BUSINESS
Although steam cleaning is a homeowner
obligation, it is also a procedure that will keep
your carpet looking its best and extend its useful
life.
Routine spot removal – research has shown
that many products sold for do-it-yourself spot
removal clean poorly and their residues attract
soil on the cleaned area rapidly afterward. The
Carpet and Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval
program tests and certifies products that meet
stringent standards and thus clean effectively,
without damage to your carpet.”
So you see the homeowner and cleaner have
obligations that have to be met in order to keep
the warranty in effect. It is possible and has been
my experience most homeowners have voided
their warranties before most carpet cleaners
ever arrive. Also the carpet being put out today
such a polyesters and Olefins have an affinity
for oil. They love oil and attract soil that is not
only difficult to remove but nearly impossible at
times. It also crushes and mats in a short period
of time. Seems the good ole days where nylon
was king,and rightfully so,are just about gone. In
it’s place has came what is in my opinion inferior
products that crush quickly,wear out fast and do
not clean up well.
Sad day and time for carpet cleaners. Then to
add injury to insult they blame the cleaners or the
products. carpet manufacturers came up with a
Seal of Approval program. It may have had noble
beginnings but it has became a whole different
animal. They have given very poor cleaning
units their highest ratings,Platinum. A hot water
extraction unit that has about 75-100 CFM’s,75º
solution and 50 PSI has it’s highest rating of
Platinum. All the while my 1000 CFM,500PSI
and 250º truck mount monster didn’t even make
the cut. Really?
Apparently the carpet manufacturers think
us lowly cleaners are ignorant,uneducated and
unaware. They are mistaken. We are the ones
down in the trenches cleaning up what they have
created. Instead of treating us like hacks they
should treat us as an allie who has their best
interest at heart. After all it is how we both make
12
a living. We want a good relationship with the
carpet manufacturers but they must not treat us
with contempt.
Instead of laboratory conditions and a can of
imitation dirt testing they must use real dirt,real
life conditions and listen to our input. If not
they are only hurting themselves. The public is
moving quickly to hard surfaces. They are fed
up with poor quality carpets not lasting. Carpet
manufactures need to wake up and stop blaming
cleaners. They need to look in the mirror and
place the blame solely where it belongs. On poor
quality carpet production IMHO.
One other thing that upsets me is the leading
schools,magazines,suppliers and organizations
in our industry. They know these very facts
and yet they are silent. They say nothing and
to me are guilty by silence. They cower under
the big money and even join in singing their
praises. Soon you will be told what equipment
to use,what chemicals to use and who you can
clean. If you want that remain silent and get in
line with the program. If not support TMF as we
will not align ourselves with any one until the
standards are raised. So you want to talk about
carpet warranties? Let’s hear it then. :)
**Shaw floors residential carpet warranty
information booklet page 6
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