Repeat customers provide a steady flow of business – they spend more, are more likely to refer others, and are an important foundation for any local business. Once you have a loyal customer base, you know that you'll have a reliable amount of work. However, that's much easier said than done, and building that foundation takes work. Here are some tips for encouraging customers to keep coming back.
Many people assume that professional carpet cleaning is only needed when there's a stain, an infestation or a bad smell. Of course, we know that's not true, but that's because we understand how to take care of carpets.
Teaching your customers the importance of maintaining professional carpet cleanliness will encourage them to properly take care of their carpet by reaching out again for repeat business. You can do this through conversations, leaflets, your website and social media.
One thing that keeps customers coming back is an established business relationship. Clients are far more comfortable letting someone that they know and trust through the door.
Maintaining a friendly, approachable demeanour throughout your work can help build these connections and solidify your place as a go-to contractor. Little things like remembering their name and taking an interest in their day can have an incredibly positive impact.
Everyone loves a bargain. Offering money off bulk-buying appointments encourages customers to use your business for consecutive cleaning sessions. It also demonstrates that carpet cleaning should happen often.
You could frame this as a ‘maintenance service’, with regular upkeep cleaning. Another option is to offer money off for returning customers, or to incentivise referring other people. However you choose to advertise it, deals are an excellent way to hook customers back in for repeat business.
A classic marketing technique is setting up an email newsletter. This will remind customers that you’re there and allow you to tell them more about yourself and what you're up to. You can do this using social media, too, which also makes you more discoverable to new customers. If you share content from jobs, make sure to get permission from the homeowner, or you may find yourself in trouble!
Not only does asking for feedback give you the chance to improve your service, but it makes customers feel heard. It shows that you care what they think, especially if you thank them.
You can ask for feedback in person, via social media, by email – anywhere you have contact with the customer. This can also give you positive reviews to share on your website or social media, attracting more clients in turn.
Becoming a member of the National Carpet Cleaning Association grants you access to tips, forums and training to strengthen your business. Our seal of approval lets customers know that you're insured, accredited and trustworthy. Your cleaning business will also appear in our directory, allowing more customers to find you.
Become a member of the NCCA today grow your customer base and secure more repeat business.
Chewing gum is notoriously difficult to clean up. We all know someone who has had to cut off their hair after an unfortunate gum incident, but that's not really a solution when it's on your carpet.
Whether it’s trodden in on shoes or falls out of the bin, there are all sorts of ways that chewing gum can find its way onto your carpet. Luckily, there are some tricks to save your carpet from gum’s sticky clutches.
When chewing gum gets cold, it hardens, making it easier to remove from your carpet. Follow these steps to remove chewing gum from carpet:
If you don't have ice to hand, you can use the other extreme of temperature to remove chewing gum from your carpet.
Cooking oil, like olive oil or vegetable oil, can make gum less sticky, reducing its ability to stick to your carpet. However, you will need to clean the oil off your carpet, so only use this method as a last resort. At this point, you’re probably much better off getting a professional in – more on this later.
It's difficult to remove chewing gum from carpet without damaging it, so the safest option is to hire a professional carpet cleaner. Every National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) cleaner is highly experienced and accredited to clean all manner of stains and extend the life of your carpet. Simply enter your postcode into our carpet cleaner directory to get started.
Whether you're a tenant or a landlord, figuring out who's responsible for repairs can be awkward. When something goes wrong, it sometimes takes longer to figure out who's fixing it than it does to actually fix it! Knowing your role saves you time and stress.
So, who is responsible for the carpet? The short answer is that it depends on what your contract says. In most cases, taking care of a carpet is a shared responsibility, with different aspects falling to each party – as this post will explore…
In a short-term, furnished contract, it's common for the landlord to take on most of the responsibility. In fact, it might be against the rules of the contract to change the carpet.
Are landlords responsible for carpets in unfurnished rentals? Things can be less clear-cut. If there was no carpet in the property when it was rented, this usually means that it's up to the tenant to install and care for carpet.
However, most authorities require landlords to have a usable floor in place, whether this is carpet, tiles or vinyl.
The tenant’s main duty is to keep the carpet clean and be careful with it. Any spillages, burns, or rips typically fall under the tenant's responsibility. Most contracts require a carpet to be in the same condition it was at the start of the tenancy, outside of normal wear and tear.
This means that the landlord is responsible for replacing the carpet if it gets old or worn. Damage caused by faults with the building is up to the landlord to fix, and usually so is damage caused by flooding or fire. If the tenant causes the fire, this may be up for debate.
Infestations are often the landlord’s responsibility, too. Mould is usually up to the tenant to clean, but the landlord is responsible for solving the root cause, if it is damp.
If a tenant leaves the carpet in poor condition, the landlord can charge them for repairs. This charge must be proportional to the cost of the repair, and cannot be for reasonable wear and tear. If a stain can be cleaned, they cannot charge for a replacement.
Are landlords responsible for carpet replacement during a tenancy agreement? Tenants in long-term rentals can discuss replacing the carpet with their landlord. Unless the existing carpet is unusable, the landlord will usually ask a tenant to pay for a carpet replacement themselves – if they agree to a replacement at all.
Everyday maintenance is up to the tenant. Keeping the carpet clean, dry and free of dust is part of renting a property. Some landlords have inspections and fines if a carpet is not properly taken care of.
Remember that these principles can vary from contract to contract, so read your contract if you are unsure.
Whether you’re an owner or renter, a clean carpet is in your best interest. Bringing in a professional cleaner can keep your carpet fresh and lengthen its life. For an accredited, experienced cleaner, choose a National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) member.
We vet and train all members, so you don’t have to spend hours searching for a cleaner you can rely on! Search our directory of trusted carpet cleaners to arrange a quote.
As an authority on carpet cleaning, we’re advocates of deep cleaning carpets rather than replacing them. However, nothing lasts forever, and there eventually comes a time when all carpets need replacing.
Wondering whether you should replace or book in a deep clean? Here are some signs that your carpet might be nearing the end of its life.
Rips in your carpet are difficult to repair. Old carpets are more prone to rips, especially on stairs or high-traffic areas. Not only are they an eyesore, but tears can be a trip hazard and can gather lots of dirt over time. If you’re struggling to decide when to replace carpet, rips can make that decision easier.
If you chose a cosy, fluffy carpet but now it's flat and scratchy, it might be time to replace it. Some carpets can even start to shed their fibres, creating a mess for you to clean up.
If you're unlucky enough to have a flood, this spells disaster for your carpet. It's very difficult to dry a completely saturated carpet, and it is likely to be irreparably damaged – not to mention the high likelihood of developing mould.
It goes without saying that carpets should be replaced after a fire. However, household accidents like dropped cigarettes, irons and matches can also cause smaller burns and melted patches. If you've tried to clean and repair these but your carpet still looks damaged, a replacement may be warranted.
Most carpets will fade over time, especially if they're in direct sunlight. Once your carpet reaches a certain age, it can be completely unrecognisable. At this point, some people choose to replace it with fresh carpet. Another option is professional cleaning, which may help restore some lost colour.
Over time, allergens build up deep in your carpet. They can be difficult to remove, but gradually release over time and make your family ill. Regular cleaning can prevent this, but if you've tried every cleaning option and you're still sniffly, a new carpet may be your solution.
Like allergens, bad smells can hide under the surface of your carpet and come back to haunt you. Not only is this unpleasant, but it can be a sign of growing bacteria that can impact your health. Replacing the carpet can help your house smell clear again. However, be sure to read our article on getting a musty smell out of your carpet.
Whether it's coffee, curry or a glass of wine, stains are an almost unavoidable part of life. They can be really stubborn, feeling like they've changed your carpet forever. Before you write off your carpet, it's worth asking a professional carpet cleaner to tackle stains – it might be salvageable!
Still not sure when to replace your carpet? A professional carpet cleaner may be able to breathe new life into yours. While cleaning can’t restore a worn-out carpet, maintaining your carpet on a regular basis will help it live longer and keep it at its best. Most importantly, a thorough carpet cleaning is significantly cheaper than a replacement.
With the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA), finding a trusted carpet cleaner takes a matter of minutes. Every NCCA carpet cleaner is accredited, experienced and insured, with contractors across the UK. So, you can find top-rated carpet cleaners in our directory, simply by entering your postcode.
In the midst of a global climate crisis, we are starting to examine the environmental impact of everyday actions. Like any activity, carpet cleaning has an effect on the earth. These consequences can be both positive and negative, but it's important to consider them.
With such a high volume of products going to landfill every day, waste is a serious environmental issue. By cleaning your carpet, not only are you preventing it from going to landfill, but you save the materials that would be used to make a new carpet.
The inside of your house is a microclimate, and everything inside it impacts everything else there. Your carpet fibres can hold substances such as allergens, bacteria and mould spores, so it's important to clean it.
Carpets can even be known to have traces of lead or faeces that have been walked through. Every time you walk through your house, this is released into the air. By cleaning your carpet, you create cleaner air for your family.
Many cleaning products use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. If not used or disposed of correctly, they can contaminate and harm the local area. Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce the impact of the chemicals that you use to clean your carpet.
For one, make sure that you don't dispose of chemicals or used water in street drains, as they often discharge water into the environment.
When buying carpet cleaning chemicals, you can also choose environmentally conscious brands. These will often have been made in greener ways and will have a minimal impact on the environment. However, you should still be careful when using them.
One of the key components of cleaning is water. It's important when washing away dirt and cleaning products. However, as a natural resource, it's important to preserve it as much as possible. To do this, ensure that you don't leave things like taps or hoses running unnecessarily. This will prevent waste, while still allowing you to use a vital resource.
If you're using machinery, this will consume electricity. Because of this, you should be mindful about how you use it. Turn off appliances when they aren't in use to reduce the amount of energy that you are using. Whenever possible, turn things off fully and don't leave them on standby. You could also consider using renewable energy to power your tools.
When possible, cleaning things like rugs outside will help make the most of natural ventilation, so you won't need to use electrical forms of ventilation.
Carpet cleaning businesses are required to know all the environmental regulations surrounding carpet care, whether it's using chemicals safely or disposing of waste responsibly. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of accredited carpet cleaners who are all insured and trained.
Search our directory for carpet cleaners in your area.
Calling in a carpet cleaner may feel like a luxury, but could actually greatly improve the health of your household. Even if you vacuum your carpet regularly, it will benefit from a professional clean every so often. Here are some of the many ways that expert carpet cleaning can boost your health.
Dust mites are commonly found in carpets. While they're a normal part of any home, their droppings and bodies can severely impact people with allergies. They aren't visible to the human eye, but the heat of a professional clean can kill them.
As well as removing dust mites, cleaning removes other allergens that have collected in the carpet. This includes dust, pet hair and pollen, which can get ground into your carpet and become difficult to remove. Deep cleaning can help allergy-prone people breathe easy and alleviate their symptoms, improving their quality of life.
Your carpet naturally collects all sorts of particles from the air and anyone who walks over it. These particles can be things like dirt, and even things as dangerous as lead. Every time you walk over your carpet, these particles can be spread all over your house. Professional cleaners can properly remove these substances and prevent the harm they could cause.
Cleaner air means better sleep. Polluted air can irritate our airways, cause snoring and obstruct deep breathing. This can lead to interrupted or poor-quality sleep, especially if your bedroom carpet is the source of pollution. Calling in a professional cleaner can help to improve the quality of your sleep.
A stinky home can impact your mental health. Smells cling to carpets and can be stubborn. Being hit by bad smells as soon as you get home can make you miserable and irritable. By asking a professional cleaner to remove these smells, you can make your home a happier place.
Not all carpet cleaning solutions are created equally. Professional cleaners know how to select the appropriate cleaning solutions for your carpets – to leave them smelling fresh with no harmful residues.
Search the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) directory to find carpet cleaners in your area. All of our members are insured and trained to our high standards, helping you find expert cleaners.
Search our carpet cleaner directory.