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You must not see pet odor treatment as an add on sale- that you charge a few pennies per square foot extra for providing. This service is instead a stand alone service-, just as upholstery cleaning, area rug cleaning, or airduct cleaning. The service needs special tools, products, and training, and is arguably far more important than cleaning alone to your customer....keep reading

This valuable information has been adapted from materials published more than 50 years ago by Dartnell Corp, and has never been more appropriate for "Specialty Cleaning Service" businesses like yours than it is today! It is simple, but powerful!... These steps are great "truths" that most of us are at least somewhat aware of. What then, keeps us from implementing most, if not all of them in our business? Its really very simple: These steps or activities are often outside of our comfort zone....keep reading

It's amazing what you can do in just 15 minutes. Set a timer (so you don't get in the habit of watching the clock) and focus on your project for 15 minutes. It's simple & doable, but you will be impressed with the results....keep reading

Most services who clean upholstery are primarily carpet cleaners, making it easy to assume that the products and techniques that we use to clean carpet should be the same. Such is not the case!
When it comes to pet odors, upholstery has two issues that do not exist with carpet:...keep reading

Referrals, Reviews, Testimonials & Stories -- equals Social Proof & W.O.M.M. -- Before you &/or your staff take this 90 second quizz, I want you to realize that most of us have deep set beliefs that have little or no foundation in the way real people react. We believe what Mom & Grandma told us! That's not a bad thing, but in business today, we must be realistic!...keep reading

I am sharing this information based on an email and follow up call from a fine fabric specialist who had a problem with a fabric after doing "everything right". The technician saw a white fabric that tested as being a natural fiber, and made the assumption that this would be best cleaned with an acidic detergent and very low moisture...However, the fabric appeared to discolor almost immediately when wet......keep reading

Most microfiber upholstery fabrics (though not all) are made from polyester fiber. Polyester's oil loving characteristics causes microfiber furniture to rapidly absorb hair and body oil from people and pets, with the resulting "shiny/oily" soiling that coats the arms, upper inside back, and often the cushions.
Actually, microfiber upholstery fabric acts very much like microfiber cleaning cloths: It attracts soil and spills! (and holds them!)...keep reading

As a 'VSB' (Very Small Business) owner, your local 'authority' status can have a tremendous impact on your business success! This status not only stimulates your local base, it also attracts referrals as well as social media search prospects; while also allowing you to charge a fair price for your specialized services. - - Additionally, I must add a special caution regarding 'Social Media' sites and today's ever present phone cameras and home security cameras. Always behave as if you are being recorded! The odds get greater daily that you really are! - - Never allow yourself or permit posting of pictures or video that is foolish, obscene, or politically questionable. These become a part of who you are, like it or not! Also function at all times as if you are on camera, since you never know when you may be!...keep reading

If We Can't Vaccinate Them, What Can We Do?
First, you can make sure the employee gets the most out of the training classes that are offered. In order to develop any skill, there are three vital factors, of equal importance that must be implemented. Check these out carefully -- And keep in mind that it takes all three to get what you are paying for!...keep reading

Standing apart from your competition is as simple as developing the best customer relationships around. Customer service and going the distance with a customer pays off in many ways.
Keep in mind that people are more likely to spread bad information than good, but when you go above and beyond they will tell their friends. Especially in this day of social media!...keep reading

Trust is much more easily destroyed than it is built!
The following, in my opinion, are the four most common trust-killing mistakes to be avoided. Avoid these mistakes, diligently build trust and your reputation as an 'Expert' or 'Authority' in your local market place will rise as a result. Building trust reminds me of building a sandcastle - it's incredibly beautiful when it's built, but just one little mistake can wash it all away!...keep reading

SO, NOW THE MYTHS ARE BEING BUSTED, WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
The new CRI Seal of Approval testing being done now is truly rocket science, using a device developed for NASA called an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer that detects specific chemical elements....keep reading

MR-211 is a comprehensive course covering trauma scene clean up and decontamination. Taught by an IICRC-certified Master Cleaner, Master Restorer. Attendees will acquire the necessary skills and knowledge required to properly evaluate, clean up and decontaminate a site that has been by affected by blood and/or bodily fluids....keep reading

Focusing on current technical and business trends that have a major effect on 1-10 employee professional cleaning services. IN THIS ISSUE -- NEWS YOU CAN USE, RECENT POST AT JIMS CLEAN CHAT BLOG - Introduction to Cleaning Chemistry, WELCOME TO MY HOME & EDUCATION ALERT: DIVERSIFICATION CLASSES - Wood Floor Care & Professional Stone & Tile Cleaning, Sealing, & Polishing Services....keep reading

Educating your consumer is an approach that is a must in this "Jaded Consumer" era. Once you as owner/manager accept the local 'authority' concept, sell the value of this concept to your employees through constant training in their communication skills as well their technical expertise. . . ....keep reading

In the second decade of the twenty first century, we live in a world we could not have anticipated just a few decades ago. Do I mean The Coronavirus Pandemic-? NO! What has had a deep affect on our society, and your customers specifically, is the change in people's views as pets from affectionate companions- to Beloved (and often revered) "Family Members"-....keep reading

As a cleaning, restoration or maintenance professional, it's important to keep in mind that we now live in an age of educated, but terrified consumers - almost every product or service can, (and will be) researched online before the interested consumer (business, retail or institutional), ever contacts you....keep reading

An excellent example of the power of 'local marketing' struck home with me on a very personal level recently:
I have a standing appointment every other Saturday morning at 8:00am with a hair stylist, that I never miss. I asked myself, what does this hair stylist do that encourages such loyalty from me that competitors before did not?...keep reading

Children (and some adults) enjoy soft drinks that contain red dyes. However, such products really should be kept away from all carpet and upholstery fabrics. While that sounds good, the lifestyle of today's consumer is such that these types of restrictions don't usually occur in the real world. And, while red dyes are most commonly seen in soft drinks, they may also be present in liquid medicine, pie filling, gelatin, and cake icing, to name just a few. Spills that contain red dye create four challenges that might easily be overlooked....keep reading

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