It depends on the carpet and they both have their place, which is why we have both systems available. We examine all our work prior to commencement to establish the most suitable method, so that we can ensure the best results for all the different types of carpets and suites.

Can you guarantee my carpet won’t shrink if I have it cleaned?

Only certain types of carpets are at risk, however even these will not shrink if they are cleaned correctly. We inspect all our work prior to cleaning to establish the most effective and safest method of cleaning. So yes, we can guarantee this for you.

How soon can I use my carpet or suite after cleaning?

It will vary depending on the method of cleaning, the amount of ventilation and type of carpet or suite. However, even when our water based cleaning is used, our drying equipment reduces the drying time greatly. Carpets are normally fully dry between 2 to 8 hours with most being dry within 4 hours. This is much shorter than the 2 to 3 days that our clients often tell us they endured before they changed to Carpet Miracles.Upholstery can take a little longer and we would recommend you wait until the following day until using your suite after cleaning, although in many cases it is less than that.

I had my Carpet Cleaned once before and it didn’t look any better when it was dry, will you be able to get it clean?

There are many different types of carpets and suites, and depending on where they are situated in your home, they attract different kinds of soil. To obtain the best results, the most appropriate method and cleaning solutions are essential. On many occasions we have cleaned carpets and removed stains that our clients had given up hope of ever having clean again.

I was told if you have your Carpets Cleaned, it takes the stuffing out of them and they get dirty more quickly afterwards, is this true?

Correct cleaning doesn’t take anything out other than the unwanted soil but some methods actually do the opposite and leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt more quickly afterwards. The methods we use will prevent this sticky residue so your carpets stay cleaner for much longer. Also, many carpets are treated with a protective coating during manufacture. These coatings wear off in time, causing faster soiling however, a new coating can be reapplied as an option after cleaning, further extending the time before another clean is necessary.

I’ve heard other cleaners talk about “Bait & Switch”, what exactly is this?

This is a sales tactic used by unethical companies to trick people into using their service. An irresistibly low price is offered to tempt the prospective customer into booking them for the work. (This is the bait) Once in their home, the salesperson pressures the prospective customer into buying extras in order to increase the price. (This is the switch) These extras are the same things a reputable company would regard as an essential part of a professional job. It can be used in many different ways such as charging extra for removing stubborn stains or moving furniture, but very often the quoted price is for a basic cleaning process that usually results in faster re-soiling, meaning more frequent cleaning and more expense in the long run. However, once in the prospective customers’ home, the salesperson offers a more involved process at a much higher price. To avoid this happening to you, we recommend that you allow any company you are considering using to visit your home and provide you with a detailed written quotation, so you know exactly what is going to be done and how much it will involve.

Why do you need to see my Carpet or suite before you can give me a price?

Prices vary enormously in this industry and it’s even more confusing because some companies quote over the telephone. At Carpet Miracles we prefer to see the work first. We do this because although your room may be a certain size, there will be other factors that will vary the time taken to properly Clean a Carpet, such as those listed;

• Will the room be empty when it is cleaned or will it be furnished?
• If it is furnished, do you require us to move all the furniture and clean underneath or are there some items such as wardrobes, wall units and chests of drawers that you would prefer us to work around?
• Are there areas of the carpet that will require specialist attention such as red wine stains, candle wax, paint spillages from decorators or possibly others?
• Do you want these stains removed or are you looking for a short term solution because the carpet is being replaced soon?
• What state are the edges of the carpet in? Have they become blackened due to what is known as “draft marks” and if so, would you like us to remove them?
• How do your walk ways look compared to the areas under your settee for example?
• What type of carpet is it and what is the most effective, and more importantly, the safest way to clean it?

For similar reasons we do the same with your Upholstery and Curtains. We do it this way so that when we issue you with your written quotation you know exactly what you are going to get for your money, which is cleaning to an unbeatable standard which we are sure, is exactly what you are looking for.

What exactly is protection and what does it do?

This is a treatment that can be applied to Carpets, Upholstery and Curtains following the cleaning process. They act like a wax coating on a car’s paintwork or a non-stick frying pan. They won’t stop a suite or carpet getting dirty but they will slow the process down. Because they prevent the soils and spills from sticking to the fibres, your regular cleaning and vacuuming will be more effective in removing them. This means that any item treated will stay cleaner for longer than one that isn’t. It will also make it easier to remove marks and mop up spills, without the need to use cleaning agents that can sometimes cause a sticky residue. They also buy you time in the event of an accidental spillage so you have time to act in order to remove the spill before it soaks into the item. This helps prevent many unsightly permanent stains. Coatings do wear off in time which is why we offer them as an option after cleaning.

Does protection really work?

Yes, but not on its own. It is designed to make your day to day cleaning easier so it works in conjunction with the correct day to day maintenance. Most people are not given sufficient information when they buy protection which is important if it is to work for you.

We are also able to offer you PROmite™which provides all the above benefits of the standard protection but with an added bonus. In the UK over four million people suffer with respiratory related allergies (1 in 10 children), predominantly from effects from the House Dust Mite. PROmite™eliminates ALL dust mites and continues to stop them from living in your mattresses, carpets or upholstery for up to 10-14 months – keeping your family safe & healthy

I have a patterned Carpet which doesn’t show the dirt, so why bother cleaning it?

• The kind of soiling found in carpets is abrasive and speeds up the wear the longer it is left. This is deep imbedded grit and cannot be seen on the surface, even on a plain carpet, let alone a patterned one. So even a carpet that appears to be clean can have its life reduced unnecessarily. Cleaning will remove this damaging soil, extending the life of the carpet, saving you money in the long run.
• You cannot see germs and bacteria in bathrooms or kitchens and you cannot see them in your carpet either. Cleaning removes them leaving the carpet hygienic as well as looking nice.
• Cleaning also removes the soiling you can see on the surface, so they look good, smell nice and feel better too.

How often should carpets be cleaned?

For the reasons given in the answer to the previous question, research carried out by the IICRC has shown that the cleaning frequency can vary from once every three to eighteen months depending on the number of people living in your home and other factors such as whether you have any pets. However, if the correct cleaning method is used and you vacuum regularly and take care of spills and spots as they appear, your carpets will stay cleaner for much longer. Very few of our clients find they need their Carpets Cleaned more often than once a year and many last much longer.

Some Carpet Cleaners have told me they offer maintenance plans, do you offer these as well?

We do, however it is important to choose one that is appropriate for your home and life style otherwise you end up having them cleaned more often than necessary which is false economy. If you would like us to plan a programme for you, it will be tailored to fit your particular home and will not obligate you to have them cleaned anymore often than is necessary.

Who is the IICRC?

Based in the USA, the institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification is the worlds’ largest certification body for the flooring inspection, floor covering and specialist fabric cleaning & disaster restoration industry. The IICRC currently has approximately 3000 certified firms employing around 30000 registered technicians worldwide. IICRC training is under-pinned by rigorous standards that are put together by dedicated working groups of industry professionals.

Businesses eligible to display the IICRC logo have been appointed as IICRC certified firms, which means that you can be assured of the following;

• All work is completed by an IICRC qualified technician using the latest techniques.
• All technicians employed by the firm are required to keep up to date with the continuingly developing techniques.
• All IICRC certified firms are required to show evidence that they carry the necessary insurance to protect their clients in the event of any unfortunate circumstances.

We recommend you verify the authenticity of any business displaying the IICRC logo to establish that they are a genuine IICRC certified firm.

For more information on the IICRC,
visit their website at
www.iicrc.co.uk
Tel: 020 8253 4505

Who is the NCCA?

Formed in the UK in 1968, the National Carpet Cleaners Association is the only nationally recognised trade association dedicated to the cleaning of carpets, upholstery, curtains, and other soft furnishings.

The principle objective of the NCCA has always been the establishment of minimum standards within the carpet and soft furnishing cleaning & restoration industry. The Association has the dual aim of safeguarding the reputation of the industry and its members, and the protection of its customers whether in the domestic or commercial sphere. Members are required to abide by the Associations Code of Practice, which covers such specifics as fair pricing, service, complaints procedures, liability and customer protection, and is designed to ensure customer satisfaction at all times. All members are required to provide a fair deal for their customers, summed up by the Associations motto “Service with Integrity”.

All applicants for membership must have undertaken the NCCA or equivalent course and reached the required standard in the written test papers that follow. This course offers a thorough grounding in all aspects of the carpet and upholstery cleaning craft, and covers theoretical and practical instruction in basic cleaning as well as spot and stain removal.

In addition to the above, all members of the NCCA are also required to show evidence that they carry the necessary insurance to protect their clients in the event of any unfortunate circumstances.

We recommend you verify the authenticity of any business displaying the NCCA logo to establish that they are a genuine NCCA member.

For more information on the NCCA,
visit their website at
www.ncca.co.uk
Tel: 0116 271 9550