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February 4, 2012

Werner Braun: Never give up, never surrender

I don’t know about you, but saying goodbye to the holidays and hello to the gray skies of winter can sometimes leave me feeling kind of blue.

We’re still months away from the adrenaline rush of spring when the world comes alive again, when I can dust off my tennis racquet to get ready for this season’s play.

It’s even months away from that annual, but sometimes dreaded, ritual of spring cleaning.

Maybe it’s time for each of us to consider giving ourselves a belated holiday gift — a gift to lift our spirits and give us a jumpstart on sprucing up our homes for spring.

A professional carpet cleaning might be just “that gift.”

I know you’re thinking “what a surprise,” coming from a man who is pretty obsessed with everything carpet. You know by now that I see carpet as the ideal floorcovering option because it‘s easy to maintain, produces good indoor air quality and is undeniably the best value in indoor flooring.

But even though carpet is easy to maintain with weekly vacuuming, we can keep it looking even more beautiful and extend its lifecycle even longer by having it professionally cleaned from time to time.

While there are plenty of do-it-yourself cleaning methods on the market, hiring a professional is among the safest, fastest and easiest options. Cleaning professionals who utilize CRI-certified carpet cleaning products as part of their cleaning process are recognized as Seal of Approval service providers. Using these providers is an easy way to make sure that your carpets are being professionally cleaned with products that will help maintain your carpet’s life and beauty.

At CRI, we recommend that you have your carpet deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months. This should keep your carpet at its key peak performance.

When you do decide to hire a cleaning professional, you might want to bear in mind the following:

Be realistic about companies that advertise cleaning priced by the room. Charges should reflect the total area cleaned, and room sizes vary greatly.

Also, be aware that the use of brand name cleaning products does not necessarily give credibility to the particular cleaning service. Make sure you select a cleaning professional with certification from an organization that certifies professionals.

Ask the potential service provider good questions, such as “How long have you been in business?” “What formal training is required for the company’s management and technicians?” and “Do you vacuum before deep cleaning the carpet?”

This will give you a good idea about the company’s experience and their technique.

Be sure to arrange for an in-home inspection and estimate before you commit, and always get an agreement in writing before any work is done. A written contract beforehand can help you avoid being responsible for any “extras” that you may have assumed would be covered by the cleaning service.

And most importantly, find out if the service you’re considering uses CRI Seal of Approval cleaning solutions and equipment. Seal of Approval products have been independently tested and certified to effectively clean carpet without causing any damage.

Your carpets are an investment that will last longer, wear better and stay beautiful longer when you maintain them with regular professional cleanings. Maybe it’s a good time to give yourself, and your carpet, that belated “gift.”



Werner Braun is president of the Dalton-based Carpet and Rug Institute.

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