Carpet Cleaning Questions & Misconceptions
It seems that when it comes to the subject of carpet cleaning there is a lot of confusion and misconceptions. We decided to offer this information so when you select a carpet cleaning company, you can make an informed decision.
Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Carpet Cleaner
Carpet cleaners in Portland vary widely on the quality of work and services they provide. The decision to choose a carpet cleaner in Portland should not be based solely on price. Below are questions you should ask a potential cleaning company to ensure you receive value for your money.
Q. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?A. The recommended method for carpet and upholstery cleaning is Hot Water Extraction (HWE).
Q. Are your cleaners certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certificate?
A. The IICRC stands for Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration and Certification. This is the leading world wide accepted certifying agency for cleaners in the proper methods of carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and really anything to do with installing, cleaning, or restoring various types of flooring. Serious cleaners have taken courses in the proper methods of cleaning and restoration of the items they clean.
Q. Will you provide me with some customer referrals?
A. We have our references listed on our website.
Q. Do you offer a guarantee of your services?
A. We offer to provide our customers with the most thorough cleaning possible, or it's free. Our goal is to make our customers happy.
Q. Is your company part of the committed to provide Ethical Services
A. We signed up and agree to uphold ethical business standards. Ethical Services
Q. Does your company provide upfront prices in writing?
A. Before we do any work in your home we provide upfront prices in writing. If we give a phone quote, our price is real and rarely changes. We say our prices are real because we do not offer a ridiculously low price with the intention to get you to book, knowing that we are going to triple or quadruple the price when we show up.
Common Misconceptions
Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
No. Dirt is an 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. Vacuuming helps, but by itself, it's simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to it.
Misconception #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to get out the dirt.
No. Outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust -- and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, those pollutants are carried in and usually end up in your carpet.
If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems; one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, and chemicals in your carpet.
Misconception #3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. You can choose from many methods, most of which are bad. The best method to use is Hot Water Extraction.
Hot water extraction is done with a portable or truck mounted system that uses hot water to break up the dirt, bacteria and pollens. Then the machine uses high suction to draw the dirt out of the carpet. Carpet will dry in approximately 6-8 hours and is the method we use exclusively.
Misconception #4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.
Not true. Many companies own hot-water cleaners - - but a large number of employees don't know how to use them correctly. This is why it is important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully. We only use highly trained technicians and continually adopt any new technique and/or cleaner that works better than our current method.
Misconception #5: The Company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
Maybe, but not always. Here are two important points to consider.
Point #1: The price you see offered may not be for the service you want performed. If you want the carpet cleaner to remove only some of the dirt, you can choose from hundreds of companies that use small shampooers or other cleaning methods. On the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned, you need to use a company that offers hot water extraction like we do.
Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay.
Some carpet cleaners advertise room cleaning between $3.95 and $9.95 per room, then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Sadly, some carpet cleaners may even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.
Hopefully, this information helps you when choosing your next carpet cleaner. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Thank you for stopping by,
Sean
Today, I would like to talk about a great product that protects your carpet from stains.
