BEWARE Unethical Cleaners

Unfortunately there are some cleaners that have business practices that are not professional.  A couple of terms used to describe these unprofessional practices are Bait and Switch and Splash and Dash.  The Bait is a low price, usually $39 for 2 Rooms and a Hall, or $70 for 5 Rooms and a Hall. Once in the home there is heavy pressure to Switch to a more expensive cleaning method and up-sell on added services or applications (such as Protector, deodorants, sanitizers etc.).  Then, sometimes even if you do agree to the more expensive cleaning and add-ons, they move so quickly they don't really clean anything; often spots return and the carpets are left wet for days. They are in and out of the house within a hour, hence the term Splash and Dash. I could add another part to that; they Splash and Dash with the Cash!  These Are Unethical practices.

What is professional? It doesn't matter what trade is involved. A professional will come to the home, examine what needs to be done, give recommendations for appropriate services and additional applications, quote a total price BEFORE the work begins so that there are no surprises at the end of the job for either the cleaner or the client. Then the professional will provide the service they said they would. The consumer gets the result they expected and are quite happy to give money in exchange for that service. This is Ethical and Everyone is Happy!

The article below was written about a local cleaner here in Victoria that exhibits practices that do not promote professionalism as just described. When the owner of EZ Clean speaks of his practice being "pretty standard...within the carpet cleaning industry", he is making a true statement, unfortunately. There are too many cleaners using these unprofessional practices.

Also, the customer, Mr. Michelot is quite correct when he says that he "didn't know the business, but it was my responsibility ultimately." 

So how do you get to know the cleaning industry? Through companies like mine, a few others in town, and many others across N America, that are dedicated to provide you with education and professional services, you can get the information you need to choose a ethical professional company.

The following organizations exist for this very reason:

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC)

The Carpet Cleaners Institute of the North West (CCINW)

Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Ethical Services.com

The Best Place in the World to find a carpet cleaner!

Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)

For more information See 6 Rip-Offs and CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING

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To Contact Me:

Happy Carpet Cleaners

1988 Kaltasin Road

Sooke, BC, V0S 1N0

Scheduling & Emergencies: 250-881-4382

Fax: 250-642-3800

Email: gethappy@gethappy.ca

original site developed 2003 by DavisDigital.ca

and modified 2005 by Ron Werner gethappy@gethappy.ca