Common Misconceptions & Our Warnings

CONSUMER AWARENESS GUIDE

Dear Homeowner,

Choosing a carpet cleaner isn’t easy.

Why?  Because you’re bombarded with misleading advertising, confusing claims, and simply bad information.

From super low prices and high pressure sales to unqualified technicians and near worthless methods, how do you ever find a qualified, competent, professional carpet cleaner?

You start by reading this special report.  In this fact filled report, you’ll discover how to avoid 4 carpet cleaning rip offs, 6 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning, 6 mistakes to avoid when choosing a carpet cleaner, and 4 steps to a fresh, clean, healthy carpet.  You’ll also find information about Stainmaster Carpets that will save you thousands of dollars.

This report will give you better understanding of the importance of carpet cleaning, not just for appearance, but to insure your family’s health as well.  You’ll now be able to make more informed, intelligent decisions.

 

HOW TO AVOID 4 CARPET CLEANING RIP-OFFS

RIP-OFF #1  Unbelievably low price.  To some degree, all of us are attracted by low price because we want to work within a budget.  But some carpet cleanings use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising.  They offer a cheap price and then once they’re in your home, they pressure you into buying “add-ons”.  It’s as if you were buying a car and found the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel.  Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical carpet cleaners would like you to believe.

RIP-OFF #2  BAIT AND SWITCH.  Dual process carpet cleaning describes the process  of shampooing or heavy preconditioning, followed with hot water extraction cleaning.  Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use dual process as a bait and switch technique.  Here’s how it’s done:  First they “bait” you with a basic cleaning (single process) at an unbelievably low price.  Then when you call, they try to “switch” you to the more expensive dual-process cleaning.  If you don’t fall for their switch and choose their basic service, you’ll likely receive poor workmanship using little or no chemicals, and they will not guarantee their work.

RIP-OFF #3  UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS, “THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST.”  You’ll read this in almost every ad and hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner.  But remember this; the method that’s right for you is the method that achieves your goal.  If you want a method that dries quickly, then a method that takes a long time to dry isn’t for you.  So before you choose a carpet cleaner, identify your objectives.  Then select the method that best reaches those objectives.

RIP-OFF #4  OUTDATED BELIEFS, “HOW WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET.”  Years ago many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by “technicians” who didn’t know how to clean properly using hot water.  But today, we know it’s false.  By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned-in the same way that a person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath.  Obviously, each carpet cleaner will be biased toward their own cleaning method and each method does have advantages.  So I guess that you look at what the manufacturers have to say.  Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends hot water extraction for cleaning carpets.  Many of the other manufacturers are now making the same recommendation.  See what the warranty for your particular carpeting requires in order to keep the warranty in effect.

 
6 COSTLY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CARPET CLEANING

 

#1)  You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
No. Dirt is an abrasive. Every time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife…causing it to wear out faster. Vacuuming helps, but by itself, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage is being done to it.

#2)  The only reason to clean carpet is to get out the dirt.
No. Outdoor air contains pollens, fungi, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust–and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, those pollutants are carried in and usually end up in you carpet.  If you have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory ailments – one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungi, and chemicals in your carpet.

#3)  One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. You can choose from many methods, most of which are not the greatest. The only good one is Hot Water Extraction. This is done using a truck mounted system that heats water to a high temperature, then gets mixed with solution right before being injected into the carpet under high pressure to break up all of the dirt and bacteria.  The machine then uses high suction to draw out all of the particles and moisture.

#4)  Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.
Not true. Many companies own hot-water extractors which range in several performance levels. Even though a company may use one of the best machines on the market, it all boils down to the technicians knowledge, experience, and their attention to detail.

#5)  The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
Rarely true. 
Point # 1.  It’s often said that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount they were charged. Either you or someone you know may have been the victim of false advertising.  Some carpet cleaners advertise room cleaning at a very low price and then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Some of them even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.  As in all business and professions, the carpet cleaning industry has its share of bad apples. We take no pleasure in telling you this, but some are unethical and sadly, a few dishonest. By their misleading advertising and false promises, they cast a dark shadow on our entire industry. Fortunately, there are carpet cleaning companies like Quinlan’s who work hard to earn your trust and respect.
 
Point #2. The price you see offered may not be for the service you want performed.
If you want the carpet cleaner to remove only some of the dirt, you can choose from hundreds of companies that will perform a quick once over and be in and out of your home in no time.  On the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned removing all of it’s dirt and bacteria, then you need to make sure that the company you hire not only uses the truck mounted hot water extraction method but that they also clean with great attention to detail.

 

#6)  Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price quote over the telephone.
I wish this were true, but it isn’t. Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies usually price carpet cleaning by the square foot. So if you’d like the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, the company will need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned.  You’ll be glad to know that the carpet area to be cleaned is not nearly as great as most people think. For example, if you want your entire home cleaned and your home is 2,000 square feet, the amount of carpeting to be cleaned might only be 1,200 square feet. This is because most home measurements are outdoor measurements. Plus, make sure that the area taken up by walls and whatever furniture you do not want moved is deducted.  The result is that the actual area to be cleaned is usually only about 60% of the square footage of the home.

 

6 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING A CARPET CLEANER

 

MISTAKE #1  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone.  No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment but they also need something else.  They need technicians who are skilled at operating the equipment.  Many companies own hot-water extractors but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly.  The best way to know that the carpet cleaners employees have been properly trained is to make sure the cleaner has been certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).  Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of their IICRC certification.

MISTAKE #2  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price.   Low price could be a problem in three ways. 1) Low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call but once the cleaner gets into your home, they pressure you into a much more expensive job.  2) Low price can be for single process cleaning.  Rarely does the consumer know what this means and when told, asks for dual process cleaning instead which costs much more.  3) Low price means the carpet cleaner has cheap equipment which will not effectively clean your carpet.

MISTAKE #3  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call.  Instead, invite them to your home and ask for a specific price quotation.  Then you’ll know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends and you won’t be the victim of high pressure sales tactics when the technician steps into your living room.

MISTAKE #4  Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.  In my view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for their work and if you aren’t pleased with the job, you shouldn’t have to pay for it.  Period!  Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee or if they do, the guarantee my be “limited.”  Ask the carpet cleaner if they offer a complete money-back guarantee.

MISTAKE #5  Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from his other clients.  Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past jobs and sadly, some of what they say may not be true.  Make sure you ask for references for read comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and their work.  Any carpet cleaner that does quality work should be able to provide you with comments from their clients.

MISTAKE #6  Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn’t certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).  If your carpet cleaner isn’t a close friend, you may not know whether they have the knowledge or experience to clean your carpet well.  If you want to be sure you’re hiring a competent professional, make sure they are IICRC certified.  The carpet cleaner must earn that certification through study, experience, and the successful completion of formal written examination.  In effect, cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have earned a college degree in carpet cleaning.

 

4 STEPS TO A FRESH, CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET

 

STEP #1  Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned.  The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they’ll wear out.  Plus the longer you have to breathe all the pollens, fungus, and chemicals that hide in your carpet.

STEP #2  List your objectives.  Do you want only the surface dirt removed, something you could do with a rented shampooer or do you want all the bacteria, fungus, and chemicals removed, which will require hot water extraction such as I use.  Do you want to work with an honest, reputable company or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers you the lowest price, knowing that the company might not be in business tomorrow.

STEP #3  Ask questions.  The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers.  Here are 7 to ask a carpet cleaner before they clean your carpet.
1)  What method of cleaning do you recommend?
2)  What type of equipment do you use?
3)  What will your equipment remove from my carpet?
4)  How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
5)  What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
6)  Are you certified by the IICRC and can I see your certificate?
7)  Do you have a 100% no-risk guarantee?

STEP #4  Once you’re satisfied that you’re working with an honest, competent professional, invite them into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing.  A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost you-no surprises.

By following these 4 steps, you’ll gain all the information you’ll need to make an informed intelligent decision.  If you want a quick cheap carpet cleaning, most companies can help you or you can rent a shampooer from the grocery store and do the job yourself.

But if you want your carpet to be completely and healthfully cleaned-removing all of the bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, and tobacco products, then I invite you to call me.

I’ll be happy to answer your questions, provide you with a cost estimate over the phone or come into your home and give you a free written quotation.

 

NOT READING YOUR CARPET WARRANTY COULD COST YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS

There’s much confusion about the stain resistant carpets being sold in today’s market.  If you haven’t taken the time to learn what your particular carpet warranty requires of you as far as maintenance, it’s critical that you find out.

There are four major types of Stainmaster carpet: Dupont-Stainmaster, Montsano-Gold and Silver Labels with Stainblocker, Allied Chemical-Anso V Worry Free, and 3M-Stain Release.  In spite of the hundreds of millions of dollars that have been spent to promote these products and in spite of what the consumer may believe or what they may have been told by a salesperson, these carpets are not “bullet proof.”

If you do have a copy of the warranty but have not yet read it, do so now!  You need to know what’s required by you, the homeowner, in order to keep your warranty in effect.

The information you get from the retailers and other sources may not always be correct.  If you have and doubts at all, consult your warranty.  Shaw Industries now REQUIRES that you have their carpets steam cleaned by a certified technician at least once a year.  Dupont currently recommends once a year but as time goes on, more and more manufacturers are following suit with Shaw and requiring minimum yearly maintenance.

And to make no mistake; the manufacturers will not even consider honoring their wear warranties if you can’t provide proof of regular yearly maintenance.  So always know what your warranty requires of you.

The carpet needs to be cleaned  by a trained, qualified carpet care professional on a regular basis, which is every 6-12 months in most situations.  The protective coating also needs to be re-applied on a regular basis.  You need to save all receipts from cleaning services.  If you ever do have challenges with your carpeting and you contact the manufacturer in regards to your warranty, they’ll require this information.