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The low moisture extraction method of cleaning has proven to be superior to the out-of-date hot water extraction method.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. 

Let's Learn About Kwik Dry Total Cleaning

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”.