• Tempted to call up a carpet cleaner from an ad you got in your mailbox?

    Be warned. If you are expecting to get your carpet cleaned for $9.95 per room, you will likely either end up unhappy with the services or find that the price you get quoted when the technician gets to your home is much higher.

    There seems to be two types of carpet cleaners in California. One type is the legitimate business-person who cleans carpets for a competitive price.  Then there is the other type who is a scammer who will try and take advantage of bait and switch false advertising to get as much money from the customer as possible. - Judd McIlvain

     Cleaning Carpet Scams Investigative Report

    How to Avoid Carpet Cleaning Scams

    If you want quality carpet cleaning remember this:

    • Expect to pay a high quality carpet cleaner by the square foot or at least $25 per room. Cleaning companies have costs that must be covered to stay in business including expensive equipment, commercial quality cleaning supplies, transportation, and payroll that make it unsustainable to charge $10/room.
    • Anyone can rent a Rug Doctor. Reputable cleaning technicians go to carpet schools; and they learn fiber identification, carpet construction and chemistry.

    To avoid being scammed when you get your carpets cleaned, ask the company you call the following:

    1. Are you licensed and insured?
    2. Can I get at least 3 references from past customers?
    3. What kind of training have you had in carpet cleaning?
    4. Do you offer 100% money back guarantee?
    5. How long after my cleaning can I call you with concerns?
    6. Please tell me about your cleaning process. Make sure it includes all 5 steps that are the minimum standards set by the IICRC (www.IICRC.org)

    IIRC Minimum Cleaning Standards

    • Dry soil removal (vacuuming before cleaning)
    • Soil Suspension (include Chemical Action, Heat, Agitation and Dwell Time)
    • Soil Extraction (Removal of soils)
    • Nap Setting (Groom carpets after extraction)
    • Drying Principle (Carpet should take anywhere from 1 to 8 hours to dry under ideal conditions.)