• How to avoid 6 carpet cleaning rip-offs
• 8 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning
• What to look for in a good vacuum
• OOPS! What your carpet cleaner can’t predict

1. Spot doesn’t come out
2. Buckling (bumps in carpet after cleaning)
3. Wicking (turns brown after cleaning)
4.  Returning spots

• Crawling critters and crud: a guide to the slime, grime, and livestock that is sleeping, creeping, and galloping through your carpet
• Which method cleans best?
• 8 mistakes to avoid when choosing a carpet cleaner
• The importance of value and price
• Truck-mount versus portable
• Do you want a clean healthy carpet?
• 100 percent no risk guarantee
• 4 steps to a fresh, healthy, clean carpet
• How long will it take the carpet to dry?
• How long before I can walk on the carpet?

How to Avoid 6 Carpet Cleaning Rip-offs                                                           TOP

RIP-OFF #1: UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE.  
To some degree, all of us are attracted by low price because we want to work within a budget. But some carpet cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price, usually between $9.95 per room and $4.95 per room. Then once they're in your home, they pressure you into buying "add-ons." It's as if you were buying a car and found that the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Good carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical carpet cleaners would like you to believe.

RIP-OFF # 2: BAIT AND SWITCH.
Dual process carpet cleaning describes the process of shampooing or heavy pre-conditioning, followed with hot water extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use dual process as a bait-and-switch technique. Here's how it's done: First, they "bait" you with a basic cleaning (single process) at an unbelievably low price. Then, when you call, they try to "switch" you to the more expensive dual-process cleaning. If you don't fall for their switch and choose their basic service, you'll likely receive poor workmanship using little or no chemical and they will not guarantee their work.

RIP-OFF #3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS. "THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST."
You'll read this in almost every advertisement. You'll hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner. Remember this: The method that's best for you is the method that achieves your goal. If you require a method that dries quickly, then a method that takes a longer time to dry isn't the best for you.  So before you choose a carpet cleaner, identify your objectives. Then select the method that best reaches those objectives.

RIP-OFF #4:  OUTDATED BELIEFS.  "HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET."
   Years ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by "technicians" who didn't know how to properly clean using hot water. For this reason people will be sold on different methods of cleaning and spend money on a method that doesn’t do the job they require.
   But this is a false belief. By properly washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned - in the same way that the person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes a sponge bath.
   Obviously, each method does have advantages. So I suggest you look to what carpet manufacturers say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot water extraction cleaning with a truck-mounted unit used by firms that are IICRC Certified.

RIP-OFF #5: IMPROPER APPLICATION OF CARPET PROTECTION.  
  This is a spray that is usually applied immediately after cleaning.  The more common ones are 3M Scotchgard and Dupont Teflon. When properly applied, an invisible film is left around the carpet fibers, which prevents or inhibits soil from sticking to the fibers. It also repels water and oil based liquid spills, giving you a chance to blot them up before it penetrates the carpet or upholstery. This means your vacuum will remove soil more efficiently, spills will clean up easier, and your carpet will stay cleaner longer and will last longer.  This protective layer will be effective for 6 months to 1 year in the main traffic areas. Proper methods of cleaning will not remove this layer but it will wear off.
   However, some unethical cleaners will over-sell you on the benefits and then apply it improperly, usually by over-diluting the mixture. Technicians that work by commission may even over-inflate the price of the protector so that they will make more profit.  They pocket your money and you are left thinking that carpet protectors don't work and are a waste of money. You never make the investment again and your carpet wears and soils much faster than it should, which costs you more money in the long run.

RIP-OFF #6: We use only fresh water or thermal-rinse to steam clean or rinse your carpet.
   At first this sounds very impressive.  What it means is they use plain, untreated hot water to rinse your carpet.  Nothing special!  It is just another way that a cleaner can cut a corner on proper cleaning. 
   Plain water is a very poor rinsing agent for steam cleaning.  That’s why “professional” cleaners follow the IICRC recommendations of adding rinsing agents to enhance the removal of the emulsified soils as well as the soap residues.  It costs more to do this but the end result is far superior!! 
   Another implication is that the rinse becomes one more thing to sell you.   It implies bait-and-switch methods.  They may not even use any soap in a “basic” cleaning unless you are willing to pay extra for it.  I’ve heard of cleaners “up-selling” the pre-treatment, spot cleaners, and rinsing agents.  This is why they can offer such low prices.  The truth is they need the pre-treatment, spot cleaners, and rinsing agents if they are going to “ethically” clean your carpet and the Carpet Cleaning Standard states that it should all be included. 
   It is important to know what a cleaner will specifically do for the price they are offering you. 

8 Costly Misconceptions About Carpet Cleaning                                               TOP

MISCONCEPTION #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
 No. Dirt is an abrasive, like sandpaper, scratching and dulling your carpet. Remember the feeling of sand between your toes as you walk along a beach?  It’s like that every time you step on your carpet. You grind dirt into the carpet, grinding your expensive yarns down into those worthless fibers that fill up your vacuum bag. A dirty carpet will not last as long as a clean carpet and every moment you wait, your carpet wears out faster!
And while vacuuming helps, by itself, it's simply not enough. The dirt causes micro-occlusions or microscopic scratches on the carpet fibers. Dirt will stick to these scratches and will not vacuum off. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet, the faster it wears out, the more money you spend replacing carpet.
Oily residues from the street and air are bonding to the carpet. They are brought in from your shoes, or from sweaty feet, or from the kitchen. Slightly sticky, they grab dirt and lock it on. Soils bond with the carpet through a process called "oxidation" causing color change, and it becomes permanently attached. If you wait too long, you are throwing away the key to unlocking dirt and oil form traffic lanes. Clean before traffic lanes show up! The longer you wait between cleaning the more soiling becomes permanent.
MISCONCEPTION #1A:  You should wait as long as possible before having your carpets cleaned for the FIRST TIME!
Because of poor technicians and cleaning methods this myth has been propagated (described in Misconception #6).  Proper cleaning will remove soils and pollutants without removing any finish from a carpet, even a 5th generation carpet.  The carpet will not re-soil faster nor will spots reappear sooner.  It will in fact last longer, look better, feel softer and smell fresher. 
If you waited 2 years or more before cleaning your new carpet it may indeed soil faster if you choose not to reapply carpet protection

Carpet protectors wear off after 6 months to a year just as polish wears off a car.  So after the carpet is cleaned, you have clean, unprotected carpet, which will re-soil faster than protected carpet. It is recommended that protector be re-applied to any carpet worth cleaning to help preserve it.     By cleaning your carpet more frequently, i.e. on a maintenance plan, you will increase the life span of your carpet and save money$$.

 Clean your carpet for health rather than for appearance.
   It will be healthier and you will never see a soil build up or a traffic lane.  Excessive wear occurs when the carpet reaches the “Unacceptable Appearance Level”.  It begins to wear faster, looks dirtier more often, and will need replacement sooner.  You will save money in the long run by hiring a professional cleaner more frequently.
 You can Pay NOW, or pay LATER!
  It usually costs more if paid later!!

MISCONCEPTION #2:  The only reason to clean carpets is to remove the dirt.
No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust and hundreds of other chemicals. When you, your family members or friends come into your home, they carry those pollens, bacteria and chemicals in their hair and on their skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals and toxins wind up; you guessed it, in your carpet.
How long you would go before washing your underwear?  How often do you wash your kitchen floor?  You clean these because of health concerns, not just because they might “look” dirty.  If you wash your kitchen floor once a week, it just makes sense to wash your carpet once or twice a year.  Clean your carpet for hygienic reasons instead of for appearance.
Is the air starting to smell stale and your allergies are acting up? If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems, one major source of your problem could he the pollens, fungus, smoke and chemicals in your carpet. Pollutants in the air are filtered through your carpet. The carpet traps them so you don't breathe them over and over. But what happens when that trap gets full? Your family starts breathing dust mite debris, pollens, pollutants, fungus, spores, bacteria and a long list of other really gross stuff.
Tearing out the carpet is not the answer! The American EPA found that homes with carpet are healthier, as long as they are cleaned frequently. This is because of your carpets natural filtering ability, which traps that entire gunk, so your family doesn't breathe it over and over. Once your carpets natural filtering ability is full it's time for a thorough cleaning for your health's sake.
In addition, as you may know, tobacco smoke contains over 4000 different chemical compounds, 43 of which cause cancer. And even if you don't smoke, those chemicals get on your shoes and clothes, you track them into your home and you leave them in your carpet. If you are sensitive to cigarette smoke, you might find that you'll breathe easier after you hire a company to get those harmful chemicals out of your carpet.
Another important reason to clean your carpet, in addition to getting rid of the dirt, is to get rid of pollens, fungus, bacteria, residues from tobacco smoke and other pollutants.

MISCONCEPTION #3:   One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. The dry cleaning methods, which are dry foam, dry chemical, and dry compound, are great for in-between or interim cleanings or if the carpet needs to dry immediately, however, they do not rinse your carpet in any way, leaving soil and cleaning residue in the carpet. You might say they clean your carpet only halfway. The most effective cleaning method is hot water extraction.
Hot water extraction means a hot water cleaning solution, under high pressure, is forced into your carpet and then sucked out of your carpet. Shaw industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction as the primary method of cleaning carpets, along with an IICRC approved firm.
Carpet cleaners use one or two types of hot water extraction. If they use a large unit that operates from a van or truck outside your facility, it's called truck-mount extraction. If they use a small unit that can be brought inside, it's called portable extraction. Shaw's first choice is the truck-mounted unit-and it recommends the small, portable unit only in areas where the truck-mounted unit won't reach.
The truck-mount extraction cleans much better because it heats the water to a higher temperature-which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals and pollens in the carpet. Then the machine uses high suction to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet. This is the method my company uses.

MISCONCEPTION #4:  Truck-mounted steam cleaning units will remove ALL the soil from the carpet.
To the contrary of many cleaner's boasting, No they will not. Only 20% of the soil trapped by a carpet is actually stuck to the fibers and requires a specialized cleaning method, like steam cleaning, to remove it. The other 80% is loose soil and needs to be removed by dry vacuuming. This why the "STANDARD for CARPET CLEANING", written by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, Restoration Certification states that:
‘Pre vacuuming is the first step in any cleaning method.’
If proper Vacuuming is not done the loose soil and hairs will stick to the carpet when they get wet and the fine soil, at the bottom of the carpet, will just turn to mud.
It’s like having sand or hair in your hand.  When it’s wet it sticks like glue.  When it is dry, however, it blows off cleanly.
Wicking happens as the fine soil, now mud, gets pulled with the water up the carpet fibers as the carpet dries. The soil that was hidden now becomes visible and the carpet may look worse after cleaning. This is a common problem for cleaners who don't pre vacuum or who rely on the customer’s inefficient machine. It is for this reason that I insist on pre vacuuming the carpet myself with the best dry vacuum system available.
Many people use the dry methods to avoid the wicking problem, but if the carpet isn't thoroughly vacuumed before a dry method is performed the results still won't be any better. In fact, if the carpets do look okay after cleaning, all they've succeeded in doing is to giving you the illusion of a clean carpet. The soil still remains, grinding away at the carpet.

MISCONCEPTION #5:  Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpet properly.
Not true. Many companies own truck-mounted steam cleaning equipment but very few companies teach their employees how to use them properly. This is why it's important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully.
The best cleaning companies and technicians are those that have been certified by the Institute of Cleaning, Restoration Certification (known as the IICRC).  This institute is an independent certification body, established in 1972, to set cleaning industry standards. They communicate not only with the cleaners but also with the carpet manufacturers to stay on top of all the latest developments. IICRC certification cannot be bought. It must be earned through study, experience and successful completion of formal, written examinations. IICRC certified cleaners have, in effect, earned a degree in carpet cleaning. The IICRC provides written credentials to cleaners it certifies. So before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company's IICRC certification and also the certification of the technician who is going to do the job! If they don't have them-don't use them!
Also, you need to check the work ethic of the actual technician coming to your home. You can do this by asking for referrals. Many larger companies have more than one technician, one may be the best and another could be the worst. The technician is the key to quality results, not a particular method or piece of equipment. It’s their attitude toward the work. Some have their mind set on time and money so they perform the fastest work possible, most likely cutting comers where they can, and charge the most money. The best ones will take whatever time is necessary to get the job done right!

MISCONCEPTION #6: Hot water damages your carpet and it will get dirtier faster if it is steam cleaned.
This isn't true.  The truth is you could steam clean your carpet once a week without damage.  People get this misconception because of bad technicians and improper cleaning methods.

1)             Some technicians still use the ONE STEP method. They just start steam cleaning the carpet without prepping it, cleaning with ONE solution only. The cleaning solution, usually a very strong cleaner, is also the rinse solution. This tends to leave a soapy residue on the carpet, which attracts more soil. As well, it is usually too strong and removes soil resistors from 5th generation carpets.  This is why some people would never clean their carpet because they thought that steam cleaning would remove the finish from the carpet and it would soil faster.
2)             Some technicians move too fast or don’t use any soap at all.  They are trained to sell rather than clean so if they aren’t able to get any extra money from you for extras and add-ons, they cut corners, not completely cleaning the carpet.  Soiling and spots reappear sooner.

Steam Cleaning requires a well trained technician.   Like a violin played properly, it will render the most beautiful music the ear can hear.  If played improperly, well, where are the earplugs! If a tech “screws up” with a dry method the worst that happens is the carpet isn’t cleaned.  Improper steam cleaning can and has Left A Soggy Wet Mess, physically damaging the carpet.  This is where the bad rep comes from.
There is Only One Way to Steam Clean a Carpet in my opinion, and that is by following the IICRC procedures.  Only a few companies, those interested more in a high quality of cleaning, are willing to invest the extra time and effort needed to perform all of these steps.

MISCONCEPTION #7:  The company with the lowest price is the one you should hire.
This may be true... but not often. Here are two important points to consider:
1) The price you see offered might not be for the services you want performed. You need to decide what you want to accomplish before you choose a company. If all you need is for a company to remove only the top dirt from your carpet, there are plenty of companies willing to take your money, or you could rent a machine and do it yourself.
But should you want deep soil as well as the bacteria, fungus, pollens, dust mites and tobacco residues removed, then you need to hire a company that is fully trained, takes the time to pre vacuum, and properly equipped with a truck mounted steam cleaning unit. This is the only way to assure that your carpet remains healthy and free from dirt, disease-causing bacteria, and hurtful chemicals. You won't get the lowest price but what you will get is the best value for your hard earned dollar, saving you time and money long term.
Remember, you get what you pay for.
(2) The price you see advertised might not be the price you pay. Many homeowners have learned the hard way that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the carpet cleaner got into their home. Then they were pressured into paying a lot more for a variety of add-ons. Some carpet cleaners even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.
A company can offer you THREE things:

1)            Best Service
2)            Best Quality
3)            Best Price
But they can only offer TWO at the same time! 

MISCONCEPTION #8:  Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price quote over the telephone or online.
I wish this were true, but it isn't.  Imagine asking a dentist for an exact price over the phone to fix your teeth, or a mechanic to fix the noise in your car.  There are other considerations besides the number of rooms in a house that determine the price of cleaning.
Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies almost never price carpet cleaning by the room. Instead, carpet cleaning is usually priced by the square foot. So if you'd like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned. To get an accurate measurement, I use a measuring wheel to calculate the exact size of the carpet area.
To give you an idea of how we estimate the cost of cleaning, here are the three things we consider:
1.  The type of carpet. Certain types of carpet are harder to clean than other types.
2. The amount of soiling. Carpet that hasn't been cleaned for ten years will take longer to clean than carpet that we cleaned within the last six months.

What to Look For In a Good Vacuum                                                                        TOP

"A top-fill upright vacuum with brush agitation or a canister vacuum with a "power head" incorporating a brush agitation should be selected and used with routine frequency." It should have a high efficiency filtering system or bag to keep dust from being re-circulated and contributing to indoor air pollution. (STANDARD for CARPET CLEANING)
Bags should be emptied when they are HALF FULL so the vacuum can operate at peak efficiency. When the bag is half full it loses 30% to 40% of its airflow and just won't pick up any more soil, even though you think it is. When choosing a vacuum, don't be sucked in by a fancy name or a low or high price. You get what you pay for BUT some salesman mark the price up so you think you're getting a great deal when they give you a discount. If you need a new vacuum I'll be happy to give you more advice.

OOPS! WHAT YOUR CARPET CLEANER CAN’T PREDICT.                                  TOP
Spots that didn’t come out
That spot that you really wanted to come out, didn’t.  It is difficult to tell whether a spot will come out until after a technician has tried to clean it.  Most often a spot that won’t come out is now a clean stain.  The difference is that a spot is something that’s “on” the carpet whereas a stain has “dyed” the carpet.  To remove it you will need to call a carpet dye specialist.  They can either re-dye it or bleach it out and then re-dye it.

Buckling; Oh my. What’s happening to the carpet?
If this has happened to you it can be frightening, equally so for the technician who sees it for the first time.  The carpet has been cleaned and looks beautiful.  But a short time later you start to see bumps or bubbles appearing.
You wonder what is happening to your carpet. What has the cleaner done to the carpet?  Don’t Panic, some carpets do this. 
There are 3 layers to a carpets backing; the middle one is latex.  When it absorbs moisture after cleaning it expands, forcing the carpet to buckle up.  As soon as the moisture has evaporated, the latex contracts and the buckles disappear. In the worst case the carpet will actually stretch.  Then a carpet stretcher is needed to re-stretch the carpet.  In neither case is the carpet ruined. 
The technician can’t always tell which carpets this will occur in.  There are a few that can be predicted.  But there is no need to panic or get stressed out.  The carpet will be just fine.  Just turn the heat up to about 20° and leave a few windows open about an inch.  Within 12 to 24 hours the carpet should look normal again.

Wicking;  It looks dirtier than before he cleaned it.
Carpets dry from the bottom to the top, water evaporating off the top, pulling the moisture from the bottom.  The water wicks up the fiber like candle wax wicks up a wick.   When there is fine soil left in the carpet after steam cleaning, the water can pull the soil up to the top of the fiber as it evaporates.  Then what you see is the soil from the bottom of the carpet now on top of it.  Sometimes a carpet can look worse after it is cleaned.  Thorough pre-vacuuming prevents this.

And the spot came back the very next day!
This is usually an oil or residue that has bled up from the bottom of the carpet.  A thorough flushing will usually remove it permanently.

Crawling Critters and Crud: A guide to the slime, grime, and livestock that’s sleeping, creeping, and galloping through your carpet                                                                                                                                                TOP

(Will you help us? We're trying to find at least one thing that's in your carpet for every letter of the alphabet. And we don't have anything at all for these letters:
J,K,N,O,Q,W,X,Y,Z. If you can think of something that could be in your carpet that begins with these letters-or any other letters-please call or write to us and we'll consider including them in our next consumer's guide.)

Which Method Cleans Best?                                                                                                    TOP
All these methods will make your carpet “LOOK” cleaner when performed properly.  They are not equal, however, in their overall effectiveness in actually cleaning the carpet. 
AND remember, the IICRC Standard says the carpet should be THOUROUGHLY PREVACUUMED before any method is performed.

The carpet cleaner applies shampoo to your carpet, then without rinsing, either immediately vacuums up the soiled foam solution, or allows it to dry before trying to vacuum the dried soiled soap crystals.  Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing the shampoo from your head with a vacuum?
Excessive soil and residue can build up from this method, which is the main reason dry foam is not highly recommended.

This method is similar to dry foam. Instead of shampoo, a detergent/solvent solution is sprayed over the face of the carpet pile.  The carpet is then “buffed” with large cotton absorbent pads on a floor polishing-like machine.  The rotating motion causes the pad to absorb dirt and moisture from your carpet. This method is also called bonnet cleaning.
This method is not noted for heavy soil removal and provides no deep cleaning action. Bonnet cleaning is like trying to use a large cotton towel or mop to rub the dirt out of your carpet.   There is no rinsing action so a residue can easily build up.

The dry-compound method uses a moist, absorbent powder which is spread over the carpet. A double-brush machine works it into the pile.  The powder is allowed to dry and is then vacuumed out. The benefit is the carpet is ready for use almost immediately. 
The biggest complaint about this method is that dry sponge particles are left at the base of the carpet. It has limited ability to clean heavily soiled carpet and because the carpet is not rinsed, many pollutants could still remain. This method is not the most thorough but it does have its place.

This a fancy way of saying that a hot water cleaning solution under high pressure is forced into your carpet and then sucked out of your carpet.
In a recent Technical Bulletin, Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, "recommends the hot water extraction system, which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning."
You can choose from two different types: truck-mount extraction, which is done with a large machine mounted in a truck or van, OR portable extraction, which is done with a smaller, more portable unit.

On which type to choose, Shaw's Technical Bulletin states:
"[Cleaning] can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the facility with only the hose and wand brought inside, or where a truck mounted unit cannot reach, by a portable, self-contained system brought into the facility."
As you can see, Shaw recommends the truck-mounted unit first. And this isn't surprising. You see, the truck-mounted unit cleans much better because it heats the water to a high temperature and shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at higher pressures. This better breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals and pollens in the carpet. The machine produces stronger vacuum to draw the dirt and chemicals out of your carpet.

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing A Cleaner                                                                              TOP

MISTAKE #1: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone.
No question, your carpet cleaner needs first-rate equipment. But he also needs something else. He needs to be skilled at operating that equipment. Many companies own hot-water extractors, but very few companies teach their technicians how to use them properly.  
A good technician with a portable unit can out-clean a poor operator with a truck-mounted unit. 
The best way to know that the carpet companies' technicians have been properly trained is to make sure the technician has been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company's and the technician's IICRC certification.

MISTAKE #2: Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price could be a problem in three ways:
1)         Low price can be the bait that attracts your phone call. But once the cleaner gets into your home, he pressures you into a much more expensive job.
2)         Low price can be for single-process cleaning. Rarely does the consumer know what this means and, when told, asks for dual-process cleaning instead, which costs much more.
3)         Low price may mean the carpet cleaner has cheap equipment, which will not effectively clean your carpet. 

MISTAKE #3:  Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call.
Instead, invite the person to your home and ask for a specific written quotation. Then you'll know exactly what the carpet cleaner recommends and you won’t be the victim of high-pressure tactics when the technician steps into your living room to actually do the cleaning.

MISTAKE #4: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn't offer a money-back guarantee.
In my view, every carpet cleaning company should be fully accountable for their work. And if you aren't pleased with the job in every way, you shouldn't have to pay for it Period. Not all carpet cleaners offer a guarantee. Or, if they do, the guarantee may be "limited." Ask the carpet cleaner if he offers a money-back guarantee and then make sure the carpet cleaner includes his guarantee on his written quotation.

MISTAKE #5:  Choosing a carpet cleaner without getting comments from his other clients.
Any carpet cleaner can say anything about his past jobs. And, sadly, some of what he says may not be true. Make sure you ask for references or read comments from current clients so you can depend on the technician and his work.

MISTAKE #6: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn't certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
If your carpet cleaner isn't a close friend, you may not know whether he has the knowledge or experience to clean your carpet well. If you want to be sure you're hiring a competent professional, make sure he is IICRC certified. The carpet cleaning technician must earn that certification through study, experience and successful completion of formal, written examinations. In effect, technicians who are certified by the IICRC have earned a college degree in carpet cleaning.

MISTAKE #7: Choosing a carpet cleaner who doesn't use truck mounted, hot water extraction system.
You might expect this from me, since I use this type of system. But there are several good reasons. Portable hot water systems are good, but they aren't as good as truck-mount systems. Truck-mount systems are the Rolls Royce of carpet cleaners. Compared with portable hot water systems, truck-mount systems use hotter water, higher pressure and stronger suction. So all the way around, you get a much better job. No two ways about it.

MISTAKE #8: Choosing a carpet cleaner who isn't a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the IICRC
The BBB’s purpose is to provide consumers with useful information to assist them in exercising their own judgment and in making informed buying decisions.  Members are committed to high ethical standards.
The IICRC is a trade association of carpet cleaners who are dedicated to:
1)  Honest ethical business practices,
2)  Staying current on the latest methods for carpet and upholstery care, cleaning and restoration, and
3)  The highest possible level of customer service.

The Importance of Value and Price                                                                               TOP
Price is what you pay.
  Value is what you get. 
      You get what you pay for!
When you select a carpet cleaner, you'll choose from a wide variety of cleaning methods and prices.

Truck-Mount Vs Portable:  Here’s why a truck-mounted system cleans better than a portable for 3 reasons

1)   It heats the water to a higher temperature. For every 18-degree increase in temperature above 118 degrees F, you double the water's cleaning ability. So if the water temperature is 136 degrees F, it will clean twice as well as 118 degrees Fahrenheit.  154 degree water will clean four times as well as 118-degree water. And so on, until you reach a water temperature of 250 F.
2)  It shoots the cleaning solution into your carpet at higher pressures, which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals and pollens. 300 to 400 pounds per square inch is the optimum pressure for truck-mount hot water extraction.
3)  The machine uses stronger suction to draw the dirt, chemicals, bacteria, pollens and tobacco smoke residue out of your carpet.
Not surprisingly, having your carpet thoroughly cleaned with truck-mount hot water extraction costs more than renting a shampooer at the corner grocery store.
If you bought the cheapest carpeting you could find, then renting a small shampooer might be all you require. No question, it will get out some of the dirt-but the key word here is "some." It will not get out many of the pollens, chemicals, bacteria and dust mite residues.
On the other hand - if you need your carpet to look good and give you years of dependable service - then you need to take extra good care of it. This means you need to have it cleaned by a skilled, qualified technician at least every six months to one year, depending on the amount of soiling and foot traffic it receives. And you need to have it cleaned thoroughly and sanitized, as only a truck-mounted hot water extractor can do.

DO YOU WANT A CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET?                                                                      TOP
Which is more important to you: a clean carpet-or a CLEAN and healthy carpet? Yes, I assure you, there is a big difference.
Each carpet cleaning method has advantages and disadvantages. Some methods will remove enough soil to make the carpet look clean. Other methods will get out virtually everything. And, to be sure, some are more expensive then others.
If all you want is a cheap, rinse-the-dirt-off-the-top cleaning, which you might find advertised for $39 for 2 rooms or $99 for 5rooms and a hall, then I respectfully ask that you call another company.
But if you want to protect your health - if you want to protect your investment in carpeting - if you want to protect your family from the countless bacteria, fungus, pollens, and dust mites that reside in your carpet, then you're invited to call me.
The truck-mounted hot water unit we use is the most effective cleaning system available today. Likewise, it's one of the most expensive units on the market. But we bought this unit for a good reason: More and more families want the good-health benefits that come from having a fresh, clean carpet.
Have you ever seen how dirty a little boy's pants get when he plays outdoors? If you have, then you know you can brush of his pants and make him think they're clean. Or, if you want the job done right, you can machine wash them in hot water and detergent and you'll KNOW they're clean.
The same is true for your carpet. You can hire someone to clean your house for $25 to $50who will "brush off” your carpeting and make you think it's clean. Or, if you want the job done right, I'll give your carpets the Most Thorough Cleaning You Have Ever Seen and you'll KNOW they're clean.
So if you want a thoroughly clean carpet - if you're willing to invest in your family's good health - you're invited to call us. You'll receive a FREE written quotation, at no obligation. And if you give us the go-ahead, you're further protected with our...

100% NO-RISK GUARANTEE  
We want you to be super-pleased - in fact, absolutely delighted-with every carpet and upholstery job we do. So every job comes with our ironclad, risk-free, guarantee. What does this mean? Simply this:
If you aren't happy with our work, we'll re-clean the area for FREE. And if you still aren't happy, you pay nothing. Not one cent. Many companies don't guarantee their work - but we feel nothing is more important than your complete and total satisfaction. We stand behind every job 100%. If you ever have any questions or concerns about our work, please call us right away @ 901-482-5326. Thanks.

4 STEPS TO A FRESH, CLEAN, HEALTHY CARPET                                                       TOP
If you're thinking about having your carpets cleaned, we encourage you to follow these four steps:
STEP #1: Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned. The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they'll wear out. Plus the longer you have to breathe all the pollens, fungus and chemicals that hide in your carpet.
STEP #2: List your objectives.  Do you only want the carpet to “LOOK” clean, something you could do with a rental machine, or do you want to “KNOW” the carpet is cleaned, that all the bacteria, fungus, chemicals and dust mites have been removed, which will require a hot water truck-mount cleaner, as we use? Do you want to work with an honest, reputable company, or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers you the lowest price, knowing that the company might not be in business tomorrow?
STEP #3: Ask questions. The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are 13 good questions to ask a carpet cleaner before he begins to clean your carpet:
1)             What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
2)             What type of equipment do you use to clean carpet?
3)             What will you specifically do for the amount quoted?
4)             How long will it take to clean?
5)             How long will it take to dry?
6)             What will your equipment remove from my carpet?
7)             Do you pre-vacuum the carpet?
8)             How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
9)             What training have you had in cleaning carpets?
10)         Are you a member of a trade association?
11)         Are you and your cleaning technicians certified?
12)         Will you provide references that I could check?
13)          What is your guarantee on your work?
STEP #4: Once you're satisfied that you're working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quotation gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost - no surprises.
By following these four steps, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision.
If you want a quick, cheap carpet-cleaning job, many companies in the phone book can help you. Or you can rent a shampooer from the grocery store and do the job yourself.
But if you want your carpeting to be completely and healthfully cleaned-removing the bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, and tobacco products- then we invite you to call us.
We'll be happy to answer your questions-provide you a cost estimate over the telephone-or come into your home and give you a free written quotation-without cost or obligation of any kind. To reach us, call 901-482-5326.
THANKS AGAIN for reviewing our new CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING, I hope you found this information helpful.
Daniel Costley
Mid-South Carpet and Tile Cleaning
Specialists in Carpet Tile and Upholstery Cleaning
901 – 482 - 5326
PS Other Common Questions

How long will it take the carpet to dry?
I clean my filters before every job, to maximize my vacuum. I perform extra drying passes when cleaning. This will remove as much water as physically possible from the carpet. 
I will open windows and set the thermostat to maximize the drying environment.
Drying time is between 2-4 hours but conservatively within 24 hours.

How long before I can walk on the carpet?                                                                               TOP
The only reason to be cautious when walking on freshly cleaned carpet is that it will re-soil very easily. You cannot damage the carpet by walking on it when it is wet.