We still get asked if we can come and shampoo a carpet. Usually a customer is thinking of an old method of carpet cleaning, (although there is still a carpet shampooing method out there!) I recall almost 30 years ago seeing a big rotary machine being rolled up into a home, tank mounted and all, followed by a portable, plug into the wall socket suction machine and away they went. Soaking a carpet, scrubbing it with a heavy machine and brushes and then waiting for 3 days for it to dry out! Mold? Yep! Loose seams? More than likely! Some have shared similar stories with their parents renting a machine. Now we have so many options that have evolved: Steam (also known as hot water extraction), foams, shampoos, counter-cylindrical brushes with encapsulation, bonnets with encapsulation, powders (shown above), rental machines (much improved thank goodness!), rotary machines with steam and on and on, infomercial after infomercial. Along the way fad’s have arisen, products and machinery designs have come and gone, money has been made and lost, franchises have established and sold their method, while another franchise rises up and advocates their method. All of this has led to a lot of debate and some confusion for a homeowner or business owner just trying to take care of their carpet, and wallet! We still shampoo our hair the same right? Why has all this come about?

It had to evolve into something better. Customers demanded better results. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRIC) also known as Clean Trust, was established in 1972 to formulate health and safety standards and to manage the quality of work done by carpet and upholstery cleaners. The EPA has recognized and published recommendations for maintaining indoor air quality including carpet cleaning. Carpet manufacturers needed trained professionals to follow up with warranty issues. Carpet manufacturers wanted consumers to properly take care of the synthetic products that were being produced. So which method is right for you?