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Welcome!
Gary's Carpet Care is grateful for the opportunity to provide you with information about textile cleaning and help you choose a carpet cleaning company.
During our years of cleaning, we've learned that carpet cleaning is the subject of much confusion. In fact, people have so many misconceptions about carpet cleaning that we decided to offer this consumer education message, so when you select a company, you can make an informed, intelligent decision.
We're going to share with you 6 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning. Plus, we'll offer 4 recommendations. And, we'll give you 5 questions you should ask a carpet cleaner before you invite him into your home.
MISCONCEPTION #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! Dirt is an abrasive - like sandpaper. Every time you step on the carpet, you grind dirt into your carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster. A soiled carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps - by itself, it's 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 soil and improve the appearance.
NOT TRUE! As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust - and hundreds of other harmful chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, you carrry those pollens and chemicals in your hair and on your, clothing, and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria end up - you guessed it - in your carpet.
Carpet cleaning is not just about removing soil and improving the appearance of your home. It's about protecting your family and safeguarding their health by removing pollutants and contaminants that can affect your quality of life. In some instances, INDOOR AIR QUALITY can be 70-100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Since carpet is the lowest and largest horizontal surface, it acts as a "sink" or filter, which needs to be emptied and cleaned regularly.
If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema or other breathing problems - one major source of your problem could be the pollutants and contaminants in you carpet.
According to Michael Barry, Ph.D., of the E.P.A., tobacco smoke contains over 4500 separate chemical compounds. The effects of tobacco smoke have been extensively studied and publicized. They include cancer, cardiovascular effects, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, chronic and acute pulmonary effects in children and much more. Even if you don't smoke, those chemicals get on your shoes, you track them in to your home and deposit them in your carpet. If you're sensitive to cigarette smoke, you'll find that you'll breathe easier after you hire a company to properly remove those harmful chemicals from your carpet.
Another factor to consider is that fibers are made to hide soil. So, when you can see evidence of soiling, your carpet is past dirty. Naturally, some colors do a better job of hiding soil than others. For example, earth tones do a beautiful job of hiding soil, so you cannot depend on appearance as a basis for deciding when it is time to clean your carpets.
MISCONCEPTION # 3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. You can choose from two primary methods: Dry cleaning or Hot Water Extraction.
First, let's understand dry cleaning. Many people believe that dry cleaning your carpets is like dry cleaning your clothing This is not true. All carpet cleaning methods use water. Low Moisture is the more accurate term to describe it.
Here are the three methods of so called dry cleaning.
The first dry cleaning method uses a water-based foam, which is applied to the carpet, allowed to dry, and then simply vacuumed. Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing the shampoo from your head with a vacuum? This method can leave a tremendous amount of residue in your carpet, which is one reason dry foam is not very effective.
The second dry cleaning method is called dry-chemical cleaning. A water-based solvent is sprayed on the carpet, then a bonnet is placed under a rotary floor machine and is spun over the carpet surface to absorb the soil. Once the bonnet is saturated with soil, another cotton bonnet is applied, and so on. Bonnet cleaning is like trying to use a large towel to rub the dirt out of your carpet. This method not only leaves a residue behind but it can only remove soil from the top portion of the carpet so it resoils much faster - obviously not desirable.
Third, the dry-compound method spreads an absorbent mixture that looks like wet sawdust all over your carpeting. Then a machine brushes the mixture into the carpet, which, in theory, causes dirt to absorb into the mixture. When the mixture has dried, a vacuum cleaner sucks the material out of the carpet. In cut pile carpet, it is impossible to vacuum it all out.
In summary, the reason why none of these dry-cleaning methods are effective is because they are lacking 2 important elements of cleaning physics: (1) rinsing and (2) thorough extraction.
The second primary carpet cleaning method is called Hot Water Extraction. This is the technical term for the method that injects a hot cleaning solution through your carpet fibers and then removes it along with the loosened soil out of the carpet and out of your house. It is commonly called 'steam cleaning', although there is no steam, just hot water.
Please note that Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, among most others, recommends Hot Water Extraction. In fact, many require it to maintain their warranty.
Hot Water Extraction is the method Gary's Carpet Care uses.
Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet, but this isn't true. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, we clean your carpet completely - in much the same way the washing machine washes your clothes. Or like taking a shower and rinsing yourself off as opposed to just wiping yourself with a sponge.
In fact, not only does hot water clean better, faster, and with less cleaning agents, done properly with the right equipment, it dries fast and can even sanitize your carpet.
MISCONCEPTION #4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpet properly.
Not true. Many companies own hot water extractors, but a large number of employees don't know how to use them to their full potential. You probably know someone who bought the newest computer on the market but didn't learn how to use all its features. The same is true with carpet cleaning machines. The company may own good equipment, but the employees don't care enough to use it properly. That is why it's important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully. It is not the equipment by itself that determines whether the results will be good or not! For example, it is not the oven that makes a chef a CHEF. Nor do the tools make the mechanic.
The best carpet cleaning companies are those that have technicians that have been certified by the INSTITUTE OF INSPECTION, CLEANING and RESTORATION CERTIFICATION, known as the IICRC. A carpet cleaning company cannot buy this
certification. A technician must earn it through study, experience, and the successful completion of formal written examinations. Technicians who are certified by the IICRC have, in effect, earned a degree in carpet and textile cleaning, and continuing education is required to remain certified. And the technicians at Gary's have achieved the highest level of certification: Master Textile Cleaner. The IICRC provides written credentials of certification, so ask to see proof of the technicians' certification.
MISCONCEPTION # 5: The company that offers the lowest price is the company to hire.
Price is important, but never should it be the basis for deciding who to hire! Here are two iimportant points to consider:
Point #1: The price you see offered may not be for the services you want performed. Before you select a company, decide what you want to accomplish. If you want the technican to remove only some of the dirt, you can choose from dozens of companies that offer low price, poor equipment and/or limited expertise.
On the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned - if you want to remove the harmful dirt, bacteria, pollens, chemicals and tobacco residues - then you need to hire a company that uses truck-mounted hot water extraction along with certified, experienced technicians that know how to use it and the chemistry involved with proper, safe and up-to-date cleaning science.
So, remember, the price you see offered may not be for the services you want performed.
Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay!
Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount they were charged.
BAIT AND SWITCH is the term used to identify those who use fraudulent advertising just to get their foot in the door. You may know someone who has learned the hard way. Some carpet cleaners offer a cheap price and then pressures the customer into paying a lot more. It's illegal but is still done. We take no pleasure in telling you this, but there are some unethical operators out there, sad to say.
Then you'll find other carpet cleaners, professionals like at Gary's, who work hard to earn your trust and respect.
As a way of improving our profession, we've dedicated our business to educating the public. The only way you can make an intelligent decision is to have all the facts you need. That is why we've written this message.
MISCONCEPTION #6: Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price over the phone.
First - honest, reputable, carpet cleaning companies usually price carpet cleaning by the square foot. So, if you'd like us to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, we need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned. We can give you an estimate over the phone based on what you tell us, or better yet, we can come to your home and measure and give you an exact quote before we clean.
You'll be glad to know that the carpeted area to be cleaned is not nearly as great as most people think. For example, if your home is 2000 square feet, the amount of carpet to be cleaned is usually only 1000-1200 square feet, 50%-60% of the total footage of your home.
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT HAVING YOUR CARPETS CLEANED, WE OFFER THESE 4 RECOMMENDATIONS:
RECOMMENDATION #1: Make a commitment to yourself to have your carpets cleaned regularly. The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they'll wear out. And you know that is is easier to KEEP something clean than it is to GET it clean after it has become soiled. Remember, too, that carpet is a filter, and if that filter is full, then you and your family breathe more of the pollutants that are in the air.
RECOMMENDATION #2: List your objectives. Do you want to work with an honest, reputable company? Or are you willing to work with a company that only has low price to offer, not knowing if their technicians have the experience and certifications that assure you of the best possible results. And will a cheap price mean cheap chemicals and poorly maintained equipment? Or high pressure sales tactics?
RECOMMENDATION # 3: Ask questions. The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are the questions we suggest you ask:
1. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend and use?
2. What type of equipment do you use?
3. How often should I get my carpet cleaned?
4. Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certificate?
RECOMMENDATION #4: Once you are satisfied that you're working with an honest, competent professional, invite them into your home and ask for a specific quote in writing. A written quote gives you the assurance of knowing exactly what your cost will be. NO SURPRISES!
By following these four recommendations, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet cleaning job, there are many companies to choose from. (Please don't even think of doing it yourself with a machine you can rent. We know of individuals who have caused serious damage by trying this).
However, if you want your carpet to be thoroughly and completely clean, then we invite you to call us.
We'll be happy to answer your questions, provide you with an estimate over the phone or come to your home and give you a free written quote without any obligation of any kind. To reach us, call (775) 782-8644.
Here's one last point: We know that many homeowners are skeptical about carpet cleaning companies. So, in addition to dedicating our business to consumer education, we do one more thing as well...
WE GUARANTEE OUR WORK! That's right. We fully guarantee every job we do. If you aren't happy with our work, we'll reclean it for free. And if you're still not pleased, you pay nothing. Not one cent.
What could be more fair than that?
As a matter of fact, add this question to the list. Question #5 is, "Do you guarantee your work?" Not all companies do - and it's important that you have this information before you make decision.
We hope you found this consumer awareness message to be helpful. If you have any questions or comments or you'd like to schedule a free, in-home inspection and quote, please call us at (775) 782-8644. We look forward to being of service!
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