Why rugs aren't cleaned in the home...

[LisaWagnerCRS]

If you were looking for a way to share with a homeowner why to let you take their rug out of their home to clean, maybe this will be useful for you. It's my latest blog on the topic, and the latest article in Cleanfax.

RUG CHICK POST => http://www.rugchick.com/2011/04/why-rug ... -the-home/

I will be posting up some ideas on different ways to set up a rug shop, based on your budget and space, in the coming week. Hope those of you thinking of setting up shop will enjoy that as well.

Rock on!
Lisa

 

[Mikey P]

I can't believe you are taking credit for that when it was clearly posted on the MBlog first.

I think I'll sue you.

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

I can't believe you are taking credit for that when it was clearly posted on the MBlog first.

I think I'll sue you.

Join the club!

Lisa

 

[Shorty]

I can't believe you are taking credit for that when it was clearly posted on the MBlog first.

I think I'll sue you.

Join the club!

Lisa

Don't you mean:::


Get in line.??

shiteatinggrin shiteatinggrin shiteatinggrin

Ooroo, & I wait with bated breath. !gotcha!

 

[Art Kelley]

I cleaned a nice area rug today in a dining room while I cleaned the other carpets at the house. It was under a glass top table with a four hundred pound pedestal base. First time it was cleaned in eight years. Had some spots and soiling that I removed with my acid side prespray. Quick fresh water rinse and the couple was delighted with the results. I told them some day they should take it to Hagopian to have it cleaned. He said he would just sell it first.

 

[Cameron1]

I cleaned a nice area rug today in a dining room while I cleaned the other carpets at the house. It was under a glass top table with a four hundred pound pedestal base. First time it was cleaned in eight years. Had some spots and soiling that I removed with my acid side prespray. Quick fresh water rinse and the couple was delighted with the results. I told them some day they should take it to Hagopian to have it cleaned. He said he would just sell it first.

Same here Art....been doing it 33 years right there in Mrs Pifferton's Lr.....Just hope she doesn't read the blogs. Heck, the reason we are doing them is because they won't let em out of the home.....go figure

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

I cleaned a nice area rug today in a dining room while I cleaned the other carpets at the house. It was under a glass top table with a four hundred pound pedestal base. First time it was cleaned in eight years. Had some spots and soiling that I removed with my acid side prespray. Quick fresh water rinse and the couple was delighted with the results. I told them some day they should take it to Hagopian to have it cleaned. He said he would just sell it first.

Same here Art....been doing it 33 years right there in Mrs Pifferton's Lr.....Just hope she doesn't read the blogs. Heck, the reason we are doing them is because they won't let em out of the home.....go figure

You know Steve... mark my words... one day she will be reading the rug blog, and you are going to see the power of an education-based marketing campaign in action. Most people in any field, when they learn the differences about a craft, actually make better informed decisions.

Try this out next time they won't "let you" take the rug out... send them the article, explain why the rugs need to be washed, and see if it has any impact at all. Seriously. I'd like to know what happens, if it has any impact at all. Tell them that you really want to clean it the right way. I'd like to know if you notice a shift then.

Or, bend open the fibers and show them what's at the base of their rug. And then I want to know if you decide then to keep on cleaning it in the home when you see and feel that also. I think that might be tough for you...

I've helped to train a lot of people in the rug business, and when you are positioned correctly, and educate correctly, this whole "they won't let me take the rugs out" argument disappears. Because when they learn more about how rugs are constructed, and the time that goes into them, they value them more. And when you value something, you take care of it.

Hey - it was great seeing you at Mikeyfest. Please tell Caryn hello from me.

Lisa

 

[ruff]

Lisa, I believe you do not offer wall to wall carpet cleaning, so in a sense you do not live in the 'market place'.
I offer both options to my clients and many though they understand the quality difference choose the on location option.

I make a point to explain to them (clearly) beforehand and also put it in writing that: On location rug cleaning is at best a compromise, however, some still choose the on location alternative.

If we do not offer this, someone else would and not tell them the truth.

Also, if all you use to get the dust and sand out of the rugs in your plant, is laying the rug upside down and vibrating it with a vacuum cleaner beater bars, you are still leaving a hell of a lot of sand and dust in the rug. Yes the shampoo and flushing will remove a lot, however, according to you, some of it will still be caked in.

 

[rhyde]

Also, if all you use to get the dust and sand out of the rugs in your plant, is laying the rug upside down and vibrating it with a vacuum cleaner beater bars, you are still leaving a hell of a lot of sand and dust in the rug. Yes the shampoo and flushing will remove a lot, however, according to you, some of it will still be caked in.

Thats because a shampoo and flush isn't a real washing!

Most cleaners in my area don’t reweave rugs so by direct referral or indirect people often show up at my shop needing repair. It often plays out where the repair quote is $$$ and the washing is $$$ with the owner then saying “I just had the rug cleaned!” I’m not trying to up sell but dirty rugs are harder to sew and it’s just gross & unsanitary. Often, I‘ll take the rug dust it or in one in particular rug that reeked of micro ban and urine tossed it in the wash pit and had the owner watch the nasty brown orange ooze that seeped out of their “clean rug”

I don’t mean to trash cleaner but we don’t wash for free.. just saying!

 

[SMRBAP]

Most of our custy's are the same way - they are resistant to letting rugs leave their home, and most have their area rugs over laminate or hardwoods.

When we explain the benefit of offsite cleaning a lot of them see it as a sales pitch for a higher priced service plus a delivery charge.

That's when we pull out the claims waiver. After having a wand slide off an area rug on an exotic hardwood floor that cost be loads to repair - I decided we'd never clean another on site without a claims waiver.

Our waiver basically releases us from ANY damage to the area rug or home period, it's a service request outside of our recommendations, accepted and delivered only on an "at your own risk" basis.

Some of you may see it as a scare tactic - that is not why I employ it - it's very simply a liability I am no longer willing to accept and will pass on them if we can't bring them to the warehouse or have a waiver signed.

We do a ton of area rugs, very few people pass on them - I'd say 80% let them leave, 10% sign the waiver, 10% pass, which I am OK with.

 

[jennifer]

There are several reasons why cleaning rugs requires them to be removed from the home. The big one is of course the removal of this soil before cleaning, and then the actual washing of the rug itself, which simply cannot be done with standard carpet cleaning machines . Those are considered surface cleaning and not washing. somewhat amus

 

[Zee]

There are several reasons why cleaning rugs requires them to be removed from the home. The big one is of course the removal of this soil before cleaning, and then the actual washing of the rug itself, which simply cannot be done with standard carpet cleaning machines . Those are considered surface cleaning and not washing. somewhat amus

Spammer.

 

[Mikey P]

Why would you cal a first time legit poster a spanner?

Especially a woman?

It's crap like this that drives the few we get here away.


Welcome Jennifer :!: , dont mind the testosterone.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Maybe because her city and state say New York, yet web address is water damage Atlanta.
:shock:

 

[Zee]

Maybe because her city and state say New York, yet web address is water damage Atlanta.
:shock:

Richard got it!

It just didn't seem right that "she" happens to be living with a last name STAIN- and starts participating on a carpet cleaning forum.

And that whole thing with newyork and the web address being atlanta. (Disclaimer: I don't know if there is an atlanta in the state of New York or if there is a city called newyork in the Atlanta area)

And lastly I don't think she even said anything other that copying what was said already.

Now if "she" is a legit poster- then welcome and post away Jennifer! (But as always- the search function is a great idea to get answers too)

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

Also, if all you use to get the dust and sand out of the rugs in your plant, is laying the rug upside down and vibrating it with a vacuum cleaner beater bars, you are still leaving a hell of a lot of sand and dust in the rug. Yes the shampoo and flushing will remove a lot, however, according to you, some of it will still be caked in.

Thats because a shampoo and flush isn't a real washing!

Most cleaners in my area don’t reweave rugs so by direct referral or indirect people often show up at my shop needing repair. It often plays out where the repair quote is $$$ and the washing is $$$ with the owner then saying “I just had the rug cleaned!” I’m not trying to up sell but dirty rugs are harder to sew and it’s just gross & unsanitary. Often, I‘ll take the rug dust it or in one in particular rug that reeked of micro ban and urine tossed it in the wash pit and had the owner watch the nasty brown orange ooze that seeped out of their “clean rug”

I don’t mean to trash cleaner but we don’t wash for free.. just saying!

We do the exact same thing - because it's not until you put the rug up on a table to fix it, and open up the fibers to sew into it, that you get to all of that "grout" caked in from surface cleaning.

If you are soaking and scrubbing and flushing out the rug on a wash floor, or wash pit, that stuff is coming out. I'm sure you see that the same, when after you clean it you are actually able to then repair it.

That was the point I made in the article... if you get down there and really look... most are NOT getting those rugs clean.

Thanks for this point Randy,
Lisa

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

Lisa, I believe you do not offer wall to wall carpet cleaning, so in a sense you do not live in the 'market place'.
I offer both options to my clients and many though they understand the quality difference choose the on location option.

I make a point to explain to them (clearly) beforehand and also put it in writing that: On location rug cleaning is at best a compromise, however, some still choose the on location alternative.

If we do not offer this, someone else would and not tell them the truth.

Also, if all you use to get the dust and sand out of the rugs in your plant, is laying the rug upside down and vibrating it with a vacuum cleaner beater bars, you are still leaving a hell of a lot of sand and dust in the rug. Yes the shampoo and flushing will remove a lot, however, according to you, some of it will still be caked in.

My market place is the same as yours. We are in the same homes, all income level homes. Professionals, students, teachers, old money, new money, immigrants.

Because you offer TWO options you are implying that both are okay choices, and best for the rug. I bet if you DOUBLED the price of cleaning on site, you could shift the choice. Share that doing it on site boosts the risks to the textile, so that's why it is more.

One of the reasons people will choose in-home is because it's cheaper. So that's not that they won't "let" the rugs leave... but that they feel they are getting a better deal - but it's worse for the rug.

You know... used to be the wall-to-wall was dragged out of homes to clean in rug plants, before "deep steam" steam cleaners were invented - and that wasn't too long ago. And operations like the Big Boys here - Ken and Bryan - handle hundreds and hundreds and hundreds a week in cleaning through their plants - the Los Angeles plants do 800+ rugs a week.

Lots of rugs leave homes. If yours are not, it's because you are not conveying the "why" good enough. It's not a convenience issue, it's a failure of education.

At least that's my opinion... and having easily shifted even the most stubborn of homeowners to understanding the importance of a wash many a time, I'm telling you it can and should be done. At the very least because when you are cleaning in the home, you are NOT getting the rug really clean.

I hope that makes sense. And if it gets a few of you to at least try to reeducate your clients to give them an even better cleaning, I will be happy. :mrgreen:

Lisa

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

Maybe because her city and state say New York, yet web address is water damage Atlanta.
:shock:

Love your attention to detail... =)

Lisa

 

[Ken Snow]

I read the rebuttals here to Lisa's post and I just have to say that I believe that you are not convincing your customers of the value of having their rugs cleaned in a controlled, thorough, wash environment. Either that or you are just not convinced yourself, which is a whole different and bigger issue.

We do clean carpet/furniture/tile in the home (about 40,000 homes ((and businesses)) last year) and we also have a pretty decent size rug cleaning operation (31,605 rugs cleaned in our Rug Spa in 2010).

There were probably only about 30 rugs, maybe less, that we cleaned in the home last year and these were mostly very large rugs, under very large dining room tables that were just totally impractical to move. These rugs are rarely ever walked on as the formal dining rooms in these mansions are not used often and they can get by with the surface cleaning rather than spending additional 100's of dollars having the tables disasembeled and then reassembled after the rugs are cleaned. Other than these rare situations we have "trained" our clients to have their rugs cleaned the correct way- by washing them.

Ken

 

[SMRBAP]

I read the rebuttals here to Lisa's post and I just have to say that I believe that you are not convincing your customers of the value of having their rugs cleaned in a controlled, thorough, wash environment. Either that or you are just not convinced yourself, which is a whole different and bigger issue.

We do clean carpet/furniture/tile in the home (about 40,000 homes ((and businesses)) last year) and we also have a pretty decent size rug cleaning operation (31,605 rugs cleaned in our Rug Spa in 2010).

There were probably only about 30 rugs, maybe less, that we cleaned in the home last year and these were mostly very large rugs, under very large dining room tables that were just totally impractical to move. These rugs are rarely ever walked on as the formal dining rooms in these mansions are not used often and they can get by with the surface cleaning rather than spending additional 100's of dollars having the tables disasembeled and tghe reassembled after the rugs are cleaned. Other than these rare situations we have "trained" our clients to have their rugs cleaned the correct way- by washing them.

Ken

We do, the benefits and difference with what we can do in our facility vs. in heir home is very well outlined. My techs really know how to explain a customers needs in a way that translates into upsells.

The number one response we get is - "the last 6 cleaners did it here" - our response is to remind them that the other six cleaners they had were not able to remove the blue towel dye transfer, furniture stains, mustard, nor fix the multi colored bleach stain in their home either, and that we just made the carpet look better than it did when you bought the house 7 years ago. Once the point is made that we are not the other 6 cleaners - they are usually signing the work auth for that additional work.

But again, those that don't, sign the claims waiver - or unfortunately call in another cleaner.

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

I read the rebuttals here to Lisa's post and I just have to say that I believe that you are not convincing your customers of the value of having their rugs cleaned in a controlled, thorough, wash environment. Either that or you are just not convinced yourself, which is a whole different and bigger issue.

We do clean carpet/furniture/tile in the home (about 40,000 homes ((and businesses)) last year) and we also have a pretty decent size rug cleaning operation (31,605 rugs cleaned in our Rug Spa in 2010).

There were probably only about 30 rugs, maybe less, that we cleaned in the home last year and these were mostly very large rugs, under very large dining room tables that were just totally impractical to move. These rugs are rarely ever walked on as the formal dining rooms in these mansions are not used often and they can get by with the surface cleaning rather than spending additional 100's of dollars having the tables disasembeled and tghe reassembled after the rugs are cleaned. Other than these rare situations we have "trained" our clients to have their rugs cleaned the correct way- by washing them.

Ken

So... in the Rug Spa, is your team all in big fluffy purple robes?

That would be kind of COOL...

I like the "training" comment... that's exactly it. When you deliver the education powerfully, people tend to make the right choice for the textile. Most rug owners, when they find out their rug was crafted over months if not years of weaving time, which they had no clue about, they realize it's not just a commodity on the floor - even if it was not super expensive for them to buy. There is an appreciate and value that comes from learning more about your rug.

But all of us as cleaning "specialists" have a responsibility to help them make the right choice for the textile.

At least that's how I see it... my job is to educate and serve.

I might work for Hagopians if I got a big robe out of it. And some slippers.

Lisa

 

[Mikey P]

so Lisa


why do you even bother posting on other forums anymore?

 

[Ken Snow]

so Lisa


why do you even bother posting on other forums anymore?

To irritate you Mike. LOL lisa, no only I can walk around in a fluffy robe~ but your idea makes me want to have a custom pair of purple swishy pants made :shock:

Ken

 

[Jim Bethel]

but your idea makes me want to have a custom pair of purple swishy pants made :shock:

Ken

haha - Hey Ken, I got to spend a fair bit of time with Bob from Modernistic while in Nashville during the days and nights while we bar hopped. I told him next time he seen you, to call you 'Swishy'.

(ps - he spoke very highly of you and your business)

 

[Ken Snow]

Too funny Jim, just got a condolence text yesterday from Bob regarding the passing of my former father in law.

In his younger days Bob could out party anyone I have ever met, but now that he is a grandpa and more seasoned he has mellowed quite a bit. 15-20 years ago I never would have gone out to bar hop with him but last fall we had a great dinner and laughed about the detroit marketplace and he bragged and showed pictures of his granddaughter.

Bob is a great businessman, good, honest competitor and a genuinely good person.

Ken

 

[Shorty]

Welcome Jennifer, I hope you, like I, get a laugh from some of the comments on here.



Maybe Jennifer is part of a large national franchise, considering the states they cover. ??

From their website:

24 / 7 Water Removal Service

Advanced Carpet Restoration Services

Cleaning Flood Damage

Cleaning Water Damaged Carpets

Drying Wet Carpets

Fire Clean Up

Fire Water Restoration

Flood Damage Cleanup

Flooded Carpet Clean up

Flooded House

Emergency Restoration Services

Cleaning Smoke Damage

Water Damage Repair

Fire and Water Damage Restoration

Emergency Water Extraction

Wet Carpet Restoration


Area's we serve:

Alabama / Alaska|Arizona|Arkansas|California|Colorado|Connecticut|Delaware|District of Columbia|Florida|Georgia|Hawaii|Idaho|Illinois|Indiana|Iowa|Kansas|Kentucky|Louisiana|Maine|Maryland|Massachusetts|Michigan|Minnesota|Mississippi|Missouri|Montana|Nebraska|Nevada|New Hampshire|New Jersey|New Mexico|New York|North Carolina|North Dakota|Ohio|Oklahoma|Oregon|Pennsylvania|Rhode Island|South Carolina|South Dakota|Tennessee|Texas|Utah|Vermont|Virginia|Washington|West Virginia|Wisconsin|Wyoming|


Not saying, just observing.

Ooroo,


PS::: I guess in an ideal world all rugs would be removed for cleaning not only for cleanliness but also for health reasons.

There can be many reasons for people not wanting their rugs taken away, a few practical, some because of cost, (bearing in mind that rugs cleaned on site may prove to be more costly in the long run), but there could also be that "trust element" in their decision.

If the "trust element" is an issue, maybe the cleaner needs educating on educating the rug owner. Just as you "won" over your carpet cleaning customers, you must also learn to win over the pedantic rug owners.

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

so Lisa


why do you even bother posting on other forums anymore?

Don't know if you want an answer really to that... but here it is anyway:

ICS - because it always has the most interest/activity for any type of post I put up there for resources, the google analytics show at least 3 times the numbers as other forums. Since most of what I post is pure education/info, from pure click through stats ICS delivers more that the others... not actual sales, but volume of eyeballs

CF - because I write for them, and even though the interest clicks are not as high as ICS - I generate the most trackable sales from CF, obviously because it's a combination of readers interest off-line combined with on-line access, so they are higher qualified prospects who spend more time per page on my various sites

*** - because that site has the most newbies looking for basic help, and are more in need of tech help. I'm there mostly for delivering rug how-to to avert disasters with some over there, and lots of follow-up interaction in the posts - I'm mostly there to teach some rug basics more so than Piranha info, though we've had some good numbers from banner sales there in the past, it's never been a waste of money

HERE - because I can be even LESS politically correct here, and to be honest, there are people here much more skilled in their respective fields that I enjoy reading and learning from... and also some stellar a-holes who I also enjoy reading. So up until January you could say I was only here for personal entertainment... but you can thank Jerry for making MB a place I've made sales through too. LOL

Though... the banner running now has good clicks going on, and we have strong opt-in stats daily at that site, so all is sunshine and kittens in Piranha Land. And Rug Chick land.

So... that's why I'm on those 4. In case you wanted a serious answer.

Lisa

 

[ruff]

Lisa, I believe you do not offer wall to wall carpet cleaning, so in a sense you do not live in the 'market place'.
I offer both options to my clients and many though they understand the quality difference choose the on location option.

I make a point to explain to them (clearly) beforehand and also put it in writing that: On location rug cleaning is at best a compromise, however, some still choose the on location alternative.

If we do not offer this, someone else would and not tell them the truth.

Also, if all you use to get the dust and sand out of the rugs in your plant, is laying the rug upside down and vibrating it with a vacuum cleaner beater bars, you are still leaving a hell of a lot of sand and dust in the rug. Yes the shampoo and flushing will remove a lot, however, according to you, some of it will still be caked in.

My market place is the same as yours. We are in the same homes, all income level homes. Professionals, students, teachers, old money, new money, immigrants.

Because you offer TWO options you are implying that both are okay choices, and best for the rug. I bet if you DOUBLED the price of cleaning on site, you could shift the choice. Share that doing it on site boosts the risks to the textile, so that's why it is more.

One of the reasons people will choose in-home is because it's cheaper. So that's not that they won't "let" the rugs leave... but that they feel they are getting a better deal - but it's worse for the rug.

You know... used to be the wall-to-wall was dragged out of homes to clean in rug plants, before "deep steam" steam cleaners were invented - and that wasn't too long ago. And operations like the Big Boys here - Ken and Bryan - handle hundreds and hundreds and hundreds a week in cleaning through their plants - the Los Angeles plants do 800+ rugs a week.

Lots of rugs leave homes. If yours are not, it's because you are not conveying the "why" good enough. It's not a convenience issue, it's a failure of education.

At least that's my opinion... and having easily shifted even the most stubborn of homeowners to understanding the importance of a wash many a time, I'm telling you it can and should be done. At the very least because when you are cleaning in the home, you are NOT getting the rug really clean.

I hope that makes sense. And if it gets a few of you to at least try to reeducate your clients to give them an even better cleaning, I will be happy. :mrgreen:

Lisa

And what part of the above statement did you not understand Lisa?
No implying, no suggesting, the honest and blunt truth!

Some clients do not want the rugs to leave their premises. Suggesting that they need to be re-educated or that I need to be more persuasive is disrespectful to the clients. It is not my business to be disrespectful to the client. If after it was explained to them very clearly ("I make a point to explain to them (clearly) beforehand and also put it in writing that: On location rug cleaning is at best a compromise, however, some still choose the on location alternative."
they still choose to do it, I respect it, because now it is an educated decision on their part.

And your main interest is in plant cleaning, so you are definitely not an unbiased or uninterested participant.

Lisa, choosing to ignore what are some of the realities in the market place does not make them go away.

 

[ruff]

I read the rebuttals here to Lisa's post and I just have to say that I believe that you are not convincing your customers of the value of having their rugs cleaned in a controlled, thorough, wash environment. Either that or you are just not convinced yourself, which is a whole different and bigger issue.

We do clean carpet/furniture/tile in the home (about 40,000 homes ((and businesses)) last year) and we also have a pretty decent size rug cleaning operation (31,605 rugs cleaned in our Rug Spa in 2010).

There were probably only about 30 rugs, maybe less, that we cleaned in the home last year and these were mostly very large rugs, under very large dining room tables that were just totally impractical to move. These rugs are rarely ever walked on as the formal dining rooms in these mansions are not used often and they can get by with the surface cleaning rather than spending additional 100's of dollars having the tables disasembeled and then reassembled after the rugs are cleaned. Other than these rare situations we have "trained" our clients to have their rugs cleaned the correct way- by washing them.

Ken

Ken, with all due respect, reality from your perch is not the reality from our (single operators) perch.

You operate on volume, we don't.
You have multiple streams of potential income (water damage, retail, in plant and so forth) we don't.
You can do very efficient routes (due to multiple trucks and other businesses,) we many times can't.
You offer prices that most of us will go broke or hungry, probably both, if we offered them.
You can offer very inexpensive in plant rug cleaning that none of us can.
And (I don't remember if it was on this board or ICS) you refer to carpet cleaning as a commodity and evidently successfully. We owners operators struggle hard and do our best not to be a commodity.

So, Ken, maybe it is time that you tried to be a sole, owner operator for a few years and let us hear from you afterward.
You certainly don't live in our reality.

As Elvis said: "Walk a mile in our shoes," Ken.
Shall I sing it to you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-YCcP1HrU

 

[LisaWagnerCRS]

Ofer... YOU are the cleaning expert - not your clients. I see my role as the advisor to the best care of the textiles and their owners - period.

I'm just curious if you did not offer an "option" - what change would you see. Especially when repeat clients see the true difference in the cleaning quality.

I bet you would surprise yourself... because San Diego is not unlike any other city in the US. And people are people. And most people when they care about their belongings, with the right educating, will in fact make the best educated choice.

And BTW - if Ken was simply a "volume" person of a big company so "detached" from your reality... it seems that he'd want to clean rugs in-home to save time to do a quick spray and suck and collect and get out of Dodge. Washing in-plant certainly is not the lazy man's way to rug riches. =)

I am not telling you how to run your business. That is not my place. It is my place to educate on rug care, and since I field the question from cleaners AND consumers on "why not just clean it in the home?" - I thought the article and laying out all of the details was way overdue.

Some cleaners will just tell me to shove it, and that's fine. They can ignore other views, and go on as always and be happy.
Others are going to actually think about this, and look at their work on-location versus in-plant and truly see the difference themselves - and they will not be able to go back to the "old" way again.
Others will already be doing this the best way, and will just simply agree as they read it, and share the article with others.

It's that second and third group I'm trying to reach. The ones that want to know the ways to develop into a specialist in this craft. It may be only 20% of the readers - but that's who I'm after. This niche needs MORE true specialists... and not everyone is cut from the specialist's cloth.

Regardless... I hope you did enjoy at least parts of the article. I did try to put in some tips on how to do even better... even if you are surface cleaning a rug.

Lisa