Service Terms and Conditions

At Careclean Essex, we take pride in being a family-run business driven by honesty, care, and a commitment to both our clients and the environment. Our goal is simple: to do what’s right, fostering a positive and harmonious relationship that benefits you, our business, and the world around us. These terms are designed to set clear expectations, ensuring transparency without diminishing our responsibilities.

General Terms

Payment Terms: Full payment is required upon the completion of our work. If payments are delayed, additional fees will apply and will be passed on to the client. We kindly ask that you settle your invoice promptly to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Transparency and Expectations: Although rare, some challenges may arise during the cleaning or restoration process. Rest assured, we’ll use our expertise to minimize these and will always keep you informed. Open communication is important to us.

Furniture: Please remove all furniture before our team begins work. If we need to move furniture, we cannot take responsibility for any damages and may charge extra for this service unless previously agreed upon.

Patch Testing: Before we clean, we carry out patch tests to ensure everything is safe and effective. However, please be aware that we cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions that occur during or after this testing.

Objections: If you have any concerns or objections to these terms, please inform us in writing at least 48 hours before we start work. By proceeding with our services, you agree to these terms.

Inspection After Work: Once we’ve completed the work, we recommend that you inspect the results from a standing position, approximately 5 feet away and under normal lighting. Lighting conditions, especially glare from large windows or bright lights, can magnify irregularities that aren’t reflective of the true quality of the work.

Maintenance: Carpets, rugs, and upholstery won’t stay clean forever. Like a car that needs regular washing and waxing, your furnishings will need consistent care. We can provide maintenance guidelines to help extend their cleanliness and condition, and we also offer a maintenance plan for a small monthly fee. However, Careclean cannot be held responsible for any re-soiling caused by improper maintenance.

Stain Removal: We strive to deliver the best possible results, but sometimes stains, marks, or wear can be too ingrained to remove entirely. In these instances, we will always be upfront about our assessment and provide professional advice on whether further attempts at removal would be beneficial or risky.

Disclosure of Previous Cleaning/Repairs: If your furnishings have undergone prior cleaning or repairs, please let us know. Some existing issues, such as sun fading, pile reversal, or other damages, may become more visible after cleaning, and Careclean cannot be held responsible for these pre-existing conditions.

Client Responsibilities: To ensure a smooth service, please inform us of any potential obstacles or special conditions (e.g., delicate flooring or past repairs) that could affect the work. Transparency helps us deliver the best service possible.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

We typically use Hot Water Extraction (HWE), commonly known as “steam cleaning,” though we may adjust methods depending on the fabric or material. Pre-existing stains or damages may not be fully removable, and these limitations will be communicated either verbally or in writing. Please note that we cannot provide warranties for regular maintenance cleaning or the application of fabric protectors.

For heavily used items, we recommend applying fabric protector after every clean, and for standard-use items, after every second clean.

Rug Cleaning

Our basic in-home rug cleaning improves the rug’s appearance but may leave it damp for drying. You’ll need to ensure that the rug dries properly to prevent any further issues.

For more in-depth cleaning, we offer an off-site rug service, which typically takes 3-5 weeks. Please note that risks such as shrinking, buckling, colour migration, or fibre changes can occur, and while we take precautions, Careclean cannot be held liable for these occurrences.

Leather Cleaning

Leather, especially older items, may be prone to cracking or colour fading. We do not provide restoration services but do recommend applying leather protection after each clean, which can be discussed during the quoting process.

Specialist Fabrics – Rayon, Silk, Cotton Velvet, etc.

Delicate fabrics such as rayon, silk, and cotton velvet require particularly careful cleaning. Sometimes, stains will remain permanent, and liquid spills can cause irreversible damage. While we aim to improve the look of your item, dry cleaning may not always deliver perfect results.

Rayon and similar cellulosic fibers can sometimes brown after cleaning, and this process is often irreversible. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control, but we will make every effort to prevent such outcomes.

In some cases, the pH level of certain fabrics may change during cleaning, causing a colour shift. This can sometimes be reversed, but not always. If you are concerned about this, we advise contacting the manufacturer for further advice before proceeding.

Complaints Procedure

We value your feedback and take any complaints seriously. If you are not fully satisfied, please submit your complaint in writing within 14 days of the service. Photos are helpful and appreciated.

We will acknowledge your complaint within 7 working days and arrange a site visit to address any concerns. If the issue cannot be rectified, we will offer either a partial or full refund based on our findings.

Should the issue remain unresolved, you may request third-party inspection and report. Any associated costs will be initially borne by the client, but if the matter is found to be Careclean’ s fault, we will refund the inspection fee.

Please note, we do not replace items “new for old.” If a replacement is required, we will offer the value of the affected item.

Cancellations and Recheduling

A 24-hour written notice is required for cancellations. Non-refundable deposits may apply if appointments are rescheduled or cancelled late.

Health and Safety

During our work, certain risks such as slip, and trip hazards may occur due to moisture on floors and hoses or tools left in the workspace. We ask that you, your family, and your pets stay clear of the work area. If you are sensitive to smells or the products we use, it’s best to avoid the area during the cleaning process.

To aid drying, we recommend ensuring proper airflow by opening windows. Careclean cannot take responsibility for pets that escape due to open doors or windows.

Force Majeure

Careclean Essex will not be held liable for any delays or failure to provide services due to circumstances beyond our control, including natural disasters, power outages, extreme weather, pandemics, or strikes. If such events occur, we will do our best to reschedule your service as soon as possible.