With the end of the tax year fast approaching, business owners should be getting their records in order. This will be significantly more difficult for businesses that struggle to keep their books up to date - you might find yourself with months of paperwork to work through! Here are our tips for effective bookkeeping as a cleaning business.
Keeping track of your income from cleaning jobs is the most important figure from a tax standpoint. It also allows you to see how well your business is doing, and understand how much money you have available for expenses.
While expenses are important to know for tax purposes, they're also important for business health. By understanding your expenses, you can adjust your prices, calculate your profit and keep your business out of the red.
Your expenses are likely to include equipment, payroll, insurance, taxes, marketing, utilities and administrative costs. You should save every receipt, no matter how small the cost.
Invoices are useful to both you and your clients. At the very least, they should contain the service offered, the cost, your contact details and the date, along with a way to pay you. This allows you to maintain a record of every job that you have completed.
Keep track of whether invoices have been paid or not. You should also decide whether to track income when an invoice is issued (known as accrual accounting) or when it is actually paid (known as the cash method) and make sure to do this consistently.
With so many transactions in and out of your account, it's possible for something to go unnoticed. By regularly checking your paperwork against your bank statements, you can ensure that your records are accurate.
It's important to pay employees accurately. Whether they are paid hourly or per job, you should know exactly how much time every employee has worked for. This will also allow you to process your payroll quickly each month. You can automate this process to make it even quicker.
Whether your records are digital, paper or a bit of both, you never know when you might need to find a specific document. Ensure that you store paperwork in order, so that you can find things easily at short notice. Digital files are easier to search through, but should still be organised into logical folders.
If you struggle to maintain or organise records on top of all the pressures of running a cleaning business, a professional bookkeeper can help you to get things in order. There is also a wide variety of software available to help you track everything.
The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) offers a number of courses and forums to its members. By joining, you can gain access to expert advice to keep your books in shape. Every member also receives our stamp of accreditation and appears in our directory, letting customers know that you are a trusted business.
VOCs can be found all over the household, especially if you are moving home, decorating or cleaning. They are commonly associated with carpets, but there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding these invisible particles. Here is our guide to carpet VOCs and how to handle them.
Carpet Volatile Organic Compounds (Carpet VOCs) are gases released by chemicals used in the carpet-making process. Generally, the carpet backing releases the most VOCs, as it can contain latex and/or styrene. If your carpet was installed using an adhesive, this will also likely release VOCs.
When a new carpet is installed, the new-carpet smell comes from these gases escaping into the air – a process called ‘off-gassing’ which can last for months or even years.
Some VOCs can be harmful if inhaled at a high volume. Common symptoms of VOC exposure include headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty breathing. Children, pets and people with respiratory issues are particularly vulnerable to VOC-related illness. Some of the chemicals are also linked to long-term health conditions such as cancer and kidney disease.
Many VOCs are considered pollutants that are bad for the environment, as well as individuals. However, it’s worth noting that carpets do not release VOCs in such high volumes and there are measures you can take to minimise exposure in your house…
VOCs will eventually dissipate on their own. There are a few things that you can do to reduce the impact of VOCs.
Some manufacturers sell carpets designed to be low in VOCs. You can also ask the people installing your carpet to avoid using adhesives, or stick to solvent-free adhesive.
If possible, airing your carpet outdoors before installing it is a great way to reduce the amount of VOCs inhaled by you and your family. Otherwise, ensure that any rooms with new carpet are ventilated by opening windows and doors. You can also use air conditioning or air purifiers to help increase the quality of the air in your home.
You should avoid sleeping in a room with brand-new carpet for a few days. This is especially the case with children's rooms.
Ideally, carpet should not be installed in moist areas. Not only does high humidity increase the rate of off-gassing, but it can encourage mould to grow on your carpet.
While cleaning a brand new carpet may feel pointless, it can help speed up the off-gassing process.
Professional cleaning is the best way to safely tackle carpet VOCs. Many cleaning products can increase the amount of VOCs in your home, so hiring a professional cleaner who can use extraction equipment is the most efficient way to keep your household breathing clean air.
The National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) has a directory of expert cleaners. Located all over the UK, our accredited carpet cleaners are specially trained and insured. Make an appointment with a local carpet cleaner to decrease the carpet VOCs in your home.
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Carpets have been around for millennia, with evidence of early carpets as far back as ancient civilisations. While many people take carpets for granted nowadays, they weren’t always available to the general public. Read on to find out about the history of carpet.
The first recorded use of rugs as floor coverings was in Egypt in 3000 B.C. Archeologists found the oldest surviving pile carpet in ancient burial mounds from 400 B.C. in Siberia, made from hand-knotted wool. Persia, Egypt, China and Eurasia all have long histories of carpet craftsmanship, with early materials including wool, silk, plant fibers and natural dyes. The process could take months, as each knot had to be individually tied and designs were often intricate.
Carpets had great cultural significance for early civilisations. In Persia, carpets were valued for their beauty and intricacy, mainly used as gifts for royalty. Medieval Europe also associated carpets with wealth, using large luxury carpets as table-coverings or wall hangings.
In the Islamic world, the history of carpets also has religious significance. Prayer rugs have long been used to provide a clean and comfortable place to pray. These rugs often carry spiritual symbols.
Many different kinds of looms have been used to produce carpets, with early carpets being made on a horizontal loom. This loom was invented in the Middle East and made its way to the UK through Flemish weavers in the 16th century. This sped up the carpet-making process, allowing the first carpet factory to be opened in Wilton in 1655. Most carpets were expensive, as they were made of wool and still took a long time to weave.
The 18th century invention of the power loom was a turning point in the history of carpets, as it allowed for mass-production of carpets with significantly less human input. This allowed for carpets to be produced in sizes large enough to fill rooms.
In the 20th century, synthetic materials such as nylon, acrylic and polyester began to be used for carpets. Carpets became more affordable, meaning that more households had carpet than ever before. The UK carpet industry grew considerably, with factories opening up all over the country. Kidderminster, in particular, became renowned for carpet-making. Today, it’s home to the Museum of Carpet – which is also where you’ll find the National Carpet Cleaners Association head office!
This growth continued until the late 20th century, when overseas competition created challenges for the UK carpet industry. Cheaper prices from international sellers undercut many UK manufacturers, resulting in factory closures.
Despite this, the UK carpet industry lives on. Many modern homes have carpets, and it is common to have wall-to-wall carpet in most rooms of the house. While many affordable carpets have simple designs, it is still possible to buy intricately designed carpets from all over the world.
Help your carpets stand the test of time by getting them cleaned professionally. Choose a cleaner from the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) directory to ensure a smooth experience. All of our cleaners are accredited and insured.
Spilling bleach on carpet is one of the most damaging stains. Whether you've knocked over a bottle or tried to use bleach for carpet cleaning, every second counts in preventing lasting damage. Follow these steps to rescue your carpet from bleach.
Getting bleach on carpet causes a chemical reaction that permanently lightens the carpet – just like your hair – so it's important to work as quickly as possible. Even if you manage to get away with minimal colour stripping, bleach can damage the backing and underlay of your carpet.
Keep in mind the corrosive nature of bleach and wear gloves to protect yourself. You should also ventilate the room where the bleach spillage is, to prevent inhaling chemicals, and make sure that pets and children are kept as far away as possible.
Start by blotting the area with water and a paper towel. Make sure that you work towards the centre of the stain to avoid spreading any bleach further.
Then, mix one part dish soap with three parts water. Lightly apply this solution to a fresh paper towel or cloth, making sure to squeeze out excess liquid. Use this towel to continue to blot the area, using the same motions towards the centre.
Bleach’s corrosiveness is caused by the fact that it is highly alkaline, so using an acidic product like white vinegar helps to neutralise it.
Use a paper towel to blot away as much bleach as you can, then mix two cups of water with one tablespoon of white vinegar. Using a sponge or cloth, apply this mixture to the area of bleach on carpet. Be careful not to soak your carpet, as this can take a long time to dry and cause other issues like mould.
Leave the solution to work for five minutes, then use a damp cloth to blot the area until the stain disappears.
If there is any residual vinegar smell, you can leave baking soda on your carpet overnight to soak up any remaining mixture. This can then be vacuumed away.
A quick search online will give you all sorts of wacky methods to colour in your carpet after bleach, including permanent marker, crayons and hair dye. However, it is not recommended to try and fix bleach-lightened carpet yourself, as you are likely to just end up with a new stain! If your carpet looks different after removing the bleach, the best option is to consult a professional.
It’s worth noting that bleach is a serious stain. If you’ve tried to remove bleach to no avail, carpet repair may be the best course of action. This will make that damaged area disappear with near invisible repairs. It eliminates the need to replace the entire carpet, while getting rid of the problem area with a bleach stain. It's a highly specialised skill and only offered by a select number of our members who are full trained to offer this service.
Even if you have tried to tackle bleach on your carpet, it's worth bringing in an expert. A professional carpet cleaner can help prevent the long term damage that bleach causes. Use the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) directory to find an experienced cleaner near you. Simply enter your postcode, and we will show you accredited carpet cleaners in your area.
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The best way to showcase your carpet cleaning business is to demonstrate your skills. If you're struggling to find content for your website or social media, taking some before and after photos can impress prospective customers. Read on to find out more about before and after photos and how to take them.
Posting pictures of clean carpets is fine, but it becomes more impressive when customers see how dirty the carpet was before. Images are far more powerful online than text-only content.
Many platforms have algorithms that favour visual content, and image-based platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are growing the fastest. Images are also far more reshareable – Twitter (X) posts are 150% more frequently reposted if they have an image. Photo posts receive 39% more interaction than those without images, and images have been proven to improve recall of marketing materials by 65%.
You can make the most of this lean towards visual content by showing off your skills.
High-quality photography is more accessible than ever. However, there is more to a high-standard image than just resolution. Here is some advice on getting stunning, consistent photos.
These days, many phones have a suitable camera. You could also go the extra mile and invest in a digital SLR. Whatever device you choose, make sure to use the same one for both before and after shots, to keep them as consistent as possible.
Lighting is one challenge when it comes to carpet photography. Natural light looks the best in photos, but not every home has enough of it – especially in winter or on gloomy days. It's hard to predict how well-lit a customer's home will be. If you need to use flash in one photo, make sure that you also use it in the other.
Taking photos of carpet can be challenging – in big rooms, it's not easy to capture the whole floor. Try standing with your back to any windows, and prioritise taking a photo of the same area over getting a wider view. It's more important to see the change from your cleaning than it is to see the whole carpet.
In the era of airbrushed, AI-improved images, it can be tempting to use the wealth of tools available to enhance your images. Do not fall into this trap! Many customers will spot your tweaks and lose trust in your business. Let your cleaning speak for itself.
Make sure that clients are happy with their home being photographed. You could include a tick box on your booking form as a quick and easy way to get customer approval for photographs.
With great cameras on practically every phone nowadays, it’s just as easy to take videos while you’re snapping your before and after shots. Videos get lots of interaction on social media and allow you to show more by panning around a room. They’re also easy to upload directly from your phone, with plenty of video editing apps available if you want to get more creative.
Want to grow your carpet cleaning business? The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) can help you increase your reach. All members appear in our directory, allowing potential customers to find you. We also offer training courses and sage advice to make marketing easier.
Become an NCCA member to start growing today.
Deep cleaning your carpet is a vital part of caring for it. While many people dismiss deep cleaning as a lot of effort, it has countless benefits for your carpet. Here are the answers to common questions that people ask about deep cleaning.
It might be tempting to leave deep cleaning your carpet until it's visibly dirty. However, your carpet can age much quicker when not properly taken care of, so you should stick to a regular deep-cleaning schedule.
The average household should deep clean their carpets at least twice a year. However, you should consider deep cleaning more often if you have children, pets, people who smoke or people with allergies in your household – our recommendation is every four months.
If you vacuum regularly, you might be wondering whether deep cleaning matters. While hoovering does help your carpet, there are further benefits to regular deep cleaning.
Invisible bacteria collects deep in the fibers of your carpet. Every time someone steps on your carpet, these bacteria are propelled into the room and can cause illness in you and your household. Deep cleaning carpet regularly minimises the levels of harmful bacteria living inside it.
Mould spores become embedded in your carpet. When the right cold, wet conditions form, these grow into mould. Not only can this damage the carpet, but mould is also harmful to health. By deep cleaning correctly, you reduce the chance of those mould spores growing.
Carpets live longer when they are well cared for. Over time, the fibers can get crushed and need life breathing back into them. Deep cleaning can keep your carpet looking fresh and feeling soft underfoot.
Carpets easily absorb dirt and other particles, which collect inside it. This can cause bad smells. While you might get used to these odours, guests will be hit by the unpleasant smell as soon as they enter your home! Deep clean carpet to eliminate this stench.
Similar to the other substances mentioned, allergens like pollen and pet hair can become embedded in your carpet. If you have any allergy sufferers in your home, this can lead to symptoms that range from uncomfortable to dangerous. Help decrease allergy symptoms by deep cleaning.
Some households prefer to tackle deep cleaning carpet on their own. Here are the steps you should carry out.
People often underestimate the importance of carrying out a patch test, but every carpet reacts differently to different products. Test a small amount of product on a hidden area of carpet to make sure it doesn't cause damage or discolouration.
Deep cleaning carpet involves the entire room, so you will need to access every bit of your carpet. All sorts of dirt collects under furniture, and deep cleaning is your chance to remove it. Move everything away, including any rugs.
Start your deep clean by vacuuming. Do this once the same way that you usually do, then repeat more slowly and thoroughly. This will help agitate pollutants that are deeper in the carpet, bringing them to the surface to be vacuumed away on the second circuit.
Avoiding using anything that you have not patch-tested, you can apply cleaning solution after vacuuming. There are many shop-bought options, but these can be unreliable so be careful what you choose. A homemade option is mixing one part white vinegar with two parts warm water, then using a spray bottle to apply it to your carpet. Let this solution sit for 5-10 minutes and then blot it away with a towel or cloth.
Make sure that you never saturate your carpet – this can take a long time to dry and cause long-term damage. Hiring a steam cleaner may seem like an easy option, but a wet carpet can promote mould growth. You should also never use bleach on your carpet, as it causes discoloration and even thinning.
Whatever cleaning product you use, never scrub it into your carpet. It can damage your carpet and drive the stain in further. Instead, gently press your cloth down in circular motions.
If there are still some stubborn stains hanging on to your carpet, they may need more attention. Take a look at our other the NCCA blog for some tips on specific stains, or you can hire a professional carpet cleaner to tackle them.
Deep cleaning your carpet can take time. It's important to pay attention to every area of your carpet, or you won't get all the benefits.
If you are nervous about taking on deep cleaning yourself, you can bring in an expert cleaner. There are many reasons why this might be the better option for you.
You might think that you save money by tackling your carpet yourself, but an inexperienced hand can lead to mistakes. You could find yourself having to call in a professional to fix it, or worse, buy a whole new carpet.
Carpet cleaners have come across all kinds of stains. They are trained in the best ways to remove stains without taking colour with them.
Carpet deep cleaning takes a long time, and not everyone has spare time to set aside. Professional carpet cleaners take the task of deep cleaning carpet off your hands, letting you carry on with your day while they get everything done.
Hiring all the right equipment for yourself can be pricey. Professional carpet cleaners have all of the equipment required to deep clean carpet, ensuring that you get a thorough clean.
For all the benefits of a professional deep clean, take a look at the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) directory. Every cleaner is insured, accredited and experienced with all kinds of carpets.
Find a carpet cleaner near you in minutes. Enter your postcode, and we'll show you our members in your area.