Carpet Cleaning Misconceptions

MISCONCEPTION #1: The Only Reason You Should Clean Your Carpet Is to Remove the Dirt.

Unfortunately the dirt in your carpet has lots of company. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust and hundreds of other chemicals. Not to mention the dirty work done by dust-mites and their allergens. When you come into your home, you carry these pollens, bacteria, and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all of these chemicals and toxins wind up in your carpet. As you walk on your carpet, all of this ‘junk’ is redistributed into the air you breathe.

If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems - one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, dust-mite waste and chemicals in your carpet. Not only do you want a clean carpet, you want a HEALTHY carpet, too.

MISCONCEPTION #2: You Should Wait as Long as Possible to Clean Your Carpet.

No. Dirt is an abrasive – a lot like sandpaper. Every time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the carpet fibers. This cuts into your carpet fibers, causing it to wear out much faster. And while vacuuming helps, by itself, it simply is not enough.

Modern carpet is designed to conceal dirt – and this is a good thing. But it needs regular cleaning because by the time your carpet begins to show the dirt (for example, in the traffic lanes), the damage has already begun. Regularly scheduled cleaning can prevent this from happening. So the longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage is done to the fibers and the faster it wears out.

MISCONCEPTION #3: One Method of Carpet Cleaning is as Good As Another.

No. The dry cleaning methods - which are dry foam, dry chemical and dry compound, don’t rinse your carpet in any way. Instead, they leave a dirty residue. You might say they clean your carpet only half way. The most effective cleaning method is hot water extraction.

Again, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer requires hot water extraction as the primary method of cleaning carpets and also requires only IICRC certified technicians be used. This is because it uses hot water cleaning solution under high pressure that is forced into your carpet and then drawn back out of your carpet by a powerful vacuum. This allows the dirt, grease,
bacteria, and pollens to be emulsified, liquefied and extracted from your carpet.

Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet. This is not true. I’ve heard people who sell carpet actually say this! Washing and then rinsing your carpet with very hot water is the only proven way to thoroughly deep clean your carpet.

MISCONCEPTION #4: Having the Right Equipment Is All a Company Needs to Clean your Carpets Properly.

Not true. Many companies own hot water equipment but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. That’s why it’s important to choose your carpet cleaner carefully.

The best cleaning companies are those that have been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, known as the IICRC (www.iicrc.org). You cannot buy this certification. It must be earned through study, experience and successfully completing a formal, written exam. Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company’s IICRC certification.

MISCONCEPTION #5: The Company With the Lowest Price Is the Company You Should Hire.

We have seen so many problems arise from the low-price companies that I suggest you NEVER hire a company that quotes the cheapest price. There is just too much at stake!

You've heard of the Better Business Bureau as well as your local Chamber of Commerce. These organizations are there to serve as watch dogs for the community and monitor the business activities of local companies. Choosing a company based upon low price alone could be a problem in 3 ways:

1. The price may not include services you want performed. The company may be equipped to remove only the dirt from your carpet. But you’ll certainly want the bacteria, fungus, pollens, and pollution residues removed as well. This requires a powerful truck-mount capable of producing water hot enough to destroy disease-causing bacteria and harmful chemicals.

2. The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the carpet cleaner got to their home. Then they were pressured into paying a lot more for a variety of so-called “extras”.

3. Low price means the carpet cleaner has cheap equipment and even cheaper chemicals which will not effectively clean your carpet. Instead, look for carpet cleaners who package their services - you’ll always get a better deal.