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Common Carpet Cleaning Rip-Offs
Rip-off #1
Unbelievably low price. Some carpet cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price - usually between $5.95 and $12.95 per room , and then, once they're in your home, pressure you into buying "add-ons." It's as if you were buying a car and found that the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some dishonest carpet cleaners would like you to believe.
Rip-off #2
Bait and switch. Dual-process carpet cleaning is the process of shampooing or heavy preconditioning your carpeting, followed with hot water extraction cleaning. Dishonest carpet cleaners often "bait" you with single-process cleaning at an unbelievably low price. Then they try to "switch" you to a more expensive and more effective dual-process cleaning. If you don't agree to the switch, you'll likely receive poor workmanship using little or no cleaning agents, and they will not guarantee their work.
Rip-off #3.
Unsupported claims. You hear it from almost every carpet cleaner: "My method cleans best." But the fact is, some methods are not nearly as effective as others. Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction exclusively, and so do I. If your carpet cleaner does not use hot water extraction from a truck-mounted unit, then you know that they are not using the most effective method.
Additional Questions and Answers
Q. Can you remove red stains?
A. Natural dye stains such as wine and fruit drinks, once thought of as permanent, now can be treated to greatly reduce the appearance and in most cases completely remove the stain. ProClean utilizes the latest in dye stain removal technology to achieve outstanding results. If you just cant stand the sight of that red punch stain the middle of your family room carpet any longer, give ProClean a call - We can helpQ. Why do other companies charge by the room? I just have an “average” home. Can’t you give me a price based on the number of rooms?
A.We treat each home individually and charge each person for the amount and type of carpet they have. When you purchased your carpet, you probably bought it by the square yard. Purchasing carpet cleaning should be the same way- paying for the exact amount you want cleaned, the exact square footage. This way you are only charged for the amount of carpet cleaned — not for the “average” in everyone’s home. After all, if your neighbor has a 400 square feet living room and yours is 300 square feet, you shouldn’t have to pay the same price.
Q. Then why can’t I just check my bill from the carpet installer and tell you how many square yards of carpet he laid and you calculate my price off of that?
A. Sure, we can do that. But it wouldn’t be fair to you. You see, when a carpet is laid there is a lot of waste. Now you have to pay for that waste when you buy the carpet. That’s unavoidable. BUT ... we don’t think you should always be paying for the cleaning of carpet that was thrown away in the installation. That is why we do the Carpet Pre-Inspection and Testing before we clean your home the first time. This only needs to be done once, and then we maintain your Job File automatically and update it each time we work in your home.
Q. Can I just measure my rooms and then give you the measurements?
A. You sure can and we’ll try to help you over the phone. BUT let me explain we really want to give you the most cleaning options for the lowest price. For example, our Carpet Cleaning Inspector will do a free inspection of your carpeting to help you determine which areas in your home need which Cleaning package. We usually can identify some areas of the home that may not need deep cleaning at all. This saves you money and lets you get the “maximum bang for your cleaning buck!”
Q. I have a cat and a dog that have “occasional” accidents. Can you remove the odors and stains?
A. We do specialize in the removal of pet stains. As long as the carpet dye has not been damaged, we should be able to remove the spots and deodorize to remove most of the odor. Your Carpet Cleaning Inspector will be able to test the rugs to determine the degree of damage and give you an idea of the degree of restoration you can expect. click here
Q. Do I have to remove the furniture?
A. Don’t worry about a thing! Your cleaning crew will carefully move your furniture and replace it on foam blocks or plastic tabs. Of course, some items we find it is better to leave in place and clean around, like very full bookcases that we can’t move loaded. If you do want us to move a book case or a china cabinet we ask that you have it unloaded. But frankly most of our clients leave them where they are and we edge clean around them. If possible, we would like for you to do what we call “clearing the decks for action” or remove any small breakable items from the furniture you want us to move. Then we’ll move your furniture out from the wall, clean under it, and then put it back in place with protectors underneath it. Your Carpet Inspector and you can map out a “plan of attack” as far as to what you should move and what we will move for you.
Q. Do I have to have the whole room cleaned?
A. No, we can clean traffic areas or open areas, if you prefer. But even though there may be parts of the room that do not receive heavy foot traffic, these areas receive soil build-up deposited by air currents and are attached to the fiber by cooking oils and so on. We can clean just the open areas, but for the small additional charge, we recommend that you have the whole room cleaned.
Q. The carpet salesman told me to hold off cleaning my carpet as long as possible because it re-soils quickly. Is this true?
A. Well ... yes and no! At one time, yes, your carpet re-soiled quicker after cleaning. But that was over twenty years ago! When on-location cleaning first began, shampooing was the most popular method. The shampoos left a sticky residue that caused re-soiling. Just imagine if you shampooed your hair and then didn’t rinse it out! But today’s equipment, especially the hot water extraction method, and the rinsing agents we use have been refined so that your carpets are left nearly residue free. Frequent cleaning actually extends the life of your carpet and is recommended by most manufacturers and the EPA.
Q. Why shouldn’t I rent a machine at the hardware store and clean it myself?
A. That is a valid option for you to consider. If you decide to clean your carpets yourself, we’ll even give you ideas on how to do it. We really do want to help you keep your carpets clean, whether we do the work right now or not. And we’re confident sooner or later you’ll need our services! But before you go through the ordeal of cleaning your own carpets, here’s something to consider. Rental machines can do an acceptable job IF they have been maintained, IF the chemicals have been approved by the fiber producers, and IF you spend enough time and effort. Unfortunately, those are some pretty big IF’s! You have a large investment in your carpet, and if you use the wrong chemicals or techniques, you may void the warranty or damage the carpet. Frankly, most people who have cleaned their own carpet seldom do it again. But if after our Inspector tests your carpets, you still want to try it on your own, he’ll be happy to give you some tips on do-it-yourself cleaning.
Q. Your price is too high compared to the ads I see in the paper!
A. I can understand why you could feel that way. Many of our client felt the same way at one time. Some of them even tried what we call the “cut rate cleaners.” And if you want to give them a shot, we understand and want you to feel free to give us a call for your next cleaning. But what many of our clients have found is that the old saying is so true, “You get what you pay for.” The reason they always came back to us is we really do give better value for the dollar. Ask yourself what expense the “cut rate operations” have eliminated? Insurance, high quality cleaning agents, or maybe they save money on inadequate employee training? We really do keep our clients for life, and we can do that only by being profitable. This allows us to use the best technology and attract the best employees. Once you have tried our service, you will see the difference and if you don’t feel our services are worth the money- We'll cheerfully refund every penny- no questions asked!
Q. My carpet has special stain protection built in. Will your cleaning take that off?
A. Absolutely not, our Technicians have been trained in the proper techniques and use approved cleaning agents so that your carpet warranty is upheld. The use of improper cleaning agents will void your carpet warranty. If you wish to renew any carpet protector that has worn off from foot traffic, we have Cleaning Packages available that provide an extra level of protection.
Q. I read an article that stated that carpet cleaning could cause illness in children.
A. The illness that you refer to is called Kawasaki Disease. Although many studies have been done, they have not been able to isolate the cause. Carpet cleaning is just one of the many possibilities they have studied, and have been widely ruled out as the cause. As a matter of common sense, we recommend that children stay off the carpet until it has dried.
Q. Do I need carpet stain protector on my carpet?
A. Quality stain protector such as Scotchgard® or Maxim Advanced Stain Protector® is an excellent investment. Besides protecting your carpet against spills and soil, quailty stain protection gives you an additional excellent stain protection warranty. Combined with ProClean exclusive One Year Spot Removal Warranty, it is the greatest level of protection in the industry. Scotchgard® or Maxim Advanced Stain Protector® also makes the carpet respond better to future cleaning.
Q. Should I vacuum before you clean?
A. You really can’t vacuum your carpets too much, so it certainly wouldn’t hurt to vacuum them well before we come. However, we include a very powerful vacuuming in our service.
Q. How often should I vacuum?
A. Vacuuming is the most important element in keeping your carpet in good shape. Traffic areas should be vacuumed twice a week and the other areas weekly. Feel free to ask either our Inspector or Technicians for more ideas on maintaining your carpet while they’re in your home.
Q. I have wool carpeting, and I was told that I should be careful how it is cleaned.
A. You are right to be concerned. Wool carpets are beautiful and expensive. It does require specialized cleaning agents and cleaning techniques. That is why we do fiber testing before cleaning. We enjoy cleaning wool or any other natural fibers because it gives our Technicians the opportunity to really shine.
Q. We have just bought a house, and the previous owners smoked. Can you get rid of this smell?
A. Very possibly yes, but be sure not to move any belongings into your home until after the cleaning. We can clean and deodorize the carpets. The drapes should also be cleaned and deodorized. The furnace filters should be replaced. If the problem is severe, we may need to fog the house with special products. Our Inspector will be able to advise you after his inspection and testing.
Q. Can your people tell me if the carpet is worth cleaning?
A. Absolutely! Even old and worn carpets can benefit from cleaning if you are not ready to replace them. And yes, our experienced Inspectors and Technicians can give you a very good idea as to how much life is left in your carpeting, if any..
Serving Wood, Wirt, Washington, Jackson, Ritchie and Pleasants counties
5 Misconceptions that Can Damage your Carpet and Upholstery AND Your Bank Account!
1. The longer you wait between carpet cleanings, the better.
Wrong. Dirt is like sandpaper an it damages your carpet. The more often you have your carpets cleaned, the longer they will last. Industry standards recommend that you clean your carpets every 6 to 18 months, depending on your lifestyle.
2. It makes no difference which method of cleaning you choose.
Wrong. You have several choices such as: Bonnet Cleaning, Dry Foam, Dry Compound, and Hot-Water Extraction. All, except hot-water extraction, are considered interim maintenance cleaning systems by most cleaning professionals. All methods can leave a lasting detergent residue, but only the hot-water extraction (steam cleaning) can employ a rinse step to leave your carpet as residue-free as possible. Independent research indicates that hot-water extraction provides the best capability for restoration cleaning.
3. All a company needs to clean carpets correctly is the right equipment.
Wrong. Many cleaning companies own professional carpet cleaning systems, but they don't teach their technicians the proper ways to use them. Make sure the cleaning company you choose has technicians who are trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.
4. You should hire the company that quotes you the lowest price.
Usually not. Some carpet cleaning companies offer a low price to persuade you to call, but then add on services you thought were included in the price. It would be like a car dealer quoting you a price for a new car and then telling you the steering wheel and windshield are extra!
5. Carpet cleaners don't provide references.
Wrong. Carpet cleaners provide customer references all the time. If the cleaner you're considering doesn't provide references, you know the cleaner is:
· Newer to the business and doesn't have references
· Dishonest and doesn't have good references
· Does poor work and will never warrant a favorable recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
We here at ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning understand it is hard to get excited about having your carpet & upholstery cleaned. It can even be quite stressful having strangers in your home and moving about. Everyone of us understands how you feel, and we make it our priority to put you at ease. We treat you, your home and property with the highest respect as to make the cleaning process as seamless for you as we can. It’s our desire to get in and do the job efficiently with as minimal "downtime" to you and your lifestyle as possible.
Below we have answered 5 of the most commonly asked questions. We hope that this will answer some of your questions, and help ease any concerns that you may have, but if you need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to call. Our friendly staff will be more than willing to answer all your questions and address any concerns.
Q1. How much will it cost?
Some carpet cleaners charge by the room up to a certain square foot. This type of pricing tends to benefit houses with larger room sizes over homes with smaller rooms. This type of pricing also is often paired with unprofessional pricing practices such as high price "add-ons" and pressure "up-selling". ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning charges for only what we clean. That is why we charge by the square foot. For example, if we don't move your heavy entertainment center, we don't charge you to clean the carpet that is underneath it. Also, we never try to pressure sell you anything.
Q2. How long will it take to dry?
There are many factors that influence drying time. The amount of soil trapped in the carpet, the amount of cleaning detergent left behind by previous cleanings, and the humidity are just a few, but the number one factor in drying time is the type of cleaning agents and cleaning equipment being used. ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning uses only the safest and most effective pre-spray to help loosen locked-in oily dirt. We then flush the dirt and pre-spray away using a safe cleaning agent, high heat and high pressure, leaving your carpets clean , soft and as residue free as possible. All of this is done using one of the industries most powerful truck mounted cleaning units. We typically see dry to the touch times around 3-4 hours, but it could take up to 24 hours before it is completely dry. If faster drying times are needed, we are happy to leave carpet dryers at no extra charge. Dry to the touch times using our high performance turbo carpet dryers are achieved in around an hour.
Q3. How often should I have them cleaned?
Imagine, you have a new born baby, a roaming toddler with a sippy cup full of red Kool-aid, or you're an allergy sufferer; perhaps you’re the proud owner of a new puppy or kitten, or maybe you've just given up trying to get your kids to take their shoes off at the door. You can see that each situation is very unique. Each one of you could require a different answer to this question; however, most carpeting manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months.
Q4. Is it safe for my kids and pets?
ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning uses only cleaning agents proven safe for our children, pets and the environment. As an added level of safety, ProClean offers its exclusive "Baby Safe Cleaning System". This system for the mother that wants that added safety for her family.
Q5. What make ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning so unique?
Let’s just try and pretend for a moment that the finest equipment, safest products and only certified technicians don't even matter. When was the last time a tradesman of any kind was at your home? Did they treat it with the care and concern you would have? Or did they leave you with a bigger mess to clean up when it was all said and done? How about hidden surprises in their final bill? What about being on time? How comfortable where you with someone else inside your home?
These are all feelings that every single person at ProClean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning understands intimately. We want you to know that we share these concerns about your family and home with you. We promise to protect your home and its contents with every protective tool in our arsenal; we'll use corner guards and other protection devices to keep from scratching your beautiful walls and woodwork. You'll notice we never proceed down the hall or into any room without your expressed consent. Our technicians are clearly uniformed and carry identifying credentials. We understand that getting ready to have your carpeting and furniture cleaned is a big job, especially for you. And we promise to call in the event we will be more than 5 minutes past your appointed time—all because we respect you, your valuable time, and your home.
The bottom line is that we want to not just meet, but we want to exceed your expectations and make this experience a pleasant one by showing you we care just as much about your experience as you do. We don't just want happy clients, we want Cheerleaders.