Carpet Cleaning Issues - Carpet construction, upholstery cleaning, stain removal, equipment, events, etc.
What are carpet cleaners like?Posted by ALEXDH (ALEXDH), 4 January 2004
Just wondered.
How old you are?
Carpet cleaning first business?
How many of you are married/ Divorced?
Do you smoke?
Do you drink?
Member of your local church?
Been to university or college?Posted by ALEXDH (ALEXDH), 4 January 2004
A secretive bunch 
Posted by martin_606 (martin_606), 4 January 2004
37
married with 1 beautiful daughter
4th business to date
don't smoke
don't drink (anymore)
not religious in the slightest (biggest con known to man)
Oh..
Charming, debonair, sophisicated, drop dead gorgeous
Regards
Martin 
Posted by timjwright (timjwright), 4 January 2004
I'll tell you!
Age - 33
First Business was carpet cleaning if you ignore emptying bins on a caravan site after school - although now I am not a full timer (just a hobby!)
Married with one daughter
Don't smoke
Drink a fair bit
Member of a church
Went to University and got an Economics/Marketing degreePosted by mike_halliday (mike_halliday), 4 January 2004
40yrs.
living in sin.
one son age 9, (Michael Jnr 
)
only usually drink in the house (JD & SC)
don't smoke
I think of myself as a dyslexic aitheist, (i don't believe thiers a dog )
left school and spent 12yrs as a bricklayer. then sold Double glazing, maintainance chemicals & driveways. also been a postman, fish filleter, lorry driver, wheel clamper.
personal hate, people who ask question and don't answer them themselves so Alex, what you been upto ?
MikePosted by md_cleaning (md_cleaning), 4 January 2004
Am 31
1st business, but have always cleaned for other companies
married but no kids
don't smoke
drink at weekends, odd night in week 
catholic
went to horticultural college.
From Dave.Posted by ALEXDH (ALEXDH), 4 January 2004
fair point Mike
I am 28
Living in sin with my girlfriend, no kids as of yet but the lady is getting broodier by the day.
Smoke too much, plan to give up but doubt i have the willpower at the moment.
Drink rarely, but when i do often in excess.
CC is my second attempt at starting a business tried recruitment just before there was a recession (so not particulary Smart)
Currently work full time as a manager in electronics.
Before that subbed myself out for electronics work and worked at tesco's as a stock controller for while.
Not religous at all, but respect that others can be.
Went to college for 3 yrs did IT got a couple of dimploma's , sadly IT diploma's are like a**eholes , it seems everyones got one.
Over eat and concerned i am losing my hair too soon for a twenty eight year old.
Come on the rest of you spill them beans. Well done to those who have spoken up its nice to find out a little bit more sometimes.Posted by Shaun_Ashmore (Shaun_Ashmore), 4 January 2004
33 years young
2 very young kids that like to get up at the crack of dawn hense the baggy eyes
married 
don't smoke hardly drink
absolutely obsessed with business opertunities
although I never fell out with carpet cleaning I am now on my second wind awaiting the arrival of my new TM
1st business as I have worked for every reputable cc in Sheffield (and some not so)
wife says I'm cc mad, she just calls these boards 'cleaning blah blah .com'
not religious at all but not really bother If you are, your choice and I respect it
ENJOY MARKETING no REALLY ENJOY MAKETING 
Shaun Ashmore
Posted by paul_moss (paul_moss), 4 January 2004
40
Been Married 21 years
2 lads 20 and 18
Dont smoke but love to drink
luv biking and salsa
this is my second business attemp my first was a cafe bar ( didnt enjoy it)
my prievious life was in retail managment
PaulPosted by strakercleaning (strakercleaning), 4 January 2004
I am 41 yrs old ( 21st yr as CC)
Married (14 yrs)
2 kids ( 1 Boy & 1 Girl)
Non smoking, non religious lager drinker (1664/Stella)
Paintball Player/ Ex T.A. RMP
1st business after working for 3 CC companies
Spare time taken up driving courtesy cars at Wimbledon Tennis & London Fashion Week or TV/Film extra
Left school at 15 and went into plumbing ( at least now if i get wet it is warm water without big lumps 
)Posted by Ivar_Haglund (Ivar_Haglund), 5 January 2004
VIKING GOD
44
got tired of working on North Sea oil rigs
Smoke Cuban cigars
Two dogs
Drink every day and then some
IVAR 
Posted by Jim_Lynch (Jim_Lynch), 5 January 2004
55
Divorced
3 sons, 4 grandsons
One blind,arthritic, 14 year old Lab/Border Collie cross
Started out in the general insurance industry. After about 24 years, I got sick of working for someone else, and bought a ChemDry franchise. Been carpet cleaning now for 14 years
Don't smoke
Drink too much...beer and rum (but not together
Live in Paradise 
JimPosted by peewa (neil 47), 5 January 2004
39 years old dont smoke gave up drinking 5 days ago lol
Married 19 years 2 kids 10& 1
Left school at 16 and worked in a builders merchants for 2 years(scotland) 2 years at a holiday camp (mabelthorpe)
10 years in mining (barnsley)
7 years as a residential social worker(children,s home)
1 year as a traffic enfforcment officer (didn,t like that)
Just starting out now into cc(cornwall)
Got to keep trying
Neil 
Posted by Tony_Browning (Tony_Browning), 5 January 2004
Howdee!
33Yrs Old (another one!!?)
Carpet Cleaning 2 Years
Previously worked for Vodafone (retail Manager) and then Alcatel (acct Manager)
Living with Mrs (not Married) 7 Years...no kids...too selfish! ...Had a cat once.
Do Smoke...but not much longer as getting old
Drink far too much!
Religion is a Snare and a Raquet..Can't Spell
Just a few O'Levels
Like Off roading (4x4) Biking (Kawasaki ZX6-R...currently for sale..offers over £2k invited)
Very Lazy.
rgds TonyPosted by lee_gundry (lee_gundry), 5 January 2004
33 yrs
smoke (through stress)
don,t drink
married 1 girl 6 1 boy 2
served my time as a plumber in the local ship yard
not religious
ps
i cannot belive mike halliday is 40,you must use oil of uley
Lee GPosted by clive (clive), 5 January 2004
39 (for another 4 months)
smoke occasional cigar when drinking.
Drink loads!
Married to Liz for 4 years and have 2 girls aged 3 and 5 months.
Worked in my fathers butcher shop until he decided to retire and started up carpet cleaning 18 years ago.
Lee are you really only 33?
clivePosted by allencarpetclean (allencarpetclean), 5 January 2004
39 living with partner
getting married on the 12th Feb in Jamaica
dont smoke
loves a drink (Saturdays only)
fit & healthy(touch wood)
Most of all have a great sense of humour. Posted by mike_halliday (mike_halliday), 6 January 2004
Clive, I've been waiting for you to turn up, that why i say I'm only the second best looking carpetcleaner you been such a stud-muffin!.
Did you see the picture of my water heater on Cleantalk?
MikePosted by stevegunn (Steve Gunn), 6 January 2004
36 living with partner
two kids 11 & 2
getting married in july
non smoker
binge drinker
time served mechanic
worked at Nissan car plant for 10 years
carpet cleaning for 3 yearsPosted by mark_roberts (mark_roberts), 6 January 2004
I've been lurkin for a few days and found this an interesting post, so here gos,
Mark Roberts
Age 27
After school I did an HND in Business Studies then sold candles and shoe polish to the grocery market, then worked for the child support agency (but I am a nice bloke). Started carpet cleaning almost 4 years ago for a 50% off type company. Started my own business 2 1/2 years ago.
Married last July, no kids but have two goldfish
Don't smoke or drink
Committed Christain and member of a church but not religious
Also can't believe Mike is 40!
I'm from Belfast. Any lads from the green isle on the board?Posted by Caesar (Caesar), 6 January 2004
54 married with two kids,only drink guinness,smoke only the cubans from the viking god above,2 dogs,one cat,one tarauntula,one bird, one dwarf hamster,what a zoo...only thing i have done since age 15 or so apart from US ARMY...Posted by Caesar (Caesar), 6 January 2004
Oh , ya member of 4 parishes -Roman Catholic ...Posted by clive (clive), 6 January 2004
Hi Mick Halliday,
Saw the pic. Looks a beast!! How are you getting on with the Aquamount? I read your posting on the ics board.(yes i lurk on that one as well!)
Hope you are keeping well and had a good xmas and new year.
ClivePosted by Dynafoam (Dynafoam), 6 January 2004
What a youthfull crew you are!
I "accidentally" became a carpet cleaner as a result of testing prototype machines I had designed and built, way back before Ernie Marples introduced the parking meter,when nearly ever fitted carpet was a Cyril Lord and Europe was undeniably "Where the foreigners came from, and where we go to fight a war"
(If you don't know when that was, ask your Dad)
I did not complete my degree course in electrical engineering because of being bribed onto the design team for the first front-loading automatic washing machine to be built in Britain - eight months before my employer (John Bloom) went bankrupt 
I don't smoke, drink or have anything to do with women - and have brought up my children to be the same.
I spend quite a lot of time in churches but only whilst cleaning the carpets and upholstered pews.
I am a bad businessman because I allow my friendship with customers (many of whome I have known since they were little children) to influence my prices.
Still, I am, at least, probably the only one on this board who can refer to my near-namesake as "Young Derek"
John.Posted by Derek (Derek Bolton), 7 January 2004
Hi
I am afraid that after seeing details posted by other 'cleanituppers' I perhaps ought to put a few of my details...
I am twenty-one and 'a bit' years old
Married (to the same lady) with two grown up daughters, two lovely grandchildren and two others on the way later this year.
I started in the cleaning business in 1969 after a year or three working in various offices
Initially my business was car valeting, contract cleaning and carpet cleaning...I have since concentrated solely on carpet and upholstery cleaning.
I don't smoke and very rarely drink alcohol (perhaps once a year)
I was brought up in the Church of England faith although I don't go to church myself these days. I believe that the way you live your life is the key to a happy life. I do try to live a Christian way of life if you can follow my meaning.(whether I am successful or not is for others to judge)
Interests...I love reading, gardening, have just started to do oil painting again...the last time I had just left school. Wargaming...I love strategy and tactical warfare especially the Napoleonic period....have thousands of metal figurines forming various armies.
That's about it.....how many of you have fell asleep?
Regards
DerekPosted by Northerclean (Alex), 7 January 2004
We wouldn't fall asleep Derek zzzzzzzzz Only joking
Right, here goes......I bet I'm the youngest!
26
I have two businesses - 1. Pressure cleaning/chewing gum removal/graffiti. 2. Carpet cleaning (Main bus now)
Living with wife to be, just seeing how long I can drag it out before the big day.
Baby on the way.
Don't smoke unless I need to chill out
I'm drunk now
I was under the impression Church is somewhere you go to get married
Left school to work at Hewlett Packard as a sales rep for 9 years - made some good cash but took a load of stress at the same time......As big Frank once sang "That's Life"
OK, over and outPosted by John_Flynn (John_Flynn), 7 January 2004
Nearer 60 than Fifty
Done various things, started Carpet Cleaning just over 4 years ago (ask my back about it)
Married 2nd time round 2 kids to 1st wife son 30, daughter 26, son and wife making me a Grandad in April.
Do not smoke
Been known to have half a bottle of Whisky then come on here to annoy Mark Betts.
Born again Christian, do not attend church as I should but still have my beliefs.
Got a Hons Degree from the University of LifePosted by Fox (Fox), 7 January 2004
Are us contract cleaners alowed to join in?
Maybe not I'd just give silly answers - after all I am a ***** He HePosted by ALEXDH (ALEXDH), 8 January 2004
of course you are welcome my dear. 
Posted by Fox (Fox), 8 January 2004
Bless your cotton socks alex! Thanks mate, might just tell all at some point! Posted by Christal_Clean (Bryan H), 8 January 2004
Possibly the oldest on this forum, at a young 59 Can anyone beat that ??
Married - no kids
Started this game at 40 as franchisee - left after 5 years - went
solo. More freedom - more profit - less hassle
Drink some - smoke too much
Slightly spiritual agnostic - Anything is possible !
Poor salesman - I work too cheaply
Poor at marketing - I don't bother !
Do a damn good job ! - I think!
Want to retire - Soon!!!Posted by Phil_@_Deep_Clean (Phil_@_Deep_Clean), 9 January 2004
Hello everyone, I too have been only looking in until now.
Some great replies, here are mine for what its worth:-
Aged 44 (depresses me somtimes ) I like being young.
Married 2 girls 3 & 7, love them to bits.
Carpet cleaning 4 years (now earn more money than I ever did before)
Used to work in Computers along with everyone else in England so it seemed) with my Dad & Brother until 1% gross profit margin became to small to live on.
None Smoker for 3 years now.
Occasional drink, tend to go out and have a skin full when I do.
Not religious.
Support Luton Town and play Golf of 13 and Cricket when I have any time.
Mick you sure your only 40
Clive you sure your only 39
Bob you sure your only 39
Dislikes:-
Ignorant people
Bad listeners
Mark Betts
People who live in Truro and support Man U
Xmas shopping 
Bad news
Carpet Rite telling us they have 50% off carpets 52 weeks of the year.
And Mark Betts
Phil.Posted by MB (Mark Betts), 9 January 2004
Phyllis
Solicitors letter in post.
Posted by Phil_@_Deep_Clean (Phil_@_Deep_Clean), 9 January 2004
Hahahaha,
You know I like you really, your also this 2nd best C.C. in England.
Phil.Posted by MB (Mark Betts), 9 January 2004
2nd Best
Ahhhhh i see, 2nd best next to Uncle Ken you mean
hahahaha
How was the darts then matey??
MarkPosted by rob_s (rob_s), 3 February 2004
Hi
Curios.
rob -sPosted by Phil_@_Deep_Clean (Phil_@_Deep_Clean), 3 February 2004
WHAT ?
PhilPosted by Jim_Lynch (Jim_Lynch), 4 February 2004
Too deep for this colonial
JimPosted by Phil_@_Deep_Clean (Phil_@_Deep_Clean), 4 February 2004
What ??
PhilPosted by Derek (Derek Bolton), 4 February 2004
Hi
Quite obviously the 'strong' silent types
Cheers
DerekPosted by Dynafoam (Dynafoam), 4 February 2004
Derek
Have you ever met a silent Ausie ?
John.Posted by Derek (Derek Bolton), 5 February 2004
John
Good gracious.... NO....NEVER!
Have to be careful what we say about them though ...most of them have ancestors over here in the UK
Cheers
DerekPosted by Dynafoam (Dynafoam), 5 February 2004
Derek,
Ansestors over here ?
Your'e not a Londoner - most of the liveing Ausies are over here - driveing old VW camper vans around Shepherds Bush
John.Posted by Jim_Lynch (Jim_Lynch), 6 February 2004
You should be thankful....the collective IQs of both countries have increased by the move...
Jim
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