Cleaning Company Keeps Repeat Customers

Repeat Customers are our favorite customer. They sustain us; they are loyal; they are our friends; we love them!  Any good company will have repeat customers, and that should be the bulk of a business's customer base. The only customers that a cleaning company business cannot keep are those moving out of town, and if you have made a positive impression, even that customer will look for the same franchise in their new area first.  You want to keep every customer possible forever.

Here are a few of our many, actual, repeat customers: And our friends too!

Never underestimate the power of referrals. Repeat customers will gladly refer you to their friends and family, if they feel that they can trust you to do a great job every time. Word-of-mouth is the cheapest way to advertise and attain business.  If you leave a gift ( say a bottle of spot cleaner) with the customer that has your name and logo on it, then the home or business owner will have your number at their fingertips and will not forget you. When friends,family or business acquaintances come into your client's home or business and brag on how well their floors, furniture, etc. look, the customer will advertise freely and gladly for you.  That is when networking is at its finest.

How To Get Repeat Customers Other than by Doing a Great Job

1.  Talk to the customer. Be friendly. Smile - Get them to like you personally.
2.  Be honest and forthright, so they will trust you.
3.  Go the extra mile for the customer, never complaining.
4.  Show them the before and after pics that you received prior permission to take from them.
5.  Give them a free bottle of spot remover or a parting gift.

Verbal Testimonials From Repeat Customers:

"Kwik Dry is Awesome! I will use them again and again."  Kerry R.

"Of course you got my rug cleaned. You guys are amazing!"   Susan P."

"Thank-you so much Kwik Dry Total Cleaning for everything that you cleaned for us." Linda E.

"Kwik Dry has been a blessing to our church. Thank-you very much." Daniel G.

"My tile looks awesome guys!" Thanks so much! Sherri B.

Why Everyone Should Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company

Stain-Removal-by-Carpet-Cleaning-Experts
Kwik Dry Total Cleaning

10/19/2012                                      

There is a reason why some people are professionals in a field and others are either novices or simply enthusiasts.  Professionals are privy to certain trainings, tips, tricks, and industry insights into a particular craft, since they surround themselves with it every day.  Novices and enthusiasts are self-taught or learned it on U-tube, and may or may not have the right information regarding how to handle a task.  When it comes to tackling a home improvement project, the homeowner, who wants to save money, attempts to take on the task alone, without the help of a professional. This is usually where the trouble starts.

When it comes to carpet cleaning, calling a professional is the wisest decision. Due to the wide variety of fabrics and materials used today, certain problems  could arise, which only a professional would know how to handle.  That mysterious stain - that nobody knows how it got there or what it is – may take a special product to remove.  Using generic or grocery store bought cleaning agents can set a stain or permanently discolor the carpet.  Taking on a carpet cleaning issue without knowing the proper method of removal or product to use may lead to a carpet that looks worse than before, and is now going to cost more money than before.  Below are some of the main reasons why it is best to contact a professional carpet cleaning company before trying to remove a carpet stain without proper knowledge and products.

The Interaction Between the Carpet & Certain Chemicals

Diverse carpet fibers react differently with various cleansers and chemicals. This is why simply picking up a carpet cleaning solution at the local home improvement store and taking the project on with nothing more than the instructions on the back of the container, can be dangerous to the carpet. Certain cleansers contain bleach, which will lighten or leave a yellowing affect to a carpet, turning a removable stain into a bleached spot that will not come out ever. Once the dye has been removed from your carpet, there is no going back.

Since a professional carpet cleaning company will be able to assess the type of carpet fiber you have and the best cleaning method for it, there is much less room for errors.

It Will Not Be Cheaper in the Long Run

Each time a person tries to take on a do-it-yourself,  project there are always some unfortunate hurdles that get in the way.  Typically, this will add time or money to the project unexpectedly.  Many people assume that if a carpet cleaning company charges $200 to professionally clean a whole house , but the cleanser is only $25 and a rental vacuum is only $75 a day at the local home improvement store, then they have already saved $100 by doing it themselves.  However, they have not factored in the time it will take to complete such a large project or electricity and water used.  Think about how much time is worth.  If the job takes 5 hours to do, then in essence, it pays about $20 per hour to get back to the original estimate of $200 for a carpet cleaning company to do it instead.  That's not a bad pay rate, but that's also 5 hours of lost time, 5 hours of inconveniencing others in the household and it also means the person completing the job is 5 hours more exhausted than they should be.

Aside from the time it takes - using a rental carpet-cleaning machine will only be a very temporary fix. The machine is a shampooer that uses detergents that stick to the carpet fibers causing dirt to be attracted even faster than before.  A carpet can hold six times its weight in dirt before one even notices that it is dirty, but it will become dirty quicker because of the cleaner used.  The dirt is pushed down into the base of the carpet, and will wick back up to the top, revealing the stains, shortly after the long drying time is over, (which also causes mold spores to grow).

In the end, a simple carpet cleaning job could cost $100 plus for supplies, 5 hours of time, and then hundreds more to fix any mistakes that happen as a result of a non-professional cleaning, and the carpet will just look dirty again shortly after.  So clearly, it is not always less expensive to do it yourself.

Not Missing the Little Things

Professional carpet cleaning companies pay attention to details.  A professional carpet cleaner is trained to take care of the customer’s property.  Furniture is moved carefully and small pads are put under wooden or metal legs so that discoloring of the carpet does not occur from rusting or transfer of wood stain. The carpet is raked or re-vacuumed to bring back up the pile and leave the carpet soft and fluffy.  Tough spots are re-treated ensuring satisfaction, and if the company is very wise, a bottle of cleaner (bearing the company’s name and phone number) is left for the customer in case of future spills.  A good carpet cleaning company will take care of the little things, that are so important.

A professional, often learns through a great deal of trial and error.  Every single problem, that one may happen upon, has been trouble-shooted by an industry professional.  The process and products used have been tried and tested repeatedly to insure total success.  Much research and inventive ingenuity have been put into the professional carpet cleaning company’s product.  A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialized set of tasks, who makes a living from one’s profession.  Anyone who relies on his/her profession to feed and clothe their family is going to perform their task to the utmost of their ability, or that one is not a professional.

Call a professional carpet cleaner today. Skip the hassle and rest assured that your cleaning needs are in competent hands.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning is an international, multi-faceted carpet cleaning company. Kwik Dry is one of the only "Green Approved" methods available today for cleaning carpets. Carpets dry in 1 - 2 hours, low moisture and all-natural biodegradable ingredients are uses and there are no hidden fees. 

Kwik Dry has many Florida locations including Carpet Cleaning Miami, Carpet Cleaning Brevard, Carpet Cleaning Broward, Carpet Cleaning Orlando, and Central Florida Kwik Dry.  Kwik Dry Total Cleaning also has franchises in some Northern States and Canada, including Carpet Cleaning Richmond , Carpet Cleaning NW Indiana, and Carpet Cleaning Ottawa and all are backed by their 100% customer satisfaction guarantee.   Once you use Kwik Dry Total Cleaning, you will use no other!

Melbourne, Fl Carpet Cleaners Unveil New Masterpiece

A local Melbourne, FL artist called me last week to book a carpet cleaning job from Brevard Kwik Dry.  She called back to rebook, stating that she was not yet ready for Cocoa, Florida’s best alternative for carpet cleaning to clean her carpets.  I rebooked her for the following week, thinking she would call and cancel again.

My experience in talking to customers and booking jobs for Brevard Kwik Dry is that those who cancel jobs usually do not call back to rebook.

Five Reasons Why Carpet Cleaning Customers Cancel Are:

1. They have found what they think is a cheaper price and have booked with that company instead.

2. They have spent the money that they were going to use for the cleaning service.

3. Their plans have changed and they will not be home at the scheduled time.

4. They have read a negative review on the internet about that company and believe it.

5. They forget about the scheduled job and cancel when the cleaning company calls to confirm.

For Every Action There is a Reaction

No matter how valid the excuse, the cleaning company deals with the following problems:

1. They have just lost money that they counted on for their business.

2. The cleaning technician loses money as well. 

3. Now there is an open slot in the schedule that has to be filled.

4. If the cleaning technician shows up, and the customer cancels right then, the company has wasted time and gas money.

5. This disappoints the carpet cleaning company and they lose a little more trust in people.

All in all, canceling your scheduled job - especially at the last minute - has negative effects on the company concerned, so make sure that you either let the cleaning company know, as soon as possible of the change, or simply keep your word.

Fortunately, and to my pleasant surprise, the Melbourne Water Color Artist kept her second appointment, and Dalton from Brevard Kwik Dry showed up to clean her carpets.  She was also pleasantly surprised at how good-looking he was. (She told me later on the phone when she called to sing her praises of Brevard Kwik Dry’s best cleaner.)

Here are the before and after pictures of this nice customer’s Berber carpet:

Berber Carpet is made of Olefin or Nylon, a polyethylene or polypropylene - in layman’s terms - plastic. Believe it or not, Berber carpeting is a petroleum based plastic, like polyester. Therefore it is water resistant and stain resistant. Berber carpet has one great nemesis – oil. Since it is made from oil, of course, it attracts oils and soil.  Did you ever notice that dirt sticks to your skin? You have to use soap to remove all of it from your hands, correct? That is because we are made from dirt, so dirt is attracted to our skin and blends naturally with it. It is the same thing for Berber carpeting, but with oil.  This is bad for the carpet, but good for Melbourne Carpet Cleaners, especially Brevard Kwik Dry.

Berber is easy to clean for this Brevard County Carpet Cleaning Company, since we use a low-moisture, oxygenated, citrus cleaner that is naturally a degreaser, so oil – no problem.  Also, the low moisture factor inhibits any mold growth.  

The Melbourne Artist’s carpet became beautifully clean and she was ecstatic.  She said, “My experience with Brevard Kwik Dry and Dalton was overwhelmingly wonderful. I did not expect a great improvement on my carpets, but they came out amazing! Dalton was truly a pleasure to work with. Can I keep him? He was a real gentleman and the hardest worker that I have ever seen. My carpets are truly a masterpiece!”

What on Earth is Going On? Take Action or be Taken Over

Do you believe the news lately? What is happening to America?!! It seems like the world is in chaos with fighting, bombings, wars, murders, terrorist attacks, and crime in general is on the rise. I write a carpet cleaning blog, but I think I need to address the world's craziness at this time. Now, we have a choice - to fight, to ignore, or to hide. What is America going to do?

Pulse Night Club, Orlando Mass Murder

I live near Orlando, Fl and many innocent lives were viciously taken at the Pulse Club by a terrorist that no one is brave enough to state as being Muslim, or that this was a hate crime, morally, religiously and ethnically.   Ask any Muslim what their bible (Quran) says - they hate infidels, which include Christians as well as homosexuals. What is with all of this politicking?  The media refuses to report the truth - they are more worried about if an exit was blocked or not.

The Assistant Police Chief stated that, "This was the most brutal attack that he had experienced in his whole career as a policeman", and "That it was too political." This whole world has taken up being politically correct, and ignoring the signs, while our enemies are steadily advancing with tyranny in mind.

Take carpet cleaning, for example what if we simply ignored the stains and dirt, or what if we just hid them under furniture or area rugs? Would the threat go away or take over?  Of course there are many things to consider before taking action.

1. Do You Care?
If your neighbor's carpets were dirty would you care? Would you help them to get them cleaned, if you could, or would you simply ignore the mess? What if you had the answer to all of their cleaning needs? Would you tell them or simply leave it up to another person or company?

2. Are You Apathetic or Afraid?
It is not your carpet that needs cleaning - so why bother with it.
Are you afraid to offend them and so do not say anything?

3. Do You Not Have the Resources to Help?
You do not know how to clean carpets or have cleaning solutions. You do not have information on what you are up against.

What Can be Done?
1. Learn what you do not know - get educated on the topic.
2. Offer help of any kind.
3. Defend yourself properly with the right solutions and equipment.
4. Learn what works against the problem, and practice safe procedures.

Before-Kwik-Dry-Carpet-Cleaning

 5. Pray, But Also Take Action - the stains will not just disappear, but will take over.

C

After-Kwik-Dry-Carpet-Cleaning

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning is committed to keeping America clean and safe. Kwik Dry uses an all-natural oxygenated citrus cleaning process that is safe for everyone, including hyper-sensitive allergic souls. Our carpet cleaning process dries in approximately one hour with no wicking back of stains. Our company is honest and has no hidden fees. All of our prices and processes are shown on our websites at

• www.brevardkwikdry.com for Brevard County, FL area 
• www.orlandokwikdry.com, for Orlando, and Orange County Fl area 
• www.centralfloridakwikdry.com for Lake County - Belleville, Fl and Villages area
• www.browardkwikdry.com for Broward County  -  Ft. Lauderdale/ Pembroke Pines, Fl area
• www.miamikwikdry.com for Miami-Dade County
• www.kwikdrynwi.com for North West Indiana and South Chicago area
• www.richmondkwikdry.com for Richmond, VA area
• www.ottawakwikdry.ca for Ottawa, Canada area

Check out our sites today. If you are interested in buying a Kwik Dry Total Cleaning Franchise go to www.kwikdry.com for U.S. or www.kwikdrycanada.ca for Canada.

• Do not be apathetic and ignore the stains on your upholstery or carpet. Do not let your floors become dull and ugly. Call Kwik Dry Total Cleaning today!

Which are Worse - Roof Leaks or Dog Leaks?

What do you do when your roof leaks all over your carpet? Do you call your Brevard County  Cleaning and Water Restoration company, or do you simply suck up as much water as you  can, (to save money),) with your shop-vac, and hope for the best? What do you do when  your male dog likes to mark his territory on that same carpet? Do you call your Brevard  County Pet Clean-up professional to get rid of the bodily fluids from your carpeting or try  to spot clean with some soap and water? A Cocoa FL resident's roof leaked during a torrential downpour. The light beige carpeting  was soaked with dirty water and drywall. The homeowner went to his local home  improvement supply store and purchased material to fix the roof and a shop-vac to suck up  the dirty water. Then he left it to dry. The homeowner from Cocoa, FL tried to fix the mess  himself, because he did not want his insurance to go up, since he had already had a  previous claim. Meanwhile the resident Maltese continued to whittle a little here and a little there. Since the  carpet was already soiled it was hard to tell where the urine stains were, so they neglected  to clean them up. Finally the smell became too strong and the exasperated family looked in  the local advertising magazine to find a carpet cleaner in Cocoa, FL. Brevard Kwik Dry's  advertisement in the Saving Safari caught his attention and he picked up the phone. When Dalton arrived on the scene from Brevard Kwik Dry the smell was unbearable. The  strong urine odor mixed with an underlying odor of mildew filled his nostrils causing Dalton  to gag. Leaving the door open to let some fresh air in allowed the little Maltese named  "Rocky" to escape, and running outside he lifted his leg to mark his territory on Brevard  Kwik Dry's vehicle. "Rocky" sure had a problem wanting to be the dominant male. But the  dirty carpets were not a problem for Brevard Kwik Dry. Brevard Kwik Dry's all natural citrus cleaning process can remove any stain, but cannot  put color back into the carpet or fabric if it has been previously bleached or dyed. The Cocoa,  FL resident made the following mistakes which we can learn from: 1. Never clean up a flood without proper expertise and equipment. 2. If there is a lot of water it will get into the under-pad and the under-pad must be removed  or mildew will begin to grow. 3. The dirty water must be extracted and then a disinfectant sprayed on the subfloor and the  underside of the carpet. 4. Dehumidifiers and blowers must be used to successfully and quickly dry up the water. 5. When everything is dry, the new under-pad must be installed and the carpet re-installed. 6. Finally the carpet must be cleaned and disinfected again. Oh! I forgot to mention - the Cocoa, FL man's wife had tried to clean the carpet with a  shampooer that you rent from the grocery store, and she had put bleach in the water to get  rid of the smell of mildew and urine. She must have put a different amount of bleach in every  time she changed the water, because there were various blotches of bleached marks  on the carpet - some lighter than others. What a mess! 7. Never use bleach in the water when cleaning your own carpets - better yet - let   Kwik Dry professionally clean your carpets for you. Well, Dalton did a wonderful job, as usual, for Brevard Kwik Dry, and the carpet looked  beautiful and smelled even better. The Cocoa, FL customer was elated with the job and  promised to call Brevard Kwik Dry every time that any cleaning was needed.     Now, the only problem is "Rocky"....

How Clean is Clean? How Green is Green?

Wow! This room looks super clean doesn't it? The colors are crisp, the floor is reflective and shiny, the white carpet has no sign of stains, and there is no clutter or debris anywhere to be seen. But what can we not see that is hidden? The naked eye cannot easily see dust spores, dander, dust mites, bed bug eggs, pollen grains, bacteria, or mold spores - that are growing and forming rapidly - until there is a large quantity of them.

Carpet-Cleaning-by-Kwik-Dry-Total-Cleaning can Annihilate this Mold-Spore-with-All-Natural-Products

 This is a mold spore that loves a little bit of food, warmth and moisture.  He is cute and pretty, but just like "the girl next door", is dangerous to your heart and health.  Almost anyone is allergic to mold, especially black mold, except (for some God-given-reason) my 90 year old Nana - Grace.

I went to visit her when she was 90 years old. She lives in Ontario, Canada, not too far from one of our Canadian franchises Ottawa Kwik Dry Total Cleaning. She lives right beside an algae-filled pond, surrounded by beautiful trees and landscape. (See below - that is actually my Gramp's pond and the beautiful colors are not photo-shopped, that pic was taken on my I-phone in October of 2014.)
So there is plenty of food, moisture and warm sunlight to make optimum conditions for black mold growth. 

In my Nana Forster's (Grace - rightly named) basement (on the walls) and bathroom (under her bath mat in the tub)  was the scariest thing I had ever seen! Black mold everywhere!! No wonder my throat was getting sore and my nose running like a tap. When I lifted the mat off of the tub bottom I gagged. I grabbed the bottle of bleach, that I had found in her laundry room, and poured it straight on the mildew and mold. No watering it down for environmentally friendly reasons - there was no time. I was going to die right there from chemical waste exposure! How does my 90-year-old Nana not keel over from all this mold? She wasn't even the least bit sick from it. (I, of course, developed bronchitis from it all, and had to get a Z-pak to recover.) Nana (Grace) Forster - proof that God gives us grace - lived to be days short of 102 years old. Incredible!!

Kwik-Dry-Total-Cleaning-International to the Rescue!

 All-Natural-Green-Co. Kwik Dry Total Cleaning-Destroys-Black-Mold like this without using harsh chemicals in their Carpet, Upholstery, Mattress, Tile and Wood Flooring processes. Does the cleaning company that you employ use "Green" methods in their processes? Do they have the environment in mind or just making money?

Anyways, we won't count me using the bleach as a weapon against the black mold. That was dire circumstances, and I did not have any of our "Magic Potion" Kwik Dry's All-Natural Citrus Cleaner with me at the time.  Our company truly tries to help our earth to be cleaner and healthier. We have researched high and low searching for the right formula that will clean and kill bad bacteria without killing humans and animals in the process. Our products are citrus based made from oranges, grapefruits and lemon peels, ergo the lovely fresh scent left behind after a Kwik Dry cleaning.

 Now these ugly monsters also need to be eradicated, just like the mold and mildew. There are dust mites and dust mite remains, feces, body parts etc, in the dust in the air, in our carpets, in our mattresses and even on our eyelashes, that must be gotten rid of or we face getting asthma, upper respiratory infections, allergies and even brain dysfunctions.

Mattresses are perfect food for mold and mildew to feed on. Room temperature is perfect for mold and mildew to grow. All it needs now is moisture. That is why steam cleaners cannot clean a mattress without starting the mold growing process. Kwik Dry Total Cleaning's process for cleaning mattresses, carpets, area rugs and upholstery uses very little water, therefore is perfect for cleaning your mattress.

 Bed bugs were nearly destroyed completely by DDT's (chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons that do not break down but persist in the environment and become concentrated in animals) in the 1950's - 70's, but with the outlawing of DDT's they have regained their strength and are becoming an epidemic. Heat is now the only way to kill the eggs and this process is very expensive. The adults and nymphs can be killed with steam or insecticides, but the eggs are not harmed. The only way of  heading off bed bugs is by a thorough vacuuming and professionally cleaning of your mattress on a regular basis.

Pollen grains are also floating around in our air, landing on our carpets, bedding, upholstery etc., causing homeowners and residents to inhale and of course - Achoo! - sneeze. When you look at a pollen grain up close and personal, you can see why it would irritate our mucus membranes and cause itchiness.  Pollen season is crazy at our house - all those itchy, watery eyes, runny noses and using tissues by the pound.  How do we get rid of it?  Call Kwik Dry Total Cleaning.

Bacteria is found under the same circumstances as mold and mildew - dirt/food, moisture, and optimum temperatures. They also like darkness. Your air duct system is perfect for bacteria to grow in, as well as in your carpet, upholstery, and mattresses. Some Kwik Dry Total Cleaning Franchises do not offer air duct cleaning services, but the ones that do use the Rotovac System for cleaning which is a source removal system that uses hospital grade disinfectant to kill any bacteria that may be in your H.V.A.C system.

So, what does this "Green" word mean? Be very careful of the "Green" word. Like "natural" "green" is a very vague term. In the cleaning industry it basically means that the products used can break down and nothing is left in the environment -"dust to dust", but it does not mean that one can ingest  or inhale the product without adverse effects.  Kwik Dry's All-Natural Citrus Cleaner should not be drank. Some crazy companies state that their cleaning products can be drank without harm, but they do not tell you that after ingesting the cleaning solution you will be hit with a bout of diarrhea, because your body is rejecting it. One may not die from it, but it is not healthy to consume.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning has worked diligently to find cleaning solutions that are biodegradable, but actually remove stains. Cleaning companies that use bleach or acid should not be saying that they are a "Green" company.  So how does one know if the company that he/she employs to do your carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, mattress cleaning,tile and grout cleaning, wood floor cleaning, or air duct cleaning is using truly "all-natural" or "green" products.  Ask them and weigh their response on the scales of reason. How clean is clean and how green is green?

FAST DRYING CARPET CLEANING BEATS MOLD!

HOW MY INTEREST IN MOLD STARTED

Were any of you ever in love with his or her teacher when you were little?  I was.

Mr. Carson was the most handsome teacher that ever taught me as a child. He was my fourth grade teacher, and I thought he was awesome! He had light brown curly hair, an athletic build, and dreamy hazel eyes.  I would do what ever he asked of me.  I was his best student - at least that is how I still see it. Ha! Ha!

LEARNING ABOUT MOLD

It was nearing the time for our yearly science fair, and I needed an idea. What was I going to do my science project on? It had to be great!  I must win first prize!  My cousin was NOT going to win this year – not again. Mr. Carson fielded me some ideas and one of them was mold, or penicillin. I researched and read every book in our school library on mold and fungi, drew pictures and diagrams of mold spores, but to no avail - it was not exciting enough to win. I had to beat the spouting volcano this year.

I asked my mom what to do to make my project more interesting. She told me that I needed real samples of mold. Pictures were not enough.  She said to put pieces of food in a container that one could see through, add a little moisture, and let them grow mold.  What a great idea!  

EXPERIMENTING WITH MOLD

I found an old fish bowl, which once had housed a gold fish, that I had won at the fair. (Why do they give you the fish that you hit on the head with the little ball anyways? - It is on a one way trip to the toilet right from the start.)  I took a piece of every kind of food, which I could find in the refrigerator, and carefully placed it in the fishbowl. Then I covered the opening with plastic and secured the cover with an elastic band. Now all I had to do was wait, and nature would take its course.

CONDITIONS THAT MOLD THRIVES IN – The Facts

Mold needs certain variables present in order to reproduce and continue growing: mold spores, mold food, the right temperatures, and lots of moisture.  There are mold spores everywhere in our environment, but they are not triggered to start multiplying until they have the perfect conditions.  Mold likes 70% - 100% humidity - the wetter and warmer the better.  I put my fishbowl on the heat vent and watched as my mold began to appear.

What is mold food?  Like anything in life – in order to grow and reproduce, a substance must first be alive and have nutrients to keep it alive.  Mold needs organic material containing carbon atoms to grow.  For example, my mold experiment needed food from my refrigerator and my mom’s garden to feed off. There were pieces of apples, oranges, carrots, bread, meat, onions, tomatoes, beans, crackers, a napkin at the bottom and “Cheezies”.  Oh – and a piece of gum from the underside of my cousin’s desk chair. (He sat in front of me.)  Mold food is anything that is derived from human, animal or plant life. 

The glass fish bowl was not a good sustainer of life for the mold and mildew, just a good housing unit. The mold did not feed off the glass, but rather fed off the organic cells in the food.  If there is mold on glass it is feeding on the dust or dirt layer on the glass. So, mold eats anything that is natural. The napkin at the bottom of the fish bowl was made from processed wood fibers (from a tree), therefore it became moldy too. The gum contained sugar and my cousin’s saliva – both perfect as mold food. Yuck!!

The last conditions that fungi, mildew or mold needs in order to flourish is moisture or humidity.  Covering the fishbowl opening with cellophane caused the moisture from the food to condense as it tried to evaporate.  The moisture was trapped causing an optimum environment for bacteria to multiply quickly. (I was nine years old, I just did not want my brothers to bother my project, or flies to get in it.)  I was a genius and did not know it. Ha! Ha!

IS MOLD LIFE-THREATENING?

I said all of this for this one reason – unless one has every variable needed for mold to grow – mold will not grow, and will not be dangerous to one’s health.  Carpet cleaners who use a low moisture level process of cleaning try to scare customers into believing that black mold or “toxic death” is lurking in their carpets, and that their cute little baby who crawls on it every day is at the highest risk.  If you as a homeowner or business owner can smell the mold or mildew, or can see actual mold spores on the carpet, then you have a problem.  If there is water leaking under your rug, or there has been a flood, then the under pad has to be removed, the carpet thoroughly dried out, cleaned and disinfectant sprayed down so that mold will not be able to grow.

WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

Now, you will need a professional cleaning company to help you with your problem, who has not told you outrageously exaggerated facts about toxic fumes coming out of your carpet, and will not charge you outrageous prices either.  Kwik Dry Total Cleaning’s policy is “Honesty up Front”.  They show all of their processes from carpet cleaning to upholstery cleaning to tile cleaning to air duct cleaning to hardwood and laminate floor refinishing,and even mattress cleaning on videos found at www.kwkidry.com The prices are posted on their web site for all to see.  Nothing is hidden. 

HOW TO BEAT MOLD

The most important factor in stopping the growth of mold is to limit the amount of moisture.  Take away or limit water from any living organism, and it will stunt its growth or kill it.  Kwik Dry Total Cleaning uses an all-natural, low moisture process that dries in one to two hours depending on the humidity of the room, thus eradicating the multiplication of mold spores under or on your carpet.  Do not believe everything that you read on the internet. If it sounds exaggerated, it probably is.

By the way… I won first prize at the Science Fair, and I saw Mr. Carson many years later, and he was still awesome looking! No exaggeration! Thank God for handsome 4th Grade teachers!  Ha! Ha!

Low-Moisture Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Methods Compared to "Steam" Cleaning

Why Low-Moisture Carpet Cleaning Methods are Superior 

to Steam Cleaning Methods

10/19/2012

Opinion may have it that consumers do not care what difference it makes which method of carpet cleaning is used.  Actually, many concerned and informed consumers do care.  Increasingly, our world is becoming more and more health conscious and economically concerned.  The cleaning process and solution used is very important to the conscientious customer.  What is the safest and most economical method used today?

The general assumption is that steam cleaning is the best process used today. Carpet cleaning companies who utilize the steam cleaning method will claim that carpet manufacturers only recommend the steam cleaning method or will revoke their guarantee.  This, (due to diligent research), has been proven false.  Most carpet manufacturers recommend the “deep cleaning method”, which includes the low moisture method.  If they only recommend the steam cleaning method, check to see if they are also the cleaning company themselves, or their friend owns the cleaning company. The decision to recommend is no longer made depending on the actual process, because manufacturers are finding that the low-moisture extraction method of carpet cleaning is now the safest method, rather than water extraction.

Steam cleaning, which does not use steam but hot water, is a method that often utilizes highly pressurized heated water that is forced down into the carpet backing and often straight through to the carpet pad.  Over time this will ruin not only the pad, but the carpet fibers as well.  Since the steam cleaning works on such a "deep down" level, this means that the water can be trapped at the base of the carpet with any excess dirt left behind.  Water does not rise but falls. A stain that is pushed down by the water will “wick” back up after the carpet dries several hours or even days later.  The excess moisture causes a long drying time enabling mold and mildew to breed deep down in the carpet fibers. The growing bacteria is harmful to people, pets, and the longevity of the carpet.

The Better Choice

The low moisture extraction method of cleaning has proven to be superior to the out-of-date hot water extraction method.  The drying time is significantly shorter, making mold and mildew growth impossible.  The gentle scrubbing of the carpet loosens dirt and grime rather than trying to wash it off, while the centrifugal force of the spinning bonnets or oscillation, partnered with an all-natural solution lifts the dirt to the surface and onto the bonnet.  The result is obvious.

Uses an Oxygenated Citrus Cleaner.

Oxygenated cleansers are exactly what they sound like.  Since they are infused with oxygenated bubbles, they do not need to be used with the same amount of pressure that steam cleaners typically utilize. A low-pressure applicator is used to administer the cleanser directly into the carpet. The cleanser will attach itself to dirt and grime particles, while the oxygenated bubbles react scientifically, gently lifting any oils and dirt up to the surface making it easy to extract, leaving the carpet fluffy and soft to the touch. There are now all-natural citrus based cleaners on the market today that successfully extract stains that any steam cleaning method could not touch.

Environmentally Conservative

Low-Moisture means less water used in the process. When cleaning carpets steam cleaners use at least 20 gallons of water, whereas the low moisture system only uses less than 5 gallons on a whole house.  Conservation of our clean water reserves is becoming more and more important these days.

Economically Conservative

The economical choice between these two methods of carpet cleaning is - surprisingly - the newer, updated low-moisture process.  To purchase a steam cleaning franchise, with a truck-mounted steam cleaner, is anywhere from 95,000  to 250,000 start up cost, whereas a Kwik Dry Total Cleaning Franchise costs from $35,000 to 75,000 (all together), with twice the territory and five cleaning services included. The low-moisture oxygenated system of carpet cleaning is the most cost effective - hands down!

Low Moisture Oxygenated Methods – The New Winner!

For decades, the hot water extraction method of cleaning seemed to be the best way to clean the world’s carpets, and for a while, it was.  But problems were encountered, such as the long drying time that caused mold and mildew to grow, the pushing down of stains into the carpet base that when dried showed up again.  Any good business-person does not want to ruin carpets or have to re-clean carpets. It is just not economically profitable.  So, another method had to be invented to replace this so-called “steam cleaning” method.  The new process uses low moisture, low pressure, and a safe chemical compound that lifts the dirt and grease up to the surface of the carpet making it possible to remove.  The carpet dries faster and stays cleaner longer proving low moisture extraction to be the champion of carpet cleaning methods today.

You may say that the author of this blog does not know what she is talking about, but I do - We were “steam cleaners” 20 years ago.  

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning is an international, multi-faceted carpet cleaning company. Kwik Dry is the only government "Green Approved" method available today for cleaning carpets. Carpets dry in 1 - 2 hours and there are no hidden fees. 

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How to Recognize a Reliable Carpet Cleaning Company

10/19/2012

Anytime a person needs to employ a company, to come to their home and provide a service, an ample amount of research should be done to ensure that both a reputable, as well as an efficient company is hired. Most companies that provide a service want to acquire as much repeat business as possible, and most consumers want to find a reliable company to provide those services, so that they do not have to do lengthy research every time they need a simple job done. It is the hope of all consumers that they can find that special company, on the first try, to never have to endure a negative and costly experience. However, how can one tell a good company from a bad one? 

Every industry has certain standards that they try to abide by, and the professional carpet cleaning industry is definitely a group that tries to maintain very high standards. However, just as it is true with any industry, there are always some bad apples in the bunch. Therefore, it makes it necessary to be well-versed on how to recognize a reliable carpet cleaning company so that these poorly-run businesses will be forced to operate honestly or eventually go under, making it simpler for reputable companies to thrive.

With this ideal in mind, here are some issues to consider when looking for a reliable carpet cleaner or carpet cleaning company:

Do They Stand Behind their Claims?:

Make sure that any professional carpet cleaning company, that comes into   a home, stands behind their work and price. If the company believes in their service, products, and technology, there should be no issue with them holding up what they claim in their advertisements.  In fact, a reputable carpet cleaning company will not make any outlandish or incredible promises, that they cannot keep. 

Being honest and upfront also shows that the company is looking for long-term customers. This is because satisfaction is clearly their main priority. If the carpet cleaning company does not perform their cleaning well, then they will not get paid and will miss out on a potential repeat-customer. 

When professional advertising is attached to the professional carpet cleaning company’s service it shows that they believe in their process and want to show the customer that there will never be a need to get their carpet cleaned by anyone else, because they will be satisfied thoroughly the first time, and every time.

Beware of Hidden Fees and False Advertising

Honesty in any business is hard to come by these days.  However, in the carpet-cleaning field, many companies thrive from being dishonest.  A company will advertise a low price in their advertisements, and when the technician arrives at the unsuspecting, customer’s home or business, the price changes.  The client finds out that there are hidden fees or extra charges - for instance: every spot is extra, deodorizing is extra, deep cleaning is extra - which is a farce (there is no difference in their process), and medium to heavily soiled carpets are extra as well.  Most of the time the customer, out of guilt or politeness, agrees to the inflated price.  

Frugal customers will be angry and will send the company packing, but their carpet will not get cleaned that day, and time will have been wasted. Even though the victimized client will not use that dishonest cleaner again, the company will stay in business, because (in big cities especially) there are millions of customers to swindle.  These kinds of carpet cleaners will double book - cancelling at the last minute, or rebooking those who will not bring the most profit for a later day.  

Trustworthy carpet cleaning companies will advertise, “No Hidden Fees” and will stick to their original price.  They value the repeat-customer and base their living on satisfied clientele.  Ask, in advance, if there are additional fees before the company arrives.  An informed and happy customer is one who asks questions and receives the correct answers.

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Look For Environmentally Friendly Companies

Hazardous, unstable  chemicals are used by many carpet-cleaning companies. Butyl Acetate (or a derivative of such a chemical) is used as a solvent or part of the cleaning solution by most carpet cleaners. Butyl Acetate has a fresh fruity aroma and is a colorless liquid, that looks and smells harmless, yet contains many side effects.  Contact can irritate the eyes and skin.  Mild Inhalation can irritate the throat, cause coughing, and difficulty in breathing.  Moderate exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and in extreme cases, coma. Prolonged skin contact can cause drying and cracking of exposed areas. Butyl Acetate is also flammable and a fire hazard.

The carpet cleaning company, if they will admit to using a butyl in their solution or solvents, will assure the customer that nothing is left behind in the carpet, but is removed with all of the dirt and grime.  This is not true. Most carpet cleaners leave behind residue - and does the customer want their child or pet breathing or touching any chemicals at all? A “Green Approved” environmentally safe company is the wisest choice in this matter.

  

Knowledgeable Staff & Straight Forward Details

The technician cleaning the carpet should be intelligent and forthright. Some companies simply send over an employee who comes into a home, cleans, and then leaves.  The cleaner may only speak a few words to the homeowner, never letting them in on what they are doing, or what they plan to do.  A good company should be upfront about their process, and their staff should not only know the process by heart, but also be able to answer any questions related to the carpet cleaning service. A carpet cleaning company that employs a knowledgeable staff, that is straightforward with the details of the process, shows that the company is reliable. The more vague a cleaner is with the details of the service, or the misdirecting of direct questions, the less likely the company is to be trusted and worth using.

Appearance Means Everything

Though the outward appearance of people or things does not necessarily define character or performance, but it certainly causes an opinion to be formed at first sight.  A clean, professionally logo-ed vehicle driven by a clean-cut uniform-wearing technician will set the customer at ease, feeling more comfortable letting a stranger into his or her home.

 Many good qualities make a carpet cleaning company reputable and reliable.  Being environmentally friendly, having a knowledgeable staff, having no hidden fees - honest advertising, standing behind advertising claims, and looking professional are definitely some assets to look for when looking for a good carpet cleaner to employ.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning is an international, multi-faceted carpet cleaning company. Kwik Dry is one of the only truly safe for all  "Green Approved" methods available today for cleaning carpets, upholstery, mattresses, tile, air ducts, and wood floors . Carpets etc. dry in 1 - 2 hours and there are no hidden fees. Kwik Dry has many locations including: Brevard, Broward, Central Florida, Miami, NW Indiana, and Richmond, here in the states, as well as internationally - Ottawa, ON, Canada.  KwikDryCanada is our Canadian Master Franchise which sells Kwik Dry Total Cleaning franchises from British Columbia to Newfoundland. KwikDryUSA sells Kwik Dry Total Cleaning franchises all over the world.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning’s proprietary cleaning solutions and  excellent process is what is going to propel this cleaning company to unlimited heights of success, as they “clean the world one room at a time”.