| Reputable professional carpet cleaners | | | | multitude of cleaning agents to remove |
| really work hard to provide the finest | | | | the myriads of spots and stains. While |
| possible service for their clients. They | | | | we were busy getting ready, a curious |
| spare no expense when it comes to the | | | | tenant wandered up and started to talk |
| cleaning agents purchased or the | | | | with the property manager who had just |
| equipment that is used. It's not | | | | let us into the apartment. |
| uncommon to pull up to a client's home | | | | It was during the course of their |
| in a rig that costs over $60,000. Some | | | | talking that we heard the |
| even bring 100 gallons of softened water | | | | above-mentioned phrase by this |
| with them to each job to provide a more | | | | well-meaning neighbor: "Just rent a |
| thorough rinse that assures no residue | | | | Rug Doctor, clean it yourself and save |
| is left behind to attract soil. | | | | the money". |
| I mention these facts for a particular a | | | | And it got me to thinking. Why do people |
| reason. It was prompted by a | | | | think they can do the same quality job |
| conversation I overheard one beautiful | | | | with a machine that has a fraction of |
| late summer day last year. | | | | the cleaning power we use? |
| We occasionally clean apartments for an | | | | Here's my theory: Because most people |
| apartment complex. The property manager | | | | think, "Anyone can clean carpet - |
| normally cleans the apartment after a | | | | what's so complicated about it?" |
| tenant leaves, including the carpeting. | | | | You go to the store, rent a machine |
| However, she knew that in this instance, | | | | and... 'Poof'... you're a carpet |
| she knew that there was no way she would | | | | cleaner. Because you CAN do it yourself, |
| even come close to getting the carpeting | | | | many feel they can also get the SAME |
| clean again using her little machine. | | | | RESULTS that we do. Ah... if only it |
| The apartment was a wreck. I've been in | | | | were that easy. |
| the cleaning industry for many years. | | | | Can you wire an entire house? Can you |
| And it never ceases to amaze me how | | | | repair or install plumbing? Can you |
| inconsiderate and downright destructive | | | | build a pole barn? Then, by golly, you |
| people can be with property that doesn't | | | | can clean carpet, too! NOT! |
| belong to them. In this apartment, the | | | | Even the largest carpet manufacturer in |
| previous tenants had really outdone | | | | the world (Shaw) will tell you: Don't do |
| themselves: Spills and stains abounded. | | | | it yourself! They tell you to hire a |
| In some places, you couldn't even tell | | | | certified professional cleaner. In fact, |
| what color the carpet was. It was so | | | | beginning in 2008, they will INSIST that |
| bad, the property manager had called the | | | | you hire only certified carpet cleaners |
| owners to say that the carpet would most | | | | to clean their product or you will void |
| likely have to be replaced... it was | | | | part of your warranty. |
| that bad. | | | | By the way, the carpet was saved and it |
| So, we get there and begin to set up; | | | | cleaned up beautifully... but, hey, |
| getting out hoses, sprayers and a | | | | that's what pros do! |