October 2005

Question:
We have a carpet cleaner deal with our office carpets regularly. My boss has just decided that it is time to clean the upholstery. If a carpet cleaner can do an adequate job on the carpets, is he/she good enough to trust with the board room chairs?

Answer:
Excellent question!
In truth, the same cleaning principles apply to both carpet and upholstery cleaning. The same chemistry and in many cases, the same equipment is used. The devil is in the details. Upholstery textile tends to be much more delicate. With the variety of fabrics available to mfgr’s, textile cleaners really have to be on top of their game so as not to damage home and office furnishings.

Upholstery cleaning is one of the areas that really sets professional textile cleaners apart from those who aren’t. An unqualified cleaner can turn even an ordinary cleaning task into a disaster. Furnishings that are damp for days, smell offensive, and just don’t look clean are common when a cleaning tech is not qualified or equipped properly.

Even easily recognized franchise names aren’t (in themselves) a guarantee that qualified people will be doing the work. This statement does beg a qualification. There are large cleaning names that do
require the type of professional certification advocated in this column. Look for the IICRC logo on their advertisements, and call the IICRC to ensure they are certified. Only IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the logo. Register a complaint with the operator if they aren’t.

While an average carpet cleaner might get by offering a single method of carpet cleaning, a professional textile cleaner will have the tools and training to offer a variety of options. Each business or office location has its own personality and priorities. A textile professional will be able to meet those requirements by matching up the right technologies with the challenges presented.

Don’t underestimate the wisdom of using trained and qualified professionals when caring for the upholstery and furnishings in your place of business. Look for these features when choosing a service provider:

• flexible scheduling
• industry recognized credentials
• suitable inventory
• appropriate experience
• liability insurance
• results
• WCB coverage
• fidelity bonding

Be sure to ask questions about; the type of equipment to be used, what cleaning agents are required, air quality, credentials, and anything else you may have concerns about.

Call us at 952-0318 with your carpet cleaning questions.

DID YOU KNOW?
By using “very low moisture” technology, most office upholstery can be steam cleaned for maximum results AND be dry by the time the cleaning tech wraps up to leave!

DID YOU KNOW?
Even homeowners who do not verify coverage for a carpet cleaner can be held liable by Alberta WCB in case of an accident on their property. Protect yourself - always ask for verification.