Are you planning to have your carpets professionally cleaned? Then read our article below to find out which are the main questions you should be asking when contacting a carpet cleaning company.
From the method of cleaning, type of detergents, drying time or stain treatments, to training, insurance, availability, and prices, these are all important aspects that should be discussed before making an appointment.
What do you use for carpet cleaning?
Before hiring a carpet cleaning company, you should check with them what cleaning technique they are using, as well as the type of detergents. Why is the method of cleaning important? Because depending on this, your carpeting will look more or less “like new”, and it will also influence the drying time.
While every carpet cleaning method has its ups and downs, if you are looking for a thorough deep cleaning that will remove the build-up of debris, as well as bacteria and allergens, then the hot water extraction method is the most suitable for you.
This technique reaches deep within the fibers, dissolving thick dirt, mud, dust, and other debris and killing bacteria, germs, mold, mildew, and other irritants. This makes it the best option for houses with kids and pets, and for those struggling with allergies or sensitivities to detergents and shampoo.
Happy Clean is a carpet cleaning company with more than 7 years of experience in the Irish market, that uses the water extraction method for both carpets and upholstery with the best results. With thousands of 5-star reviews, they are the best-rated carpet cleaner in Dublin.
The average drying time for carpets cleaned using the water extraction method is up to 6 hours and never longer than 24h. For more rapid drying times you could opt for foam, bonnet, or dry cleaning.
The only problem with these three techniques is that they only do surface cleaning, and they are not powerful enough for deep cleaning.
While highly suitable for busy commercial premises, such as hotels, dry cleaning or the encapsulation method, are not the best option for heavily soiled carpets or busy home environments, with kids and pets.
If you are concerned about chemical exposure, pick a carpet cleaner that uses green-certified and eco-friendly detergents. These are less harsh, more environmentally friendly, and safe for your family and pets.
Stain removal
If you’re thinking of hiring a professional carpet cleaner because your carpet has visible stains on it, make sure you inform the company you’re calling about them. There are many factors that determine whether a spot can, or cannot be removed after cleaning.
It depends on the type of fabric your carpet is made of, the type of stain, how old is the spill, and what other cleaning solutions you applied to the affected area, in your attempt to get rid of the unpleasant spot.
Therefore, no experienced carpet cleaner will guarantee you the total removal of all stains. Simply because there are many things to consider, and only after they inspect the carpet, sometimes a patch test is required, they will be able to tell you if the spots are removable.
There are stains, such as urine or bloodstains, that should be treated within 24h from the time of the accident. If left unchecked for a longer period of time, they will discolor the carpet, and discoloration is permanent.
For houses with pets is best to choose a carpet cleaning company that uses the extraction method, as this method penetrates deep into the fibers removing pet dander and bacteria.
It also offers the opportunity of using a large array of stain treatments, so it works wonders on heavily soiled or stained floors. If your pet had an accident around the house, ask your carpet cleaning provider if he will use a smell neutralizer, just to make sure no foul odors will be left behind.
“What do I need to do before you come?”
That is another aspect you should clarify with the cleaning company you wish to hire. Most of the carpet cleaning providers will only ask you to be at home at the time of the appointment or to organize for someone to let them in.
If you could hold a parking space for them, that would be very helpful. You should be aware that usually, carpet cleaning is performed around heavy furniture, so it is up to you to have the room as clear as possible.
Some companies will ask you to hoover the floor prior to their arrival. Let us tell you that they shouldn’t! Vacuuming the carpet is an essential step of the cleaning process and it should be performed by the agent.
Why is this important? Because most domestic vacuum cleaners are not powerful enough to remove all the dust and debris.
If you have hired a carpet cleaner that uses the water extraction method and they fail to hoover the flooring, all the dust and soil will turn into mud when the water hits the carpet. A respectable business will never ask you to vacuum the floors in advance!
Training and insurance
In today’s competitive work environment, continuous learning sets a business apart from its competitors. Training helps agents acquire new skills and sharpen the existing ones, which means better performance and increased productivity.
Without any formal training on what chemicals to use and how to carry out specific cleaning tasks on different types of carpets, they might damage or even completely ruin your flooring.
So to be on the safe side, don’t be afraid to ask your cleaning service provider about its certifications, as well as any additional training courses that would keep the agents up to date with the latest developments in the industry.
It is best to hire a carpet cleaning company that has insurance and licenses, such as Carpet Cleaning Dublin by Happy Clean.
This paperwork means that the staff had background checks and in case of any damages to your property, the company will cover the cost of fixing/ replacing it. Businesses that provide you with a solid guarantee are the most trustworthy.
This proves commitment to all of their customers and reliability.
Prices and availability
Pricing is important to many people when deciding to have their carpets cleaned.
Many companies are able to give a quote over the phone based on the number of rooms or the size of the area you need them to clean. For commercial customers or big residential jobs, most businesses choose to send a representative over to see the place and discuss all the details.
Don’t be afraid to ask your carpet cleaner for a price breakdown and also inform him about any lower quotes you have received. This way you give the company the opportunity to justify their quote, as the price should always be reflected in the quality of work.
In terms of availability, 1 to 3 days’ notice should be enough, however, if you are not flexible and you need a specific date and time, you could contact them a week before.
Also be mindful that the weeks before Christmas or Easter break are usually very busy for carpet cleaning businesses, and slots start filling up even 2 months before.
Choosing the right carpet cleaner can be tough, but once the choice is made, it will be well worth it. With a bit of research, there are many things you could learn about a business, to help you make an informed decision.