By K. Williams

As a former educator, Victoria Efird, owner of Metro Steamway, can’t get teaching out of her blood. That’s why she’s so passionate about educating consumers on carpet cleaning and the risks of not carefully choosing a carpet cleaning service. Metro Steamway, a commercial and residential carpet and upholstery cleaning service, was founded in 1988 while Efird was working as an instructor at Central Piedmont Community College. Teaching in the corporate and continuing education department led her to visit businesses in the Charlotte area. She noticed that many people were not satisfied with the level of service they receive. She saw an opportunity to create a business where service and the relationship with the customer are most important. Perhaps that’s why Metro Steamway has become so suc­cessful. Today it serves the Charlotte metro area including parts of Union County and the Lake Norman area.

“My main goal is to educate my clients. I think there are too many companies out there that are not concerned with business ethics,” says Efird. “For some reason the carpet cleaning industry seems to be plagued by people wit low standards of professionalism.” Efird advises people to call a consumer alert number, 704-331-8369, before they hire a carpet cleaning company. It offers advice on things to consider before hiring a carpet cleaner, such as cleaning method, cost, and IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) training and certification.

“If you want a continued relationship with a company that will not just clean your carpet, but will give you advice on how to maintain it, and how to prolong its life, then call Metro Steamway. We don’t refer to our clients as ‘customers.’ To us, a customer implies a one­time deal. A client is someone with whom you’re going to build a relationship. Our clients include both residential and commercial accounts. Over 75% of our business is from repeat clients."

Efird stresses that consumers should clean their carpets for health reasons rather than simply appearance. That’s because millions of dust mites and bacteria live in your home and can trigger allergies and cause illness. The suction in the truck-mounted, hot water extraction process is strong enough to remove these irritants. Consumers should have their carpet cleaned professionally every 12 to 18 months, with four- to six-month maintenance cleanings for high-traffic areas such as the family room. Says Efird: “If you wait until your carpet looks dirty.. .by then, it’s truly filthy.”

Efird’s last piece of advice? “Professional carpet cleaning is a necessity, not a luxury. If you think carpet cleaning is expensive, get an estimate for replacing it. Carpet is expensive and to protect your investment, you should establish a maintenance program.”

Contact Metro Steamway at 704-343-0808, or visit www.metrosteamway.com.