INFORMATION
6 Misconceptions about Cleaning your Carpets
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, causing it to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. The longer you wait to have your carpets cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet's longevity which causes it to wear out. The carpet mills require carpets to be cleaned by an IICRC certified company every 24 months to maintain their warranty
Misconception #2: The only reason to clean carpets is when company is coming.
No. When your family comes into your home, they carry surface contaminates from petroleum oils and hundreds of other toxic chemicals. When the door is opened a low pressure vacuum is created pulling outside pollens, fungus, bacteria, inside creating air pollution. When your air conditioning cycles this exacerbates particulate matter and leaves dispense carbons that land where? You guessed it! On your carpets and furniture. 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 textiles and window coverings.
Misconception #3: All methods of carpet cleaning are the same!
Fact: It boils down to you choosing from two primary methods: dry cleaning or hot water extraction (steam cleaning).
First, I'll explain the misnomer of dry cleaning. Many people believe when they hear a carpet cleaner promote that dry cleaning your carpet is like dry cleaning your clothing. This is not true! Any carpet cleaner using dry cleaning compounds similar to your local dry cleaner will leave behind gas carcinogenic chemical fumes into your home environment. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) requires the wearing of a respirator. Most of these purveyors who cite the virtues of dry cleaning don't offer their clients a respirator. Why? Because the fact is all carpet cleaning methods use water in one form or another. Don't believe me? Ask them if they mix their cleaning solution with water. Since this is the case their cleaning solution is water based as I've suggested.
What do the major manufactures recommend since they make all the carpeting in the world? For example: Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, recommends truck-mounted hot water extraction (steam cleaning) on their website and inside the care and maintenance of their manufactured goods. Don't be fooled by claims that a portable carpet cleaning is just as effective as a truck mount. Truck-mounted extraction cleans much better because it has a powerful onboard heating system. The high-pressure flushing action assists in breaking up the trapped dirt, bacteria, oils, and pollens. Then it uses high-suction action to draw the dirt out of the carpet. This is the method Vanguard Carpet Cleaning uses.
Misconception #4: Having the most powerful equipment is all you need to clean your carpets properly.
Not true. I'm sure you've heard claims that other services have the distinction of owning the most powerful equipment on the market. Does this really matter? Now I'm going to get a little scientific here, the industry standard is a two- inch vacuum line attached to the truck-mounted equipment. If you recall it was either the fat blue or orange hose going into your dwelling. The last carpet guys used it to vacuum out the water from your carpeting. The maximum airflow drawn through a two-inch hose is set at 350 to 450 cubic feet per second (CFS) before collapsing the hose. Bear with me a little more here! I'm trying to explain it so you'll follow the logic of my conclusion. The vacuum (airflow) is created by a blower attached to the machine. Say a carpet cleaner says he has the most powerful machine on the market because it has 756 CFM. Remember it is physically impossible to get 756 CFM through a two-inch plastic hose without it collapsing. Would that mean anything? Not If I didn't point it out to you. So don't get fooled by the claim "They have the most powerful machine on the market".
Most companies own truck-mounted equipment, but a large number of employees are so new on the job less than one year of experience. What makes someone a great cleaner is time and experience not powerful equipment! You've probably purchased new software sometime in the past. You're probably still learning things, but didn't learn how to really master it for years. The same is true with carpet cleaning methodology. The company may have the distinction of using the most powerful equipment, but the employees may not know how to use it correctly. This is why it's important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully. The reputable carpet cleaning companies are those that have been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, known as the IICRC. A carpet cleaning company cannot buy this certification. Believe me, there has been some who want the coveted Master Cleaner status by trying to side step the system. The carpet cleaner must earn the certification through study, experience, and the successful completion of formal, written examinations. Cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have, in effect, earned a degree in carpet cleaning. Vanguard Carpeting Cleaning has the pleasure having of having a master cleaner on staff and others working toward the coveted rank of being called master cleaner.
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 services you want performed.
Before you select a company, decide what you want to accomplish. You can choose from hundreds of companies that use small shampoo machines or other unconventional cleaning methods. You can even rent a machine at the grocery store and do the job yourself! Yes it is back breaking some some of my clients have pulled muscles because of frugality. Can you imagine an oncologist cleaning his own carpets? Believe me it has happened because they were to cheap to hire a professional to clean their carpets.
On the other hand, if you want your carpets thoroughly cleaned to reduce the harmful dirt, bacteria, pollens, chemicals, and pollutant residues then you need to hire a company that uses a truck-mounted steam cleaning machine. So remember that the price you see offered may not be for the services you want performed and you get what you pay for! Cheap carpet cleaning means cutting something else out.
Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay.
Many homeowners have been fooled by low price bait traps. They've seen false advertisements and later end up being charged more than the amount they were expecting. If you've ever hired a cheap carpet cleaner, you too may have been the victim of false or misleading advertising. You probably learned the hard way that some carpet cleaners offer a cheap price, and then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Yes, many have a secret agenda by flaunting the law by using illegal bait-and-switch tactics.
The carpet cleaning industry has its share of crooks. I take no pleasure in expressing this, but too many cleaners are very unethical by bringing cleaning products into your home they know are poisonous. Regrettably, a few are dishonest and will over charge their grandmother if they can make a buck. With their misleading advertisements and false promises, they cast a dark shadow over our entire industry.
Then you'll find other honest hearted carpet cleaners (professionals) who work very hard to earn your trust and respect. As a way of improving our profession, Vanguard Carpet Cleaning has dedicated its business to educating our cliental. The only way you can make an intelligent decision is to have all the facts you need. This is why I've posted this consumer awareness guide.
Misconception #6: Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price over the phone.
I wish this were true, but it isn't. Consumers often think that if they want to clean four rooms and the price is $20 per room, then the price will be $80, but this isn't always true.
First, honest and reputable carpet cleaning companies usually price carpet cleaning by the room or square foot. So if you would like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need to know the exact number of rooms you want cleaned. To get an accurate measurement, when I get to your home, please walk us through it to help us identify spills so we can use the proper spot cleaning agent on them.
Let me provide three recommendations
Please forgive our long-winded writing. Changing someone's way of thought can be very challenging. If you are thinking about having your carpets cleaned, I'll offer these three recommendations:
Recommendation #1: Make a commitment to yourself to remove your carpeting when you can afford it. Yes you've read it correctly. I'm recommending you remove any carpeting. Why? Because is the main sources of contamination inside your home. It's recommended that you clean your carpet at least twice a year to reduce contamination levels. The longer carpets remain dirty, the sooner carpets wear out. Plus, you will be breathing all the pollens, fungus, pollution, and dust mites that possibly live in your carpet and furniture.
Recommendation #2: List your cleaning priorities. Never rent a machine or hire someone with a portable/buffer. If you do, then do-it-yourself! At least you'll know it's done right! Always work with an honest, reputable company, never risk working with the company that offers you the lowest price, knowing that company might want to rip you off.
Recommendation #3: Ask lots of probing questions. You can learn a lot about a company by asking specific questions and listening carefully to their answers. Here are the questions I suggest you ask:
- What method of carpet cleaning do you use?
- Do you have a truck mount? How old is it?
- Can you bring a copy of your Insurance and MSDS documentation?
- What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
- Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certification card?
- Do you guarantee your work?
By following these three recommendations, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet cleaning job, many companies are waiting in the phone book to prey on you.
If you want your carpet to be completely and thoroughly cleaned, a truck-mounted carpet cleaner who is IICRC certified and willing to back it up with a guarantee, Vanguard Carpet Cleaning is the only choice!
I realize many consumers are skeptical about carpet cleaning companies. Before we got into the business we were skeptical too. That's why I'm providing this educational consumer awareness message to the public at no cost to help the consumer make an educated, informed intelligent decision in choosing your carpet cleaning company without the hassles and problems many have.
Thank you for taking the time to read this information. I hope you have found it helpful. If you have further questions or comments, feel free to contact me by email at questions@vanguardpreferred.com or my staff anytime. We'll be glad to help!