Look on the Brighter Side
Frequently Asked Questions.
Why have my carpets cleaned?
Carpets are like the lungs of our homes. They soak up the dust, pollen and allergens in the house, and help to keep the air clean. Have you ever noticed how often you have to dust, sweep, or mop your hard floors? Carpets soak all this dirt up, keeping it out of the air in your home, and out of your lungs! Vacuuming only removes some of this dirt, so every once in a while, your carpets will need a deep clean to remove the build up of all this debris. Having your carpets deep cleaned will improve the air quality in your home, extend the life of your carpets, improve their appearance, and maybe even impress the neighbours!
Don't carpets get dirty quicker once they have been cleaned?
Yes and no. A new carpet will stay clean longer than an old carpet because all the fibres are smooth when new, making it harder for dirt to stick to them. When they get walked on, carpet fibres get damaged, scratched and bent, making it easier for dirt to stick to them. However, proper cleaning methods will not cause re-soiling of the carpets to occur faster than it should. Most DIY carpet cleaning products will leave residues in the carpet which will attract dirt and promote rapid resoiling.
It's cheaper to hire and a machine and do it myself - why use you?
Some cleaning methods and chemicals will promote rapid resoiling of carpets, and one of the main reasons for using a professional carpet cleaner rather than a DIY or hire machine is that a professional will identify the type of fibres in the carpet, and use the appropriate products to produce the best cleaning results possible without causing rapid re-soiling or damaging the carpet structure. Do you know what pH product is suitable for cleaning your carpet ? I doubt it, but a professional carpet cleaner should!
Also, do you really think the people who hire you a carpet cleaning machine will sell you a product which prevents resoiling, and keeps your carpets looking clean and fresh for as long as possible? Or do you think they will sell you a product which promotes resoiling so that your carpets look dirty again quickly, and encourage you to go and hire the machine again?
Some carpet cleaners charge much more than others. Should I go for the cheapest quote?
No! Like many proffessions, there are properly trained, well equipped, and highly experienced carpet cleaners out there. And there are people with no training, shoddy equipment, and a devil may care attitude when it comes to looking after your investment in your home.
You have probably spent several thousands of pounds on the carpets, upholstery and curtains in your home. Are you going to trust their care to an untrained, uninsured "proffessional" carpet and upholstery cleaner who is charging a pittance? Would you take your car for a service to someone who puts a leaflet through your door which says "Cars Serviced, all makes, £9.50 including parts"? I doubt it, because you know the job can't be done properly for £9.50. So why trust £1000's of furnishings to someone putting a leaflet through your door offering "Carpets cleaned, £10/room"? Just like the car, the job can't be done properly for the price offered!
- Make sure the cleaner you choose is properly qualified. Are they a member of a trade association like the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA)?
- Check they are insured. Ask to see their insurance certificate, and check that it covers "Treatment Risks", or whatever they are cleaning for you isn't covered! (NCCA members MUST be properly insured - check with the association that they are a full member).
- Ask for references or testamonials from previous customers. Any genuine proffessional will be only too happy to provide you with genuine, local references. See some of our customers comments at our Testamonials page.
Don't forget, you often get what you pay for, and if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Will my carpet or curtains shrink?
If they are cleaned incorrectly, they might. If the type of carpet or fabric is properly indentified, and the correct cleaning proceedures and solutions used, then no. Just one more reason to choose a properly trained proffessional!
How long will my carpet or upholstery take to dry?
This depends on a number of factors, like carpet pile length, fibre type, carpet construction, type of fabric, method used, equipment used, operator profficiency, heat and ventilation to the room, and even the weather!
The most effective method of cleaning the majority of carpet and upholstery types is Hot Water Extraction, or "Steam" cleaning, (which doesn't really use steam at all!). This method, when done properly, will leave carpets and upholstery slightly damp, and they should be dry in 2 to 5 hours, depending on all the factors above. You should be able to walk on the carpets whilst they are drying without doing them any harm, but we recommend that you dont walk on any freshly cleaned upholstery! If you have ever had a "proffessional" clean where you needed your wellies in your lounge, or it felt like your sofa had been taken for a swim, then you need Chameleon!
On some carpets, a Low Moisture (bonnett buffing) method, or Very Low Moisture (dry compound) method might be more suitable. With upholstery, some fabrics do not respond well to hot water extraction, and others must not be wet cleaned, so we also offer low moisture and dry clean methods for these types of fabrics.
A competent carpet and upholstery cleaner will be able to offer all three methods for both carpets and upholstery to suit your particular needs.
Contact Chameleon today on 01603 864758
Email; info@chameleoncleaning.co.uk