Mistakes To
Avoid At All Cost
EIGHT MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER
MISTAKE #1: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone.
Certainly, your cleaner needs first rate equipment. More importantly, he needs something else. He needs technicians who are skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own Hot Water Extraction equipment. Few teach employees how to use them properly. Again, the best way to make certain the cleaner has been properly trained is to ask for proof of certification by the IICRC. Before you select your cleaner, be certain they can present proof of certification by the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
MISTAKE #2: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price.
Low price could be a problem in three ways: 1) Low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call, but ends up with you being pressured into a much more expensive job. 2) Low price can be for a "single-process" cleaning. Rarely do consumers know what this means and, once told, they ask for "dual-process" cleaning instead, which costs more, of course. If an IICRC-certified technician should bait and switch you in this way, they would lose certification. Final-extraction-only, is what is often sold as "single-process". However, IICRC guidelines, not to mention common sense, dictate that without proper pre-conditioning, final-extraction-only is of little value. Pre-conditioning BEFORE Hot Water Extraction is akin to applying shampoo to your hair BEFORE rinsing it out. This is a required step in Hot Water Extraction. Not an option.
So-called "single-process" cleaners are basically telling you they can wash your hair simply by rinsing water over it, or that they can wash your car simply by spraying it with a water hose. If you want actual cleaner or pre-conditioner, their so-called "dual-process", it will cost you more -- in cases, more than a complying company would charge. You and I both know that you either shampoo your hair, or you don't. Hopefully you also now know that you either clean with COMPLETE Hot Water Extraction, or you don't.
3) Low price may mean the carpet cleaning company has cheap equipment, or uses cheap (or no) chemicals. Neither will clean your carpet effectively. A bad cleaning is almost worse than no cleaning at all. One company reportedly uses 2 teaspoons of cheap powdered laundry detergent as their "single-process" cleaning chemical, dissolved in 5 gallons of water, which is then used as their secret "concentrate". This company is using MAYBE 5 CENTS worth, yet even charges more than average for the job! They don't bother to neutralize it after cleaning either, which leaves your carpet alkaline -- They are also setting all of their clients up for early carpet retirement, faster resoiling and dye color changes (fading) because of their badly out of date methods.
Another company uses older-style chemicals suitable for earlier-generation carpeting. Such a chemical is too harsh for the sophisticated modern-day generation of carpets. A too-high pH chemical such as this voids the warranty on your carpet any time it is used. It also ruins the stain-resistance properties that are a big part of what you paid for when purchasing carpet and leads to premature aging of most carpet materials..
An IICRC-certified company may use $10.00 or $15.00 in chemicals alone on average per job. Proper chemicals cost money. (Good quality protectant costs much more extra!)
MISTAKE #3: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call.
Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for (demand) a specific written and firm quotation. Only then will you know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends -- and you won't be the victim of high-pressure tactics when the technician steps into your home. A proper technician will do a thorough pre-cleaning inspection before ever dreaming of offering you a quote.
MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn't offer a money-back guarantee.
In our view, every carpet cleaning company - and every carpet cleaning technician, should be fully accountable for work performed. If you aren't pleased with the job in every way (with any exceptions that were in writing before you accepted the quotation), you shouldn't have to pay for it. Period.
Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee. If they do, it may be "limited". Ask the cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee, and what the terms are.
OUR GUARANTEE: If you are not Completely Satisfied with the quality of our work, we will come back and do it again. If you are still not satisfied, we will refund your money in full for any room that does not meet your satisfaction.
MISTAKE #5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from his other clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past jobs. Sadly, some of what they say may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read comments from current clients so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his work, based on what others think of it, and not just on what he says.
MISTAKE #6: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn't certified by the IICRC.
If your carpet cleaner isn't 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's IICRC certified. The cleaner must earn this certification through study, experience and successful completion of formal written examinations. In effect, cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have earned a "degree in carpet cleaning".
MISTAKE # 7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn't a "Certified Firm" with the IICRC or a member of the Carpet and Fabric Institute (CFI).
The CFI and IICRC Certified Firm associations are for 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're making a wise decision when you have your carpets cleaned by a member of the IICRC Certified Firm program or a CFI member.
MISTAKE #8: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn't use Hot Water Extraction.
You might expect this from us, since we use this type of system. Powerful systems whether they are portable or truck mounted are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaning.
Compared with any other hot water method, having better agitation (rotary), greater (more consistent) vacuum, higher (more effective solution) pressure and hotter water is all around the best way to ensure you get a much better job. No two ways about it.
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©1997-2007,
Frank Nihei, TACH Cleaning Co.