Albuquerque Carpet Cleaning Guide Commonly Asked Questions BEAR CARPET CLEANING, INC. (505) 407-4249 How to Choose a Carpet Cleaner Separating Myths from Facts About Your Carpet 3 Tips On Keeping Your Carpet Cleaner for Longer 1
Table of Contents Commonly Asked Questions.pg. 3 How to Choose a Carpet Cleaner pg. 4 Get Your Money s Worth/ Fun Fact.pg. 5 Separating Myth from Fact pg. 6 3 Tips on Keeping Your Carpet Cleaner for Longer.pg. 7 Resources Pg. 8 2
Commonly Asked Questions Q How often should I get my carpets cleaned? A When cleaned and maintained correctly carpet life is considerably extended. Carpets these days are designed to hide dirt particles deep in the pile, so even if your carpet does not appear to be particularly dirty it's the unseen soils, bacteria, and allergens that cause the real damage to both your carpet and to you and your families personal health. Carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months. Q What is steam cleaning? A The term 'steam cleaning' is slightly misleading because this process does not actually use steam. Very simply, a hot water extraction unit is used to pump a solution of hot water and detergent into the carpet and then extract it again with soil from the carpet. Q What is dry cleaning? A The term 'dry cleaning' generally refers to carpet cleaning methods that do not use hot water extraction units. Most of these processes are not actually 'dry' as they involve the use of water based cleaning agents. They are however, commonly referred to as 'dry cleaning' processes as the carpet usually requires less drying time than 'steam cleaning' The most common method of 'dry cleaning' is technically called 'Bonnet Dry Cleaning' and essentially involves using a bonnet or pad on a buffing machine to rotate on the carpet surface and draw the dirt up into the pad. A water base dry cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the carpet, before a woolen pad (also soaked in the solution) is circulated over the carpet to lift dirt. This is usually followed by another passing using dry pads. Q Steam carpet cleaning and chemical carpet cleaning which is better? A Obviously, carpet cleaners are the better cleaning machines versus steam cleaners to clean fully carpeted rooms. We suggest users not to confuse steam cleaners and carpet cleaners because they target specific purposes. Generally speaking, steam cleaners are designed more for hard surfaces with a lesser emphasis on carpet and upholstery, whereas carpet cleaners are geared towards professional carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning. BEAR CARPET CLEANING can provide you with the correct carpet cleaners and steam cleaners in either case. 3
How to choose a Carpet Cleaner: Ask Good Questions Do not be afraid to ask questions! Here are a few questions to keep in mind: * How long have you been in business? The answer can speak volumes about a company s reputation and experience. * What formal training is required for the company s management and cleaning technicians? A reputable company should require that employees receive training certifications. * Do you vacuum before deep cleaning the carpet? All professional cleaners should vacuum before they deep clean the carpet. This critical first step makes a huge difference in the end result. * Do you use Seal of Approval cleaning solutions and equipment? Seal of Approval products have been independently tested and certified to effectively clean carpet without causing any damage. Get an in-home inspection and estimate Never go strictly by television advertisements or newspaper inserts or jump at the lowest bid. And don t accept quotes over the phone. Have the cleaning representative come to your home for an inspection to determine the type of cleaning method that is most suitable, as well as to inspect your carpet for problem spots or extremely soiled areas. Obtain a written agreement before any work is done. Usually they will not charge for furniture removal, routine spot removal or preconditioning. Make sure you are not charged for any extras. Get a written contract with the total price and statements of guarantees that the cleaning company offers. 4
Get your money s worth The following tips will help you get the best results from hiring a professional carpet cleaning service provider: * Show the cleaning professional any problem areas and spots or pet stains that need special attention. * To prevent voiding warranties, contact the carpet manufacturer before allowing additional treatment, such as re-applying stain treatments or antistatic treatments. * Wait for the carpet to dry completely before walking on the carpet or moving the furniture back into the room. If you replace the furniture too quickly, rust or stains from paint or finishes could mar the carpet permanently. DID YOU KNOW... A misperception is that people with asthma and allergies should avoid carpet in the home. But much of today s carpet is made from harmless materials found in clothing and other everyday fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, Triexta, and olefin fibers, which don t trouble most people. 5
"The carpet doesn't look dirty enough to have it cleaned at this time." Some carpets do hide soil more than others. It does not mean there is no soil to be removed. All soil, whether hidden or not, acts an abrasive. It can result in early wear, loss of fiber protection, and even some loss of color. "I was told to wait a few years before having my carpets cleaned. 'They' said, once you have them cleaned, you always have to have them cleaned!" Check your paperwork. Carpet manufacturers recommend having your carpets cleaned by a trained and qualified professional every 12 to 18 months. Call the manufacturer, not the retailer, they will refer you to an IICRC Certified Firm, Such as BEAR CARPET CLEANING. The problem many consumers face is the fact that many companies use a high-residual detergent that remains in the carpet long after they leave, and it continues to attract soil, causing your carpets to get dirty fast. "They said Steam-Cleaning will ruin my carpets!" Many carpet cleaning companies use Hot-Water Extraction (Steam- Cleaning). Steam-Cleaning is the preferred choice of most people because of the thoroughness of the method, only when done properly. It is recommended by the leading carpet manufacturers. On the other hand, untrained and uneducated carpet cleaners can over-wet your carpet creating a variety of problems for you. According to IICRC Standards, carpets should be fully dry within 24 hours. "I was told that once I have my carpets cleaned, I do not need to have any carpet protectant applied. It has built-in stain resistance." Most of the residential installation of carpet these days are stain resist. But no carpet is ever "stainproof", but added carpet protectants, when properly applied, will enhance stain resistance to accidental spills and spots. It will also help remove more dry soil during vacuuming. "I shouldn't have to pay a lot for carpet cleaning." Never select a carpet cleaning company solely based on price. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some would like for you to think. Their technique is to advertise a low price to get you to call them, so they can push their low quality, ineffective goods at higher prices than what the real professionals charge. Thorough carpet cleaning is not cheap, but it will extend the useful life of your investment and care for your carpeting in a way that will save you money in the long run. 6
3 Tips on How to Keep Your Carpet Cleaner for Longer 1. Vacuum often. That dirt-damaged carpet also stains more easily, so keep the dirt out and you'll have fewer stains. 2. Take off your shoes. Isn't it nice to sit down on your carpet without wondering what was dragged across it on the bottoms of shoes? 3. Put a mat outside the front door, and a rug inside the entrance. This will catch some of the dirt coming in, before it makes it to the carpet. 7
Resources BEAR CARPET, INC. (http://bearcarpet.com) (505) 407-4249 "Deep Cleaning And Selecting A Carpet Cleaning Professional." Www.carpet-rug.org. The Carpet and Rug Institute. Web. 21 May 2010. "Myths & Facts About Carpet Cleaning." Www.carpetsetc-pgh.com. Carpets ETC. Web. 21 May 2010. "Carpet Cleaning." Www.pondered.org. Web. 21 May 2010. 8