Dry Times

I see two reasons dry times are important.

1) They matter to some of our customers who have an event coming up. They want to be on the carpet right away. Or maybe they have read advertising saying "steam cleaning" soaks carpets ..." and are worried.

2) Faster dry times can also correllate to our process removing more water. The soil is dissolved or emulsified in the water. So when we remove more water we are also removing more soil. Thus cleaner carpets.

Point #2 applies mostly to HWE especailly if the flow rate is high. Dry times that are short because very little water ever was applied do not fit with the reasoning of the second point.

Scott Warrington

Here's my take.

Here in the US we like things fast, people don't like to wait for anything. It is an inconvenience to wait. Look at all the fast food joints.

Same goes for service. It doesn't matter if its the carpet, tile, color seal, or enhancer I just put on the slate. And it doesn't matter if they are going to use it in the next hour or not. It is the thought of not being able to use it, even if they are not home to walk on it.

I hate waiting for anything, don't know why, just don't like to. Even if I have nothing better to do. Even at these places who have really nice waiting areas with wi-fi, tv, whatever. You still see people fidgeting, looking into the shop.

Yes there are the few who worry about the technical issues, like mold, mildew, etc. I believe it is just the mindset of the American people.

I think dry times are important. Obviously, something that is not designed to be wet needs to dry ASAP. Also, if you can't get it to dry fast, the customer will find someone who can. To me, that's more important than anything--gotta stay ahead of that competition.

Chem Dry built a huge company on the fast dry concept.

Dave
Posted via Mobile Device

There are many OP and low moisture cleaners who advertise that HWE will soak your carpet and create a mold problem. Also some have had bad experiences with HWE. CARPETS WET FOR 2 DAYS.I have had people ask me about that. So yes they do care about dry times. It's a shame what some companies will resort to just to get a sale. When I encounter this I let them know that HWE is the method the major carpet manufacturers recommend for deep cleaning and have a copy of Shaws warranty to show them. Along with the stipulation for an IICRC Certified Firm. Then when I tell them the carpets will be dry to the touch when I leave some of them really don't believe it.
I also tell them I do OP and low moisture cleaning and if that's what they want I can provide that service also. 9 out of 10 times they go with HWE. When the carpets are dry when I am ready to leave they are in shock.
I believe if you want repeat customers and Cheerleaders you need to educate them about the con artists and Hacks. Then show them what you can do.


Joe

I also tell them the carpet will be dry before I leave. What I don't tell them is that I moving in and prefer eggs and bacon for breakfast. just kidding, lol

"How long before my carpets are dry?" is the no. 1 question I get with a new customer, and it's a good question. Quick drying prevents common problems such as browning and wicking. Also, see this months article in ICS mag.

I'll 2nd this! (That was easy):burnout:
Cheers, AL
WELL SAID SCOTT!:yes:

Um,

I don't agree. As long as you're not any more than over night you're good. The exception being someone that hired the high dollar carpet cleaner.

No offense but chemdry built their business on bull**** and on the backs of the gullible American consumer.

But hey what do I know, only been doing this for 18 years.

Ken Raddon.

I agree with this--I don't think there is anything fundamentally wrong with the carpet taking a few hours to dry. It's not going to damage it or cause mold/mildew.

However, even if you do a great job on the cleaning most customers are fickle and will call back the other guy who gave them a one hour dry time. So in that respect, a longer dry time may keep you from getting a repeat customer.

I never worried about dry times in the past. I would say for about a year now we have had a dry before we leave policy and I can't tell you how many comments we have had praising us for it.

I think it's ok if it takes overnight to dry but you will have a customer for life if you get it dry before you leave. Nobody else is really getting it totally dry before they leave and it will separate you from everyone.

Dave
Posted via Mobile Device

Wet carpets are an inconvenience to the customer. AS long as the carpets are damp it restricts their usage of their home. Why would any cleaner want to inconvience a customer when they don't need to. If I were choosing a carpet cleaner I would definitely stick with the one who cleaned my carpets the best but with the least inconvenience.

Nigel

Well said Nigel
Posted via Mobile Device

I agree with the wet carpets being an inconvienience comment. When i tell clients 2-4 hoursthey are usually very happy or answer with really? then tell me a story about how last time they had there carpets cleaned it took 2 days to dry. So for that reason alon the faster they dry the better.

i think that dry times are important but not absolutly necessary to have a happy customer. but the sooner its dry the sooner it quits the inconvenience to the customer. thus happier customer sooner.

It is extremely important to some customers, others are only looking for dry the same day. Most of my customers seem to be ok with their carpets dry in less then 4 hours. There are a lot of people who have their carpet cleaned, then go to work all day while it drys.

Dry time is important to our customers. If you don't tell them, they will ask; How long before it is dry?

I agree dry times are important, typically tell customers 2 to 4 hours, special cases kids coming home after school elderly etc. I will bring in air mover to speed things up, extra vac pass knock on wood the old prochem legend hasen't givin me any drying issues. Would also like to say I agree with Ken Raddon on his assesment of Chemdry.