Using a professional carpet cleaning service provides homeowners with benefits that DIY carpet cleaning cannot.  For example, if you use a professional carpet cleaning service, the equipment used to clean your carpets will be stronger than the rental equipment.  A professional service should vacuum with a cleaner that is far stronger to any vacuum designed for residential use.  The professional carpet cleaning service will then use a cleaning machine that can provide a deeper clean than a rental unit.

Another advantage of professional carpet cleaning is that the professionals know exactly which detergents to use.  Different types of carpet fibers require different types of detergents.  Using the wrong type of detergent can damage the carpet fibers and result in color distortion.  A professional carpet cleaning service will also know exactly how much detergent to use and how to remove all of that detergent from the carpet.  Detergent left in the carpet after cleaning will attract dirt like a magnet. This is why so many people complain that the DIY rental unit didn’t actually clean their carpet.  Dirt is drawn to the detergent and the carpets look dirty again within weeks of the original cleaning.

A carpet cleaning professional will also ensure that your carpets are not over saturated during the cleaning process.  If too much water is applied to the carpet during cleaning, it could penetrate to the carpet backing and pad underneath the carpet.  If these areas get too wet during the cleaning process, mold or mildew could grow in your carpet.

These are just a few of the advantages to hiring a professional carpet cleaning service.  For a directory of professional carpet cleaning services in your area, visit http://www.carpetcleaning.org/listing/.

Carpet cleaning is one of those services where you hope to find a company that you can rely on for years to come.  Unfortunately, finding the best carpet cleaning company in your area can be a challenge.  With so many offers for discounted service, it can be hard to know which company is the best carpet cleaning company.  When searching for the best carpet cleaning company in your area, here are a few quick tips that can help you to narrow your search.

1. You get what you pay for. The best carpet cleaning company is not likely to be the one that offers to clean your whole home for a low rate.  A quality carpet cleaning service cannot survive by offering to $9.95/room rates.  A low rate may indicate subpar service or hidden fees.  The best carpet cleaning company in your area doesn’t need gimmicks to get your business.
2. Ask around. As with any home improvement or maintenance project it pays to ask around.  Talk to your neighbors, co-workers or family members.  Check references and online directories for reviews.  It will be easy to spot the best carpet cleaning company, when you have some quality references to follow.
3. Know your needs. Spend some time researching what types of service you want from a carpet cleaning company. Do you want to have your carpets pre-treated? Do you have pet stains that need attention? Do you want stain prevention or deodorizer applied to your carpets?  Know what services you expect and ask if each is provided by the company you are considering.  Be sure to check if those services are included in the base price or are provided at an additional cost.
4. Price quotes should be done in person. While it would be great if carpet cleaning companies could give you a quote over the phone, they really can’t.  The best carpet cleaning companies will want to come to your home to see your carpet before giving you a final price.  Square footage and the condition of your carpet do matter when quoting a rate.
5. Certifications matter. You may not know this, but your carpet warranty probably requires that a certified professional clean your carpets at least once every 18 months.  The best carpet cleaning professionals are certified by the Institute for Inspection, Certification and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Finding the best carpet cleaning company in your area, and establishing a relationship with them, is important.  To begin your search, visit the online directory at http://www.carpetcleaning.org/listing/.

One of the most common questions we get about carpet cleaning in Atlanta, GA is if you can effectively clean your own carpets or if a professional service is necessary.  What we recommend is that DIY cleaning be used only for spot cleaning.  While rental units can do a fair job of cleaning your carpets, the equipment that a professional will use does a much better job.  The strength of the equipment used by professional carpet cleaning companies in Atlanta, GA will remove much more dirt and grime from you carpets than a DIY unit.

So, how often should you clean your carpets?  We recommend that you clean your carpets at least once every 18 months.  However, homes with children and/or pets can benefit from more frequent carpet cleaning.  This is where the combination of DIY rental units and a professional carpet cleaner come together.  Most high traffic areas in the home can benefit from carpet cleaning once every 6 months.  If you choose to have a professional carpet cleaning company in Atlanta, GA come to your home once every year or 18 months, the interim cleaning can be done by a DIY unit.

If you are looking for a reliable, affordable carpet cleaning company in Atlanta, GA, we recommend that you start by searching the directory at www.carpetcleaning.org to find a list of professionals in your area.  Read the reviews and use them as a starting point for selecting the companies you want to interview.  Call the companies on your list to confirm their prices, included services and to verify that they are insured, bonded and certified.  After comparing the companies on your list, you should have a good idea as to which service is best for you.

For those who enjoy a job where no two days are the same, a carpet cleaning business is the perfect investment.  As a professional carpet cleaner, you won’t be tied to a desk.  You will get to visit the homes of your clients, and establish relationships with them that could last for years to come.   When you show clients a dedication to prompt arrivals, superior service and affordable rates, you are sure to see many return appointments.

Starting a carpet cleaning business is a relatively low cost venture.  You can office out of your home to avoid the cost of office space.  In the beginning, equipment for your carpet cleaning business could even be rented or leased until your client base is established.  With the small investment of equipment, phone lines and a bit of advertising, your carpet cleaning business could be up and running in a matter of weeks.

When establishing your carpet cleaning business, consider the following service options:

• What services will be included in your basic service fee?  Furniture moving, spot treatments, etc.
• Which services will be offered at additional rates? Pet stain removal, stain protection, etc.
• Will your service come with a guarantee?
• Will you offer complimentary services such as upholstery and drapery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning or area rug cleaning?
• Will you become certified by the IICRC (Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification)?
• Will you offer green or eco-friendly cleaning options?

As you start your carpet cleaning business, keep in mind that your clients are trusting their home to you.  Treat each client with the same respect you would expect to be treated with.

• Choose a carpet cleaner who provides price quotes in person and based on individual needs.  A one size fits all approach to pricing may result in additional fees.
• Choose carpet cleaners that include the moving of most pieces of furniture in their base price.  While large pieces such as pianos, entertainment centers and hutches may not be moved, the bulk of your furniture should be.
• Carpet cleaning companies should begin by vacuuming your carpet with an industrial strength vacuum.
• Carpet cleaning companies should apply preconditioning agents to the whole carpet.
• Most residential carpet cleaners will use hot water extraction, or steam cleaning, to clean your carpets.
• The best carpet cleaning companies will groom your carpet after cleaning for the best look and to prevent matting.

If the carpet cleaning companies you are considering follow these steps, you are well on your way to finding a top quality service for your home.  To find a list of carpet cleaning companies in your area, visit the online directory at http://www.carpetcleaning.org/listing/.

Start by asking around.  Homeowners tend to be vocal about their experience with service providers.  If a friend or neighbor had a particularly good or bad experience with a carpet cleaning company, they will let you know.  You can use that advice to help narrow your list.  Check sites such as www.carpetcleaning.org or yelp.com for their consumer reviews.  These unbiased opinions can be a good source of information.  The local Better Business Bureau is also a good source for information on local carpet cleaning companies.

Choose a carpet cleaning company that staffs trained and certified employees.  This is an important question to ask when interviewing potential cleaning services.  You want to verify that the professional who will be coming to your home is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or by the Restoration Industry Association (RIA).  Cleaning by certified professionals is often required to maintain the manufacturer’s warranty. You want to avoid companies that use contract workers.  Their lack of knowledge and experience can lead to damaged carpets.

Since hot water extraction is the most often recommended cleaning method, choose a company that specializes in this type of cleaning.  Hot water extraction is also commonly known as steam cleaning.  It is the method of cleaning recommended by most carpet manufacturers.

Finally, choose a carpet cleaning company that stands behind their service.  The carpet cleaning company you choose should be insured and bonded.  They should also offer a guarantee of service.  A company that won’t stand behind their work is not one you want in your home.

Choose the carpet cleaning company in Atlanta that has the best reputation for service.  

This may sound obvious, but it is a point that shouldn’t be overlooked. You want to choose a carpet cleaning company in Atlanta that has many years of service.  You want a company that has good reviews posted at online sites such as Yelp.com and CarpetCleaning.org.  The carpet cleaning service you choose should have a good rating at the Better Business Bureau, and should get good reviews from the list of referrals they provide.  If all of these sources point toward positive consumer experiences, you can be certain that they are a quality carpet cleaning company in Atlanta.

Choose the company that is experienced in your type of carpet.

This is a step that many consumers forget to take.  Not all carpet is made from the same type of fibers and using the wrong cleaning method and/or detergents can result in damage to the carpet.  Confirm that the companies on your list have experience cleaning your type of carpet.

Choose the carpet cleaning company in Atlanta that offers the most added value services.

Don’t forget to confirm what is included in the base price of the services you are considering.  Furniture moving, spot cleaning and high traffic area treatments are added value services that some carpet cleaning companies include in their base price.  Other companies have additional charges for these services.  Be sure you know what you are paying for.

Consider the additional services the carpet cleaning company in Atlanta offers.

Drapery and upholstery cleaning, tile and grout cleaning and hardwood floor cleaning are among the additional services that carpet cleaning companies in Atlanta may offer.  While these services may not be needed today, you may want to take advantage of them in the future.  It might be worthwhile to establish a relationship with a full service company now, so that you don’t have to do the leg work when you want to take advantage of these services.

• Cut and Loop Piles. Cut and loop piles come in solid or multiple color patterns.  The cut and loop design makes them popular because they easily hide dirt and footprints.
• Frieze. Most often seen in high traffic areas, a frieze is a highly twisted cut pile carpet.  The short fibers move in all directions.  This type of carpet also easily hides footprints and vacuum cleaner marks.
• Plush or Velvet Carpet. The most luxurious type of carpet, the plush or velvet carpet is often seen in formal areas and is characterized by its uniform color appearance.
• Saxony. A Saxony carpet is known for its tightly twisted cut pile.  Known also for its soft texture, the Saxony will show footprints and vacuum cleaner marks.
• Textured Saxony. An extremely popular carpet style, the textured Saxony has durability and a soft feel.  Their multi-colored look hides dirt and foot prints.
• Woven Carpet. Made on a loom, a woven carpet will most often have a pattern or design made up of multiple colors.

Being able to tell your carpet cleaning company in Dallas which type of carpet you have is a huge benefit.  Knowing the type of carpet means the carpet cleaning company in Dallas will have the proper equipment and detergents on hand.

To find a carpet cleaning company in Dallas, visit the online directory at www.carpetcleaning.org/listing.

• Water Restoration Services. A carpet cleaning service in Dallas is often called on to assist homeowners after a burst pipe or following a flood.  A carpet cleaning service in Dallas that is experienced in water restoration is extremely valuable.
• Carpet Repairs and Stretching. Many carpet cleaning companies offer these services.  It is common for older carpets to need repairs or stretching.  A carpet cleaning service in Dallas can restore your carpet to its original condition with cleaning, repairs and stretching.
• Stain Protection. Many carpet cleaning companies offer stain protection of some sort.  Whether this service is included with the cost of the cleaning, or if it is additional, stain protection is a valuable add-on service to basic carpet cleaning.
• Tile and Grout Cleaning. Many carpet cleaning services are now offering tile and grout cleaning to compliment their services.  Many homeowners are surprised by the difference in their tile and grout after a professional cleaning.
• Upholstery, Drapery and Leather Cleaning. Another common add-on service is furniture and drapery cleaning.  This is especially valuable to homeowners who have pets and/or children.  Getting your furniture and drapery cleaned regularly will help to extend their lifespan.

These are just a few of the additional services that a carpet cleaning service in Dallas may offer. Finding a carpet cleaning service in Dallas that provides the range of services you need is easy when you use the online directory at www.carpetcleaning.org/listing.

• Your Chicago carpet cleaning service wants you to know that dirt is your number one enemy. Contrary to popular belief, wear and tear is not the reason why carpets lose their good looks.  Your carpet will attract dirt, allergens, pet hair, lint and oils.  These all act like sandpaper to harm carpet fibers and the look of your carpet.
• Your Chicago carpet cleaning service wants you to know that vacuuming regularly will extend the life of your carpets. Removing as much of the dirt that destroys carpets as possible is the key to extending their life.  Vacuuming at least weekly will go a long way toward protecting your carpets.
• Your Chicago carpet cleaning service wants you to know that doormats matter. Putting a doormat at each entrance to your home will remove a large percentage of the dirt that enters your home.  Removing shoes will also make a dramatic difference in the amount of dirt tracked onto your carpets.
• Your Chicago carpet cleaning service wants you to know that re-arranging your furniture will extend the life of your carpets. Moving furniture is an easy way to change traffic patterns, and spread the wear and tear among more areas of the carpet.
• Your Chicago carpet cleaning service wants you to know that rental or home cleaning machines are great for spot cleaning. However, for deep cleaning, it is necessary to hire a professional.  A professional carpet cleaning service will be able to achieve a deeper clean, that lengthens the life of your carpet.
• Your Chicago carpet cleaning service wants you to know that frequent professional cleaning is essential. While your manufacturer’s warranty recommends cleaning every 18 months, we know that cleaning every 6-12 months is even better.  This is especially important for rooms that get heavy foot traffic and for families with children and/or pets.