What Should I Look for When Choosing a Carpet Cleaner?
Picking a carpet cleaner sounds easy enough. You Google a local business, check the price, book them in, and wait for those carpets to look good as new.
A reliable carpet cleaner does more than just make your floors look nice for a week. They understand different carpet types, use the right methods, steer clear of products that might ruin it, and leave you feeling confident that your home or business premises is in safe hands.
Here’s what to look for when choosing a carpet cleaning company.
1. Experience Beats a Low Price Every Time
It’s tempting to go with the lowest quote. After all, who doesn’t like to save money? But the cheapest option doesn’t always offer the best value for money. You might end up paying extra charges later, the cleaner may apply little to no stain treatment or the cleaning process doesn’t leave your carpets as clean and dry as they should be.
Instead, look for a company with experience cleaning different types of carpets and dealing with everyday problems such as stains, pet accidents, ground-in dirt and high-traffic areas.
A company that knows what it’s doing should also be happy to explain what they recommend for your particular carpet.
2. Ask How They Clean Your Carpets
Every carpet is a little different, so the same cleaning approach won’t always work for each one. A good carpet cleaner will take a look at the carpet first, check its condition and then choose the products and cleaning method that are right for it.
It’s perfectly reasonable to ask what cleaning method will be used, whether your carpet needs pre-treatment and how long you can expect it to take to dry.
3. Check What Is Included in the Price
Before you book, get clear on what you’re paying for. Does the quote cover moving the sofa, pre-treating tough spots, or just a basic surface clean? Some stains need extra attention, so make sure to talk about any problem areas up front.
4. Read Genuine Customer Reviews
When looking at reviews of a carpet cleaning company, don’t just look at the star rating. Read what previous customers actually say. Did the cleaner arrive on time? Were they polite? Did they explain the process? Were customers happy with the results?
Read reviews that are relevant to the service you need. Someone having a whole house cleaned, for example, may have different requirements from someone looking for help with a single heavily stained carpet.
5. Check their credentials
A reputable company will belong to an associated body. With carpet cleaners this would be the National Carpet Cleaners Association or the Woolsafe organisation. To be members of these you need to have been properly trained and have the correct liability insurance.
How To Choose the Right Carpet Cleaner
At the end of the day, choosing a carpet cleaner isn’t just about finding the cheapest price. You want someone who knows what they’re doing, is upfront about what’s included and will treat your home with care. Taking a little time to check the company, read a few reviews and ask any questions you have can help you feel more confident about who you’re booking, and the results you can expect.
Looking for reliable and experienced professional cleaners? Get in touch with AA Carpet Cleaners to ask any questions you may have.
FAQs
Q: What are the red flags when choosing a carpet cleaner?
A: Watch out for unclear pricing, wild promises, or businesses that seem thrown off by basic questions. If you can’t find genuine feedback from other customers, that’s a red flag. You should always feel like your questions are welcome and you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
Q: Can I get references?
A: Absolutely. Online reviews are great, but you can also ask for examples of past work or direct references. It’s one more way to check out the quality and consistency of the company’s service.
Q: Is it a good sign if a carpet cleaner asks about previous treatments?
A: Yes. A professional carpet cleaner should ask whether you’ve previously used stain removers, hired a carpet-cleaning machine or had the carpet professionally cleaned. Knowing what products or methods have already been used can help them choose the most suitable way to clean the carpet and avoid using treatments that could cause problems.
Senior NCCA member