In 1962, when I cleaned my first carpet, the industry was dominated by plant cleaners who used the shampoo method. Steam cleaning became popular with on-location cleaners in the early '70s. In 1974 some plant owners and their suppliers petitioned the Council of Better Business Bureaus and the Federal Trade Commission to ban the word "Steam" from Yellow Pages advertising. They almost got it done!
That bold attempt to stifle competition became a rallying point. More than 1,000 independent cleaning firms banded together to organize the Steam Carpet Cleaners' Association. This loose coalition orchestrated a meeting in Philadelphia with ICS, JCBC, AIDS, BBB, FTC and much of the opposition in 1977. The conspirators were soundly defeated. If that battle had been lost there would very likely be no hot water extraction cleaning today.
There's a new bureaucratic battle brewing to control the entire floor covering industry. Cleaning, installation, training, certification and even the approval of products are the targets. I believe an easy route to void carpet warranties is the real agenda for the CRI/SOA program. Their complex scheme already has been very costly for independent cleaners and their suppliers and will get worse. It also will be devastating to consumers if allowed to take place.
There are some brave and vibrant young people stepping forward to lead in this fight, but they need followers. Independent cleaners and their suppliers should recognize this current threat and step up to defend our industry. If you don't, you'll be taxed and ruled by people who do not have your best interest at heart.
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