Carpet cleaning is not something you should leave to the amateurs. The best carpet cleaners have years of experience, and understand the distinctions between a soggy mess and a clean, comfortable, dry carpet. Although price is important, it’s not the only factor in choosing a carpet cleaner. The company’s years of experience, the types of carpet cleaning offered, and proper insurance should all play a role in how you choose your carpet cleaner. Here are some guidelines to help you stay clear of “dirty” carpet cleaning services.

1. Too Good to be True Low Prices.
If an Adelaide carpet cleaning company is offering exceptionally low prices for their services, there’s probably a reason. In this world, you get what you pay for, and if you’re paying dirt cheap prices, you’re liable to have dirty carpets. Some companies lure customers in by promising rock-bottom rates, only to either change the pricing structure or perform a mediocre job. A reputable carpet cleaning company will quote the price based on the total size of the carpet, the number of furniture pieces or objects that must be moved prior to the cleaning, as well as the age and type of the carpet itself. These quotes don’t have to be astronomical, but they’re going to include labor and the cost of high quality cleaning materials. Ultimately, if you don’t want to have to pay to have your carpet cleaned a second time, choose a cleaning company that promises to give you a realistic quote, not an imaginary bargain.

Here’s a great example of what can go wrong if you choose the wrong company. And believe us, these people are out there….

2. Lack of Insurance / Affiliation
Always ask about a carpet cleaner’s membership within recognised cleaning groups such as the Australian Carpet Cleaning Institute, or that they have a proper insurance policy. If they don’t have either of these, the odds are they either haven’t been in business that long or that they are terrible at what they profess to do. A professional carpet cleaner will have enough money to pay for insurance on the off chance that an accident or other unforeseeable equipment malfunction takes place. You should never have to be liable for a mistake the company makes, but you will if they don’t have insurance.

3. Thorough Cleaning Process
Ask your chosen company to explain how they plan to clean your carpet. Do they have a multi-stage process that begins with pre-vacuuming, or a simple two-stage dunk and dry process? If the former, you’re working with professionals. If it’s the latter, you’re likely working with amateurs.

4. Use of Truck Mount Systems vs. Portable Hot Water Systems
The best carpet cleaners only employ the best equipment, and the best way to clean a carpet is to use a truck mounted system. This provides the hottest water at the highest pressure and suction, enabling a deep clean that gets rid of longstanding soils and other undesirable carpet stains and odours. Portable hot water systems, while adequate, are just not as good, and will result in a lower quality job overall. Plus, a successful carpet cleaning company will have the funds to invest in a truck mount system. It’s the highest quality cleaning equipment on the market; don’t expose your carpets to anything less.

5. Years of Experience
How many years has your chosen company been cleaning carpets? Do they employ people who have fully trained in the carpet cleaning industry? Carpets are a relatively expensive investment. Much like a beautiful sports car, you don’t want to hand over your carpets to just anyone who’s fresh to the trade. If properly cleaned by experts who have years of experience in the field, your carpets will last much longer and look great in the meantime. A good company will recommend a schedule of regular cleanings depending on how heavily the carpets are used. If you have pets, children, or a regular schedule of visitors, for example, you’ll need to have carpet cleanings more often to preserve the carpet’s quality.