Myths & Facts About Carpet Cleaning

"The carpet doesn't look dirty enough to have it cleaned at this time."

Some carpets do hide soil more than others. It does not mean there is no soil to be removed. All soil, whether hidden or not, acts an abrasive. It can result in early wear, loss of fiber protection, and even some loss of color.

"I was told to wait a few years before having my carpets cleaned. 'They' said, once you have them cleaned, you always have to have them cleaned!"

Check your paperwork. Carpet manufacturers recommend having your carpets cleaned by a trained and qualified professional every 12 to 18 months. Call the manufacturer, not the retailer, they will refer to an IICRC Certified Firm, such as CARPETS ETC. The problem many consumers face is the fact that many companies use a high-residual detergent that remains in the carpet long after they leave, and it continues to attract soil, causing your carpets to get dirty fast.

"They said Steam-Cleaning will ruin my carpets!"

Many carpet cleaning companies use Hot-Water Extraction (Steam-Cleaning). Steam-Cleaning is the preferred choice that CARPETS ETC. chooses because of the thoroughness of the method, only when done properly. It is recommended by the leading carpet manufacturers. On the other hand, untrained and uneducated carpet cleaners can over-wet your carpet creating a variety of problems for you. According to IICRC Standards, carpets should be fully dry within 24 hours.

"I was told that once I have my carpets cleaned, I do not need to have any carpet protectant applied. It has built-in stain resistance."

Most of the residential installation of carpet these days are stain resist. But no carpet is ever "stain-proof", but added carpet protectants, when properly applied, will enhance stain resistance to accidental spills and spots. It will also help remove more dry soil during vacuuming.

"I shouldn't have to pay a lot for carpet cleaning."

Never select a carpet cleaning company solely based on price. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some would like for you to think. Their technique is to advertise a low price to get you to call them, so they can push their low quality, ineffective goods at higher prices than what the real professionals charge. Thorough carpet cleaning is not cheap, but it will extend the useful life of your investment and care for your carpeting in a way that will save you money in the long run.