Serving Lincoln, Nebraska since 1978. PHONE: (402) 421-2171 or toll-free: 1-800-889-5871
Costly Misconceptions about Carpet Cleaning.


MISCONCEPTION #1:
You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.

Dirt is an abrasive like sandpaper. Each time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the carpet fibers. This cuts the fibers, 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. While vacuuming helps, 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 carpets is to remove the dirt.

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, a major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, smoke and chemicals in your carpeting, upholstery and air ducts.


MISCONCEPTION #3:
One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.

The dry cleaning methods - which are dry foam, dry chemical and dry compound, do not rinse your carpet in anyway. Instead, they leave behind a dirty residue. They clean your carpet only halfway. The most effective cleaning method is hot water extraction.

MISCONCEPTION #4:
The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.

Many problems can arise from lowest bid companies. Be wary of hiring the 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 and tobacco residues removed as well.

2. The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the carpet cleaner got into their home.

MISCONCEPTION #5:
Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price quote over the telephone.

It's difficult to quote prices over the phone. The exact number of square feet that you want cleaned are needed.
To get an accurate measurement, use a tape measure to calculate the exact size of the carpet area.
To estimate the cost of cleaning, there are three things to consider:
First, the type of carpet. Certain types of carpet are harder to clean than others.

Second, the amount of soiling. Carpet that hasn't been cleaned for ten years will take longer to clean than carpet that was cleaned within the last six months.

Third, the amount of furniture that has to be moved. If you move your furniture, or only have traffic areas cleaned, you'll save money.

Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies almost never price carpet cleaning by the room. Instead, carpet cleaning is usually priced by the square foot.

MISCONCEPTION #6:
Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call.

Invite the person to 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.

MISCONCEPTION #7:
Carpet cleaners always offer and stand behind a satisfaction guarantee.

Every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for its work. You should expect satisfaction. Period. Not all companies offer a guarantee.

MISCONCEPTION #8:
Advertisements tell the story; you don't need references.

Make sure you ask for references or comments from former and current customers so you can trust the carpet cleaner you hire.


A-1 Cleaning Connection, Inc. and a1cleaningconnection.com
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No portion may be reproduced without written consent of A-1 Cleaning Connection, Inc.
Franchise information: 4830 Rent-Worth Drive #1, Lincoln, NE 68516
contributions: Steve Bos, Joe Polish, Paul Fell