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What does a Carpet Cleaning Technician do?

Koren Allen
Koren Allen

A carpet cleaning technician, as the name suggests, is a professional who cleans carpets. However, most carpet cleaning technicians have a variety of skills to perform the job successfully. He or she must have a working knowledge of different types of carpet fibers and how they react with cleaning chemicals. There are usually a number of peripheral duties as well, but this varies among companies.

Many carpet cleaning technicians are employed for small companies who clean residential homes. This type of work involves the technical skill of cleaning carpets, but it also requires excellent customer service skills. Usually residential cleaning is done by one technician working alone, and your company may expect you to sell additional services if you can. Physical fitness is important as well, because the technician will probably be hauling cleaning equipment, weighing up to 50 pounds (22.7 kg), sometimes while navigating stairs, several times a day. In the normal course of the job, the technician will be required to bend, stoop, crawl, push and pull equipment, lift and move furniture, and stand for several hours a day.

A professional carpet cleaner may se industrial grade steam cleaners.
A professional carpet cleaner may se industrial grade steam cleaners.

Another common setting for a carpet cleaning technician is commercial space. This type of cleaning is usually done when the company is closed, normally during evening or weekend hours. Moving furniture may or may not be required, and commercial cleaning jobs may employ a team of two or more technicians. In larger organizations that employ their own housekeeping department, such as hospitals, carpet cleaning may be included with other janitorial duties.

A carpet cleaning technician may be responsible for booking appointments.
A carpet cleaning technician may be responsible for booking appointments.

In a small company, the person acting as a carpet cleaning technician may perform a variety of other tasks, including answering phones and booking appointments, selling additional services, and completing paperwork. If the technician is driving a company truck or van, routine maintenance of the vehicle and the carpet cleaning equipment may be part of the job. Ordering supplies and maintaining an accurate inventory count are additional duties that may fall to the technician.

Most carpet cleaning technician jobs require a high school diploma or GED, and training is obtained through on-the-job, hands-on experience. Classes are available for specialized training in different types of carpet fibers, chemical handling, sales and customer service. These classes may be provided by the employer, or a technician may choose to obtain further training on his or her own. While professional certification is not required by law in the United States, some companies may require their technicians to test for professional certification. Like any profession, a license or certification in carpet cleaning often translates into a higher rate of pay.

In the United States, the most widely known certifying body is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or IICRC. To become IICRC certified, you must complete required class work and pass an exam. Some state agencies and organizations may also provide certification; check with your employer for more information about what certification is necessary for your position.

Discussion Comments

Sporkasia

Animandel - Even if you hire a company that requires its employees to know a great deal about their work, all the employees are not going to be equally knowledgeable, and some technicians will do a better job than others. However, you should ask the company you get to do the job what is required of its workers in terms of certification

Drentel

Animandel - How much knowledge the carpet cleaning technician who comes to clean the carpets in your home has depends on many factors, and the skill level from technician to technician is not always the same.

The best way to get a good technician is to choose a carpet cleaning company with a good record in customer service. Ask around and get recommendations from people you know, and don't be shy about asking questions once you contact a company.

Animandel

Do most carpet cleaning businesses require their cleaning technicians to have detailed knowledge of various solutions, carpet types and machinery?

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    • A professional carpet cleaner may se industrial grade steam cleaners.
      A professional carpet cleaner may se industrial grade steam cleaners.
    • A carpet cleaning technician may be responsible for booking appointments.
      By: MarkFGD
      A carpet cleaning technician may be responsible for booking appointments.