| Fact 1 |
You should get your carpets cleaned
once per year. |
| |
Many people only get their carpets cleaned once they look
like they need it. This is a mistake –
a carpet that looks like it needs cleaning is probably well
overdue. Apart from the improved appearance and smell carpet
cleaning should be completed on an annual basis for two
fundamental reasons;
1. Health of the home.
2. Longevity of the carpet.
Carpet can provide an attractive floor finish
to a home providing warmth and comfort
for many years if it is looked after. There
are three things you must remember about looking after your
carpets to ensure a long and healthy life. They are;
1. Vacuum regularly – 2 or 3 times per week.
2. Clean up spills / soiling immediately to avoid them getting
trampled into the carpet pile.
3. Spring clean carpets once per year.
Dirt is an abrasive and as a result of gravity and foot traffic
will work it's way down into the carpet pile
where it cannot be removed by standard vacuuming
and will cause damage to the carpet fibres.
|
| Fact 2 |
Carpet Cleaning reduces the incidence
of air-born allergies developing in your family and friends. |
| |
Carpet provides a trap for both airborne and foot borne dirt
and bacteria and also provides a wonderful breeding
ground for dust mites and other microscopic bug-life.
Vacuuming does not remove these potential allergens.
Deep cleaning does – at least partially
and you may find you breathe more easily after such a treatment.
Spring is the perfect time to do a deep cleaning.
|
| Fact 3 |
Steam Cleaning is the most effective
method of carpet cleaning. |
| |
Basically there are two methods of cleaning
carpets;
 “dry
cleaning”
“steam
cleaning”
“Dry Cleaning”
Dry cleaning is not like dry cleaning your clothes. All
carpet cleaning uses water in one form or another.
“Dry cleaning” is typically performed in one of
three ways;
- The Dry Foam Method
When a carpet cleaner uses dry-foam he applies shampoo to
your carpet, allows it to dry, and then sucks the dried
shampoo into a vacuum. This is a little like applying shampoo
to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing it with
a vacuum – not good. This method has a tendency to
leave a residue of dried shampoo in your carpet –
and is not considered the most effective method of carpet
cleaning.
- The Dry-Chem Method
This method is similar to Dry-Foam – the major difference
being the use of a large cotton bonnet which is set on top
of the carpet and then spins from side to side, absorbing
the dirt that is in the carpet. The bonnet is replaced as
it becomes saturated with dirt. Bonnet cleaning is like
trying to use a large damp towel to rub the dirt out of
your carpet.
- The Dry Compound Method
Under this method an absorbent mixture that looks like wet
sawdust is spread all over the carpet. A machine then brushes
the mixture into the carpet and this absorbs dirt. When
the mixture has dried a vacuum cleaner sucks the material
out of the carpet. The carpet is not rinsed in anyway and
so again residue is likely to be left behind.
“Steam Cleaning”
This method is more correctly termed; “hot
water extraction”. A hot water cleaning solution
is forced into the carpet under high pressure and then is
sucked out of the carpet. It is also referred to as “steam
cleaning” although the only steam present is
that which comes off the hot water!
This is the method my company uses.
Shaw Industries, the world’s largest
carpet manufacturer, recommends steam cleaning.
There are two types of steam cleaning machine;
Truck
mounted extraction
Portable
extraction
They operate in much the same manner although truck mounted
machines are generally more powerful (higher heat and greater
suction) while the portable machines have the advantage of
being able to get to places the truck mounted ones can’t
(up stairs etc).
There is no question that the most effective way to clean
your carpet is the hot water extraction method –
“steam cleaning”.
Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet. This
is not true. By washing and then rinsing your carpet
with hot water we clean your carpet completely
– in the same way that the person who lathers up and
then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than
the person who only takes a sponge bath.
|
| Fact 4 |
The right equipment does not always
produce the right job. |
| |
Once you have selected steam cleaning as
your preferred method of cleaning you need
to select a technician to do the work and two carpet cleaners
with the same equipment will not necessarily produce the same
result – just as two racing car drivers in identical cars
will not finish in a dead heat.
My point is that good equipment still needs to be used correctly
to get the best results.
The best carpet cleaning companies are those that have been
certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration
(IICR) and or the Australian Carpet Cleaning Institute (ACCI).
A carpet cleaning company cannot buy such a certification
– they must earn it through study, practical demonstration
and experience. In effect they have earned a degree in carpet
cleaning. I have such a degree.
|
| Fact 5 |
The cheapest price will not produce
the best job. |
| |
When selecting a carpet cleaner by all means get more than
one price for comparison purposes. However you must be certain
of three things;
That the prices you get are for the job you want
– not the job someone wants to sell you.
That you are comparing apples with apples – i.e.;
the prices you get are for the same scope of works/methodology
etc.
The
price you see advertised is the price you pay.
Before you select a company decide exactly what you want
to accomplish – if all you want is a spot clean of a
particular stain then there are many businesses with small
shampoo 'ers that can help you (Note; you can even rent such
a machine at many supermarkets).
On the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly
cleaned, if you want all the harmful dirt, bacteria, chemicals
and pollens and tobacco residues removed then you
need to hire a company that uses the hot water extraction
method. This is the only way to ensure that your carpet remains
healthy and free from dirt, disease-causing bacteria, and
harmful chemicals.
Many home owners have learned that the low price they saw
advertised was not the amount they were charged. If you’ve
ever hired a carpet cleaner you too may have been the victim
of false or misleading advertising. You may have experienced
carpet cleaners offering very cheap room rates
($5 or $10 per room) but then pressuring you to pay
more once they get to your home. These “bait
and switch” tactics are illegal.
Although the carpet cleaning industry has it's share of unethical
and even dishonest operators there are also many highly
reputable businesses. I’d like to think United
Home Services falls into this category. That’s why we
are happy to provide informative, factual documentation such
as this guide to prospective customers even if they end up
using someone else – the industry will be better off.
|
| Fact 6 |
Prices over the phone are not accurate. |
| |
It would be nice if phone prices could be accurate but if
your carpet cleaner is genuine then a phone
estimate is just that – an estimate.
The following circumstances all contribute to the cost of getting
your carpet cleaned;
Carpet
types,
Pile
length,
The
amount of soiling,
The
amount of furniture to be removed,
The
total area to be cleaned and even
The
number of rooms
These all have a bearing on the amount of chemicals used
and on the time a job will take. As such they have an impact
on the real cost of your requirements.
To provide an accurate assessment of the cost of
your job – the carpet cleaner should inspect the job.
|
| Recommendation 1 Clean
Your Carpets Annually |
| |
Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned
once every year and your spring clean is the best time to do this – the longer they remain
dirty the sooner they will wear out and the longer you and your
family and friends will have to breathe chemical, dust mites
and other allergens that reside in dirty carpets.
|
| Recommendation 2 Ask
lots of Questions |
| |
When you contact a carpet cleaner ask them lots of questions
about their business – try and get an idea of how much
they know about their industry. I recommend the following
questions;
- What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
- What type of equipment do you use?
- What does your equipment remove from my carpets?
- How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
- What training have you had in carpet cleaning?
- Are you a member of any trade associations – if
so, which ones?
Once you have established that your contact sounds honest,
competent and professional only then invite them into your
home to provide a written quote.
|
| Recommendation 3 Get
a WRITTEN Quote |
| |
A written quote gives you the certainty that you know exactly
what your job will cost – no surprises. Incidentally it
also protects the carpet cleaner avoiding any dispute over what
a job has cost.
|
| Conclusion |
| |
I hope this guideline has provided you with some pointers
that will assist you to make an informed decision about the
care and maintenance of your carpets.
If you want your carpets to be completely and thoroughly
cleaned; removing the bacteria, dust mites, chemicals, pollens
and other allergens then I invite you to call me.
I’ll be happy to answer your questions, provide a cost
estimate over the phone, inspect your home and provide a free
written fixed quote without obligation of any kind.
Finally I make one final point;
 I
guarantee my work - if you're not happy I'll do it again.
If you are still not happy I'll pay someone else to
do it.
That’s right. I fully guarantee every carpet cleaning
job I do. If you are not happy with the work we will
re-clean the area for FREE. And if you are
still not happy I'll pay someone else to do it! What could
be fairer?
* Offer valid for 3 days after service.
As a matter of fact you should add this to your list of questions;
Do you guarantee your work?
Thanks again for your time – if you would like to arrange
for an obligation free quote simply: |
