Price quotes on area rug cleaning vary. They’re generally cleaned onsite or sent out to a plant. Plant cleaning is far more expensive due to facility overhead, increased staffing and pick-up and delivery charges. On-site at the customer’s premises can be done at a fraction of the cost since most of those expenses can be avoided. Oriental rugs, custom wool and synthetic rugs and machine-made types can be done either way. The decision on which approach is more suitable will be based on a variety of factors. The condition of the rugs, how frequently the rug needs to be cleaned, and the cost of cleaning in relation to the value of the rug are things to consider.
Onsite Cleaning is convenient since the customer doesn’t part with the rug and avoids a lot of preparation. Rugs are cleaned in place, the furniture is moved and re-positioned as necessary, And, if the drying time is fairly quick. Generally, you can walk on the rug immediately.
This method is ideal for general maintenance and spot removal with excellent results. The benefit is a 65% cost savings. Since there is no delivery, the rug does not have to be re-laid. If the reasons for cleaning are repetitive due pets and children, the cost savings really add up over time. If the rug is inexpensive, constantly sending it out can easily exceed its value. Hence this is very practical for many rugs.
Plant Cleaning is intended for more comprehensive cleaning or for rugs in severe condition that require this approach. The reasons might involve rugs that haven’t been cleaned for years and require being submerged. Other common reasons involve large animals that urinate so frequently that the rug becomes saturated and has serious odors. Also, there are very expensive rugs that require careful hand cleaning in a properly equipped plant environment. Lastly, there might be a need for specialized repairs by craftsman as part of the overall effort.
For those that require these services, they should understand where and how the rugs are being cleaned. Some companies will take them out only to clean both sides on a cement floor and charge a large premium. This provides very little value to the consumer. Also, a consumer wants to avoid a middleman who merely sends the rug out and collects a fee which really inflates the costs. Sending it to full-service facility is what you’re looking for.
An ideal plant will have washing pits to submerge the rug to release dirt buildup and odor causing toxins. Many rugs are also cleaned with a rotary machine to separate the fibers when there is a lot of oil residue. This is followed up by rinsing, water extraction and the rugs are typically hung and fan dried. The finishing step involves packaging for storage until delivery. A consumer should be aware of how their rug will be processed so they understand the expense of the service.
As a final thought, for companies that operate plant facilities, they will heavily endorse this service since they usually have a large investment with high fixed overhead. If your rug doesn’t require that level of cleaning and the expense, onsite cleaning is probably a better option. Also, the nice packaging, which is part of the cost, is disposed of as soon as the rug is re-laid.
Mamaroneck, NY 914-381-7305
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