Let’s have a look at seven mistakes that you should try to avoid.
In busy houses with children and pets, spillages and stains on carpets can sometimes go unnoticed, drying into the fibres. This can lead to permanent stains and even mould developing. Remember where possible to act fast and clean stains and spillages as quickly as you can.
Scrubbing is a temptation, especially on particularly strong stains. But it can damage the carpet fibres and push the stain deeper into the carpet. Using a cloth or towel to gently blot your carpet is a much more effective and gentler way of removing stains.
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is extremely important when using strong cleaning products. Chemicals in cleaning solutions can damage or burn your skin as well as causing respiratory problems if you don’t protect yourself correctly. Make sure that you wear gloves and a mask if you are using a strong acidic carpet cleaner.
If you’re using a cleaning product, check that you aren’t using one that is too strong for your carpet. Carpets with synthetic fibres can be damaged from the acid in cleaning solutions and detergents can be too harsh for wool carpets.
Remember, just because there is a strong ‘cleaning’ smell with a product doesn’t mean that it’s right for your particular carpet and stain. Opt for a mild solution that will be gentle on the fibres in your carpet and remove the stain carefully.
When something is spilled on your carpet, your first reaction isn’t usually to run for the hoover. You’re more likely to grab a clean damp cloth, kitchen roll or carpet spray. But remembering to hoover up any crumbs, dust and dirt before you start to clean your carpet will make a big difference. Otherwise, you’ll end up rubbing debris into the stain and creating more of a problem.
Oversoaking isn’t a great way to remove stains as it can run the risk of damaging the underside of your carpet. This can easily lead to ruined backing and the risk of mould developing. If you find that you have used too much solution or water, mop up the excess by blotting before attempting to remove the stain.
Most people could be forgiven for thinking that a damp cloth with some soap is enough to take out most stains. But mistakes are inevitable when you go it alone. The only way to really get the best results is to leave it to the experts.
To make sure that you get rid of stubborn stains properly, search the National Carpet Cleaner’s Association (NCCA) directory for an experienced carpet cleaner in your area.
Investing in a professional service will give you peace of mind that your carpets will be restored to their previous state (or even better!), smelling fresh and looking pristine. Find a trusted local cleaner by calling 01562 547754 or use NCCA’s online search service.
Remember, when it comes to red wine stain removal, speed is your friend. The quicker you react to the stain, the more likely you can remove it successfully.
To remove a red wine stain, cold water is preferable to hot. This is because red wine's tannins (a natural substance found in grapes) dissolve easier with cold water, making it easier to remove them from carpet fibres. Lightly dab the stain with a damp cloth to absorb the wine. Carbonated water is recommended due to its acidity – this will help with dissolving the stain.
There are lots of types of vinegar, from apple cider and malt to balsamic. But when it comes to removing red wine out of carpet, white vinegar is the only one that will work. Any other type will cause spots on the fabric that will be almost impossible to remove.
Dab out as much of the red wine as possible, before adding a squirt of white vinegar to the stain and leaving it for around 30 minutes. Then wash the whole area with cold water, scrubbing it gently with a soft cloth.
Using hydrogen peroxide should be done carefully as it can bleach some fabrics. But mixed along with dish soap, it is a great solution for removing red wine stains. With one part dish soap and three parts hydrogen peroxide, use a cloth to apply to the stain and leave it for around 30 minutes.
Blot the stain, clean with a damp cloth and repeat the process if you need to.
Baking soda is an effective stain remover that is safe to use on carpets as well as clothing. Slightly alkaline, it will make a gentle paste when combined with cold water (three parts baking soda and one part water). Apply to the red wine stain and leave it to dry before vacuuming the paste off from the carpet.
Salt is an easy and affordable way to treat a red wine on carpet. Blot to remove excess liquid and cover the stain with salt. Leave for a few minutes before vacuuming the salt. It will absorb the red wine and pull the colour away from the carpet. Scrub gently to make sure that any remaining stain is loosened and removed.
If you aren’t sure about using DIY solutions and would rather stick to shop-bought mixtures, there are plenty to choose from. Whether it’s a spray, foam or liquid, you’re sure to find one that suits. Just be sure to check the product description to see if it’s suitable for red wine on carpets, as well as the reviews to see if it’s worked for other people!
Sometimes those stubborn stains are too difficult to remove with a DIY clean and it makes more sense to get the professionals in. If you’re looking for a reliable and experienced carpet cleaner for red wine stain removal, the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) is an easy way to find a trusted cleaner in your area.
Call 01562 547754 or use our online search service. Simply tell us what service you need along with your postcode, and you’ll be spoilt for choice!
This post will look at 8 tips that National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) members can use to get new customers. Starting with…
In today’s digital age, being online is a must for carpet cleaning businesses. If you haven’t already, create a website for your services, detailing everything you provide alongside those all-important reviews from satisfied customers.
If you’re up for the challenge, why not write a blog? Highlighting different types of jobs and providing advice can show your versatility and knowledge to potential customers.
In a 2021 survey, approximately 9 out of 10 UK consumers said they would check online reviews before using or buying from a particular business. Signing up for a review site such as Trustpilot or Google Customer Reviews allows customers to give your business much-needed feedback.
Crucially, you can take note of any constructive criticism or even reply to reviews to demonstrate your commitment to quality.
Times have moved on and so have the ways to advertise your business. The fast-paced saturated social media world is the best way to tell others about your carpet cleaning services.
From Twitter and Facebook to Instagram and even TikTok, you can engage your target customers with a few clicks. Share before and after pictures, post reviews from happy customers or spread the word about special offers for newcomers.
With so much online advertising now available, you would be forgiven for thinking that leaflet drops are a thing of the past. But don’t underestimate the effectiveness of that information going directly into people’s homes. 79% of people actually look at them, making it a great way to target local customers.
Using SEO for your marketing will make a huge difference to your success online. It refers to optimising your site for search engines, which gets you ranked higher on results pages and – hopefully – attracts more traffic to your site.
Getting in touch with landlords or property management companies is a good way to attract new customers. If you develop a good relationship, you could end up being the exclusive provider of carpet cleaning for their properties. Remember, there’s no harm in asking!
Having a presence on social media and search engines is one thing. But did you know you can pay your way onto customers’ screens? With paid ads on Google and various social media sites, you can target specific search terms and audience types to find the right people who need their carpet cleaning!
Being an NCCA member gives you a wide range of benefits that can attract new customers. You’ll get a personalised listing on our site, use of the NCCA logo on your own site and marketing materials, plus access to discounted training courses to keep you at the top of your game.
When customers come to our site to find a carpet cleaner, you’ll get the best possible exposure from our exclusive directory.
If you want to keep attracting customers, be sure to renew your NCCA membership each year. Or if you’re not a member, join the only nationally recognised trade organisation by contacting us on 01562 547754 or at admin@ncca.org.
If you’re wondering why your carpet smells after cleaning, read on for four reasons why and the ultimate solution.
Underlay usually takes more time to dry because it’s not exposed to light and air. If a carpet is oversoaked in the cleaning process, it will need a longer drying time to eliminate any moisture. As well as a bad smell, failure to dry carpets properly can lead to mould developing, which could even cause breathing issues.
One of the risks of using a cheap carpet cleaning service is that the equipment used may not be top-notch. It can lack the power to remove all excess water, leaving you with a soggy carpet and a hard smell to get rid of.
You could also find that your chosen carpet cleaner is inexperienced and doesn’t use the correct amount of solution or rinse the carpet thoroughly enough. It’s extremely important to the health of your carpet to use a professional, reputable service that has experience in cleaning all types of carpets.
Stains such as urine, vomit and faeces can find their way into your carpet – especially if you have pets and young children. There is also the likelihood of walking things into your carpet from outside, meaning all of these unsavoury substances are easily soaked through to the underlay. The smell will inevitably linger, due to the salts and protein that are in bodily fluids. Even after the initial stain is cleared up, these salts will cling to your carpet fibres and keep nasty smells in the room.
Cigarette smoke is full of chemicals and tar, making it very thick and easy to disappear into carpets. Clinging to the fibres of your carpet, the stale odour of cigarettes is notoriously difficult to remove. Even after a clean, unless it is carried out by a professional cleaning service, you are likely to still have lingering smells.
DIY carpet cleaning is okay when you need to clean a small stain or spillage. But to ensure that smells are permanently removed from your carpet, use a professional, experienced carpet cleaner that will get the job done.
The National Carpet Cleaner’s Association (NCCA) gives you access to the best carpet cleaners in your area. Simply enter your postcode and the service you need to the NCCA directory of trusted cleaners and you’ll be able to choose from any number of highly experienced, professional cleaners. Whether you need carpet cleaning, upholstery protection or even allergen treatment – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Not everyone has the time for an exhaustive spring clean. But nobody wants their house to look a mess. Fortunately, there are some spring cleaning jobs that can have a big impact on your home and only take a matter of minutes…
While you might wipe them down regularly, it’s a good idea to give your cabinets a deeper clean to keep dirt and grease from building up. Make sure you use the right cleaning product for the cabinet doors, but you don’t need to be too fussy for the interior. A soft cloth soaked in soapy water is perfectly fine to use or an anti-bacterial spray if you prefer.
Thinking about cleaning your fridge is more painful than actually doing it. Quickly cleaning and throwing out anything that’s past its best is enough to keep the fridge looking and smelling good. Empty it out, wipe down the doors and shelves with disinfectant, replace everything and you’re done.
To get rid of those unpleasant smells wafting from the drains, you can freshen them with a homemade solution. Simply pour 1 cup of baking soda and 2 cups of white vinegar or lemon juice down the sink and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it through with hot water to finish and your drains will be as fresh as a daisy!
It’s a good idea to give your cleaning cupboard a clear-out every now and then. You are likely to discover cleaning products you didn’t know you had or get rid of ones that are out of date. And if you find you’re struggling for space, a cleaning caddy could make a huge difference to storage.
Most people don’t think about their washing machine as a spring cleaning job. But it can start to smell – and have the same effect on your clothes – if it’s left ignored.
A quick and easy way to fix this is putting a dishwasher tablet into the empty machine and starting a warm wash. Then enjoy your fresher-smelling clothes.
Not the nicest job – but there is a hassle-free way to freshen stinky bins. Simply pour a kettle of boiling water into the empty bin along with your cleaning solution. Leave the water to cool before pouring it out and wiping down the inside.
Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a bowl of water, before putting the other half in the bowl. Put in the microwave on high for 3 minutes and then leave for 5 minutes. You will end up with fresh-smelling steam that will make dirt easy to wipe off.
Give your dishwasher something else to do and use it to clean any plastic toys. Wash any soft toys in the washing machine – just make sure you check the care label first.
You never know what you might find if you take a few minutes to vacuum under your sofa cushions. A thorough clean might help you find all sorts of things you thought you’d lost – as well as freshening up your sofa.
Cleaning down your doors and doorframes is an easy and quick spring cleaning job. Grubby doors can develop in busy homes with sticky hands and muddy paws, which can be rectified using a soapy cloth.
Carpets have a massive impact on how clean a home looks and smells. But they’re definitely not the easiest thing to add to your spring cleaning jobs list. Thankfully, it’s quick and easy to find a professional, reliable carpet cleaner through the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA).
Simply fill in your location and the service you need to get results within a 10-mile radius. Then put your feet up and let a vetted, insured professional do all the hard work for you.
These benefits are designed to empower you to showcase your professionalism and expertise, while reinforcing the NCCA logo as a trusted mark in the industry. Let's dive into the details!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to marketing your cleaning business, high-quality visuals can make a significant impact. As an NCCA member, you will have access to a bank of professional images, including lifestyle and cleaning photos. These images can be utilised across various marketing channels, including your website, social media profiles, and promotional materials, helping you showcase the services you offer and elevate you against your competitors.
Here's a sneak peak.
To further solidify the NCCA's reputation as a symbol of trust and quality, a new promotional video will be released. This video will emphasise the importance of consumers choosing an NCCA member for their cleaning needs. By prominently featuring the NCCA logo and explaining the benefits of hiring an accredited professional, this video will enhance consumer awareness and confidence in the association and its members. You will also be able to brand the video with your own logo and contact details and use it in your own marketing.
In today's digital landscape, an effective online presence is crucial for business success. To help drive more traffic to the NCCA website and subsequently increase exposure for member profiles, we will post SEO-optimised blog posts every month. These informative and engaging articles will cover a range of topics related to carpet cleaning, maintenance tips, industry insights, and more. By incorporating relevant keywords and optimising for search engines, these blog posts will attract a broader audience and establish the NCCA website as a go-to resource for cleaning information.
Check out the latest blog posts here.
Social media platforms offer an excellent opportunity to connect with potential clients and engage with your audience. To streamline your social media efforts, the NCCA will provide bundled and prepared social media content and campaigns. These resources will include professionally designed graphics and engaging captions to maximise your reach and impact. By leveraging these materials, you can easily maintain an active and engaging social media presence, reinforcing your professionalism and attracting new clients.
As part of our commitment to raising awareness of the NCCA and the importance of hiring an accredited member, we will launch national Facebook campaigns. These campaigns will be shown to the profiles fitting the ideal cleaning target audience and educate consumers on the benefits of choosing an NCCA member for their carpet cleaning needs. By reaching an amplified audience, these campaigns will generate new leads and drive traffic to the members' directory, offering you increased visibility and potential for business growth.
The NCCA is dedicated to supporting its members' success in the cleaning industry. With the introduction of these exciting benefits, you will have the tools and resources necessary to elevate your marketing efforts, strengthen your online presence, and attract more clients. Whether it's through professional photography, engaging videos, SEO-optimised blog posts, or well-crafted social media content, the NCCA is committed to helping you stand out as a trusted professional. Embrace these opportunities and leverage the power of the NCCA logo to drive your carpet cleaning business to new heights!