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6 Costly Misconceptions About Carpet Cleaning

By: Kevin Thompson
The Nations Black Mold Solutions Expert

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 article.

It will show you how to save thousands of dollars and get the longest life from your carpeting investment as well.

So let's get started!

MISCONCEPTION #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet

No. Dirt is an abrasive--like sandpaper. 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. This cutting causes your carpet to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps--by itself, it is simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out.

MISCONCEPTION #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to remove the dirt

No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, and car exhaust--and hundreds of other chemicals. When you come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria, and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing, and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals and toxins wind up in your carpet.

If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems--one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, smoke, and chemicals in your carpet.

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.

Hot water extraction means a hot water cleaning solution, under high pressure, is forced into your carpet and then drawn back out of your carpet. This allows the dirt, bacteria, and pollens to be broken up and extracted from your carpet. Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, requires hot water extraction as the primary method of cleaning carpets.

Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet, but this isn’t true. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned.

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MISCONCEPTION #4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly

Not true. Many companies own hot water cleaners but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. This is why it’s important that you 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. Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company’s IICRC certification.

MISCONCEPTION #5: The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire

No. I’ve seen so many problems arise from lowest-bid companies that I suggest you NEVER hire a company that quotes the cheapest price. The two most common problems are:

1. The price may not be for the services you want performed. The company may be equipped to remove only the dirt from your carpet. But you may want bacteria, fungus, pollens, and tobacco residues removed as well.

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 ad-ons. Some carpet cleaners even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.

MISCONCEPTION #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 almost never price carpet cleaning by the room. Instead, carpet cleaning is usually priced by the square foot. So if you’d like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned. To get an accurate measurement, I use an electronic measuring device to calculate the exact size of the carpeted area.

To find a quality carpet cleaning company in your area of the country, go to www.ethicalservices.com

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Kevin Thompson is the Nations Mold Solutions Expert. After running his own cleaning and restoration business since 1996, he now helps homeowners nationwide by showing them how to win the war against black mold and reclaim their health. If you'd like instant access to his free in-depth report "What 99% Of Homeowners Don't Know, And Will Never Find Out About Black Mold" just go to www.getmoldsolutions.com