5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Carpet Cleaner

Commercial carpet is a big investment. However, you don’t always realize it until it’s time to invest in new carpeting for your facility.

As a facilities manager or property manager, it’s your job to make sure you get the most you possibly can from that investment. That means making sure your carpet is both holding up and looking good three, six, or even 10 years down the line.

Sure, a lot of that has do with the traffic your carpet sees and even a little luck. But it also has to do with how well you take care of your carpet. And a lot of that comes down to who cleans your carpet.

A high-quality team of commercial carpet cleaning experts can potentially add years of extra life onto your carpet. On the flipside, a subpar company can shave years off your carpet—significantly decreasing your return on investment.

So how do you tell the difference between the good and the not-so-good carpet cleaners? Here are some key things to consider when choosing your carpet cleaning team.

A Quick Note on Weighing Commercial Carpet Cleaning Costs

While price is a key factor for every facility manager when choosing a commercial carpet cleaner, remember to keep the big picture in mind.

Let’s say a discount carpet cleaner is saving you $1,500 a year. However, reduced cleanings or their sub-par cleaning method decreases the life of your carpet by two years. Replacing the carpet sooner will cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

So, is that really a good deal? We don’t think so.

5 Key Factors for Choosing a Commercial Carpet Cleaner Company  

Here’s how to choose a cleaning team that will keep your commercial carpet looking sharp and preserve the long-term value of your investment:

1. Carpet Cleaning Method

Different companies use different commercial carpet cleaning methods. Depending on the types of carpet you have, the wrong method can damage your carpet.

For example, the dry (powder) method can yellow some carpets; while extraction (which uses a lot of water) can lead to degradation of the carpet’s construction. The Bonnet Method of cleaning will actually void many carpet manufacturer warranties.

Also, keep in mind how the method of carpet cleaning will impact your building. For example, extraction can take much longer to dry than other methods. That means you’ll have to keep foot traffic off it for a longer period.

Know what method your carpet cleaner will use and any potential risks or downsides of that method for your carpet and building.

2. Carpet Cleaning Chemicals

There are literally thousands of different chemicals for cleaning commercial carpets out there. And, like all chemicals, they react in different ways to what they come in contact with. Using the wrong chemicals for your type of carpet can cause damage when applied frequently over time.

For example, chemicals with optical brighteners or a high alkaline level can eventually cause fading, yellowing or discoloration. Make sure you ask ahead of time about the chemicals a cleaner will use and if they can have any potential negative effects on the long-term life of your carpet.

Ask your carpet cleaner why they use the chemicals they use and look for cleaners that use solutions with green certifications.

3. Cleaning Expertise

Just as important as the equipment being used are the people using it. If the people cleaning your carpets don’t have a strong understanding of how different chemicals affect different carpet types, or how to properly use their equipment, it can be bad news for your carpet.

For example, an unskilled carpet cleaning technician can leave too much water in your carpet or leave a chemical residue behind. This can lead to microbial growth (allergens), stains quickly reappearing, and long-term breakdown of your carpet.

Make sure you always have trained, experienced and certified technicians cleaning your carpets.

Check to ensure the commercial carpet cleaning professionals you choose are certified by The Carpet & Rug Institute.

4. Value-Added Services

While methods and equipment may vary, every company will clean your carpet in some way. But what else? Do they offer any additional value that sets them apart? Sometimes the extras a company offers can make a big difference.

For example, it may be standard for one company to apply a fiber shield with each cleaning to protect your carpet from future staining. That could be something other companies don’t offer. Likewise, one company may include spot cleaning and repairs (cutting snags to prevent unraveling, etc.) within their standard service package, while another company does not. DPM Care, for example, offers both of these services with our carpet cleanings.

Factor in the extras a company offers when gauging the overall quality and value of carpet cleaning services.

5. Customer Care

One final point—which should be a consideration with any company you work with—is the level of customer care they will provide. Sometimes you don’t really know this until after you’ve worked with a company, but you can typically get a sense of a company’s commitment and passion for the job upfront.

It’s also not a bad idea to ask about some of their other customers as a reference. Do they have customer testimonials they are willing to share or are posted on their website?

Pay attention to the little clues that can give you insight into the level of customer care you will receive.

When It Comes to Commercial Carpet Cleaning, Try Before You Buy

One last tip (and probably the best tip we can give you): If you’re looking for a team to clean the carpets in your facility, get a demonstration before you commit.

This will enable you to see exactly what you’re getting in terms of the considerations above and, most importantly, how good your carpet will look as a result.

Want to see how much cleaner your commercial carpeting can be? Request your FREE demo from DPM Care today. Because seeing is believing.

• Category: Blogs, Carpet Care