I used to do about $1-$2k a month with a company I subbed rugs to. They used bleach on the fringe of one of the rugs and it soaked into the rug. He, of course, denied it and I was stuck finding a company to fix the coloring issue. They company I found did a great job. The very next rug I brought them was a $40k bamboo silk, and wool blend (and no it was not rayon). They completely ruined the rug. It was a nightmare. So anyway, this brings me to this post. I have not offered any area rug cleaning for about 8 months now. I am ready to start taking them on myself. I know a little bit about them, but don't really know where to start. I saw Richard's post about the Sanitaire SC899 with the beater bar and thought that'd be an inexpensive way to draw out the particulate soil, with out buying a rug beater. Any thought? And, what else should I do?
Hello Before you become an expert in washing hand made oriental rugs, you can find an expert rug cleaner to subcontract. Then this is a good (the best) post to start: Read this thread : http://www.truckmountforums.com/area-rug-cleaning-forum/18798-wash-pit.html#post198272 and read the comment of Lisa and click on the link of The mother of all ... Here is a post with all the steps of the rug cleaning process, and the options for tools and set-ups based on whether you have a little but of money, or a lot. Hope this helps => The Mother Of All Rug Equipment Posts good luck jamshid rowshan
Matt I am sorry that you have had poor success in finding a rug specialist to sub to. This can often be a good, safe and profitable business model, but you MUST have it worked out on who will take responsibility BEFORE you sub anything out. In our rug care business we have a policy when subbing to others to not charge a dime if the carpet cleaner or his/her client is not 100% happy. We will also drop everything to reclean if there is any issue. On top of this policy, we do take 100% responsibility to replace the rug if their client thinks we mucked up. I also have to be very careful WHO I sub to. I recently did a job for a carpet cleaner and he was in a super rush as his client had to have it back by a certain and close date. We did get it done on time, and he got it delivered ok. I personally phoned this CCleaner the next morning to make sure he was happy. He told me that that the rug had a stain on it when he rolled it out, but no big deal as he was able to take it out at the clients home. I apologized and he said again, not to worry. I offered to give him a discount or a full refund, again he said no worries. Next thing I know he has used this experience to completely trash my reputation in my hometown and throughout the industry including message boards. Bottom line, I am now a lot more careful as to who I will sub to. I have to say Matt, that I respect you for not trashing your subs here in a public place and wish you tremendous success as you set up your rug care studio!
Matt. the Sanitaire is a tremendous vac that will serve you well. I will also suggest that you get yourself some of the plastic lattice sheets from Home Depot or lowes as this will speed up your dusting process. When you are ready for a RugBadger we do have a new one that we are just about ready to release, and best thing about it is that it will be far less $$.
