Competition in Carpet Cleaning
Broadly speaking, in Carpet Cleaning a cleaner is competing either to be the cheapest or to be the best. These thoughts occurred to me lately while I was working on a client's home carpet. A neighbor of hers had called to say she had her 2000sf home cleaned for $150.00. My first thought was "Could I do that?" To come up with a "YES" answer what would I need to do? Time: I would need to be in and out of the job in about 2 hours. Now I spend more than 4 hours on a job that size. Chemicals: I'd need to use cheaper chemicals- maybe over-the-counter broad spectrum soaps instead of the Free-Rinsing Detergents I currently use. (The problem is that I know too many reasons why these cheap soaps should not be used) Fuel Costs: Turning down my temperatures from Steam to warm. Some of the laundry soaps are made for cold water - so that would help. Cleaning: I'd need to wash over Animal Spots as if they were common soil instead of disinfecting, rinsing, and deodorizing. I would need to do away with the education and improvement budget and instead attend Marketing seminars where the language of "cheap" has become a religion. I would need to do away with Business Insurance, Quality Check calls, and free offers. The Industry Standards that were developed to protect consumers could not be followed because they dictate steps too costly to implement. (these involve knowledge and proper techniques for fiber and chemistry , behavior of soils in textiles, protection of homeowners investment. etc..) I couldn't permit myself the enjoyment of washing down baseboards and vents, and corners thick with dust, or making small repairs. I would not be allowed to stand back after a day's hard work and enjoy the GLOW of the TRANSFORMED and HEALTHY HOME knowing that I had used my knowledge and training, the BEST PRODUCTS AND EQUIPMENT available, and mostly- my Whole Heart in bringing this all to my client. Can I mention- Your Carpet Cleaner finds Great JOY providing his service? He feels that "Life is too short!" When budgets are an issue I can work out solutions with a client. If that is necessary I can make cuts in areas that don't compromise someone's health and happiness. The difference here is that we make decisions using KNOWLEDGE rather than a scarcity . A Great Cleaner knows there is no way to get cheaper and cheaper without cutting corners, reducing quality, and cheating. The Great Carpet Cleaner and the cheap carpet cleaner come from different worlds and really have a very hard time being friends because their ideologies clash. The readers of this newsletter have not fallen for cheapness and have received good knowledgeable care on their textiles. We at USAC renew our commitment for out Work Integrity , Quality, and Truly Fair Pricing.
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Looks aren’t everything- Clean first for health, then for appearance. Is the air starting to smell stale? Great News! Pollutants in the air are filtered through your carpet. The carpet traps them so you don’t breathe them over and over. What happens when the trap gets full? Your family starts breathing dust mite debris, cat dander, pollens, fungus, spores, bacteria, chemicals, scores of known carcinogens, and a long list of really gross stuff. Tearing out the carpet is not the answer! The Environmental Protection Agency found that homes with carpet are healthier as long as they are cleaned frequently. This is because of your carpet’s natural filtering ability which traps all that junk, so your family doesn’t breath it over and over. Once your carpet’s natural filtering ability is full...it’s time to thoroughly clean it, for your health’s sake. I am a hopeless Do-It-Yourself-er. After all- it is the American way. My family helped settle the American West and I somehow carry on the genetic memory that makes me resort to self-reliance when things get real serious. I've also learned that there are some occasions where asking professional help would have been a good idea. Situations like hanging exterior doors and wiring home electrical panels come to mind as a couple of my greatest 'moments of truth'. I could add others too- like home heating systems, bathroom installations, and carpet cleaning. Yes- Carpet Cleaning, and It is from the perspective of being a reformed carpet cleaner that I'd like to share a couple lessons. It is when I walk into a new job and hear the story that someone has been cleaning their own carpet for years and now there are so many brown and yellow spots they need to ask a professional's help that I can see myself most clearly. The store-rental and home cleaning machines look like they can do the job- and the ads say they can- so why not? After becoming a Pro I can now say 'why not'. Training, Knowledge Power, Experience, Heat, High Powered Cleaning Equipment- ( I could go on--) (these are all things you do not get when you rent a store machine- yet they are the most important!) When you hire a trained professional- (at least when you hire one from USA Carpet) you are getting someone with training in Cleaning Chemistry, the understanding of many different textiles including all Carpet types, Physiology of Enzymes, Stains and Odors, Steam to clean and disinfect, High-powered Vacuum to carry all contamination away from your home or business, and a broadness of knowledge and experience that is capable of handling a very broad spectrum of home-owners and situations as you would expect from a Professional. You also get a Personal Comittment to bring the latest in industry developments and technologies to your situation. And You Get This With A SMILE AND A GUARANTEE! As time goes by I will add to these blogs many articles with hints, facts, and tips for the homeowner. It is my hope to participate with my clients to help them best preserve their carpets and textiles. There are, after all, many things a Do-It-Yourself-er can and should do. Most incidential situations can be handled at home with a few tips and tricks. Here's to the American Way! Here's to self-reliance! And here's to my favorite company- USA Carpet Cleaning of Denver! |
AuthorHello, my name is John Amidei. I am the proud owner of USA Carpet in Denver, CO. Archives
February 2016
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