Common Misconceptions about Carpet Cleaning...
#1: It doesn’t matter which method of cleaning is used.
Wrong. The method of cleaning used on your carpet has a great deal to do with how clean your carpet gets (how much dirt and residue is pulled out), how healthy for your family your carpet is and how long your carpet ultimately lasts.
There are basically two methods used to clean carpet. One is the dry cleaning method which consists of the use of dry powders or foams. This method’s biggest benefit (your carpet never gets wet so it doesn’t need time to dry) is also its biggest drawback. This method tends to leave quite a lot of dirt and other pollutants behind because your carpet is not rinsed in any way. It would be a lot like washing your dishes with a dry chemical powder and then “rinsing” them by vacuuming them. The best, most effective way of cleaning carpets is method number 2: hot water extraction.
The world’s largest manufacturer of carpeting, Shaw Industries, recommends the hot water extraction method as the preferred method of carpet cleaning. In this method high pressure is used to force a hot water cleaning solution into your carpet. Then this solution is sucked back out effectively pulling dirt and pollutants from your carpet. The main reason this method works better is that the water is heated to a high temperature that easily breaks up the dirt, pollens, pollutants and bacteria in your carpet. The next step involves using high powered suction to draw or extract this grime from every part of your carpet. Hot water extraction performed by trained technicians with a truck mounted unit is like a deep cleaning and massage for your carpet.
Hot water extraction can be performed by a company using either a truck mounted extraction unit or a portable unit. A truck mounted unit is operated from a truck parked in your driveway with hoses running into your home. A portable unit is a small, self contained unit that is brought into your home. Shaw Industries recommends the truck mounted method because of the ability of the unit to reach higher water temperatures and its greater suction power for removing dirt and pollutants. The portable unit should only be used in situations where a truck mounted unit cannot be used.
At Healthy Home Cleaning Services we use truck mounted extraction, except in the rare instances when only a portable unit can be used.
#2: You shouldn’t have your carpet cleaned too often.
Wrong. I’m not saying you should have your carpets cleaned every month, but carpet cleaning on a regular basis will serve to make your carpeting last longer and your home to be healthier.
Why? Dirt and grime are destructive to carpets. They are abrasive, and every time you walk on your carpet you grind this “sandpaper dirt” into your carpet’s fibers. This grinding causes carpeting to wear out much faster than it should. Regular maintenance like vacuuming helps, but vacuuming alone isn’t enough to pull the dirt and other pollutants out of your carpet.
How often should you get your carpets cleaned? That depends a great deal on how many people live in the home, their ages, and if you have pets. If you have young children, then you already know how fast things like rugs, carpets and upholstery can get dirty. If you have pets, they too can bring in quite a bit of dirt, dust and other pollutants. While it may seem at first to be too often, I would suggest having your carpets cleaned every six to eight months if you have children and pets. If you don’t have those conditions or if you want to push the envelope, then you should have your carpets cleaned once a year.
There is also your family’s health to consider when deciding how often to have your carpets cleaned. Your carpet is really just a very big filter for all the dust, dirt, allergens, bacteria and grime that find their way into your home. Like any filter, your carpet functions best when it is clean. When a carpet is clean, it traps these unwanted guests in its fibers. As time goes by, those fibers become full and are no longer very effective at trapping those unseen nasties. This is why, more so than appearance, I believe in the importance of regular, effective deep cleaning of carpets.
If you or someone you love suffers from allergies, asthma or other breathing problems, one of the first things you should do is to have your carpets professionally cleaned. A dirty, overloaded carpet (or filter) can be a problem source of irritants for allergy and asthma sufferers. A professionally cleaned and maintained carpet (or filter) can be an effective tool in the battle against these irritants and allergens.
There are at least three major benefits to regular cleaning:
- Your carpet will look great.
- Your carpet will last longer.
- And MOST IMPORTANTLY...
You and your family will enjoy a healthier indoor environment.
#3: All carpet cleaning companies are basically the same, so I should just go with the lowest price.
Wrong. Sadly, this just isn’t true. Too-good-to-be-true low prices are often the doorway to a bad experience when it comes to carpet cleaning. Besides being a tactic employed by less than ethical, bait and switch companies, low prices are often the sign of under trained technicians and companies using outdated methods and/or equipment.
The truth of the matter is this: despite what you may have seen in the Yellow Pages or the coupon mailers, no one can do a good job, much less make a living, cleaning your carpets for a low price. What many people who have since become loyal customers of mine have found out is that this low price is often just a way to get in your home. Once these companies have gained entrance to your home, you may find that the price they advertised isn’t for a complete and thorough cleaning or, that worse yet, they begin pressuring you into spending more money for extra services that you really don’t want.
Another downside to low prices is that the cleaner may not really know what he is doing and/or using outdated equipment and methods of cleaning. Sometimes it is the sign of someone new to the business, who may or may not have the knowledge needed to provide you with first quality cleaning and service. Low prices are often used by inexperienced cleaners as a way to get their foot in your door.
If, after reading the above, you’re still looking for the lowest price, I would respectfully ask you to not call my company. If you are looking for a good value (a fair price paid for competent, professional work), then please feel free to call me with any questions you may have.
#4: I can do just as good a job with one of those do-it-yourself rental machines.
Wrong. The problem with the machines that you can rent at the local supermarket or hardware store is that they don’t get the water hot enough to truly get your carpet deeply cleaned, and they don’t have the suction power to remove the dirt and grime fully from your carpet. A rental machine costs roughly $300. A professional portable machine costs at least $1,200, and most cleaners typically spend nearly $18,000 for a professional truck mount unit. Which of these systems do you think does a better job? The other question to ask yourself is “How much is my time worth?” Do you really want to try and save a few dollars by going out renting equipment, learning how to use it, doing the actual work, then cleaning up and taking the equipment back? Is it really worth it?
Call Pearl Carpet Cleaning today to have your carpets professionally cleaned.
