This website will help you choose a carpet cleaner and give you information in helping you making an informed decision.
How to avoid carpet cleaning rip-offs
Rip-off #1: Unbelievably low price
We all love a bargain and may be attracted to the low price, but the following is a common scenario;
You have received your flyer in the letterbox or seen the yellow Pages add that says; 5 rooms carpet cleaning for $49.00. This is a great deal so you telephone the company and book your 5 rooms for $49.00.
On the day of your booking the "technician" turns up and inspects your carpet and says; "I am sorry madam I cannot clean this carpet for the advertised price as your carpets are too dirty for our basic clean"
"It is going to cost extra for a more powerful detergent, extra for spot and stain treatments, extra for a rotary agitation in your traffic areas, extra for deodourising, extra extra, extra".
But hold on, you advertised $49.00 for 5 rooms. "Sorry madam that is for our basic clean".
Suddenly your $49.00 job is now $199.00.
Get the picture- this happens all the time. Its called BAIT AND SWITCH.
What should be included in the basic clean?
1. An approved carpet cleaning prespray solution.
2. Rotary agitation of traffic lanes and heavily soiled areas with floor polisher and brush.
3. Spot and stain treatments.
4. A choice of Steam or Dry cleaning of your carpets.
What optional extras could I be asked to pay after inspection of my carpets.
(All optional and should be quoted before proceeding)
1. Carpet protection.
2. Advanced stain treatments. (Spot dying of stains and heat treatments for cordial, curry stains).
Rip-off #2: Unsupported claims; "Dry is better than steam etc"
There are 3 common carpet cleaning techniques used today.
1. Carpet steam cleaning (Hot water extraction).
2. Carpet dry cleaning (Bonnett cleaning).
3. Encapsulation.
Some carpet cleaning companies will have you believe that one system is better than the other.
This is incorrect. A professional carpet cleaner should carry all 3 methods in his vehicle and after inspecting your carpet should advise you on which method will best suit your needs.
Some carpets respond better to dry cleaning and some better to steam. There are many factors that determine what method should be used; degree of soiling, when was your carpet last cleaned, pets on carpet, is your carpet wool nylon, mix, polyprop etc etc.
Only give your business to a company that uses more than 1 cleaning method.
Be wary of a company that only uses steam for instance and claims that dry does not work etc.
They are telling you this because they do not carry more than 1 cleaning method in their van.
What to look for when choosing a carpet cleaning company?
1. What training do their technicians have?
These are the major training organizations in Australia;
- IICRC
- ITI
- Jena Dyco
2. Does the company belong to a carpet cleaning professional trade association.
Trade associations in Australia;
- Nucca
- Woolsafe Australia
3. Choose a company that does not use bait and switch tactics.
(Very cheap prices over the phone normally $10.00 - $15.00 per room, then increase the price when they arrive at your premises.
4. Choose a company that offers both Dry and Steam cleaning methods.
5. Choose a company that carries minimum $20 million dollars public liability insurance.
6. Choose a company that offers a guarantee?
7. Choose a company that is experienced in stain removal not just carpet cleaning.
A professional company should be using advanced stain removing methods such as heat transfer methods. Look for before and after photos on their website.
8. Choose a company that has a website with photographs of their work.
Can the consumer guide recommend a carpet cleaner to me?
Yes we can, we have done all the hard work. The carpet cleaners recommended on this site have been thoroughly checked and asked to produce documents for the following.
- Signed an agreement that they will not perform bait and switch marketing strategies.
- Have been in business a minimum of 5 years.
- Belong to a national professional trade association.
- Their technicians have been trained by a National training school, not just their own inhouse training.
- The company offers more than 1 cleaning method.
- The company performs advanced stain removing techniques.
- The company can give you a choice of using "green" cleaning solutions.