpet stiff - no rinsing occurs)
Chemically
Treated Powder
Very small particle powder that is brushed into the carpet,
attracts soil particles, and then vacuumed.
Note: Each method
has advantages and disadvantages. Extraction and dry cleaning are
the most popular. Some in the industry classify hot water extraction
as "heavy-duty cleaning" and dry cleaning, foam and powders as "light-duty
cleaning."
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What
Can I Expect From A Carpet Cleaning?
Traffic Lanes
If traffic lanes have begun to appear in your carpet, there
is damage to the carpet fibers. After cleaning these heavily used
areas may appear more visible than areas that are used less. The
key is to clean before traffic lanes begin to appear.
Furniture
Moving
Most Carpet Cleaners will move a limited amount of furniture. For
example, most will move sofa, loveseat, recliners, but not dressers,
entertainment centers, bookcases and pianos.
Stains
A stain from mustard, kool-aid, or furniture stains may not come
out. The more information you can provide about the nature of the
stain the more likely the Carpet Cleaner will be able to remove
it. Some spills become permanent stains if not attended to in the
first 30 minutes.
Pet Urine
Removal of Urine can be a complicated procedure. If the urine
has soaked through the carpet to the pad below, a topical cleaning
and deodorizing may not be 100% successful in removal. If the
urine is light - it may be able to be removed with an application
of an enzyme product. If the urine contamination is heavy, the
carpet may need to be lifted, the pad removed and replaced, the
floor sealed and the carpet cleaned front and back.
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Protect
Yourself From "Bait & Switch" Tactics
Are
the technicians you send into my home employees of the company,
or subcontractors?
"Low price" cleaners often use independent contractors as technicians.
WARNING-you may not be able to find the contractor if a problem
develops. Only allow a company into your home that has employees,
uniformed, and driving a truck with company logos and emblems.
If
an advertised price seems To Good To Be True - it probably is!
A company that invests in hiring of quality employees, training,
uniforms, and equipment, must charge a reasonable price to do a
good job for you. Also, the"Low price cleaner" is usually charging
for hot water cleaning only - after investigating you will find
that after the to apply a cleaner costs more than if you had hired
the most expensive company in the Phone book! The extra charges
that they add on, are usually included in a reputable companies
price. If the "Low Price Cleaner" starts to add on "EXTRA SERVICES"
at high prices, ask them to leave.
Don't
allow yourself to be taken by the trap, "I'll just call the office
and see if I can get a reduced rate on this"
A reputable company establishes prices for their employees and they
must follow them. This trap has been used for years - recognize
it and you'll protect yourself.
Telemarketers
"We are going to be cleaning in your area on ..." BE CAREFUL - are
they listed with the Better Business Bureau? If there is a problem
will they be there for you tomorrow? If they soak your carpet and
your try to find them a few days later - are they still is business
- or in the area? Protect yourself - only trust a company that has
invested in training, equipment and advertising. You will know they
will be here tomorrow!
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Recommendations
Call
someone you know!
Trust a Carpet Cleaning Company that has stood the test of time.
Ask for referrals. Invite them to visit you and give a quote before
scheduling an appointment.
Call
the IICRC at 1-800-835-4624 or on the web at www.iicrc.org
Is the company certified? Are their technicians? Ask, will you show
me proof of your certification.
Ask
- Are your technicians employees - or subcontractors?
Call
the Better Business Bureau and ask if there are complaints against
the company.
CompanyName is happy to provide you quality service that meets
the standards outlined above. Call Today to schedule your cleaning
(111) 222-3333
