What Every Homeowner Needs to Know about Hiring Carpet Cleaners

Choosing a carpet cleaning company can be a tough decision. There are so many options, and they all claim to be the best. This article will guide you through what to look for when hiring a professional carpet cleaning company. Knowing these tips will help you avoid common traps and make sure you get top-quality service.

Beware of Bait and Switch Tactics

Some companies use shady tactics to get your business. They might offer deals that seem too good to be true, and when they show up, you find out there are extra charges. These offers might not include basic things like cleaning products or travel fees, leading to a bill that's twice what was advertised. 

What Do They Do for Prep Work?

A good carpet cleaning company should handle most of the necessary prep work. This includes:

• Moving your small furniture
• Pre-spraying carpets in high-traffic areas
• Pre-treating stains with the correct cleaning solutions
• Vacuuming before they start cleaning

Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning

Choose a company that uses eco-friendly cleaning. This means:

• Low water cleaning methods to save water
• Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) cleaning products, which are safer for your family and pets
• Environmentally friendly certified products with ECOLOGO or equivalent certifications

Brightener-Free Carpet Cleaning

Avoid companies that use brighteners during the cleaning process. Brighteners can make your carpet look nice for a few days, but they eventually dull and can cause color changes over time.

Soap-Free Carpet Cleaning

Soap-based cleaners leave a sticky residue that attracts dirt and oil. This means your carpets get dirty again quickly. A good company will use a soap-free cleaner to ensure your carpets stay clean longer.

Rinse-and-Run Cleaners

Watch out for companies that don’t use any real cleaners. Some so-called pros rely almost entirely on water. They might spot-treat stains or traffic lanes, but what actually comes out of their wand is just water. Cleaning with only water is fine for amateurs — not for professionals you're paying top dollar for. Remember: “steam cleaning” = “water cleaning.”

Healthy Carpet Cleaning

Good companies clean their tools and equipment thoroughly between jobs to avoid bringing dirt and germs into your home. This includes sanitizing anything that touches your carpets or furniture.

Clear Carpet Cleaning Prices

Prices should be straightforward and easy to understand. Carpet cleaning is often charged by the square foot, per room, or in packages. Make sure you know the price before any work begins and what’s included like stain removal, deodorizing and stain protection.

Drying Times

A professional carpet cleaning company will have your carpets dry within a few hours, not days. Ideally, your carpets should be wet for 4 - 10 hours and never longer than 24 hours. Carpets that are wet for too long can lead to mold and mildew.

No Hidden Fees

Beware of hidden fees. Some companies might add extra charges like waste disposal or fuel fees. Gas and cleaning products should be included in the cost up front. Most municipalities treat carpet cleaning wastewater like mop bucket water, so there shouldn’t be any additional fees for waste disposal. Be careful of “minimum callout” prices that don’t include these fees. The "minimum callout” could be $120 with an additional $25 fee, that’s 15% extra!

Finding the right carpet cleaning company doesn't have to be hard. By following these tips, you can avoid common traps and ensure you get great service. For more information, download our Signature Carpet and Upholstery Care Guide or check us out on YouTube. Happy cleaning!