How to Select a Carpet Cleaning Company Avoid the Cowboys and Still Get Great Value Because the carpet cleaning industry in the UK is unregulated it is seen by many as an easy way to make some quick money or as an easy add on to an existing company. For a small outlay a cheap machine can be bought from ebay and the service is then offered as a professional service. Even established companies are still using outdated machinery and have used the same cleaning solutions for years despite there being better options available. As an owner of a carpet cleaning company, and an operator of the equipment the difference in the standards of carpet cleaning is clear to me, let me show you.

Surveys Surveys, these are not simply a sales technique, they are for your benefit! Cleaning is tailored to suit by knowing the fibre of your carpet, knowing the spills and marks, they are treated appropriately giving better results. Incorrect previous cleaning can leave high pH, damaging some fabrics. You should use this time to discuss the furniture to be moved and to highlight any problem areas, like tea or coffee spilt and any pet urine or smells on the carpet. Do not be worried about mentioning an area of concern as your carpet cleaner may need certain treatments to deal with the problem and so they need to know in advance. Surveys allow for a proper pricing of the cleaning task, if a set price per room is used without viewing ensure the operator is prepared for any problems that need attention.

Pre-spray Demanding carpet cleaners use only the best cleaning treatments, known as pre-sprays, the spray is worked into the carpet pile with a brushing machine (this is known as agitation). Pre-sprays will vary due to the fibre, and the type of soiling, they are vital as they loosen the dirt, enzymes break up food deposits, and the dirt is held ready for extraction. Cheap pre-sprays may remain in the carpet and cause re-soiling.

Warning Bait and switch is an illegal sales technique where the cleaning company baits the customer with low priced cleaning. When the operator arrives he uses no pre-spray and simply uses the extraction machine on the carpet – this is like washing your clothes using just the washing machine rinse and no detergent. When the carpet still looks dirty the operator then suggests a pre-spray, at a vastly increased cost. The homeowner then ends up paying more for an inferior clean than they would have paid for a quality clean from a reputable company.

Hot Water Extraction only cleaning, or One Step cleaning, cleaning without pre-sprays and agitation is sometimes the technique used by untrained operators who know no better. They simply use the extraction machine with a cleaning chemical in the rinse this gives poor results and is generally used by companies trying to be the cheapest. Simply ask yourself, having taken out the costs of running their business, and travelling to your home and the costs of the cleaning products, what profit are the company actually making. Will they need to do a quick clean of your room and get on to the next job? Marks and Stains Marks and worrying stains are treated with a vast array of cleaning agents! Different fibres, and different spills mean that a one fix chemical is not possible (treating a wine spill is totally different from nail varnish or make up). A reputable company will carry a spotting kit, with treatments for a wide range of marks and also specialist bleaching agents for treating permanent stains. Equipment Used The agitation machine works the pre-spray through the carpet, without it the agent would sit on top and not reach right down into the pile. Universally recognised as the best type of machine for this are the larger CRB machines, or contra rotating brush machines they will also lift the carpet pile. Another but inferior option is a rotary machine (like a buffing machine but slower). Operators of small carpet cleaning extraction machines say that the actual extraction machine you use does not matter, that the pre-spray is all important. However in the process we have to get the pre-spray and the dirt out of the carpet, a low powered rinse and low power vacuum leaves behind some of the pre-spray and dirt, so while the water in the machine may look dirty a good proportion of that dirty water remains in the carpet.

The truckmount operator also has the option of hotter and instantly heated rinse solutions to help break down stubborn dirt and also sanitise the carpet.

Finishing Off Putting furniture back on tabs prevents rusting or wood stain from furniture legs marking the carpet, grooming re-sets the pile to enhance the final look of your carpet, and carpet dryers, large blowers, along with a powerful extraction vacuum mean your carpet is dry within a few hours.

Reputable Company Free Survey Pre-Vacuum Pre-Spray and Agitation Treatment of Marks Moving of Furniture Hot Water Extraction Furniture on Tabs Carpet Groomed Carpet Dryers Insurance IICRC Training High Power Truck Mount

Low Price Quick Cleaners

How can you know? Generally when buying a product you can examine it, pick it up and look at it and see if it fits your needs. A service like carpet cleaning is different, especially if you don’t even meet the technician beforehand and he takes your booking by phone. So when getting quotes, even if it’s over the phone there are questions you must ask. What steps are included in the cleaning process you are quoting for? You need a quote, a fixed price and not an estimate. Look out that they will move the furniture (if you need it), that they will use a pre-spray and agitate, to work the pre-spray into the pile. Then Hot Water Extraction with a powerful machine, grooming the pile so the pile is all in the same direction, replacing the furniture on protective tabs, and fast drying with air movers or fans. The process is sometimes broken down and listed as seven or nine steps, but is essentially the process as listed here. What method will you use clean my carpets? Carpet manufacturers recommend Hot Water Extraction (HWE), sometimes called Steam Cleaning. When it’s done properly HWE will clean deep into the carpet pile. Low moisture cleaning is also available, bonnet cleaning or the Host system. Low moisture methods should be used if you have a carpet sensitive to water, or you need to use the carpet immediately or even during the cleaning, but low moisture cleaning is not recommended by carpet manufacturers as it is not a thorough cleaning system. How long will it take? Cleaning properly is not as simple as running a vacuum over the carpet. A minimum of two machines should go over the carpet along with moving the furniture and putting it back, the pre-spry and fans for drying. Remembering that the technician does this work every day, does the time given seem reasonable for all the work to be carried out? What equipment do you use? Built specifically for cleaning domestic carpets the Truckmount HWE machine provides the rinsing and vacuum power for deep cleaning. The machine has its own tanks for clean and waste water, good news if you are on a water meter, and the waste will not be poured down your toilet. (Waste water must by law go into the foul water drain).

Are you qualified with the IICRC? The IICRC also called The Cleantrust sets the world standard in training for carpet cleaners. The NCCA, also provides training, and passing their examinations or the IICRC exams means you can join the NCCA by paying a subscription. Joining TACCA requires that you have not only training but also a minimum standard in equipment. City and Guilds and other bodies run cleaning courses but not specific to cleaning carpets, and not including carpet construction which is needed to prevent damage when using certain chemicals. Are the cleaning agents you use biodegradable and eco friendly? Today cleaning agents that are biodegradable and eco friendly are readily available and not overly expensive, they are also very effective. Are you insured? Is that public liability insurance? Public liability insurance is required by law, but it is not enough, a properly insured company will have either indemnity or item worked upon insurance. If an untrained operator shrinks your carpet or strips the colour out of your sofa, or bleeds the dye on your rug, his public liability insurance will not cover him for the damage. It is very unlikely that a fully qualified technician will cause any damage and even if it does happen they will be fully insured.

Getting Great Value Now you know how to select the right cleaning company, but in the questions to ask we did not mention price. The price is usually the first thing that a person asks, mostly due to the fact that they don’t know how different carpet cleaning companies can be. Without having read this report most will look for the cheapest clean, but as we know that cheap clean isn’t really going to do a very good job of cleaning their carpets. So do you have to go to one of the large franchises and pay their high prices? NO. When you contact a company use the questions to gather the information you need, if you are happy that they will provide a quality clean and have good customer service then ask for them to prepare a quote. Don’t be afraid to ask if they have any offers at the moment. Having a few companies that have prepared a quote you can now get a professional deep clean for your carpets at the best price available.

I hope this information helps you to make the right choice in which company you choose. If you have any questions or would like further information you can contact me on 01376 585973 or 07810077821 or [email protected] Richard Meads Afresh Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning.