Has anyone had their carpets professionally cleaned?

[Minnie824]

If so, do you recommend (or NOT recommend) any particular companies? Can you tell me how long they took, did they do a good job, etc? Thanks!

 

[arkansas mom]

anyone?

 

[barkley]

yup-lots of times. we ended up going with a local buisness that i checked out ahead of time. i asked at a couple of local buisnesses that had carpeting that looked older but well kept up (i figure with heavy consumer foot traffic they must have to deal with tons of stains)-i also asked my homeowner's insurance agent who they reccommended when someone had a claim that involved carpet cleaning.

the company we used did a pre-treatment (heavier on stained areas) and then did the whole cleaning. our house was 2400 sq. feet and it took them a few hours (but it took longer to dry-i've never tried any of the dry cleaning methods). they were great-they were also realy good people to talk to when we were buying new carpet (they could clue us in on the best types for stain resistance, wear and tear-and who to avoid for bad installation).

 

[puggymom]

With the pugs, I have Service Master come in 2x a year. I just had them in yesterday and had them clean the tile in the master bath and kitchen also, and can I just say WOW, I thought I cleaned my tile, but now I can see waht filth I was living in.

 

[kellyg403]

Great looking dogs...I love Pugs!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

I have many times, but I usually use a local company. I go with steam cleaning, and stay away from the ones that have names like Chem-Dry. Seems like every time I did the chem-dry it didn't get that clean, and my spots would come back almost immediately.

 

[TLHB70]

My DH is a freak about this!!!!!!! I swear!!!!!!!!! He worked for a carpet cleaner while he was in high school and college so he is a fanatic with our carpet. So when we book a company he has to talk to the owner first to make sure the system is right. (We have moved away from our home state so he can't get his old company out. If you happen to live in Louisiana PM me and I can tell you his old company.) He requires using a company with a van powered steam cleaning system, not one that is carried around on a back or pack. He likes the white magic system. (I think that is the name.) I know that the company will not be named that, but it is the name of the van powered equipment. He interviews everyone and is VERY picky about the carpet cleaners. He has been most impressed with that system.

 

[zalansky]

We have used this company several times since we have 2 very small kids:
http://www.myzerorez.com/index_t2.php
Not sure if they are nationwide, but they are reasonable (the more times you use them we get more discounts) and they use a chemical that is safe for pets and children to be on the carpet directly afterward as well.

 

[kbmoo]

Just go with a company that does professional steam cleaning. One with a truck, that they hook the hoses up to. Make sure they are insured and bonded(not sure what that means). The hotter the water the better they can clean. You don't want to have soap residue. That's what makes your carpet get dirty so fast. It shouldn't be too wet either. It should dry within a day at the most. Good luck, there are alot of people out there that don't know what they are doing. Also, if your carpet is fairly new you shouldn't have to apply scotchguard protection on it for at least the fisrt few times. Most carpet has it built in at the factory and it lasts several cleanings. Your best bet is to vacum regularly and spot clean when needed. I still think once you clean your carpet it is never the same. But you have to clean to keep the warranty in case it doesn't wear well. Although carpet really doen't wear out, it just uglies out after a while. I am a carpet nerd, I have been selling carpet for over 30 years.

 

[puggymom]

Great looking dogs...I love Pugs!

Thank you

 

[PrincessKitty1]

We have our carpets professionally steam-cleaned at least 3 times a year. Our carpets are pale beige and we have pets, and steam cleaning makes them look practically new (our wall-to-wall carpeting was the cheap stuff from Lowes--we know, because we had to match it when we had our staircase carpeted--and it still looks great although it's not as soft underfoot as it was when it was brand new).

We use a local company. Try to get recommendations from neighbors or co-workers because remember, you are letting a complete stranger into your house. (Not to get too off-topic, but we used the same company for our carpet-cleaning for about 8 years, and when the owner retired, he sold out to a guy who I had to call the cops on. The company I use now is owned by the step-brother of a former co-worker, and we have asked them to always send a family member to clean our carpets, not one of their semi-transient helpers.)

I have read that Chem-Dry or any dry carpet cleaning does not do the job nearly as well as steam-cleaning.

A good steam-cleaning company will move your lighter furniture (coffee tables, etc.) to clean underneath and will put plastic under the furniture legs to prevent any transfer of color to the damp carpet. I recommend against having them use a deoderizer--the steam cleaning itself should do all the deoderizing and some of the scents they use can be icky.

Most carpet cleaning companies in my area will have a "whole house special" that's a really good deal. Our carpet cleaning (3 BR house with 1700 square feet) usually costs about $120 (depends on who prices it--some workers charge extra for the stairs and area rugs, some don't) and is worth every penny.

The carpet takes about 24-26 hours to dry with the air-conditioning on for dehumidifying. You can still walk on it when it's damp, although that's not ideal. (We always walk on ours because we have no place else to go!)

 

[lclark0621]

We have used a couple of different companies, both local & national. Our favorite has been Stanley Steemer. THey do the best job, and they are almost always early, NEVER once been late!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

We have used Stanley Steamer twice at work and I do NOT recommend them at all. We have a large showroom and two offices and a small hallway. They cleaned everything in 30 minutes and charged us $175. It wasn't the money that bothered me but the fact that they didn't do anything. They cleaned around everything (everything in our showroom is on wheels and the guy told me they would move it out of the way and clean under it, otherwise I would have moved it all myself) and the carpet was dry by the time they left. It did smell pretty nice after they "cleaned" but the carpet was just as dirty the next day.

After the second time (we gave them a second chance) we complained and found out that they really didn't care. Each truck is somewhat independant and dispatched out of a large office (we are in NJ and we had to call a CT office). They guys that cleaned our office were rude too, they didn't like their jobs and made sure we knew about it.

Next time we are going to look into some local, smaller companies.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

Yes, we have them cleaned about three-four times a year (even though we rent). I can't stand carpet stains and dirt.

Try to find someone that uses the large disk cleaners and not the wand cleaners. The disk cleaners actually clean everything deep down and leave your carpets smelling clean. They also get out the deep stains as most of them get down to the carpet-backing level.

The wand cleaners only do as good a job as the operator, which is usually a minimal type thing.

You want someone who knows the business and knows what to do- ie, doesn't stain or bleach your carpet. Also, a lot of the bigger companies almost seem to work on a commission and they'll try to sell you services. I find I really don't like this and that it bothers me. We use a guy that's in business for himself and we get excellent service, not cajoled or hassled, and the job is done well. Granted, it's more money than having a major brand company come in and do it.

Wand:

Disk:

Be sure you find out from them if they will charge you if you are unable or don't want to move your furniture.