How to Avoid Mississauga Carpet Cleaning Scams

Mississauga carpet cleaning businesses are fairly easy to set up. The basics of the trade are easy to learn, the cost of set up is low and the business model is simplistic.  This means that carpet cleaning companies are numerous and many of them are mere flashes in the pan. Some of the companies are scam artists looking to make a quick buck. If you are someone who likes to keep their rugs meticulously clean, you are fully aware of the value of good carpet cleaners. Cleaning a large carpet can be extremely difficult without help, so it is always more convenient to hire an expert Mississauga carpet cleaning company. If you are in the market for a professional there are certain things you need to watch out for.

Marketing Methods: You may get tempted by a flashy banner or a clever brochure in the mail, but before committing, be sure to go online and research the company. A legitimate company which is serious about being a player in the industry will have a strong online presence. They will have an extensive website, they may appear close to the top of a search engine page for carpet cleaners in your locality and if they have been in the industry for a good amount of time, they should have a better business bureau page. Banners and fliers are one thing, but be particularly weary of companies that market door to door. Instead of concentrating on their own service, their brochures are typically targeted at discrediting the competition. They will look to highlight all the problems with their competitors, in an effort to make their company seem like a more appetizing choice. These door to door salesmen also attempt to use high pressure sales tactics in an effort to get business. Then again, you cannot blame them for going door to door. It is the most cost effective and logical form of marketing. You get to interact with a large number of people, face to face by simply working through your law of averages. Not all door to door is bad either; the entire residential insulation business in Saskatchewan was built door to door. A large chunk of the home services industry in Ontario was built the same way. The trick is to use extreme caution when dealing with such individuals. If you like what they have to offer, look them up online, check if their brochure indicates all the costs associated with their carpet cleaning service and see if they will give you a free estimate of all the cleaning charges before starting. Simple marketing methods are still popular but if you are going off of something like a flyer, do proper research first.

The Cheapest Deal: Everyone is always looking for the best possible deal. There are really good deals out there, but be leery of deals that are too good to be true. These are usually really cheap deals that are only offered for a limited time. The way these charlatans work is, they will give you a really good deal but after the job is done, they will charge you an arm and a leg for additional fees. The excuses range from, ‘the carpet was thicker than expected’ and ‘it was much dirtier than we previously thought.’ To avoid such carpet cleaning scams, have them do a full assessment before beginning. Tell them to take a look at the carpet in clear light, analyze the width, length and thickness of the piece in question. Ask them if they would prefer a clear floor or if they will charge additional labour costs for moving furniture. After the full inspection, a final price should be decided on before you go any further. Most carpet cleaning scam artists give you a very low price upfront to get you to agree and then they start applying additional costs on the bill after the job is done. If you cannot agree on a set final price, look for someone else to get the job done. 

Best Method: There are several common methods for cleaning carpets. The most popular method is steam cleaning; this is actually the same as hot water extraction but steam cleaning rolls of the tongue better. High powered tools push hot water and a chemical detergent into the fabric of the rug and the resulting dirty water is vacuumed up at high pressure. Dry cleaning is another one of the popular means of cleaning carpets. A small amount of detergent and water is used to target specific stains on the rug and rejuvenate the fibres, to leave behind a fresh glow. The term you have to be careful of is, ‘best method’. It is a common term used by con men in the industry. They tell you that your rug needs the ‘best method’ of cleaning because the damage is so severe. Usually this best method is the priciest option in their arsenal. The problem here is that there is no such thing. The cleaning method for a rug depends on factors like age, material and pile. Unless you have a five hundred year old rug from Western Europe, several different methods can be considered as ‘the best method’. If your contractor is using this term and it comes with a high price tag, it might be time to change companies. Ask the contractor what this method exactly entails; if the technician seems offended or there are holes in his explanation, it is best to steer clear.

The Surface Clean: Many professionals will claim that this is not a scam. It is often a common mistake even reputable carpet cleaning companies make. This happens when you set a fixed price, the cleaner shows up and has a good, day long crack at it and you return home to dry, spotless carpets at the end of the day. Shockingly by the end of the week, the stains have returned from their exile and the carpet looks exactly the same as it did before. Two things may have happened, one is that the cleaner had faulty equipment or the pressure gauge was not set properly. Second, is that he may have intentionally done a lack luster job or simply underestimated the severity of the stain. The way to avoid this is by having a contract. Hire a company that provides a written agreement, if the stains and such return shortly after the job, they will redo it for you, free of charge. It could have been an honest mistake, but you still have to be diligent, after all it is a service that you have paid for.

Pets: The saying goes, ‘you can choose your pets but you cannot pick your children’. In most families, the cat or the dog is the individual who receives the most affection. Carpet cleaning companies that are fraudulent often use highly toxic industrial grade cleaners which can be fatal to your pets. These agents damage the carpet, but leave behind an initial, sparkly gleam. Even if you do not have pets, always ask the cleaner if they have a pet friendly cleaning method. They either do, or they will give you complete assurance that all the agents they use are completely non-toxic. Be sure to ask, because some of the cleaning agents could harm your children and be a danger to yourself.

Extra Tips 

In conclusion, when hiring a carpet cleaner, look for a company which is held in high regard by the online community. Before opening negotiations, ask for a price based on square footage or per room.  Ask about their preferred cleaning method and if they have pet friendly solutions. Finally, try to get them to provide a written statement, indicating final price and guarantees. In every single business there are scam artists who prey on the negligence and naivety of the populous. It is up to the customer to be vigilant.

How to Start a Toronto Carpet Cleaning Business

When it comes to small businesses, starting a Toronto carpet cleaning company seems like the safest bet. Personal cleaning services always survive even in economic turmoil. If the economy is in a rut, people look to take multiple jobs in an effort to make ends meet. Pride takes a back seat and any job that brings in a certain amount of income is beneficial. In a scenario like that, people are overworked and have very little time on their hands. This means they are less inclined to do chores themselves. As a result, personal cleaning services take that opportunity and capitalize with great deals and impeccable service. When it comes to Toronto carpet cleaning, the start-up cost is not as high as other businesses. You see a return on investment fairly quickly. It seems like a very lucrative business, but if you are serious about it, and want to be successful, there are certain things you have to remember.

Toronto Carpet Cleaning Industry: There are two types of niches in the industry; commercial and residential. Commercial is a completely different type of field when compared to residential. As in most cases, commercial has a higher pay day. If you get a contract with a string of Holiday Inns, you could potentially sustain the business off of just one client. As a result, commercial carpet cleaning is far more cut throat than residential carpet cleaning. If you are just starting out, you have to out bid and compete with large franchises that have a vice grip on the majority of the big name clientele. This could have an effect of your psyche as well. You are trying to start a new business and before you even get your foot through the door, you feel the jagged edge of a door on your ankle. You could just start with small businesses, and once you build up a reputation you can move on to catching bigger fish. In addition, you need to put in a bigger initial investment to start a carpet cleaning company that targets the commercial sector. When it comes to the residential market, customers tend to lean towards their local neighbourhood cleaners.

Business is like a relationship, it may be difficult to dislodge the local powerhouse if they have built up a strong rapport with the neighbourhood. The best thing to do when you first start is to have a go at both. Have a residential sector in addition to a commercial division. It might need a bit more capital but you will be more ideally placed to succeed. You can pick off the customers in the neighbourhood who are looking for a different deal and also concentrate on getting started on the small businesses. Think of it as wiggling your way through a crowd.

Toronto Carpet Cleaning Certification: ‘People without degrees, do not get as far in their professional lives as people with an education’. This is something we have all heard in our lives. So the question arises, do you actually need certification to remove strong stains, such as adhesives, from carpets? A lot of customers, both in the commercial and residential sectors prefer professionals that have received certification and education in the field from a known institute. Unfortunately schooling does not come cheap. You could end up spending a few thousand dollars on a course or a diploma in carpet cleaning. You can present yourself as a real professional and add a degree of legitimacy to the business. On the other, side there is another saying, ‘Life is the best teacher’. You could always pair up with someone in the industry and learn the ropes of the trade first hand. Work with a carpet cleaning company that has been a strong mission/vision, and that has around for a few years so that you will learn everything you can before branching off on your own.

There are also DVD’s and online videos that can help with your personal education. Whether or not you choose to get certification is up to you. However, first impressions are everything, and in this case, the recommendation would be to get some sort of a degree. Due to the fact that all of the experts at Clean My Carpet are certified and trained, they are able to keep their clients happy and grow their business each day.

Carpet Cleaning Marketing in Toronto: Traditionally, carpet cleaners have always been found in the yellow pages, newspaper ads, TV guides and so forth. Today, most of these avenues are dead and buried. No one even uses the yellow pages as a door stop, no one subscribes to TV guides because their cable providers already fill the void and most people get their news from their news feeds on Facebook. That does not mean you should give up on the old fashioned methods. A surprising 50% of people still check their local publications for new services; they concentrate on the customer reviews and opinions section.  If you want an ad in the local newspaper, put something in the opinions and review section so that you will get noticed.

Secondly, put a few fliers and banners around the locality. They are cost effective and they get your name out in the open. However, today, the biggest marketing strategy around is online marketing. You have to have an online presence, otherwise you will be dead in the water, and you will decompose before you hit the bottom of the lake. Having a website is not enough. You will need to know the many search engine optimization (SEO) methods. Otherwise, it is like having a Ferrari in the garage that you can never take out for a spin. If you cannot hire a professional, look at YouTube videos or read through Google’s requirements. If you get good at it, you could upsurge bigger brands and names on the online battlefield. Even companies that pay for online ads will yield to your savvy.

Carpet Cleaning Contracts and Bidding: In Toronto, 35% of buyers rip the tag off of an item after the purchase. This is the same for couches, rugs and carpets. A carpet cleaner can feel a material to get an idea of its constituents but even the most experienced make mistakes. When you are starting out, streamline your contract and be very clear. Do not fall into a situation where a customer wants you to replace their couch. Also, be sure of your pricing. In the commercial sector, it is always better to go by square footage or an hourly rate. Due to the fact that commercial carpet cleaning is a numbers game, pricing jobs become a lot easier when you map out everything or go by the amount of time it will take. For residential carpet cleaning, it is always better to have a flat rate. Say $50 for two rooms and a hallway. You might be asking, “what if one of the rooms is like the size of a miniature football field?” Well, this does not matter, and you should still do it because this opens up the opportunity for repeat business. If you charge the customer a flat rate, irrespective of the size of the room, they feel as if they got a phenomenal deal. The next time they decide to call you back, they will want you to get the two bedrooms upstairs or the hallway downstairs. You stayed true to your word and that builds trust.

Carpet Cleaning Equipment: When it comes to the tools of the trade, you have two options, truck mounted or portable. Most first timers want to spend that extra buck and go for the truck mounted. It looks more professional and it is faster. That being said, the weapon does not make the warrior, the warrior makes the weapon. Both truck mounted and portable do the exact same thing. If you want a more professional look you can always get uniforms or paste a sticker on the side of your truck. Although the basics of carpet cleaning will always remain the same, you should only use high quality equipment. If you are starting out for the first time, go with a portable. It takes more time but it is cheaper. If you want a truck mounted device, build up a loyal customer base in Toronto first before making the investment.

Starting a carpet cleaning company is the same as every other business, you need to be committed, trained and knowledgeable of the many carpet cleaning methods. These are some of the things you have to have planned out before you proceed with such an undertaking.

How to Remove Adhesives from Carpets

Although our carpets provide us with many benefits, they can be extremely hard to maintain. It’s imperative for you to understand how to take care of your carpet the same way a Toronto carpet cleaning pro! We’re here to shed some light on the often dreadful task of caring for your carpet and removing stubborn adhesives.

What is an adhesive?

Simply put, an adhesive is a substance that is used for the purpose of sticking objects or materials together. Here are some examples:

·         Glue

·         Gum

·         Mucilage

·         Stickum

·         Fixative

·         Cement

Now that we’ve covered what adhesives are, let’s explore how to remove them from our carpets. As your leading Toronto carpet cleaning experts, we have explored ways in which you can effectively remove adhesives from your carpet at home. Of those many ways, we have decided to highlight one. We call it the “Warm Water Method.”

What You Will Need

ü  A clean bucket

ü  Fresh warm water

ü  2 clean white towels

Easy Steps on How to remove Adhesives

Step 1: Grab your bucket and fill it with luke warm water. Always ensure the bucket is free of all dirt and other substances/chemicals. By doing this, you avoid the chance of ruining your carpet even more.

Step 2: Pick up your clean white towel and dip it into the warm water. Be sure to ring it out a bit so that your carpet doesn’t get too wet. A wet carpet can lead to bigger problems – such as mould.

Step 3: Apply the towel to the affected area of the carpet and gently rub until the glue begins to soften. Continuously repeat this step until the adhesive is completely gone.

Step 4: Once the glue is gone, grab a dry towel and gently rub the affected area again.

If The Steps Above Didn’t Work For You

Don’t worry! It surely isn’t the end of the world. Luckily for you, our carpet cleaning experts  are extremely knowledgeable and have been successfully removing adhesives from carpets for years. If the sticky substance on your carpet is too much for you to handle, simply give an expert a call ! Carpet cleaning experts use high quality tools and proven techniques in order to remove stubborn stains and substances. By calling an expert today you will save both time and money.

Bonus Tips and Advice

·         If you’ve used a lot of water during the cleaning process, don’t forget to dry it with a towel.

·         Always call a carpet cleaning expert if you’re unable to clean your carpet on your own.

·         Always test a cleaning solution out on a small area of your carpet before you use it on the entire effected area.

·         Clean up adhesives as soon as you spot them. Leaving them there for too long could result in an extensive amount of damage.

·         Always use a white cloth on your carpet. Cloths of any other colour could rub off and leave unpleasant stains.

·         Always maintain the quality of your carpet. Cleanliness has a huge affect on children.

Carpet cleaning effects in children’s lives

Today it’s estimated that 2.5 million children have some type of allergy. According to carpet cleaning Etobicoke recent data was gathered that accounts for the loss of an estimated two point five million school days per year. Besides keeping your children from attending school, allergies can make them miserable with runny noses, itchy eyes, sore throats and skin rashes. Things such as dust, bed bugs, dogs, cats, birds and cockroaches in the home can cause allergies.

Dust mites are one of the most common causes of children’s allergies, and the main allergic component of house dust. Present year-round in most parts of Canada, although not at high altitudes, dust mites live in bedding, upholstery, rugs and carpets. According to carpet cleaning Mississauga experts, dust mites avoid the light and need at least 50 percent relative humidity to survive. They say there are five easy ways to decrease dust mite exposure through out the home:

1.       If it’s a hard surface clean it.

2.       If it’s a washable fabric, wash it in hot water.

3.       If you can’t wash or wipe it, encase it.

4.       If you can’t wipe, wash, or encase it, remove it.

5.       If indoor air is damp, monitor it, and keep relative humidity below 45 percent by using air-conditioning or dehumidifier, and avoid humidifiers.

Pet allergens are dispersed when the pet licks and the salvia gets on its fur or feathers. As the salvia dries, protein particles become air borne and work their way into fabrics in the home.

Cats are the worst because they lick themselves frequently as part of their grooming. Bed bugs are especially prevalent in a lot of fabrics. Exposure to them is thought by carpet cleaning Etobicoke as a major cause of asthma. If your child is dust sensitive, or has allergies or asthma, you can reduce his or her misery by creating a dust free bedroom. By following the routine suggested by clean my carpet described in this blog. Although these steps may seem difficult at first, experience plus habit will make them easier. The results are better breathing, fewer medicines, and greater freedom from allergy and asthma attacks. Completely empty the room to clean and empty all closets. Keep clothing in zipped plastic bags and shoes in boxes off the floor. Remove carpeting if possible, clean and scrub the woodwork to remove all traces of dust. Wipe wood, tile, linoleum floors with water, wax, or oil and cement any linoleum to the floor. Close the doors and windows until the dust-sensitive child is ready to use the room. I always think it’s the little things that help out the most when cleaning. Whether it’s a little assistance from your daughter or a professional, these handy helpers will save you time and effort. Let’s not forget that we are doing this to give our children a better and healthier dust free life. Make sure to use a scrub brush for simple jobs. When the shower curtain needs cleaning spread it on the grass outside, use the scrub brush with mild soap and garden hose to clean it. Keep a dustpan and brush handy for sweeping up dry spills like cereal, flour, coffee, cat food and more. Is always good to have two vacuum cleaners-one for upstairs, another for downstairs. It prevents you from having to lug them up and down.

In my next blog I will give you more hints and helping points from carpet cleaning Mississauga.

Top 6 Reasons to Have Carpets Cleaned Twice a Year

Proper maintenance of your carpet is extremely important for many reasons. Toronto carpet cleaning experts have noted some main points in regards to why you should contact them for carpet cleanings on a regular basis. In most cases, receiving a professional cleaning at least twice a year will prevent you from experiencing a plethora of issues such as allergic reactions, sickness, and germ buildup. Carpets can house a lot of particles that are extremely harmful, and so, you should have yours cleaned regularly.  Let’s explore why all Toronto carpet cleaning experts urge you to clean your carpets:

·         Stain/Spot Removal. Carpet cleaning companies are great at removing both large and small stains from carpeted areas. They have high quality tools and cleaning products that are safe to inhale. By requesting a carpet cleaning, you are one stop closer to preventing carpet damage, also known as soiling. Spots and stains lead to soiling, which leads to a carpet that looks damaged.

·         Prolongs the Life of Your Carpet. Experts use the carpet cleaning extraction method in order to prolong the life of your carpet. Installing a new carpet can cost upwards of $1 per square foot in most areas, as such, your effort to maintain it on a regular basis will save you a lot of money in the long run.

·         Eliminates Bacteria and Allergens. Carpets are known to attract many bacterial substances and allergens. If your carpet isn’t maintained on a regular basis, these germs will build up overtime, leading to horrible symptoms. A clean carpet will grant you with the ability to breathe fresher air and feel comfortable in your home.

·         Easy Maintenance. Hiring a professional carpet cleaning company simplifies the maintenance process for you. You’ll notice how much easier it is for you to vacuum your carpeted areas once you have it cleaned on a regular basis. You should vacuum at least once a day in order to receive the best results. It is also extremely important for you to clean up and spills immediately. Refraining from doing that can lead to huge problems, such as, a carpet that gives off a horrible odour. You should learn How to deal with a carpet that stinks.

·          Removes Bed Bugs and Dust Mites. There are many bugs that can live in your carpet; however, bed bugs and dust mites are the two biggest culprits. Removing them is of great benefit to you and the people who dwell in your home. Dust mites are known to chew away at wood surfaces, whereas bed bugs are known to bit human flesh and leave bumps or rashes. Much like mosquitoes, bed bugs feed off of human blood.

·         Increases The Property Value. If you are selling your home, you have to keep in mind that the buying agent will do anything in order to keep costs low for their client. As such, presenting them with a damaged carpet will result in them claiming they need to repair it. Those repairs will cost money and you’ll need to lower the sale price. However, if your carpet is maintained, you can easily increase the value of your home and decline low ballers.

Clean Up Regularly

Never forget how important it is to call an expert carpet cleaning company at least every 12-18 months. As you can see, it does grant you with many benefits.  

How to Deal With a Carpet That Constantly Stinks

Your carpet can stink for many reasons. And sometimes, no matter how much cleaner you to apply to it, the smell ends up coming back the very next day. Markham carpet cleaning experts have received an immense amount of calls from residents and business owners who haven’t been able to remove the horrific smells out of their carpets, or who just don’t understand why it smells.

It’s very true that a carpet that looks brand new can still be extremely dirty and gives off very disturbing aromas. Experts used a vast variety of carpet cleaning techniques for the purpose of removing smells from your carpet. These techniques include; stem cleaning, carpet shampoo method, bonnet method and dry cleaning. Your Markham carpet cleaning expert will be able to choose which method is best suited for you after they have walked around your carpeted area. If the smell of your carpet can’t seem to go away, you should refrain from using over the counter products on a regular basis. It is imperative for you to understand that temporary fixes can ruin your carpets overtime and possibly harm animals and children. Not all cleaners are safe and eco friendly. In many cases, a cleaner can end up damaging the fibres in the carpet and causes an increase in allergy symptoms. The best thing for you to do when you’re faced with a smelly carpet is to call on your local carpet cleaning company. As mentioned above, they can use a variety cleaning methods that have been proven to work effectively and very quickly. In addition to that, their methods last a very long time, unlike the traditional over the top cleaners. A clean, nice smelling carpet can also increase your monthly profits if you own a business. It has been proven that business owners benefit from creating an environment that is clean and safe to dwell in. If you call on a carpet cleaning company at least twice a year, you most likely won’t need to worry about the chances of being in a situation where you’re stuck with a smelly carpet. If you have pets, always ensure they are well groomed and bathed on a regular basis. Their smell can easily be absorbed in the fibres that are in your carpets. Cats and dogs especially should smell fresh on a regular basis. You should also forbid the act of walking along your carpet in your shoes. The dirt that is brought in from outside can sink into the carpet, and cause it to smell overtime even if you vacuum it on a regular basis. Most importantly, if anything spills on your carpet, you should clean it up immediately. If water spills, don’t hesitate to dry it. Always blot the carpet as opposed to rubbing the cleaner into the carpet. Rubbing the cleaner can result in damaged fibres and will only add to the issue. If you’re unsure of what cleaners you should use on your carpet, you always look up DIY carpet cleaners or call on your local carpet cleaning professionals. A well maintained and nice smelling carpet is the key to living and/or dwelling in a comfortable environment.

How a Clean Carpet Can Increase Your Profits

Do you know how much a clean carpet affects your monthly sales flow, and even the chances of you keeping your employees? Toronto carpet cleaning companies have found that their return clients have a higher success rate when compared to their clients who call them once every couple of years.

The overall appearance of your work space is instantly judged by your employees and clients. It is extremely imperative for you to upkeep the look of your area – especially your carpets and rugs. There are tons of reasons as to why experts urge the average business to have their carpets professionally cleaned twice each year. Even more so if your office is in a high traffic area. Toronto carpet cleaning experts have partnered with many commercial cleaning companies so that they can ensure your carpets always look and smell brand new. Offices that house animals such as cats and dogs should clean there carpets twice as much as the offices that don’t have any pets at all. This fact wasn’t put in place for the carpet cleaning companies to make more money; it was put in place so that you can ensure your employees are working in a safe environment, and, your potential customers aren’t reconsidering their decision to invest in your business before they even hear what you have to offer. Hiring a carpet cleaning company for your office will surely remove any harmful substances, viruses and bugs that can be trapped in the fibres of your carpets or rugs. If your office has animals, there is a slight chance that there could be fleas embedded into the carpeted areas. Do you know how to get rid of carpet fleas? It goes without saying that as soon as they experts are finished their job at your office, your carpets will not only look brand new – they will be free of all harmful germs and bugs. It has been proven that you have about five seconds to please your potential customers before they end up exiting your office. In those five seconds, you should display an area that is both appealing and extremely clean. One of the first things your potential clients will look at is the floor. Whether that is due to nerves, or just curiosity. Many executives have found that their employees stick around longer when they are placed in a healthy, comfortable environment. Surveys also prove that employees have quit their jobs due to filthy environments that were uncomfortable and extremely unsanitary. If your goal is to increase your profits, you must invest in cleaning services that will not only ensure the air is safe to inhale, but will decrease the chances of you losing employees and important business partners. In the Greater Toronto Area alone, there are many business owners that are operating a company that offers the same services as you. So, what sets you apart from them? Why should they buy from you over your competition? Well, let’s start with the fact that you have clean carpets, and an awesome work environment.