When people look at my website or talk to me about carpet cleaning, they often mention that I seem to really "know my stuff" when it comes to the solutions I use. They tell me I know my chemistry. And they're right — I do.

But honestly, I don't like to use the word "chemicals". It sounds too institutional. I prefer the term cleaning agents.

It might seem like a small difference, but to me, it means everything. If you understand the chemistry of a cleaning agent from the very root, you can improve the outcome of the job. I figured out a long time ago that by taking the time to research these agents and read the ingredients — not just the brand names — I could achieve results my competition couldn't.

Safety Is Not an Accident

I don't just read ingredients to get a stain out; I read them because I don't want to bring something toxic into your home. I'm in your house to clean your carpet, not to make anyone sick.

There is something called VOCs—Volatile Organic Compounds. When these compounds are applied to soft surfaces like fabric or even hard surfaces like tile and grout, they can give off a vapor. Once that gets into your breathing zone, you can inhale it, which can lead to respiratory problems.

I have zero tolerance for liability when it comes to health. That's why I have to be educated on these toxic ingredients. I stick to what works and what is safe, because I'm using these products day-in and day-out. I don't want to expose myself to them, and I certainly don't want to get my customers sick.

The Prescription Approach

Many budget cleaners operate on a "one size fits all" cleaning model. They might carry one main cleaning solution and use it on everything — nylon, polyester, tile, and grout.

I don't work that way.

I view my van almost like a pharmacy, and I look at myself as writing a prescription for your specific carpet.

In my truck, I carry about seven or eight different pre-sprays just for carpet. Overall, I have maybe 50 different bottles for different situations.

Why? Because the makeup and condition of each client's carpet dictates how I prepare for it.

• Nylon responds differently than polyester.
• Polyesters tend to respond better to solvent-based cleaning agents.
• Nylons— like the high-end sculpted carpets you see in Las Vegas casinos — require a different approach.

If a cleaner uses the wrong product, they might get a result, but it won't be the best result. The right method, I believe, should be tailor-made for each customer.

Just like a doctor wouldn't give every patient the exact same milligram dosage of the same medication, I adjust my dilution and my products to fit what the situation calls for.

More Than Just Ingredients

You might wonder, "If you tell people what you use, won't your competition just copy you?"

I actually have an answer for that: my competition could buy cases and cases of the exact products I use, but that doesn't tell them how to use it, when to use it, or how much to use.

Think of it this way: I could give you all the ingredients to make a cake. But without the instructions and the steps, you aren’t going to know how to make that cake.

If a cleaner doesn't know when to use a specific agent, that bottle is useless to them.

The Science of Stains

This knowledge is especially critical when dealing with pet stains. We've all heard horror stories of a stain disappearing after a cleaning, only to mysteriously reappear three days later.

The reason that happens is simple: the previous cleaner didn't neutralize the urine salts. They might have removed the yellowing — the unsightly part of the stain — but they didn't concentrate on the chemistry required to remove the salts.

I don't just guess what to use when I clean a home; customers pay me to execute and get the best possible results.

I also use moisture meters to find the source of the problem. If the meter registers moisture before I've even started cleaning, it tells me that urine salts are present — and I need to use a specific neutralizer to ensure that stain is gone for good.

A Labor of Love

Yes, the products I use tend to be a little more expensive. I don't buy off-the-shelf cleaning solutions. I talk to the chemists and the manufacturers at trade shows. I pick their brains.

In fact, the manufacturers trust me because they know I'm going to take their product and find ways to make it work even better in the field.

You have to have a passion for this. When you have a passion for craftsmanship, this "job" becomes a craft, and a labor of love.

I want to be able to look a customer in the eye and explain exactly how we are going to solve their problem — down to the molecular level if they really want to know.

With My Pro Cleaner, you aren't just hiring someone to push a steaming wand over your floor. You are hiring someone who understands the science of clean and the craftsmanship to achieve the best possible results.

Since 2004, My Pro Cleaner has been helping hundreds of homeowners in Spring Texas area, The Woodlands, Houston, and other nearby neighborhoods to keep their carpet and upholstery deeply cleaned and maintained — for its health, its beauty, and to keep it smelling fresh!
Happiness guaranteed!

If you have any questions about this article, or anything related to cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, and maintaining a healthy home, please feel free to give me a call, and let's talk!