Carpet Cleaning Explained
Choosing a carpet cleaner in Calgary is not easy! As in many other large cities, Calgary is plagued by fly by night companies, bait and switchers, and unsustainable low prices. Before we consider how to properly clean carpets, let look briefly at each of these problems and see how they affect you:
FLY BY NIGHT: You see their signs posted illegally along the road side. Usually they are not licensed, insured and have no training or certifications. They often work for large multi-truck companies during the day and try to steal jobs away by working under the table after hours. Here today and gone tomorrow, they invest in inferior equipment, often portables.
BAIT AND SWITCH: We have all seen their ads in the coupon packs, yellow pages, Kijiji and Craig’s List. They advertise low prices that seem to good to be true. Read the find print. Once in your home, they will try to up-sell you with services that either should be included in the cleaning process (pre-conditioning or pre-spray, spot removal, agitation, post grooming to name a few) or that you do not need (deodorizing, sanitation, protector). Beware also of surcharges such as an environmental waste water disposal surcharge which is just another way to increase the end price while appearing to be cheaper at the outset.
UNSUSTAINABLE PRICES: We all want a deal or at least pay a fair price for services rendered. Professional Carpet Cleaners using powerful and advanced truck or van mounted systems operate with a huge overhead. Offering unsustainable low prices is why most carpet cleaning businesses fail. It is destructive to the industry and responsible for the poor reputation of the carpet cleaning industry.
OK, enough about bad carpet cleaning. Fortunately there are many ethical and responsible carpet cleaners in Calgary. As IICRC Certified Firms they have pledged to follow industry standards and conduct their business operations ethically.
As specified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the following steps must be followed to properly clean carpet and achieve maximum results:
THE IICRC CLEANING CYCLE
Particulate or Fibrous Soil
- Makes up 74% to 79% of soil in carpet according to industry analysis.
- Due to gravity this soil is generally found in the lower third of the yarns and requires brush/agitator action to be removed effectively.
- The larger particles will be retained by tangling of fibers which is created during the crimping process.
- The smaller particles which are present may be retained by a number of different physical properties or forces.
- THESE SOILS ARE REMOVED MOST EASILY WHEN THEY ARE DRY!!!
The Wash Cycle
The wash cycle is based on the fundamentals of soil suspension. Proper use of these fundamentals will minimize over wetting and speed the drying process, the two most common problems associated with carpet cleaning. As the use of one of these fundamentals is decreased, the use of another one must be increased to compensate.
TEMPERATURE: A recognized law of physics, Arrenius’ Law, States: For every 18 degrees that the temperature of a cleaning solution is increased, the effectiveness of that solution will increase by a factor of 2. Hot water is an extremely valuable tool in carpet cleaning and should not be viewed as harmful to the fiber or the carpet.
AGITATION OR MECHANICAL ACTION: Aids in distribution of preconditioning agent. Assists in soil suspension. Lifts matted and crushed face fiber.
CHEMICAL ACTION: Provided by the chemicals which are present in the preconditioner and to some extent, by the rinse aids metered into the rinse solution.
TIME: Required for the cleaning agents to perform their function of releasing the soils from the fibers. This contact time is referred to as dwell time and it is generally felt that 15-30 minutes dwell time is ideal.
The Rinse Cycle
The rinsing process removes detergents and soils which have been loosened and suspended by the pre-conditioner. (Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning does not use soaps, detergents or other solutions in their steam lines that leave a soil attracting residue.)
The Dry Cycle
Drying time is very important to most clients. Dry time must not exceed 24 hours; it is highly recommended that drying occur within 6-8 hours or less.
Factors affecting evaporation (dry time) are: Air movement and ventilation, the cleaning method, the level of soil in the carpet. (In contrast to the splash & dash carpet cleaners out there, Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning firmly believes that whoever makes it wet is responsible to make sure it dries fast.)
Low Moisture and Encapsulation Cleaning Methods
Calgary has seen a proliferation of low moisture and encapsulation carpet cleaning methods. Many low moisture cleaning methods do not actually remove soil but rather rearrange and hide it. While such methods are appropriate for a commercial setting where only surface cleaning and appearance is important, they are not the best choice for residential carpets. Some carpet manufactures state that rotary type pad machines void their warranties. Please free to contact me for the pros and cons of low moisture cleaning to see if it is right for your home.
IICRC Certified Code of Ethics
The IICRC logo assures that members are skilled professionals. Certification cannot be purchased. It is earned through study, experience and successful completion of formal written exams.
Karastan Sample
IICRC Certified Firms have pledged to provide written estimates before any work begins, maintain a written complaint procedure and carry adequate liability insurance.
Certified Firms have pledged to do business with you honestly, to observe the IICRC code of ethics and to maintain the highest level of workmanship and service.
CRI APPROVED SERVICE PROVIDER
Many carpet warranties require that you choose a carpet cleaner that is both an IICRC Certified Firm and also a Carpet and Rug Institute Approved Service Provider. This means that only CRI tested and approved cleaning equipment and cleaning solutions may be used which are proven to be not only effective but also safe for your carpet.
Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning is a IICRC Certified Firm and the first Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved Service Provider in Calgary. Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning has also met the high standards of the WoolSafe® Organization to become the only WoolSafe® Approved Service Provider in Calgary and all of Western Canada.
Services: Carpet Cleaning Calgary | Upholstery Cleaning Calgary | Rug Cleaning Calgary | Wool Carpet Specialist Calgary
Service Area: Get Fresh Carpet Cleaning currently services Calgary, Cochrane, Chestermere and surrounding areas.
