RED FLAG #2:

The fine print. Remember, “The large print giveth, the small print taketh away.” In a typical carpet cleaning bait and switch ad, the small print will often have phrases like, “…heavily soiled carpet may require additional cleaning” or, “…this method for carpets that are properly maintained…” or other phrases to give them wiggle room to get you to spend more money to actually get your carpet clean.

Stay tuned for RED FLAG #3

It’s a fact. We all want to get a good deal. Unfortunately that desire to get the most value for your dollar increases the likelihood that you’ll be a victim of bait and switch; an ugly practice that is unethical and in some cases illegal. The most common bait and switch tactic is to advertise an irresistibly low price for a product or service.  That’s the bait.  Then when the time comes to deliver, the product is not available or the service will not accomplish what you wanted. Then you are pressured to pay more for an upgraded product or service.  That’s the switch.
The carpet cleaning industry has its share of unscrupulous operators who employ this tactic. How can you protect yourself and your friends?  Of course, you don’t have to worry about bait and switch when Hansen Steam Way cleans your carpet, but the following information applies to all services that you might hire.
In most cases you can identify potential bait and switch practices by watching for the following red flags.

RED FLAG #1: The price. We have seen coupon prices as low as $5.95 per room or $99 to clean a whole house of carpet, regardless of size. How they can afford to work so cheaply? What do we have to invest in order to properly clean your carpet?
We have to have the right equipment. That costs thousands of dollars. We need a trained, experienced technician. Good, dependable, sober, clean-cut, polite workers cost more and they’re worth it.  You need safe, environmentally friendly cleaning agents. Quality products cost more than the harsh, cheap chemicals used by low quality companies.
We need a dependable service vehicle to get to the job. Driving will cost more than a few dollars in fuel. Don’t forget about vehicle payments, insurance, taxes, and maintenance.

We need time. To properly clean a 3 bedroom house with living room, dining room, hall and stairs will take at least a couple of hours.  Add in drive time, setup and prep, and you
have a minimum of 3-4 hours.
So at $99 to properly clean a house of carpet, it is impossible to make a profit. In fact, the company would lose money unless they cut corners. This means they must pressure you into spending more. If you don’t pay the extra price you get a quick, lousy job.

Stay tuned for red flag #2

• About 51% of women do housework daily. Only 20% of men do.
• Most homes in the U.S. are vacuumed every 2.25 days.
• 45% of cleaning companies offer green cleaning services.
• There are over 1.4 million people employed as maid or housekeeping cleaners in the U.S.
• About 80% of two-income households use a cleaning service at least once per year.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
Department of Commerce

Keeping Your Home Clean

You can maintain your carpet with regular, professional cleaning, and Hansen Steam Way is happy to help with that. But a good quality vacuum cleaner is really your first line of defense in keeping a clean and healthy home.

Vacuum Maintenance

To get the most out of your vacuum cleaner it is important that it be properly maintained. If it has a replaceable bag it should be exchanged when about half full. Never vacuum up moist soils or damp carpet. This can cause bacterial growth and odors in your machine. Check the belts and make sure that the brushes or rollers are in good condition. It is best to take your machine in for an annual tune-up to keep it operating at peak performance. When you vacuum do not rush over the surface of the carpet. Take your time. Vacuum over high traffic areas in two different directions to remove the most soil. This will help your carpets stay cleaner and last much longer.

Vacuum Filters

Pollutants are captured and filtered out by high quality vacuum cleaners featuring “true HEPA” filtration. HEPA, or High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, are tested and certified to trap 99.97% of all particles at .3 microns, so a true HEPA vacuum cleaner actually cleans the air while it cleans the carpet. But be careful and do your homework. Just because a vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter does not mean it is “true HEPA”. Less efficient vacuum cleaners do not clean the air. Rather, they have the effect of expelling the smallest pollutant particles into the breathing zone where they can remain suspended for hours. Particles under .5 microns can be suspended indefinitely due to air currents within your home.

Your Vacuum and Airborne Particles

All vacuum cleaners use some kind of motor to turn fans that produce airflow. This airflow is used to convey soils into a collection receptacle such as a canister or bag. The air must be filtered before it is exhausted back into your home’s environment. This is the basic function of all vacuum cleaners. But not all vacuums are created equal. Some are better at filtering small particles than others. One micron is one millionth of a meter. The smallest particle that the human eye can see is about 25 microns in diameter. Depending on the filtering capabilities of your vacuum cleaner, particles as small as .3 microns can be effectively filtered out of the air. But most vacuum cleaners allow much larger particles to get through. This is a problem, especially in homes with sensitive individuals with allergies or asthma. The smallest particles are able to be breathed into sinuses and deeply into lung tissue where they can cause irritation and inflammation. Coughing, wheezing and sneezing are the result. In some cases, full blown asthma attacks can happen. What is in the dust that creates such big problems? Pollutants include mold and mold spores, human and animal dander, dust mite feces, insect parts, air pollution, lead dust, carbon, cooking residues and more.
Next Time: Vacuum Filters

Is your vacuum cleaner getting the job done?

Regular vacuuming is the most effective way to prolong the life of your carpets. By removing dry particulate soils, you help prevent premature wear caused by abrasive
soils grinding away at carpet fibers. A good quality vacuum cleaner that is maintained and used properly does a great job of removing pollutants and contaminants from your home. You don’t have to spend a fortune, but don’t skimp on quality either. A quality vacuum cleaner is well worth the investment. There are a few things that you should know about your vacuum cleaner to prevent possible fiber damage, loss of performance and even possible health problems.
Next Your Vacuum and Airborne Particles