Cleaning your carpet can be a precise process. Using the wrong method or products can be ineffective and damage your carpet. One consideration is the material your carpet is made of. By comparing synthetic vs wool carpet, you can choose the best material for your home or figure out how to clean the carpet you already have.
Wool fibres outer layer are made up of overlapping scales which naturally make it stain-resistant. It is also fire resistant, so won't melt. As a hard-wearing material, wool can withstand busy lifestyles. However, there are still some tips you should keep in mind when cleaning your wool carpet.
While wool is stain-resistant, spillages will soak in if left too long. This makes it even more important that you deal with stains right away.
As a natural material, wool is very attractive to pests such as moths and carpet beetles. There are treatments that can be applied to your carpet to repel pests, but you should tackle any bug sightings right away to prevent an infestation.
Using products that are alkaline can damage a wool carpet. Make sure that any product you use is suitable for natural fibres. WoolSafe-approved products are the ideal choice as they are tested and approved for use on wool and other quality fibers. If in doubt, bring in a professional carpet cleaner.
No carpet should be saturated, but wool carpets take a particularly long time to dry. This can damage the floor underneath and distort the carpet. Consider dry cleaning your carpet to avoid getting it wet.
Nylon, polyester and polypropylene carpets are all synthetic. Synthetic carpets can be treated with stain resistance. However, they are more vulnerable to sun damage than wool carpet. Make sure you know which synthetic material your carpet is made of, as this can make the best cleaning method different.
Oil-based substances can stain synthetic carpet very easily. You should always tackle spills right away, but pay special attention when spilling oil-based substances. Take a look at our guides to figure out how to tackle stains on your carpet.
Synthetic carpets can crush very easily, particularly if they are made of polyester or polypropylene. When cleaning your carpet, it is important to blot instead of scrubbing. You should also brush it regularly to maintain its shape.
Due to their easily crushed nature, synthetic carpets work best with suction-only vacuums. If your synthetic carpet is made of nylon, it maybe be able to withstand the beater bar slightly better, but be careful with other synthetic materials. If your vacuum has a brush, you should adjust it to be as far away from the carpet as possible, to prevent pilling and frizzing.
Professional carpet cleaners are experts in identifying carpet and cleaning it the right way. Every National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) cleaner has undertaken extensive training in order to receive our accreditation. Using your postcode, you can find our carpet cleaners located all over the UK.
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It's more important than ever to protect our planet, but it can be difficult to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning. The experience of trying an eco-friendly product that doesn't actually work is familiar to many, but there are effective methods that have minimal environmental impact. Here is how eco-friendly carpet cleaning works.
The feeling of a freshly cleaned carpet does not have to bring with it a hefty environmental cost.
Choosing an eco-friendly cleaning method will reduce your environmental impact, reduce your household’s exposure to chemicals, and is often safer for children and pets to be around.
Using less water means that there is less hazardous wastewater to dispose of afterwards. The reduced amount of solvents and toxins ensures a better indoor air quality than less eco-friendly carpet cleaning methods.
‘Green-washing’ is where businesses claim to be eco-friendly, but then continue using practices and ingredients that harm the environment. Look out for ammonia, bleach, sodium hydroxide and phthalates in products advertised as eco-friendly, as they are harmful and it is possible to carry out an eco-friendly clean without them.
Always patch test any product before using it on your whole carpet.
By spreading an absorbent compound over the floor, dry compound cleaning makes dirt easier to vacuum away. You can choose a product using plant-based material for eco-friendly carpet cleaning. This method is suitable for carpets that cannot get wet, protecting delicate materials.
This method uses very little water, and works by sealing dirt in a crystal that can be vacuumed away. Because of the reduced amount of chemicals, water and therefore wastewater, this is a greener method of carpet cleaning.
Using household items to tackle stains reduces waste, uses minimal chemicals and can be cost-effective. However, tread very carefully when using anything not created specifically for carpets. Take a look at our guides for some ideas.
As convenient as it is to grab a piece of kitchen towel to wipe up stains, this waste can add up over time. Instead, you can use washable microfiber cloths, plastic-free brushes, reusable mops and carpet rakes when caring for your carpet for a more eco-friendly home.
Regular vacuum cleaning prevents a build-up of dirt that would require heavy-duty cleaning later on. Not only does vacuuming not require any water or chemicals, but it is a useful prevention tool. Maintaining a vacuuming schedule increases your carpet's lifespan, reducing the need for more energy and materials to go into making a new one.
Many professional carpet cleaners can use greener methods upon request, and some even use these methods by default. Find a professional carpet cleaner using the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) directory and they will accommodate your environmental concerns. Every cleaner is experienced, accredited and insured.
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Most people know how to take care of carpet, but rug care can be a little more complicated. Many of these principles are the same as carpet care, but with a few extra considerations. Here is how to look after your rug between professional cleanings.
Regular vacuuming keeps dirt from building up inside your rug. Include your rugs in your regular vacuuming routine, especially if they are near external doors. As rugs are usually not glued to the floor, you may need to use a lower suction setting to prevent moving the rug. You can also shake your rugs outside. Remember to lift your rug and vacuum underneath, as all sorts of grime can collect underneath it!
Leaving spills to seep into your rug makes it more likely that they will leave a permanent mark. You should confront accidents as soon as they happen, removing as much of the substance as you can. Fortunately, unlike most carpets, rugs can be taken outside to dry, and you should do this after any wet spillage. For stubborn stains, don't be afraid to call in a professional carpet cleaner.
Another advantage of rugs being movable is that you can shift them to prevent weathering. Over time, traffic over your rug can age it in specific paths, so it's worth moving it regularly. Windows can also sunbleach rugs unevenly. Some rugs are double-sided, meaning you can completely flip them without being able to tell the difference, while others can just be turned around. Either way, you should rotate your rugs every few months to take care of them.
Wearing shoes in the house can age your rug. The hard soles weather carpets much quicker than softer materials like slippers, socks or bare feet. They also carry in dirt and allergens from outside, posing a potential health hazard. Leaving your shoes at the door decreases the speed which your rug ages.
Some fluffier rugs begin to look deflated over time. You can prevent this by using a brush to bring life back to the fibres of your rug. Ensure that you use a brush for the correct type of rug, as some materials could be damaged by using the incorrect type of carpet brush.
Cheap, easy cleaning tips are enticing, but they can do more harm than good. Many of these tips don't work, and can cause permanent discolouration or damage. Beware of using household items for rug cleaning, and never use bleach on a rug. If in doubt, call in a professional cleaner.
The best way to take care of your rug is to regularly get it professionally cleaned. To find a local carpet cleaner, use the National Carpet Cleaners Association directory. Every member is accredited to take care of your carpets, following our code of conduct for the best service.
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Leather furniture can last a long time if well cared for. However, many people do not understand the correct way to care for leather furniture, and end up making these common mistakes. Here are 8 things you should avoid doing when carrying out leather furniture care.
Every single product you use to clean your leather should be patch tested first - even products designed for leather. Use a hidden area and use the product as directed, checking carefully for any discolouration or wear. This could save you from accidentally ruining a whole sofa!
If you have a house full of people, it can be tempting to leave spillages until everyone has left. However, any stain should be tackled as soon as possible to prevent it from soaking into your furniture and leaving a permanent mark. Always blot instead of scrubbing, to avoid driving the stain in further.
Leather is very malleable when warm, so you could warp the shape of your furniture forever. It can also dry out your leather too quickly, leading to cracks and faster weathering. Instead, let your sofa air dry.
Many people dismiss products specifically designed for leather furniture care as an unnecessary expense, but they are specially formulated to clean leather. Using your existing cleaning products could lead to damage, particularly if you use something with bleach in. Instead, look for specialist leather care products or hire a professional leather cleaner.
There are many online ‘hacks’ encouraging the use of household items for leather furniture care. For example, hairspray won't really fix peeling leather, and the chemicals in it will actually age your furniture faster! Another popular myth is using food oils to condition leather, which can lead to rotting and poor smells. Be careful when trying anything not designed for leather - if it feels too easy, it probably is!
Leather is very porous, so it absorbs water. Using a damp cloth is a good way to manage regular leather furniture care, but be careful that it is not soaking – and consider the type of leather (see below). Applying too much water to your sofa could leave it trapped in the upholstery, leading to mould.
If a damp cloth is suitable for your type of leather, be sure to clean panel by panel so any effect on the leather is consistent.
There are a multitude of different kinds of leather, and they all need to be cared for in specific ways. You should read the label of your furniture to find what kind of leather it contains, then use this to purchase the appropriate products. You may find that your house contains many different kinds of leather furniture!
For example, putting a damp cloth on pigmented leather may be fine, but on aniline it’s not so great – and putting any water on Nubuck leather could ruin it.
A professional cleaner has specialist products designed to clean your leather and other upholstery. Located all over the country, every National Carpet Cleaners Association cleaner is accredited for their expert hands. Our directory helps you to find nearby cleaners using only your postcode and the job you need doing.
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It's better for business to keep returning clients, and easier than finding new customers. One way to keep them coming back is to offer a bigger range of services. Customers who already trust you are more likely to choose you for their other cleaning needs, but you should follow these tips to ensure your new add-ons run smoothly.
Not every customer knows the right names for the exact service that they need, and they are more likely to approach you if they know for sure that you offer the right service. List the other items that you clean, and be clear about your pricing. Having readily available information about all of your services makes it easier for customers to find you and choose the right package.
Let your mailing list and social media followers know that you are adding a new service. Don't be too pushy – customers may not appreciate constantly being upsold! When booking new cleaning jobs, you can also inform them that you are operating an additional upholstery, leather or curtain cleaning service.
You could offer your additional cleaning service at a reduced price when booked in conjunction with carpet cleaning. Seasonal bundles, loyalty codes and multi-item deals are also great ways to give customers a bargain and bring in more business. While your add-on is still new, you could offer customers reduced rates in exchange for taking before and after photos of their upholstery.
Some insurance companies offer you a better deal for specialised businesses, only covering the services you offer. Expanding your range may mean that not every service is covered anymore, which leaves you vulnerable if something goes wrong. You may need to go back to your insurance company to renegotiate your coverage when you add extra services.
With any add-on or upsell, you should consider whether there is demand in your area and whether this will outweigh potential costs. Adding any new service involves buying more equipment, new marketing materials, and potentially more training, as well as the insurance checks above. If there is a lack of local companies offering leather, curtain or upholstery cleaning, it could be a great opportunity for you to step in.
Only offer services that you can deliver to the same high standard. If you have employees, every service you offer should be included in their training. A negative review can impact all sides of your business, not just your weakest services. This could lose you the trust of existing clients, costing more than you gain.
Members of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) gain access to exclusive forums and advice, helping you to strengthen your business. Our accreditation is recognised industry-wide as a mark of high standard, demonstrating your excellence in the field. Businesses also appear in our directory, which customers can search by area and specific job.
Marketing a carpet cleaning business can be overwhelming, especially with the rise of advanced social media platforms. You might wonder: is a website still necessary, or can social media alone do the job? In order to answer this question, we've listed the benefits of both styles of promotion.
A big draw of social media is that it is free to use, with the exception of paid advertising. You can create accounts across a variety of platforms without spending a penny.
Social media delivers your content and images directly to potential customers using their algorithms. Through news feeds and suggested content, your posts will find their way to people that the platform believes will want to see them.
Most social media platforms have a messaging feature that allows potential customers to contact you directly with questions. This is a very easy way for customers to find out information.
Not only do social media platforms give you statistics about interactions with your posts and page, but these insights often contain demographic information about these accounts. This allows you to analyse who is seeing your posts, and potentially tailor your content for these groups or change it for those who it is not reaching.
Social media platforms require you to operate within their given format. This limits the extent to which you can prioritise information and apply branding. When you build a website from scratch, you are in control of every aspect.
While some social media platforms have their own marketplaces, these are optimised for items rather than services. Having your own website allows you to create a portal for customers to pay you, making the process simpler for both sides.
Searching a social media feed for specific information can be difficult. Creating your own website allows you to direct customers to significant information such as services, reviews and contact details using menus and pages.
Some social media platforms require visitors to have an account to see content. A website is easily viewable by a wider range of people and is more likely to appear in search engine results. It is also helpful to have a website address to direct potential customers to, rather than giving them a long list of social media profiles to choose from.
Social media is generally quite an informal environment. A well-made website demonstrates professionalism and makes your business seem more trustworthy.
While social media is a valuable marketing tool, a website brings benefits to your business that social media cannot provide. Whichever option you go for, just remember to keep it regularly updated. An up-to-date website and active social media page are far more likely to get seen than those that haven’t been updated in months or years.
Members of the National Carpet Cleaners Association can access exclusive advice and training on a range of key subjects, including marketing. After passing our checks, members can display our badge of accreditation on their websites and appear in our directory.