CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING

My name is Joel Belmont. I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide you with data about carpet cleaning and help you decide on a carpet cleaning firm.

As the owner of Belmont Clean Carpet and Upholstery Care, I have spent over 10 years cleaning textiles in the Roaring Fork Valley. I have attended several schools, workshops, and seminars to stay abreast of changes in carpets and fabrics. I am certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification).  I also spent over a year in training with my father, Charles Belmont, founder and president of the Certified Cleaners Association.  I am the only carpet cleaner with a Five-Star rating on www.EthicalServices.com (a nationwide watchdog featured on ABC’s 20/20) in Aspen, Snowmass Village, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, CO.

During my years of cleaning, I’ve learned that carpet cleaning is the subject of much confusion. In fact, men and women have so numerous misconceptions about carpet cleaning that I decided to provide this consumer education message, so when you select a carpet cleaning firm, you can make an informed, intelligent choice.

I’m going to share with you 7 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning. Plus, I’ll provide 4 recommendations. And, I’ll give you 8 questions you need to ask a carpet cleaner just before you invite them into your house.

MISCONCEPTION #1: You must wait as lengthy as feasible prior to cleaning your carpet.

Absolutely NOT! 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 employed a knife, causing it to wear out quicker. A soiled carpet will not last nearly as lengthy as a clean carpet. And even though vacuuming helps – by itself, it’s simply not sufficient. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the much more damage you do to your carpet and the quicker it wears out.

MISCONCEPTION #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to remove the soil and enhance the appearance.

NOT TRUE! As you most likely know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust – and hundreds of other harmful chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollens and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing, and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria end up – you guessed it – in your carpet.

Carpet cleaning is not just about removing soil and improving the appearance of your home. It’s about protecting your family and safeguarding their health by removing pollutants and contaminants that can affect your high quality of life. In some instances, INDOOR AIR High quality can be 70-100 times much more polluted than outdoor air. Since carpet is the lowest and largest horizontal surface, it acts as a “sink” or filter, which wants to be emptied and cleaned frequently.

One more factor to think about is that carpet fibers are made to hide and camouflage soil and debris. So, by the time you can see evidence of soiling, your carpet is already overdue for a cleaning. Naturally, some colors do a better job of hiding soil than others. For example, earth tone colors (browns) do a gorgeous job of hiding soil, so you can’t depend on appearance as a basis for deciding when it is time to clean your carpets.

MISCONCEPTION #three: One Method OF CARPET CLEANING IS AS Very good AS An additional!

No.  In reality diverse carpet cleaning organizations use Quite diverse systems, and a lot of of them can cause soil to reappear soon after they have been cleaned, and can permanently damage your carpet and upholstery!

Here are the most prevalent strategies:

The very first 1 uses a water-based dry foam, which is applied to the carpet, allowed to dry, and then just vacuumed. Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, permitting it to dry and then removing the shampoo from your head with a vacuum? This method can leave a tremendous amount of soapy residue in your carpet, and it doesn’t supply adequate agitation to clean and lift the carpet fibers, making it an un-effective way to clean.

The second method uses carbonated water to try to float dirt to the surface.  Carpets need to be deep cleaned with an efficient cleaner and a thorough system, and effervescent bubbles just do not supply a thorough cleaning.

Third, the dry-compound method spreads an absorbent mixture that looks like wet sawdust all over your carpeting. Then a machine brushes the mixture into the carpet, which in theory causes dirt to absorb into the mixture. When the mixture has dried, a vacuum cleaner sucks the material out of the carpeting.    In a cut pile or berber carpet, it is impossible to vacuum it all out, leaving both the cleaning compound and soil in the carpets.

The fourth approach is known as steam cleaning. This is a fast, one-step process where boiling temperature water, loaded with soap, is injected into the carpet at 400 pounds of pressure per square inch.  This carries soapy water through the carpet, and frequently by way of the carpet pad and into the sub-floor.  It can take literally days for the soaked carpet to dry out, which can trigger mold difficulties.  Also, the extremely hot temperature of the water can soften the glue in the carpet backing, causing the fibers to permanently distort, and the combination of moisture and temperature can shrink the carpet away from the walls, or stretch it, leaving ripples and causing permanent damage.  Pre-vacuuming is typically left out, it doesn’t afford adequate agitation, and the soap residue left in the fibers attracts the spots and visitors lanes appropriate back to where they were just before!  Within a couple of weeks, it can look like your carpet was never cleaned, and over time it can ruin your carpet.

In summary, the reason why none of these approaches are successful, is since they are lacking 4 essential elements of a proper cleaning: (1) they leave a residue to attract soil, (2) they don’t pre-vacuum, (3) they use too little or too much moisture, and (4) they do not agitate the carpet fibers enough to clean and restore them to a healthy pile.

The last method is a Five-step low-moisture method.

Very first, the carpet is pre-vacuumed with a 3hp commercial extractor and pile lifter.  Scientific studies show that 70-75% of all the soil, allergens and foreign objects in carpeting can be removed with a professional vacuum, making this a critical step for a thorough cleaning.

Next, an environmentally friendly cleaner that contains no soaps, bleaches or caustics—thus leaving no harmful residue to attract a lot more soil—is gently applied to the carpet fibers, allowing it to penetrate to the base of the carpet pile.  The cleaner is 100% safe for you, for your carpets and for the environment, and due to the fact it doesn’t leave any residue, the cleaning will last three to 4 times as long!

Third, a rotary floor machine with a nylon brush (or a softer brush for wool and other delicate carpet fibers) is employed to clean all four sides of the carpet fibers.  This breaks up stubborn spots, liquefies any remaining soil or bacteria, and lifts the carpet knap back up to its original condition.

Once the soil has been liquefied, special cotton bonnets are employed on the floor machine to absorb and thoroughly remove the liquefied soil, leaving the carpets fibers clean, healthy and lovely.

The last step is to groom the carpet by hand with a pile lifting brush, leaving all the fibers lifted up in 1 direction. This helps the carpet to dry in just a couple of hours and leaves the carpet like new again.

With out question, the most efficient way to clean carpeting is with a five-step, low-moisture, no residue system. It’s the most efficient cleaning approach on the market and the only approach that thoroughly removes dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens and other residues, whilst restoring the carpet fibers to their original condition.  This is the technique my firm uses.

MISCONCEPTION #4: ALL Approaches OF CARPET CLEANING ARE Excellent FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

Sadly, no.  There are 3 essential factors that make a system environmentally friendly:  1, the equipment ought to be powered by clean energy; two, the cleaning solution must be certified as non-toxic and safe for the environment; and 3, a carpet cleaner should dispose of the waste water correctly.

(1) Several carpet cleaners use machines that are petroleum powered, utilizing diesel fuel or unleaded gasoline to run their equipment.  That means that not only is your neighborhood being polluted by the exhaust from their van and equipment, which runs for the duration of the cleaning regardless of whether it’s 1 hour or all day lengthy, but this also adds unnecessary greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, increasing the effects of global warming.

Other carpet cleaners use equipment that is just as powerful, but is powered by electricity, which is a cleaner and a lot more efficient form of energy.  So make sure that the firm you hire uses clean energy—electricity—to power their equipment.

(2) Many carpet cleaners use chemicals that non-biodegradable, and are harmful to men and women as well as the local watershed.  A cleaning answer that is Green Seal Certified is a great standard to use when making positive a chemical is environmentally friendly.

(three) It’s unfortunate, but some companies do not dispose of their wastewater correctly.  I have seen carpet cleaners on several occasions pump their wastewater correct out into the street, which locally runs by means of the storm drains and appropriate into the river, with no treatment.  This can trigger massive difficulties for our local rivers, and there have been several occasions had been carpet cleaning companies have been sued for improper wastewater disposal, resulting in fish kills and damage to the local environment.  An ethical carpet cleaner will dispose of wastewater properly.

These 3 factors are an critical component our present quality of life, as well as for that of future generations, and it’s a high standard to which we are committed.  We are 1 of the only carpet cleaning companies in the Roaring Fork Valley that meets all 3 of these criteria.

MISCONCEPTION #5: HAVING THE Correct EQUIPMENT IS ALL A Organization Requirements TO CLEAN YOUR CARPETS Correctly.

Not true. Many companies hire employees that do not know how to use carpet cleaning equipment properly. This can result in an improper cleaning and even damage to your carpets and property furnishings.  Many carpet cleaners are sued every year because of improper cleanings that resulted in damage.  This is another reason why it’s critical that you select your carpet cleaner carefully.

The very best carpet cleaning businesses are those that have been certified by the INSTITUTE OF INSPECTION, CLEANING, AND RESTORATION CERTIFICATION, recognized as the IICRC. A carpet cleaning firm can’t get this certification. The carpet cleaner ought to EARN the certification via study, experience, and the successful completion of formal, written examinations. Technicians who are certified by the IICRC have, in effect, earned a degree in carpet and textile cleaning, and continuing education is a need to to remain certified.

The IICRC gives written credentials to the businesses it certifies. So, prior to you select a reputable organization, ask to see written proof of the company’s IICRC certifications.

MISCONCEPTION #6: THE Organization THAT Provides THE LOWEST PRICE IS THE Business YOU Ought to HIRE.

No. We’ve seen so a lot of difficulties arise from the lowest-bid organizations that I suggest you NEVER hire a business that quotes the cheapest price. The 3 most widespread problems are:

(1): The price you see provided may well not be for the services you want performed. Just before you choose a business, determine what you want to accomplish. If you want the technician to remove only some of the dirt, you can select from hundreds of businesses that give low prices, poor equipment and limited knowledge.

On the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned – if you want to remove the harmful dirt, bacteria, pollens and chemicals – then you will need to hire a organization that uses a thorough 5-step system. This is the only way to assure that your carpet remains healthy and totally free from dirt, disease-causing bacteria, and harmful chemicals.

So, keep in mind, the price you see provided might not be for the services you want performed.

(2): An inexpensive cleaning may possibly last only a couple of weeks, and leave harmful chemicals in the carpet.

Most cleaners in the carpet cleaning business (specifically the ones that do not charge a lot) clean with soap and detergent-based cleaners, leaving a sticky residue in the carpet.  The residue attracts soil like a magnet, and fairly soon it looks worse than just before the cleaning!  It’s wonderful enterprise for them, because you have to hire them to clean much more frequently, but that’s not great for you or your carpet.  It’s a bad cycle of which there is no way out except to use a system that can break down the residue, or to replace the carpet. And since carpet is the single most pricey replaceable item in your house, you might save a couple of cents per square foot with a cheaper cleaning method, but it can cost you thousands of dollars in the lengthy-run.

(three): The price you see advertised may possibly not be the price you pay!

Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount they were charged.

BAIT AND SWITCH is the term utilized to identify those who use fraudulent advertising, just to get their foot in the door. You probably know somebody who has learned the difficult way. Some carpet cleaner offered a inexpensive price – usually between .95 and .95 per room – and then pressured them into paying a lot far more. This amounts to breaking the law.

As in all businesses and professions, the carpet cleaning business has its share of bad apples. I take no pleasure in telling you this, but some are unethical and, sadly, a couple of are dishonest. By their misleading advertising and false promises, they cast a dark shadow on our entire business.

Then you’ll come across other carpet cleaners, experts like me, who work difficult to earn your trust and respect, and to supply you with the highest quantity of value.

As a way of improving our profession, I’ve dedicated my enterprise to educating the public. The only way you can make an intelligent decision is to have all the facts you need. This is why I’ve written this message.

MISCONCEPTION #7: ANY HONEST CARPET CLEANING Business Must BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU AN EXACT PRICE OVER THE TELEPHONE.

1st, honest, reputable, carpet cleaning businesses generally price carpet cleaning by the square foot. So, if you’d like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I will need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned. To get an accurate measurement, I personally take exact measurements of the carpeted region.

You’ll be glad to know that the carpeted region to be cleaned is not nearly as great as most folks think. For example, if you want your whole property cleaned, and your house is 2000 square feet, the quantity of carpeting to be cleaned may possibly be only 1200 square feet. This is simply because most property measurements are outside measurements. Plus I deduct the area taken up by walls, room dividers, and the like. The result is that the actual region to be cleaned is typically only about 60% of the square footage of the property.

So, even though I can’t give you an exact quote over the telephone, here are things I take into account when quoting a price.

Initial, the type of carpet. Specific varieties of carpet are harder to clean than others. So, prior to I can give you a quote, I want to know the type of fiber your carpet is made from, and the particular style.

Second, the quantity of soiling. Carpet that hasn’t been cleaned for 10 years will take longer to clean than carpet that was cleaned within the last 6 months. When carpet has been neglected for any length of time, (perhaps much more than 2 years) our approach to the job changes from a normal maintenance cleaning, to a a lot more aggressive RESTORATIVE cleaning.

Third, the quantity of furniture that has to be moved. If we have to move furniture, it will take us longer to clean than an empty room.

To recap, I take into account the sort of carpet, the quantity of soiling, the maintenance history, and the quantity of furniture that has to be moved. So, as you can now imagine, every quotation is distinct.

IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT HAVING YOUR CARPETS CLEANED, I Give THESE 4 RECOMMENDATIONS:

RECOMMENDATION #1: Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned. The longer they remain soiled, the sooner they’ll wear out. Plus the longer you have to breathe all the pollens, fungus, chemicals, and dust mite droppings that reside in your carpet.

RECOMMENDATION #2: List your objectives. Do you want only the dirt removed? Or do you want the bacteria, fungus, and chemicals removed, which will require a thorough 5-step procedure, like I use? Do you want to work with an honest, reputable business – or are you willing to risk working with the business that provides the lowest price – understanding that your carpet and upholstery could be poorly cleaned and permanently damaged?

RECOMMENDATION #3: Ask questions. The way you discover about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are the questions I suggest you ask:

1. WHAT Type OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE TO CLEAN CARPET?
2. WHAT DOES YOUR EQUIPMENT REMOVE FROM MY CARPET?
three. DO YOU USE ANY SOAP OR DETERGENT-BASED CLEANERS, AND ARE YOUR CLEANING AGENTS GREEN SEAL CERTIFIED?
4. DOES YOUR EQUIPMENT RUN ON ELECTRICITY OR PETROLEUM, AND HOW DO YOU DISPOSE OF WASTEWATER?
5. WHAT TRAINING HAVE YOU HAD IN CLEANING CARPETS?
6. ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ETHICALSERVICES.COM?
7. ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND, IF SO, WHICH ONES?
8. ARE YOU CERTIFIED BY THE IICRC AND WILL YOU SHOW ME YOUR CERTIFICATE?
9. DO YOU FULLY GUARANTEE YOUR WORK?

RECOMMENDATION #4: Once you are satisfied that you’re working with an honest, competent professional, invite them into your property and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost. NO SURPRISES!

By following these four recommendations, you’ll gain all the details you want to make an informed, intelligent choice.

I hope you found this consumer awareness message to be helpful. If you have any further questions, feel totally free to contact me.  Also, you can discover a lot more about carpet and upholstery cleaning at www.BelmontClean.com/carpet-cleaning-aspen.html