Locating a profession blind cleaner is often a challenge for consumers that have expensive custom blinds or shades (valance or other nice window treatment).  They know they need professional cleaning, but whom can they trust?  What are the best or safest cleaning methods for a particular window treatment or type of soiling?  As a professional blind cleaner, here are a few things I wish consumers knew BEFORE they hired a cleaner.  Unfortunately, I know all to well that  not everyone that claims to be a "professional" blind cleaner is going to posses the expertise required to do a good job.

Below is a summary of the most commonly used terms that blind cleaners use to build credibility in their websites and in their materials.  Many are honest, qualified individuals that take pride in their work and are true professionals, however some sites are loaded with words and terms or claims that are copied (from other sites or materials) or used to give them a veneer of credibility that their poor service (often discovered too late) reveal was a sham. 

Realized use of the word CERTIFIED doesn't mean one is qualified.  There are currently no professionally developed or approved industry standards in the field of custom blind cleaning.   (Blindcleaners.biz Network is working to develop one with their associated professionals).   The most common certifications are those given by companies who charge clients to participate in their training programs.  A cleaning technician, who has demonstrated the professional interest and a commitment to better their skills and knowledge, is more likely to provide you with better service than one who isn't.

Most consumers don't know you can check some certifications easily enough through the company or organization that provided the training.  The following are commonly abused ones in the blind and drapery cleaning industry:

> "IICRC Certified Fabric and Upholstery Technician".  One can simply ask to see the cleaning technician's card (renewed annually) and endorsements or check with the IICRC.  Some companies put IICRC Certified or use the IICRC logos on their website or materials deceptively.  Those who have taken the specialized classes and passed the tests to earn the endorsements have knowledge (not necessarily experience) that is very beneficial to their work.  If the company advertises IICRC Certified Technicians, ask if the person actually doing the work is IICRC Certified in fabric or upholstery cleaning?

> "On-Site Certified Technician"   The On-Site training and certification was a three-day course in cleaning custom blinds and draperies sponsored by the On-Site Corporation.  The On-Site Corporation went out of business in 2008 so while a technician may have a "certificate of training" they haven't been to a refresher course in several years.  A company that says they are a "Certified On-Site Dealer" is lying and one that has "Certified On-Site Technicians" who haven't been working in the industry for at least four years are also suspect.

> SquibCo "Certified Fabricare Specialist"  The training provided by SquibCo Solutions is basically the same as was offered by On-Site (same trainer, same format).  To maintain a current certification status, technicians were required to attend the training every two years.  Those whose certification status is active can be easily verified through the SquibCo Solutions website.  Technicians are required to do hands on sessions along with the class time, cleaning a variety of Hunter Douglas products, valances and other custom treatments.  Some who have been to the training and who may be experienced cleaners choose not to remain active due to the fees/costs involved or for other reasons, however is a cleaning technician has never been to the actual class they are likely working for a company that considers "hand me down" training (and its associated omissions and poor procedures, techniques etc.) as "good enough".  These companies are NOT in the same league professionally as those who see the cost in time and effort in the training of their employees as an investment and not simply an expense. 

> "North  American Certified Ultrasonic Cleaners"    Marc Miller of Dirtyblinds.com provides training classes for those that purchase their blind cleaning machines through them or those that pay for the class (or video training).   Again, some who have taken this training will claim their employees are "certified" without having invested in the actual training, so their knowledge is a second or third person version ( or perversion) at best.

Another commonly abused claim one will see or hear is that of being a "Hunter Douglas Certified Blind Cleaner."  Hunter Douglas offers certificates for completion of several levels of professional training to installers or decorators who have taken and passed educational programs on installing, repairing or the sale of their products.  Corporately their materials recommend ultrasonic cleaning and for injection/extraction cleaning their customer service representatives often refer SquibCo Certified Fabricare Specialists.  Cleaners whom they know have had exposure to the safe cleaning methods appropriate to their various window treatments.  Due to the differences in the services offered by independent companies NONE of the fabricators officially endorse any particular cleaning company due to liabilty concerns. 

LICENSED or INSURED or BONDED means they are covered legally by the appropriate entities.  It reflects a professional commitment to operating legally and protecting themselves corporately, but is not a reflection on their professional cleaning skills.   Check to see if "insured" means a liability policy or coverage of your goods when under their "care and control" if they leave your home.  If something gets broken or if they ruin the treatment who will pay for it?

SPECIALISTS?  In what service(s) does this company specialize?  If blind and shade cleaning is just one entree in a menu filled with a wide range of cleaning services their expertise may not be as focussed as that of a company that offers cleaning as their primary activity or in support of other blind or drapery related operations.  A lady who sells blinds probably knows more about cleaning the product (and fixing them) than the local carpet cleaner.  If the company cleans everything from ducts to drapes, check to see how well qualified or experienced their cleaning technician is when it comes to the type of treatments you have.  In the janitorial industry hourly employees frequently come and go.  The extent of their experience and second hand training may be rudimentary at best.

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE?  What exactly does that mean?  No shrinkage or damage claims?  Be sure to ask for an explanation of what this means or why they claim this.  Will they stand behind their work.  For instance, while an on-site cleaner may clean drapery fabrics too fragile to survive and industrial dry cleaning process, sun rotted fabric or threads may still shred under even the light stress placed upon it during the cleaning process.  A knowledgeable cleaner will pre-qualify and during their inspection even exclude items that are not good candidates for the cleaning process to be done. 

EXPERIENCE?  How long have they been cleaning blinds, shades or draperies?  How long have they been in the industry?  Twenty years of repeating the same tired habits is little different than dealing with a novice.  Do you see evidence of professional interest and involvement?  Are they able to talk knowledgeably about the items to be cleaned, the proposed cleaning methods and to answer any questions simply and directly?

REFERENCES?  If a decorator or designer referred them it's more credible than a source like Service Magic or Angie's List Ads (Paid ads don't mean they know anything about cleaning - just promotion).   A referral from another professional service person is better than a coupon clipper ad.  Read any testimonials on websites - but take them with a grain of salt if you detect some self promotion?  ( Do several share a common writing style, sound like professionally written promotional pieces or perhaps even share common misspelled words or grammical errors?)