CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING
Tony and Rita Bochenek – Owners Crescent Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Inc.- How to avoid four carpet cleaning rip-offs!
- Six costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning.
- Crawlin’ critters and crud: a guide to slime, grime, and livestock that’s seeping, creeping, and galloping through your carpet.
- Which methods clean best.
- Seven mistakes to avoid when choosing a carpet cleaner.
- The importance of value and price.
- Why you want a clean, healthy carpet.
- 100% NO-RISK Guarantee.
- Four steps to fresh, clean healthy carpet.
Crescent Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, Inc.
802 Parkside Cir. – Ste. 1B
Streamwood, IL 60107
630-837-1100
HOW TO AVOID FOUR 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 cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price – usually between $13.95 and $19.95 per room – and then, once they’re in your home, they pressure you to buy “add-ons.” It’s as if you were buying a car and found that the dealer was charging 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 is 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 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 chemical 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. You’ll hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner. Remember this: the method that’s best for you is the method that achieves your goal. If you want a method that cleans the deep-down soil in the carpet, then a method that top cleans only, would not be the best 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RIP-OFF #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS. “HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET.” Years ago, many people believed this was true because carpets were damaged by “technicians” who didn’t know how to properly clean 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 the 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 his/her own method. And each method does have advantages. So I suggest you look at what carpet manufacturers say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used by technicians that are certified with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.
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6 COSTLY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CARPET CLEANING
MISCONCEPTION #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.No. Dirt is 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’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 your carpet is to remove the dirt.
No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, 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 cleaning is as good as another.
No. The dry cleaning methods – which are dry chemicals, and dry compound – do not rinse your carpet in any way. Instead they leave a dirty residue. You might say they clean your carpet only halfway. The most effective cleaning method for annual deep cleaning is hot water extraction.
Hot water extraction means a hot water cleaning solution, under high pressure, is forced into your carpet and then sucked out of your carpet. Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction as the primary method of cleaning carpets, along with IICRC approved technicians.
Carpet cleaners use one of two types of hot water extraction. If they use a large unit that operates from a van or truck outside your facility, it’s called truck-mount extraction. If they use a small unit that can be brought inside, it’s called portable extraction. Shaw’s first choice is the truck-mounted unit – and it recommends the small, portable unit only in areas where the truck-mounted unit won’t reach.
The truck-mount extraction unit cleans much better because it heats the water to a high temperature – which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals and pollens in the carpet. Then the machine uses high suction to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet. This is the main method our company uses.
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 have technicians 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 IICRC certifications. If they don’t have them, don’t use them!
MISCONCEPTION #5: The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
No. We’ve seen so many problems arise from the 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, dust mites and tobacco residues removed as well.
(2) The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many home owners have learned that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the carpet cleaner got into their home. Then they were pressured into paying a lot more for a variety of add-ons. (Some 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 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 device to calculate the exact size of the carpet area.
On which type to choose, Shaw’s Technical Bulletin states: “[cleaning] can be done from a truck mounted unit outside the facility with only the hose and wand brought inside, or where a truck-mounted unit cannot reach, by a portable, self contained system brought into the facility.”
As you see, Shaw recommends the truck mounted unit first.
This isn’t surprising. You see, the truck mounted unit cleans much better because it heats the water to a high temperature – and shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at higher pressure. This breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and pollens in the carpet. Then the machine produces a huge vacuum volume to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet. This is the main method our company uses.
No question, the most effective way to clean carpeting is with a hot water unit mounted in a truck. It’s the most powerful cleaning machine on the market and the only machine that cleans your carpet of dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, tobacco residue and dust mites.
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 the same way that the person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath.
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7 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 he/she also needs something else: employees who are skilled at operating that 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 cleaner’s 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 the technician’s 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 a single-process cleaning. Rarely does the consumer know what this means, and when told, asks for dual-process cleaning instead, which costs more. (3) Low price may mean 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 the person into your home and ask for a specific written quotation. Then you’ll know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends – and you won’t be the victim of high pressure tactics when the technician steps into your living room.
MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee. In our view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for its work. And if you aren’t pleased with the job in every way, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Period. Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee. Or, if they do, the guarantee may be “limited”. Ask the carpet cleaner if he/she offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet cleaner includes the guarantee with your written quotation.
MISTAKE #5: Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from his/her other clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about their past jobs. And, sadly, some of what is said may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read comments from current customers so you can depend on the carpet cleaner and his/her work.
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 or not he/she has 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 successful completion of formal, written examinations. In effect, cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have earned a college degree in carpet cleaning.
MISTAKE #7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn’t offer a truck-mounted hot water extraction system.
You might expect this from us, since our employees use this type of system. But, there are several good reasons. Portable hot water systems are good, but they aren’t as good as truck-mounted systems. Truck-mount systems are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable hot water systems, truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure and stronger suction. So all the way around, you get a much better job. No two ways about it!
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WHICH METHOD CLEANS BEST?
Dry foam: The carpet cleaner applies shampoo to your carpet, allows it to dry, and then, without rinsing, sucks the dried shampoo into a vacuum. This method leaves dirty residue in your carpet.Low-moisture foam: A low-moisture cleaning foam is brushed into the carpet fibers. The soils are suspended in the foam and extracted immediately. We use this method when temperatures outside don’t allow us the use of the truck-mount, and also for interim maintenance cleaning.
Absorbent pad (bonnet cleaning): A cotton bonnet is used with a floor polishing buffer machine. The rotating motion causes the bonnet to absorb dirt from your carpet. This method is also called bonnet cleaning. After the main cleaning, we may bonnet heavy traffic lanes to help pick up additional soil and lift the pile.
Absorbent Powder: The dry-compound method spreads a moist, absorbent powder through the carpet. The powder is allowed to dry and then sucked into a vacuum. This method leaves dry sponge particles at the base of the carpet yarn which must be vacuumed again to remove.
Hot water extraction: This is a fancy way of saying that a hot water solution under high pressure is forced into your carpet and then sucked out of your carpet.
In a recent Technical Bulletin, Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, “recommends the hot water extraction system which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning.”
You can choose from two different types: Truck-mount extraction, which is done with a large machine mounted in a truck or van. Or portable extraction, which is done with a small, hand-held unit.
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CRAWLIN’ CRITTERS AND CRUD: A GUIDE TO THE SLIME, GRIME AND LIVESTOCK THAT’S SLEEPING, CREEPING AND GALLOPING THROUGH YOUR CARPET.
Asphalt. Bacteria. Car Exhaust. Chemicals. Dirt. Dust. Earth. Food Particles. Fungus. Germs. Gravel. Grease. Grime. Grit. Hair. Industrial waste. Lint. Mud. Pet stains. Pollens. Pollutants. Rock. Sand. Scum. Smoke. Soil. Soot. Tar. Tobacco smoke. Urine. Vomit.Plus, don’t forget living creatures, such as dust mites, fleas and critters that live, hide and breed in your carpet.
(Will you help us? We’re trying to find at least one thing that’s in your carpet for every letter of the alphabet. And we don’t have anything at all for these letters: J, K, N, O, Q, W, X, Y, Z. If you can think of something that could be in your carpet that begins with these letters – or any other letters – please call or write to us and we’ll consider using them in our next consumer’s guide.)
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THE IMPORTANCE OF VALUE AND PRICE
Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.When you select a carpet cleaner, you’ll choose from a wide variety of cleaning methods and prices.
Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction from a truck-mounted unit, and using a portable unit only in areas where a truck-mounted unit won’t reach.
Here’s why: a truck-mounted unit cleans much better than a portable for three reasons:
(1) It heats the water to a higher temperature. For every 18 degree increase in temperature above 118 degrees F, you double the water’s cleaning ability. So if the water temperature is 136 degrees F, is will clean twice as well as water that is 118 degrees F. 154 degree water will clean four times as well as 118 degree water. And so on, until you reach a water temperature of 250 degrees F.
(2) It shoots the cleaning solution into your carpet at high pressures, which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals and pollens. 300 to 400 pounds per square inch is the optimum pressure for truck-mount hot water extraction.
(3) The machine uses stronger suction to draw the dirt, chemicals, bacteria, pollens and tobacco smoke residue out of your carpet.
Not surprisingly, having a carpet thoroughly cleaned with a truck-mount hot water extraction costs more than renting a shampooer at the corner grocery store.
If you bought the cheapest carpeting you could find, then renting a small shampooer might be all you need. No question, it will get out some of the dirt – but the key word here is “some”. It will not get out many of the pollens, chemicals, bacteria and dust mite residues.
On the other hand – if you want your carpet to look good and give you years of dependable service – then you need to take extra good care of it. This means you need to have it cleaned by a skilled, qualified technician at least every six months to one year, depending on the amount of soiling and foot traffic it receives. And you need to have it cleaned thoroughly, as only a truck-mount hot water extractor can do.
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WHY YOU WANT A CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET!
Which is more important to you: a clean carpet – or a clean and healthy carpet? Yes, I assure you, there is a big difference.Each carpet cleaning method has advantages and disadvantages. Some methods will get out only the dirt. Other methods will get out dirt and grease. Still others will get out virtually everything. And, to be sure, some are more expensive than others.
If all you want is a cheap, rinse-the-dirt-off-the-top cleaning which you might find for around $13.95 per room – then I respectfully ask you to call another company.
But if you want to protect your health – if you want to protect your investment in carpeting – if you want to protect your family from the countless bacteria, fungus, pollens and dust mites that reside in your carpet, then you’re invited to call me.
The truck-mounted hot water unit we use is a very effective cleaning system. Likewise, it’s a very expensive unit in today’s market. But we bought this unit for a good reason: More and more families want the good health benefits that come with having a fresh, clean carpet.
Have you ever seen how dirty children’s pants get when they play outdoors? If you have, then you know you can brush off their pants and make them think they’re clean. Or, if you want the job done right, you can machine wash them in hot water and detergent and you’ll KNOW they’re clean.
The same is true for carpet. You can hire someone for $4.95 to $19.95 who will “brush off” your carpeting and make you think it’s clean. Or, if you want the job done right, we’ll wash your carpets with water and cleaning agents using our state-of-the-art cleaning machine and you’ll KNOW they’re clean.
So if you want a thoroughly clean carpet – if you’re willing to invest in your family’s good health – you’re invited to call us. You’ll receive a written estimate, at no cost or obligation. And if you give us the go-ahead, you’re further protected with our…
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100% NO-RISK GUARANTEE
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4 STEPS TO A FRESH, CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET
If you’re thinking about having your carpet cleaned, we encourage you to follow these four steps: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 dirt removed, something you could do with a rented shampooer. Or do you want all the bacteria, fungus, chemicals, and dust mites removed, which will require a hot water truck-mounted cleaner, as we 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 seven questions to ask a carpet cleaner before he/she begins to clean your carpet:
- What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
- What type of equipment do you use to clean carpet?
- What will your equipment remove from my carpet?
- How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
- What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
- Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certification?
- Are your cleaning technicians certified by the IICRC and can I see their certifications?
Step #4: Once you’re satisfied that you’re working with an honest, competent professional, invite him/her 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 – no surprises.
By following these four steps, you’ll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet cleaning job, many companies in the phone book can help you. Or you can rent a shampooer from the grocery store and do the job yourself.
But if you want your carpeting to be completely and healthfully cleaned – removing the bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, and tobacco products – then we invite you to call us.
We’ll be happy to answer your questions and come into your home and give you a FREE carpet inspection – without any cost or obligation of any kind. To reach us, call 630-837-1100.
Thanks Again!
…for reviewing our new CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING. I hope you found this information helpful.If you have any questions or comments – or if you’d like us to give you an exact written quotation to clean your carpet or upholstery – please call us at 630-837-1100.
We’ve dedicated our business to consumer education and service. We’ll be pleased to help you in every way. We look forward to your call.
Thanks!
Tony & Rita Bochenek
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Testimonials
Pam Apelian: (Manager, Lincolnwood Lock Up Storage Suites) “Crescent does a wonderful job! One thing I have learned in 8 years of hiring carpet cleaners is, you get what you pay for. I would recommend them for any job, large or small. They are a joy to do business with.”
Lin Allen: (In a Christmas card!) “I’d like to say thank you for service you provided for me this past year. In particular, a stain on my living room carpet that would not come out for several different cleaning services. You got it out and it stayed out. Not only was the service excellent, but, you’re courteous and helpful, and a real treat to work with.”
Service areas
Northwest and Western suburbs of Chicago including Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County and Will County in Illinois. Areas include Algonquin, Aurora, Barrington areas, Bartlett, Batavia, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Buffalo Grove, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Deer Park, Downers Grove, Elgin, Geneva, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Huntley, Inverness, LaGrange, Lake in the Hills, Lisle, Long Grove, Naperville, North Aurora, Oakbrook, Oswego, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Shorewood, Streamwood, St. Charles, Warrenville, Wayne, Winfield, Western Springs, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Woodridge. Call to see if we'll be in your area.We use earth friendly cleaning agents, non-toxic and biodegradable. Safe for children and pets.
Family owned and operated
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