Despite significant advances in carpet cleaning technology, several common myths have persisted. Some common misconceptions are presented below, along with arguments on why they no longer hold water.

Let the carpet sit for as long as possible before cleaning it, as frequent cleaning causes carpet fibres to break down and become more easily stained."

It's not true since dirt is abrasive and gets ground into the carpet fibres every time someone walks on it. The carpet should be replaced before it becomes too unclean to walk on. Grease and fine grains contribute to the carpet's wear and tear, but vacuuming alone won't remove them.

False Belief Number Two: Carpets Should Only Be Cleaned When They Appear Unclean

No, you still wash your clothes after wearing them, even if they appear spotless to the naked eye. Air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, and air pollution including cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes, and hundreds of other substances; the same is true for carpets. Those outside particles can be tracked inside on your hair, skin, clothes, and shoes.

Pollens, fungus, and chemicals in your carpet can make allergies and respiratory problems worse.

As for the third myth, "the outcome of every cleaning process is the same," it's not true.

Dry cleaning and hot water extraction are the two most common techniques.

Cleaning Method a) Dry Cleaning (unlike clothing, which may be dry cleaned without using water, all carpet cleaners mississauga procedures (dry-foam, dry-chemical, and dry-compound) need water in some capacity).

When using dry foam, the carpet is shampooed, left to dry, and then vacuumed to remove the foam and any dirt that has stuck to the carpet. This antiquated approach is not only ineffective, but can also leave a residue in the carpet that attracts dirt.

The dry chemical approach is quite similar to using dry foam, with the exception that a rotary machine with a cloth is used to wipe the carpet and absorb the dirt. It's like someone using a spot cleaner and a towel, but on a far grander scale. In addition to not providing a thorough cleaning, this technique also poses the risk of harming the carpet's fibres.

If the carpet is only slightly dirty, dry cleaning may be sufficient

With the dry compound technique, an absorbent compound is put over the carpet and then brushed into the carpet fibres by machine, attracting dirt and grime. As with the dry foam process, the substance is removed with a vacuum once it has dried. The HOST Dry Carpet Cleaner System is the preferred way of dry cleaning carpets across Europe, and it comes highly recommended by more than 70 carpet manufacturers.

The use of hot water extraction (sometimes incorrectly called "steam cleaning.

Using a powerful machine, a cleaning solution is injected into the carpet at high pressure and then removed from the fibres. Its powerful cleaning action permeates every fibre and then extracts nearly all the water that was pushed into the carpet along with the dirt and residue.

Hot water extraction is the method of choice for cleaning carpets, according to the largest carpet manufacturer in the world. The carpet will not be damaged by using hot water, contrary to popular belief. Like taking a shower, doing the laundry, or scrubbing the dishes, the best way to clean carpets is by washing and rinsing them with hot water.

Fourth Fallacy: "If you have the necessary tools, you can perform the job."

This is, of course, not the situation. Furthermore, education and practical experience are crucial. While hot-water cleaners are commonplace in the industry, not all cleaning companies have adequately trained their staff on how to utilise them. You should exercise caution while selecting a carpet cleaning service for this reason.

Verify that the company and its employees have completed training and certification through the Prochem Training School or the National Carpet Cleaning Association. You can verify a company's certification status with the NCCA by looking them up in the online membership directory or by requesting formal credentials from the NCCA.

Assumption #5: "You always get what you pay for."

Two things to keep in mind

(1) the quoted price is the actual price you will be charged, and (2) the bids are for the same service.

The services included in each set of price comparisons (a) are exactly the same.

As you are reading this, you are certainly doing your study. Before you invite a company to quote, decide what you do and don't need to achieve.

For example, if you want a rapid surface clean, there are several companies that offer shampoos or similar cleaning solutions - or you may hire a machine to do the job yourself.

However, if you want your carpet thoroughly deep-cleaned to remove dirt, bacteria, pollen, chemicals and other residues, the cleaning company should, ideally, provide a quotation for using a professional hot water extraction system - the best way to keep your carpet free from dirt and abrasive chemicals.

Confirm that the price you see offered is for the services you require.

Home-owners have sometimes found themselves the victims of misleading advertising, that the amount they are charged is higher than the price in the advertisement or leaflet. Some carpet cleaners quote a low fee, maybe £9.99 per room, to give them an opportunity to pressure a potential customer into spending more once they are in your home.

Myth 6 "An honest company can quote over the 'phone"

As with most services, an estimate can be given 'site unseen' but each task is likely to have distinct requirements therefore - should an honest company be pressed into charging for the shortest anticipated service or cover themselves for unforeseen difficulties?

Reputable carpet cleaning firms frequently price a job by the square footage of carpet on the assumption that this will determine the amount of consumables and time to be spent. If a potential customer can offer the exact amount of square feet to be cleaned, it may be feasible to acquire an estimate over the 'phone, subject to confirmation when the professional cleaner arrives on site.

Other elements that need to be considered are:

(a) the sort of carpet. Certain types of carpets take longer to clean than others.

(b) the amount of soiling. Carpets with years of accumulated grime will take longer to clean than carpets cleaned every few months. Also, any stains that may require special attention need to be taken into mind.

(c) the amount of furniture that has to be transported.

Unfortunately, there are a number of cleaners who are untrained or do not take care in their work. Remember to use an accredited cleaning firm.

Homecare Cleaning Services (Northants, Bedford, Milton Keynes) are established carpet cleaners with more than 20 years' experience and are accredited by both the National Carpet Cleaners Association and the Prochem Training School.