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“I know when some people think about
carpet cleaning, they think of chemicals
which some companies use,” says Debi.
“We use hot water extraction and just a
little bit of eco-friendly detergent. We’re
very environmentally friendly and are not
spreading chemicals all over your carpet.”
Providing that service has been essential,
especially as the company transitions to
meet the needs of a changing market. The
couple notes that new homeowners, many
of them young, may see carpet cleaning as
an expense they just can’t afford.
“Unless it’s an emergency,” says Debi,
CHRIS ELDRED, OWNER OF CAMBRIDGE CARPET CLEANING
adding even when the popularity of
“I always joked that I was a single “The company president was there for a hardwood and laminate flooring started to
mother. But he always managed to get to meeting and a coffee was spilt. While he grow Cambridge Carpet Cleaning learned
everything,” says his wife, Debi, referring was out touring the plant, they called us, to pivot. “People still have area rugs, and
to their sons’ - Jordan and Jake - sporting and we were there within an hour and many bedrooms and basements are still
activities. “That’s the downfall of this had the stain taken care of before anyone carpeted.”
business; with restaurants and some came back into the room,” he says. “We Despite the challenges, the couple agree
places they had to be there when no one were hired from that day on.” having the flexibility to create your own
was there so there was a lot of night work.” It’s that kind of service, says Chris and Debi, schedule is a plus when it comes to being
Besides night work, there were also many which is key to the success of any business. in business for yourself.
Saturdays just over a decade ago when “Customer service has waned in a lot of “There’s a lot of pros to it,” says Chris. “You
Chris and his crew – which at one time places, but it’s really important,” says Debi. meet a lot of nice people out there that
included 10 people but now stands at you enjoy working for.”
four – found themselves cleaning several Chris agrees.
office buildings in downtown Toronto and “You have to be honest and do what you For those entrepreneurs looking to
Hamilton. can do and do it well. You have to keep start their own business, he urges
“It was worth it,” he says, noting it could your word,” says Chris, noting not being them to keep close tabs on their
take him and a crew of four 10 hours to afraid to do those ‘little extras’ has been a debt load.
clean a building. cornerstone at Cambridge Carpet Cleaning. “When you start out, you’re always going

But Debi, who first joined the company “We were always like that since day one. to have some debt, but you have to control
Don’t worry about the little things and treat
doing its books part time when Don retired every place like your own home. That’s why it,” says Chris. “My dad’s philosophy was
and while still operating her late father’s we’re still going. My dad was like that.” always don’t go in debt for things you can’t
property management business, says that afford.”
all changed when companies transitioned They have instilled that same philosophy
into having their own internal cleaning in their son, Jordan, who has now joined
crews. the operation as it continues to rebuild its
It’s one of several changes Cambridge commercial clientele which waned during
the pandemic when workplaces shut down.
Carpet Cleaning has experienced. Another
is increased competition, often from ‘fly- “Before COVID, some offices could be
by-night’ companies that under bid them. pretty dirty,” says Chris. “But now you’re
“I’m not the most expensive guy and I’m seeing offices are starting to be cleaned
more regularly because people are going
not the cheapest guy either. I’m right in the to demand it.”
middle and won’t teeter on that,” says Chris,
referring to price. “You really get what you Keeping up with current market demands
pay for. We’ve been around a long time, and trends is important at Cambridge
and we strive for quality workmanship and Carpet Cleaning, especially surrounding
happy customers.” its equipment and the products staff use.
Repeat customers - both residential and They were the first company in North
America to introduce effective detergent-
commercial - are essential and Cambridge free cleaning and the first in Canada to use
Carpet Cleaning has many. a low-moisture encapsulation cleaning
Chris recalls how a coffee spill at one local system — a revolutionary step in green
manufacturer has resulted in an ongoing technology. PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK
contract for the past several decades.

www.cambridgechamber.com Summer 2024 21