joshlazar.org

There’s nothing subtle about dirty carpets; they scream “scuzzy house!” louder than anything else. Out of nowhere grotesque spots appear – remnants of years of careless TV dining in the family room, a darkened trail from kids’ incessant racing up and down stairs. You resign yourself. If you want to know how to clean a carpet, you must know that is t is going to be a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. The question is, who? Basically, you have two choices: you or someone else. You can rent a machine, drag it home and wrestle it through your bouse to skim up at least a few layers of dirt or you can take the advice of carpet manufacturers and hire a professional. The latter choice is more expensive but also more effective.

Another consideration is the method: steam, shampoo or drypowder? If you use a cleaner who is not licensed to clean a certain kind of carpet, it could negate your warranty. If you don’t know your manufacturer’s preference, the five major fiber manufacturers in the United States recommend steam for synthetic carpets. A professional carpet cleaner may suggest different methods depending upon the specific stain or degree of damage.

When selecting an in-home cleaner, it’s buyer beware, or you may find that not all the scum is in the carpet With numerous rug and upholstery cleaners listed in a telephone directory, plus countless others who advertise elsewhere or offer coupons in fliers, there are plenty of chances to get burned. There is no government regulation of the carpet-cleaning industry, so anyone who can hang out a shingle and get ahold of a carpet cleaning machine can attempt to do the job.

Training and ethics aren’t necessarily mandatory. But consumer caution is. While many companies are reputable, it’s best to check with friends and neighbors, get references from previous customers, find out how long the company has been in business and ask for estimates in writing before hiring.

After all, your carpet is one of the most expensive investments you have in your home. Would you take a good coat and send it to the cheapest cleaners in town or throw it in the washing machine?

Be particularly wary of people soliciting door-to-door and those who offer fliers with coupons. If they don’t have an address, won’t give an estimate up front, or refuse to take a check, don’t hire them. They could be inexperienced cleaners who may be gone tomorrow.

Confronted with growing customer complaints and frequent media reports of scam operations, the professional carpet-cleaning industry has cited fraudulent or inept cleaners as a major concern. It is taking action to eliminate unprofessional workmanship and unethical tactics such as cleaners who refuse to honor their advertised price, those who intimidate consumers or do poor-quality work.

One way a consumer can sort out the professionals from the pirates is by checking with the HCRC. This is a nonprofit organization that certifies technicians not only in proper cleaning methods but for cleaning upholstery and fabric cleaning, fire and smoke restoration, water damage, odor control, repair and reinstallation and color repair.

Professional carpet cleaners also must take ongoing refresher courses and pledge to operate by a code of ethics. This is the only certified body that tests on levels of proficiency. Technicians must take a class of study and pass a comprehensive exam. At least the consumer knows that the person has put forth a little effort to really know his trade.

Another sign of reputability is a firm’s membership in regional or national trade associations. Look for association logos in advertising. Consumers should always ask to see a cleaner’s certificate of training, business license and insurance certificate.

Using a well-qualified professional is even more important if you have a wool Berber carpet or a fragile Oriental area rug. Also, a real pro will know if a certain kind of cleaning solution will cause a lingering odor or residue that could be harmful to children or pets.

Remember, a higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a better job, and a lower price isn’t always a bargain. Sometimes there are hidden costs. Check to see if the estimate includes preconditioning and spot removal. Will they move the furniture?

The bottom line in carpet cleaning is expertise. If the guy operating the machine doesn’t know what he’s doing, the most reliable carpet cleaning methods in the world won’t get the job done properly.

Among the list of carpet-cleaning rip offs are bait-and-switch techniques and fly-by-night operations that disappear the minute the job is done. Customers have been left with damaged furniture and carpets that are dirtier than ever. Some can even discover holes burned into carpets. Remember that prices too good to be true probably are. Legitimate businesspeople have legitimate expenses, such as license, taxes, insurance, employee wages, benefits and quality equipment

Here are a few tips that could keep you from being taken to the cleaners:

Ask for referrals from satisfied friends and neighbors.

Check the company’s complaint history with both the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau.

You should know the address of the company. Violators sometimes change the names of their businesses but usually keep the same address.

Check for referrals with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a group that trains and certifies technicians.

Find out how long a company, has been in business. Check last year’s phone directory.

Check ahead of time to see if they will accept credit cards and/or checks. Both payments can be stopped if work is not satisfactory.

Don’t sign off on a job while the furniture or carpet is still wet. Stains sometimes reappear after the carpet dries.

Does the company provide a free estimate before starting the job? It should be able to give you the total price in writing.