subject: The Top 5 Tips For Selecting A Professional Carpet Cleaning Service [print this page] Cleaning carpets is a big business, which explains all of the ads and inserts in the newspapers, Yellow Pages listings, annoying fliers left daily on household doors everywhere, and website pop-ups. But like many services advertising to homeowners, not every company in the business is a professional carpet cleaning service.
And finding a professional carpet cleaning company does matter: not only can shoddy carpet cleaning work leave the carpets wet and subject to mildew and other distress, certain kinds of services left in the hands of fly-by-night carpet cleaners can invalidate a carpet's warranty and jeopardize one of the most significant investments any homeowner can make. Well cared-for carpets and rugs can last beautifully for decades, and enhance both the value of a home and the lifestyle of the home's occupants, so it makes sense to select a professional carpet cleaning service armed with information.
Carpet cleaners, many of whom also purport to clean upholstery and provide other home cleaning services like air duct cleansing and tile and grout restoration, operate in an industry largely unregulated. Essentially, anyone can hang out a shingle and become a "professional" carpet cleaner as long as they have enough money to buy a vacuum and a steam cleaning machine. Carpet cleaning, however, is a very complicated process, involving not only warranty-required periodic deep cleaning, but also spot removal, restoration services, pet and other odor remediation, and even special services for such emergencies as fire, smoke and water damage. These services require expertise and experience, extensive training, special equipment and professional treatments.
Here are five things to consider when selecting a real professional carpet cleaning company that will keep an investment safe, and a carpet warranty intact:
~ Professionalism - While unregulated, the carpeting cleaning industry has an international trade association that sets professional standards for carpet cleaners who qualify, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, IICR, which provides certification called IICRC. To qualify for IICRC status businesses must demonstrate proof of insurance, maintain a written customer complaint policy with documented follow-up and provide ongoing education and training leading to certification for all technicians. IICRC Certified Firms are also required to abide by the IICRC Code of Ethics. Be sure to select a certified carpet cleaning service.
~ Existing customers - Professional firms will maintain customer testimonials and allow access to previous customers to offer a high level of assurance. When checking with previous customers, make sure they have the same level of investment in their carpets and rugs to insure that the carpeting cleaning company has the expertise and experience in cleaning carpets analogous to the type of floor coverings that are to be cleaned.
~ Customer Protection Policies - Make sure the carpet cleaner under consideration is the technicians' employer - don't accept subcontractors - including background checks on carpet cleaning technicians, the company has a stated policy of consumer protection. Look for a statement of work that guarantees clean-up procedures and includes replacement and removal of furniture.
~ Cleaning Processes -- Look at the stated working process, and it should include vacuuming of all areas to be cleaned, pre-spotting with spotting agents that meet carpet warranty requirements, pre-spraying all areas to be cleaned with detergents to loosen soil, agitation to further loosen soil, and steam or hot water extraction with a pH balanced rinsing agents that will remove the majority of soil and detergent.
~ Guarantee - Inspect the company's Guarantee of Service and settle for nothing less than a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any unresolved service issues, especially with honoring its guarantees.
Carpets require regular maintenance for enduring performance, including weekly vacuuming, immediate stain remediation and professional carpet cleaning at least once every two years. To ensure the investment in a home's carpet will live up to its full potential, it is essential to find a professional carpet cleaning service that can be trusted, one who will advise homeowners on stain remediation and warranty-favorable care.
