When carpet gets saturated with soil, the fibers stick together and it is almost impossible to clean it properly with a vacuum. This is BEFORE we got to work restoring this carpet.
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This is the same carpet AFTER our Very-Low-Moisture Carpet Restoration Process. The fibers have been thoroughly restored, they are fresh, bright, and ready for your regular vacuum maintenance schedule.
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The 'Carpet Cleaning' You Are Used To...
If you have ever had your carpet 'cleaned' before, then the picture to the left will look familiar to you. This is what is referred to as a "Wand." It is a tool that is used to 'pressure wash,' your carpet. It has some spray jets, a vacuum slot and tube, and a splash guard. This tool injects a hot water or steam/rinse mixture into the carpet fibers at ~500 psi and ~210 degrees F(depending on the type of system it is connected to, most large companies use what is called a truckmount), then by the means of a vacuum recovery system, the mixture is sucked out of the carpet fibers along with (hopefully) any soap residue, soils, oils, etc. Into the recovery tank of the recovery system. It is a pretty primitive tool that has not really seen much innovation since its inception in terms of efficiency. It basically spit-shines carpet. This method is a lot like taking your car or truck to the car wash and just spraying it off without scrubbing or wiping the oils from the paint. To understand the inefficiencies of this tool are simple physics. Carpet fibers are made up of recycled plastic bottles that are melted down, extruded through a spinneret, cut to length, and twisted together with other strands of carpet fibers into what are called 'staple yarns'. These yarns over time, along with constant foot traffic, collect oily substances and dry particulate soils. As time goes on, these foreign materials accumulate and saturate the carpet staple yarns and they start to look like they are all stuck together (like the before and after pictures above), and you cannot clean the dry particulate soils from the carpet with your vacuum cleaner. Again... Simple physics. If you hire a 'carpet cleaning company' to 'clean' your carpet, they will most likely show up with a van that has a truckmount in it, or a portable self-contained unit that does the same process only with less power, and takes more time. If they walk into the home with just a wand connected to the truck with a couple hoses without first attempting to break-up the saturated staple yarns and remove most of the dry particulate soils, the carpet will 'look' clean after it finally dries in 24-48 hours, but it will only be a temporary fix and a phenomenon called 'rapid-resoiling' will occur. This is when the carpet looks like it did within days after cleaning as it did before it was cleaned. This is a sub-par process and is only worth in this part of the country between $0.15- $0.20 per SQ. FT. No really, if you are paying more than that for this one-step service, you are getting hosed (pun-intended). This process CANNOT remove enough of the oily, dry particulate foreign material from the carpet. No matter how awesome, powerful or expensive they tell you their truckmount is, how hot the water is, or how strong the technician looks. Simple physics says, that wet soil is more difficult to remove than dry soil. So if there is NOT an attempt at 'loosening' the foreign materials, they just will NOT come out, no matter how powerful the truckmount, PERIOD! There is not a truckmount in production or privately made today that can defy the laws of physics.
Pre-vacuuming-
Some carpet cleaners are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), and they will bring along a vacuum cleaner and attempt to perform what is called 'pre-vacuuming,' to remove some of the dry soils from the carpet before 'cleaning' (pressure washing) it. This obviously is better than NOT attempting to remove it, but it is not the MOST effective way to complete this step. If your 'cleaner' shows up with a vacuum and performs this step in addition to pressure washing your carpet, you can add another $0.05-$0.07 per SQ. FT to their value for their time. If they have a quality vacuum cleaner that they perform this step with, you can pay on the higher end of that spectrum. Not all cleaners will also take the time to vacuum around and on top of the baseboards. This is a really importand step to include. BECAUSE... Carpet acts as an air filter. In fact, it is the largest filter that you have in your home. The areas next to the baseboards are almost always going to be saturated with what is called 'filtration-soils.' As the air in your home circulates, it moves up and down the walls depending on the temperature changes in your home, and the air carries dust particles that are captured on top of the baseboards and the carpet fibers around the baseboards. These fibers get saturated with dust, and will darken over time causing 'soil-filtration-lines.' These areas are overlooked in most cleaning processes. It is worthwhile for the air quality of the home, and the aesthetic appearance of the flooring to vacuum these areas thoroughly. This step in the process takes time, and is worth an additional $0.02-$0.03 per SQ. FT of value to the client for the technician to perform. A carpet wand used alone cannot remove these filtration lines. They are not designed to do so. If this step is skipped, your carpet fibers will remain saturated with dust and the carpet cannot perform the filtering process that it naturally does, and the air quality in the home will not be improved overall.
The Use of 'Pre-sprays' and 'Rinsing Agents'-
Another additional service that can be added to a 'carpet cleaners' services is the use of a pre-conditioning agent. This is cleaning detergent that is used to break-down the oily substance in the carpet fibers. This will usually be an alkaline solution that is designed to dissolve an acid based stain or area. This can present a number of problems for the future of the carpet, and how clean it will remain after the cleaning process.
1) Alkaline cleaning solutions will attract soils if not rinsed with an acid based rinse.
2) Cleaning solutions that are HIGH in alkalinity can irritate sensitive skin if not thoroughly rinsed with an acid solution.
3) Measuring whether or not the alkaline solutions have been properly rinsed is not practical for all 'cleaning technicians' when they are cleaning the carpet.
4) In order to effectively remove even moderately stained high traffic areas, the use of HIGH alkaline cleaning solutions is required. Severely soiled areas require even more.
5) In order to throughly rinse away ANY cleaning solution, a lot of water/steam has to be put down into the fibers. This can cause the carpet to be wet for up to 3 days in some cases like basements where proper ventilation is not usually present. Any longer than 3 days and mold can start to grow.
These are only 5 of the problems that can be caused from the hot water extraction/steam cleaning process when adding a cleaning solution/rinse to the mix. This additional service takes two additional product cost add-ons. A detergent (or pre-spray), and the acid rinse to flush it out. You can expect to pay an additional $0.05-$0.10 per SQ. FT for these additional steps in the cleaning process, also depending on the quality of the products that the 'carpet cleaner' purchases.
The most important problem with this step in the 'carpet cleaning' process is that the soapy detergents are not ever FULLY rinsed out of the carpet fibers. This soap dries (sort of) and attracts more oil, and soils. No matter how hot the steam, or how powerful the suction, this is just again... Simple physics. If the carpet were totally dry after the 'carpet cleaner' left after steam cleaning the carpet, I would concede this point. The only way to not leave ANY traces of soapiness in the carpet is to use just water alone, and just water alone will not, cannot break down tough traffic lanes. No, not even some of the gimmick no residue 'carpet cleaning companies' that are on the radio with big marketing budgets. I have personally spoken with some of the technicians from these companies and they all have said that they are using the same pre-sprays, detergents, and pre-conditioners that other 'carpet cleaners' are using, and if they are using some 'special' alkaline water to rinse away alkaline traffic lane cleaner, they MUST be defying the laws of physics to do it. I don't buy it. It is not physically possible. They would have to use an acid rinse to flush it away, and then we are back to square one leaving sticky residues like ALL the other 'carpet cleaners' out there.
Post-cleaning Grooming and Drying-
Certified carpet cleaning technicians are taught to 'set the carpet pile' with a carpet rake for faster drying times. Some 'cleaners' will even set up some air-mover fans to speed up the drying process. This is great if you have a 'carpet cleaning company' that will offer this because you can dramatically reduce the amount of time that your carpet will be wet. The grooming process takes time, little skill, but time nonetheless, and a rake. The reasonable rate for this add-on is another $0.03-$0.05 per SQ. FT for the grooming. The use of air mover fans can take up room in a cleaners van, they are expensive, and they may have to make a special trip to pick them back up later in the day. This add-on service can cost upwards of $0.10-$0.15 per SQ FT due to the use of multiple fans in multiple areas.
Summing Up the 'Carpet Cleaning' Process-
From the figures that I have listed here, in our service area of Western Wyoming from Teton Valley, through the Jackson Hole areas, and down into Star Valley, the price range for these services combined is from $0.40 -$0.58 per SQ. FT if you have been adding along with me. If you have a 'carpet cleaning company' that offers you over the phone, ALL of these services listed above for less than $0.40 per SQ. FT, you are probably in for a bait and switch scenario, and BUYER BEWARE! They simply cannot afford to have quality results, AND have quality people working for them (the kind that you would want in your home), and stay in business. There is a certain standard of work that you should come to expect as a consumer, and pricing lower than this is simply not sustainable to a successful business model. I mean, they have to put fuel in the truckmount too! If you see pricing less than this and they are only giving you one OR some of the steps listed above, you now have a guide to price this out and negotiate with them! These processes have been around for a long time, and again, this is what you can expect from MOST 'carpet cleaning companies.'
Pre-vacuuming-
Some carpet cleaners are certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), and they will bring along a vacuum cleaner and attempt to perform what is called 'pre-vacuuming,' to remove some of the dry soils from the carpet before 'cleaning' (pressure washing) it. This obviously is better than NOT attempting to remove it, but it is not the MOST effective way to complete this step. If your 'cleaner' shows up with a vacuum and performs this step in addition to pressure washing your carpet, you can add another $0.05-$0.07 per SQ. FT to their value for their time. If they have a quality vacuum cleaner that they perform this step with, you can pay on the higher end of that spectrum. Not all cleaners will also take the time to vacuum around and on top of the baseboards. This is a really importand step to include. BECAUSE... Carpet acts as an air filter. In fact, it is the largest filter that you have in your home. The areas next to the baseboards are almost always going to be saturated with what is called 'filtration-soils.' As the air in your home circulates, it moves up and down the walls depending on the temperature changes in your home, and the air carries dust particles that are captured on top of the baseboards and the carpet fibers around the baseboards. These fibers get saturated with dust, and will darken over time causing 'soil-filtration-lines.' These areas are overlooked in most cleaning processes. It is worthwhile for the air quality of the home, and the aesthetic appearance of the flooring to vacuum these areas thoroughly. This step in the process takes time, and is worth an additional $0.02-$0.03 per SQ. FT of value to the client for the technician to perform. A carpet wand used alone cannot remove these filtration lines. They are not designed to do so. If this step is skipped, your carpet fibers will remain saturated with dust and the carpet cannot perform the filtering process that it naturally does, and the air quality in the home will not be improved overall.
The Use of 'Pre-sprays' and 'Rinsing Agents'-
Another additional service that can be added to a 'carpet cleaners' services is the use of a pre-conditioning agent. This is cleaning detergent that is used to break-down the oily substance in the carpet fibers. This will usually be an alkaline solution that is designed to dissolve an acid based stain or area. This can present a number of problems for the future of the carpet, and how clean it will remain after the cleaning process.
1) Alkaline cleaning solutions will attract soils if not rinsed with an acid based rinse.
2) Cleaning solutions that are HIGH in alkalinity can irritate sensitive skin if not thoroughly rinsed with an acid solution.
3) Measuring whether or not the alkaline solutions have been properly rinsed is not practical for all 'cleaning technicians' when they are cleaning the carpet.
4) In order to effectively remove even moderately stained high traffic areas, the use of HIGH alkaline cleaning solutions is required. Severely soiled areas require even more.
5) In order to throughly rinse away ANY cleaning solution, a lot of water/steam has to be put down into the fibers. This can cause the carpet to be wet for up to 3 days in some cases like basements where proper ventilation is not usually present. Any longer than 3 days and mold can start to grow.
These are only 5 of the problems that can be caused from the hot water extraction/steam cleaning process when adding a cleaning solution/rinse to the mix. This additional service takes two additional product cost add-ons. A detergent (or pre-spray), and the acid rinse to flush it out. You can expect to pay an additional $0.05-$0.10 per SQ. FT for these additional steps in the cleaning process, also depending on the quality of the products that the 'carpet cleaner' purchases.
The most important problem with this step in the 'carpet cleaning' process is that the soapy detergents are not ever FULLY rinsed out of the carpet fibers. This soap dries (sort of) and attracts more oil, and soils. No matter how hot the steam, or how powerful the suction, this is just again... Simple physics. If the carpet were totally dry after the 'carpet cleaner' left after steam cleaning the carpet, I would concede this point. The only way to not leave ANY traces of soapiness in the carpet is to use just water alone, and just water alone will not, cannot break down tough traffic lanes. No, not even some of the gimmick no residue 'carpet cleaning companies' that are on the radio with big marketing budgets. I have personally spoken with some of the technicians from these companies and they all have said that they are using the same pre-sprays, detergents, and pre-conditioners that other 'carpet cleaners' are using, and if they are using some 'special' alkaline water to rinse away alkaline traffic lane cleaner, they MUST be defying the laws of physics to do it. I don't buy it. It is not physically possible. They would have to use an acid rinse to flush it away, and then we are back to square one leaving sticky residues like ALL the other 'carpet cleaners' out there.
Post-cleaning Grooming and Drying-
Certified carpet cleaning technicians are taught to 'set the carpet pile' with a carpet rake for faster drying times. Some 'cleaners' will even set up some air-mover fans to speed up the drying process. This is great if you have a 'carpet cleaning company' that will offer this because you can dramatically reduce the amount of time that your carpet will be wet. The grooming process takes time, little skill, but time nonetheless, and a rake. The reasonable rate for this add-on is another $0.03-$0.05 per SQ. FT for the grooming. The use of air mover fans can take up room in a cleaners van, they are expensive, and they may have to make a special trip to pick them back up later in the day. This add-on service can cost upwards of $0.10-$0.15 per SQ FT due to the use of multiple fans in multiple areas.
Summing Up the 'Carpet Cleaning' Process-
From the figures that I have listed here, in our service area of Western Wyoming from Teton Valley, through the Jackson Hole areas, and down into Star Valley, the price range for these services combined is from $0.40 -$0.58 per SQ. FT if you have been adding along with me. If you have a 'carpet cleaning company' that offers you over the phone, ALL of these services listed above for less than $0.40 per SQ. FT, you are probably in for a bait and switch scenario, and BUYER BEWARE! They simply cannot afford to have quality results, AND have quality people working for them (the kind that you would want in your home), and stay in business. There is a certain standard of work that you should come to expect as a consumer, and pricing lower than this is simply not sustainable to a successful business model. I mean, they have to put fuel in the truckmount too! If you see pricing less than this and they are only giving you one OR some of the steps listed above, you now have a guide to price this out and negotiate with them! These processes have been around for a long time, and again, this is what you can expect from MOST 'carpet cleaning companies.'
The Carpet Restoration Process...The CLEANING of the FUTURE!
You may have noticed in the previous section of what is currently accepted as 'carpet cleaning' is noted with quotation marks. This was done to make a point. The way things currently are, the processes described above are considered to be 'carpet cleaning.' If you were to open up the phonebook today, you would find ~20-30 'carpet cleaning' companies. They all use basically the same equipment, they buy basically the same cleaning solutions, and they charge basically the same pricing (with the exception of the few unethical bait and switch companies out there that unfortunately exist). We have tried the previously described processes and realized the inefficiencies and myths surrounding the 'carpet cleaning' industry. We just knew that there had to be a better way though! After searching and networking with other 'cleaners' across the USA, we have come across some amazing new technologies. We are very excited about these findings and hope to play a role in "Raising the tide that lifts all ships..." We have developed what we believe to be a very EFFICIENT, SUSTAINABLE, ECO-FRIENDLY, SAFE, EXTREMELY THOROUGH and RESTORATIVE CLEANing process. We have even modified all of our marketing pieces to reflect our mission statement of..."The BEST, most THOROUGH, most RESTORATIVE, and DRIEST cleaning EVER! We have even attached a 100% client happiness guarantee to our claims. The level of clean that can be reached with our 12-step Restoration Process is UNMATCHED in the 'carpet cleaning' industry. We have taken the laws of physics and use them to our advantage to not just clean, but to RESTORE carpet fibers to as close to new as possible, using the most EARTH-FRIENDLY cleaning detergents while using as little water as possible. Our Restoration Process uses less than 1/10th of the amount of water that traditional hot water extraction/steam cleaning uses, dries in 1/10th the amount of time, and it does a better job! We are setting out to not just talk the talk, but we let our work do the walking for us too. We have posted before and after pictures in our gallery here...
We also add unique jobs to our "Brag-Blog" page here...
Our Carpet Restoration Process is unique to us at Restore Your Carpet and we are confident that in terms of VALUE, there is NOT anything like our finished product at this price point! Our pricing is higher than your run-of-the-mill 'carpet cleaner' price out of the phonebook, and we are aware of that. However we are also determined to help the consumer to be informed about the differences between what we offer and what they can expect and receive from other 'carpet cleaners.' Our goal is COMPLETE client HAPPINESS, and value pricing. If you would like to see us in action, check out our available resources, or click our "Pricing Packages" page to see our Complete 12-step Carpet Restoration Process here...
