[Londoner]

I am suprised that the question of moving furniture hasn't created a lot more discussion on this and other forums.

I find it is quite difficult to decide whether or not to move some big items. Or you start to and wish you hadn't.
There are a lot of issues around damage and insurance claims if you get it wrong.

I  would be very interested to find out what you guys think about it and how you decide.

[Derek]

Vince

Good post...and you are right it gets forgotten.

1.  I will move furniture if the customer has emptied it first.

2.  Check out its integrity before attempting to move it! (this includes any pre-existing damage)

3.  Useful items are the 'slidderz' that fit beneath furniture legs etc. and make moving easier (Available from Alltec at Royston and A & M in Watford)

4.   Use fibre blocks/protectors when resiting furniture.

5.   Watch out for loose colour dye and studs which are liable to cause rust marks.


I am sure there are others but at least it gets the topic moving

Cheers
Derek

[strakercleaning]

I tend to tell my customers that heavy/flat based or electrical items should be cleaned around or move out by them.
Pile distortion and slow drying for heavy items and condensation risk for electrical items.
Normally does the trick and makes life easier for us simple CCs.

[Dynafoam]

Sensible answers to date!

I think there are three basic questions to ask yourself before you attempt to move furniture:

Will the moving harm me?

Customers do not pay you compensation if you are unable towork due to injury.

Will the moving harm the furniture or contents?

Will the moving harm the carpet?

Chris mentioned flat-based furniture. If this is replaced on a damp carpet, that carpet will remain damp for a long time, with possible damage to both carpet and furniture. Large units left on blocks can be too un-stable to leave in that condition, and the customer may be unable to remove them when they are no longer required.

Some furniture with red or yellow (pine) water-based dyes will surrender its' dye in seconds of contact with a barely damp carpet. Whilst tabs or blocks can be used, how do you place them under the legs whilst moving if you are not employing Slidderz or dollies?

One other point. If you are going to move a television, first have a good look at the tangled 'spagetti' behind it, taking note of any wires already disconnected. this cad save a lot of head-scratching later whist  asking "Where the heck did this one go?"  

John.

[Mike Halliday]

The way I see it is, we are there to remove the dirt from the carpets. the bit underneath furniture has'nt been walked on so all it has is a bit of surface fluff and soil which will vacuum off.

so thats what i do. I pull out the TV, drawers, etc  and give the carpet a good vac then put them back onto the dry carpet.

Things like Dining chairs, coffee tables & magazine racks get moved into the kitchen with strict instructions they don't go back onto a damp carpet ( although if they did put them back I would still be liable for any damage : )

Mike

[Robert_O]

This is where the aftercare advice slip is vital in advising them of what they should and should not do following the cleaning process.

If you give it to them in writing it would be harder for them to come back at you later when they have replaced something back which you warned them not to.

I posted in another thread my advice information but here it is aghain for your reference.

Carpets
·      Care should be taken when walking from a damp carpet to hard surfaces, as this can be a slipping hazard. It is recommended that you place a mat to dry feet in any potential hazard areas, and that persons entering these areas be advised to take extra care.

·      Avoid wearing outdoor footwear on freshly cleaned carpeting, until areas are fully dry.

·       Assist drying by keeping rooms as warm as possible and providing adequate ventilation.  In the warmer months open doors and windows fully to create air movement over the cleaned items, as this will greatly improve drying times.

·      Items of furnishings must not be replaced back on to freshly cleaned carpet without protector pads unless the carpet is absolutely dry. Protector pads prevent loose wood dye or rust from furnishings staining the carpeting (Protector pads are supplied as part of the service for this purpose). Wall units, wardrobes and cabinets etc., which are flat based, must not be replaced until the carpets are absolutely dry as these could seal in moisture possibly causing mould mildew and associated problems.

Upholstery
·      Do not place freshly cleaned cushions directly against radiators or other heat sources as this can permanently heat set marks into certain susceptible fabrics.

·      Upholstery loose cushions must be allowed to dry fully before being replaced back on to the frame of the suite. We recommend that the zip ends of the cushions are placed to the floor, and that the cushions are rested against one another to allow air circulation on both sides. Cushions to be moved at intervals to allow air circulation to ALL parts.

·      Some upholstery linings and information tags can contain extremely loose dyes, which is another good reason to keep the cushions off the frame until they are fully dry.

Drying times for both carpets and upholstery often vary depending on many different factors, i.e. Type of fibre content, pile density, degree of soiling, room temperature and air circulation/ventilation, and of course the type of cleaning process utilised. The operator will be able to advise better having assessed the items and environmental conditions.

The best form of advertising is generated from existing satisfied clients therefore Customer care is extremely important to us. I hope that we have inspired your confidence, so you will be happy to refer our services to family, friends, or colleagues. But if, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied, then please let us know, in order for us to put things right for you.

The above guidelines are to ensure that you receive the full benefits of having your carpets and soft furnishings professionally cleaned, with minimal disruption. Additionally the advice is to guard against some common unnecessary problems. Thank you for your valued custom, and we look forward to continuing to provide our services to you in the future.

THE BEST FORM OF APPRECIATION OF A JOB WELL DONE, IS TO REFER OUR SERVICES TO OTHERS

Regards

Robert Olifent

[Robert_O]

You could say that if you give the information verbally and a problem occurs, then it isn't worth the paper it wasn't written on!!! :

Regards

Robert   :-/

[Neil Gott]

All the foregoing is first class advice. The only thing that I would add is to include advice that if moving furniture after we have left and carpet is not yet dry, make sure that pads etcetera go into place as well.

I must say, and maybe it is my fault for not being clear enough, that a good number of new clients don't seem to understand the risks. Fortunately most carpets are dry before I leave, and most of my clients are regulars who have over the years been 'trained' by me.

[paulchambers]

I had a drink tonight i would only move furniture when i work for pickfords   not true i move what ever i can by my self i move tv 's if on wheels , sideboards no , but if anything moves without falling apart  i will move it

[strakercleaning]

Perfect example yesterday.
7 items of marble based tables/stands
Clean around or ruin carpet beneath :
Too unstable for pads and foil would prevent drying

[gwrightson]

in reply to roberts reply
am i wrong in thinking that cushions ,should not be
leant against each other whilst wet unless brown paper is placed inbetween, or have i been misled ,im convinced i have read it some where,
not that i do , and i doubt if any other cc carry out this procedure, some one prove me wrong
or should i be?
geoff

[Derek]

Geoff

It is advisable... as the drying process slows down where the cushions touch...this in turn can lead to water marks, cellulosic browning and the like

Cheers
Derek

[strakercleaning]

I do place cushions in pyramid style to air but INSIST they are swapped around in 30 mins. Even freestanding on their sides could leave watermarks along one edge :.
I have adopted a variation of the after cleaning notice previously posted, which i now leave at all times.

[Robert_O]

The reason for posting my advice information sheet is to share what I consider useful information in order to prevent many unnecessary problems out there.

Bad news travels fast, and so if a carpet cleaner causes a problem by inadequately explaining things to the client then this is often shouted from the roof tops by the disgruntled client.

Whilst this may have happened  at the other end of the country to me, what if their mother, brother or aunty Flo lives in my neck of the woods? IT IS BAD NEWS FOR THE INDUSTRY!!!

If we can help eachother, then I see it as raising better standards within the industry and not so many horror stories for the poor old carpet cleaner to shake off.

You can take the bones of what  my information contains and personalise it to your own format.


Regards

Robert Olifent

[strakercleaning]

Cheers Robert, you are a gent.

[Chris_Thomas]

The moment you write a  cheque (£1300 in my case) for a private hernia repair, your policy regarding moving furniture changes forever!

[Len Gribble]

Chris T

I know where you are coming from I found a very cheap option check your family members including there spouses have they private medical.  My brother in-law has one and I’m tag onto this cost me about £40 a year well worth the cost, used last year private hospital £110 specialist consultation ENT £198 20 min work and cheap proscription. It doesn’t cover all but it would have in your case.

Len