Re: Oriental rug cleaning on location
Do you do ANYTHING different then when cleaning broadloom, or do ya jus whak it out? Explain the limited quality of cleaning to the customer. Qualify the rug to make sure we won't buy it by cleaning it and letting it dry in an uncontrolled environment. Protect the floor. Clean with wool safe product, lightly. Force dry fringe.
Do you charge differently? Much more than wall-to-wall pricing, less than in-plant.
Waddya do w/yer fringes? Nothing? Clean them.
What determines if its a candidate for "in home cleaning" vs "sh!t I aint fookin w/that!" ? The rug is too large to fit in a truck, has two pool tables on it and is in a thirty-third floor penthouse is a good condidate for in home cleaning. An absolute refusal to clean on-location would be the possibility of harm to rug or floor. This applies to hand-knotted Oriental rugs. Other area rugs may be more likely to be cleaned on-location with a price premium over wall-to-wall.
If you don't have the skill, knowledge or facility to clean an area rug properly, you may still be able to offer a "touch up" service. Just don't get in a circle with other cleaners and chant until you've convinced yourselves that what you're doing is as good as plant washing. Know your limitations, do what you can do well, sub out what you have no knowledge of.