Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before having your Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
No. Dirt is abrasive like sandpaper. Every time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the carpet & fabric fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife. A dirty carpet, furniture will not last as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps–by itself, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to for
carpet & upholstery cleaning, the more damage you do to your fabrics and the faster it wears out.
Also, many say, “It seems like my carpet got dirty so much faster after I cleaned it the first time.” True. Some of this could have to do with a cleaner leaving a detergent residue.
You can test my theory if you have a carpet that has been down for two or three years. Take a glass of distilled water and pour it into a clean area of the carpet – where there are no spots and out of the traffic pattern.Then walk away. If you come back tomorrow and see a spot or ring of brown, that’s the dirt accumulated in and under your carpet. If it were a brand new carpet, you would obviously see nothing.
Misconception #2: The only reason for Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning is to remove dirt and stains – to make it look nice.
No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust – and hundreds of other chemicals. When you come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals and toxins wind up in your carpet and upholstery.If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems – one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, smoke and chemicals in your
carpet.Studies have shown that the carpet & upholstered furniture is a major contributor to allergies or respiratory disorders of any kind, including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, red itchy eyes, sinus infections, headaches, etc.
Misconception #3: Vacuuming is enoughThis is probably the most common misconception about carpets.
Many people think that just vacuuming their carpet & furniture is enough to keep it clean yearlong.And sure, vacuum cleaning will remove hair, dust, crumbs and other physical dirt, but what it can’t do is extract all the dirt from your carpet or furniture. Oh, and it doesn’t remove odors or stains.
Unlike vacuuming, professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning uses steam machines to reach deep into the fibers of your carpet and unlock dirt—even the smallest particles and most stubborn stains don’t stand a chance.So in addition to vacuuming at least once a week, make sure you get it professionally cleaned once a year. Only then will it be completely clean.
Misconception #4: I can get the same results by renting a machine and ‘doing it myself.’
Not true. In fact, do it yourself machines are so inferior to truckmount equipment, it’s not even a fair comparison. The ‘do it yourself’ machine does not have the 200 degree hot water, higher cleaning pressure or even powerful vacuum that a truck-mount machine does. Lack of vacuum power and poor suction causes damage by over wetting carpet that may cause mold to grow.
Misconception #5: One cleaning method is as good as another.
No. The dry cleaning methods – which are dry foam, dry chemicals and dry compounds – do not rinse your carpet in any way. Instead, they leave a dirty residue. You might say they clean your carpet and upholstery only halfway. The most effective cleaning method is hot water extraction.Hot water extraction means a hot water cleaning solution, under high pressure, is applied to your carpet & furniture and then extracted out of your carpet.Carpet & upholstery cleaners use one of two types of hot water extraction. If they use a large unit that operates from a van or truck outside your facility, it’s called truck-mounted extraction. If they use a small unit that can be brought inside, it’s called portable extraction. Shaw’s first choice is the truck-mounted unit – and it recommends the small, portable unit only in areas where the truck-mounted unit won’t reach.The truck-mounted extraction cleans much better because it heats the water to a higher temperature – which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals and pollens in the carpet. Then the machine uses high suction to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet. This is the method we use the most, however we do have a high powered portable to use when our truck mounted hoses can’t reach.
Misconception #6: Having expensive, high-tech equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpet & upholstery properly.
Not necessarily. They need to be successfully trained to use it.
Many companies own hot-water machines but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. This is why it’s important that you choose your carpet & upholstery cleaner carefully. The best cleaning companies are those that are an IICRC Certified Firm (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) and employ technicians that have been classroom trained and have passed the written exam to become IICRC Certified Technicians. Before you choose a carpet & upholstery cleaning service, ask to see written proof that the company is current IICRC Certified firm for this year and that the technician is certified to perform the work you’re requesting.
Misconception #7: The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
This may be true for landlords and people moving out of rental units. Since they don’t have to live there, they can say they had the carpets professionally cleaned even if it looks worse than it did before. I’m not saying all landlords practice this. We do business with many landlords who require their tenants to use our services to protect their investment in carpeting. We have also been hired by landlords to come and clean after a tenant tried renting the rug doctor or hiring the cheapest guy.
If you have to live there, or if you will be the one who pays to replace it, I suggest you throw out the lowest three bids. Just like in the automobile industry, the difference between the cheapest and the best may be a factor of 10 times or more. Like a used Yugo for $300 or a new Rolls for$300,000.Consumers who find themselves irresistibly attracted to the lowest price often go through very painful experiences before they have their first “painless” carpet &upholstery cleaning experience. We’ve hear their stories.
A honest carpet & upholstery cleaning company should be able to give you an estimate over the telephone.
How we determine the price is base on the following:
1) Type of carpet. Some carpets are easier to clean than others.
2) The amount, type of soiling, wear age and how well you have taken care of your carpet. Carpet that hasn’t been cleaned for ten years will take longer to clean than carpet that we cleaned within the last six months.
3) Amount of furniture that will have to be moved. A room with furniture typically takes at least twice as long to clean as one that is clear. If you can move it out or work around it, you’ll save money.
Enjoyed reading the article above , really explains everything in detail,the article is very interesting and effective.Thank you and good luck for the upcoming articles
Nice info!
Great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to mention that I’ve really loved browsing your blog posts.
Thanks for this informative article!
I’ve learn some just right stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how a lot attempt you put to create any such magnificent informative
web site.