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