When You Hire a Carpet Cleaning Company: There are things to be aware of. Please be on the look out for the cheaper prices and don't choose a cheaper price over quality. One of the concerns in the price shopping Carpet Cleaning industry is the low ball, under pricing to get in your door and then the (bait and switch, carpet cleaning industry term) I call it what it is a rip off, for a carpet cleaning contractor to up sell, it's calculated and also detrimental as a service. As an example £12 - £20 for a living room, then they come and charge for stain removal, detergent, agitation, hot water extraction and drying you end up paying £80. this is just plain wrong, it miss-represents the price in industry and leaves the feeling of being lied to, and may challenge your finances, make you feel embarrassed as you are almost challenged on the spot and left with the feeling of a underwhelming service, don't be fooled. Always find out when searching what your getting for the price you want full disclosure without hidden extras, you want an all in price and the extra is a tip if you feel or your own lunch money, an up sell can be an additional product like scotch guarding or kitchen tiles and grouting but not what someone has come to do (rant over). Carpet Cleaner, Move My Furniture! Furniture moving is not really a part of the carpet cleaning process, the liability if your wardrobe collapses or your bed leg is unstable is not fair on the carpet cleaner, insurances wont pay out for it. So what can I expect you may ask? well, within reason the contractor can move furniture like bedside units, chairs, sofa with wheels, small table and chairs etc... your TV and stand and your configured Apple TV, your fully assembled glass table, wall units, piano are not really part of the carpet cleaning process, a fully assembled wood frame bed isn't really something they should move with a king size mattress, if you want larger items moved please expect to pay a higher premium and request a team of two. Carpet Cleaning Sorry I forgot to mention: Ok, so you have agreed a price and date great, he's on his way, oops forgot we have a parking permit holder only road. It's very important that there is disclosure if there could be something preventing your carpet cleaner / contractor from doing the job, if it's a pay and display road expect to pay slightly extra. Try to ensure he can get in the door, it happens a lot, as an example: we just moved in all our stuff is in the hallway, we ran out of parking permits, can you put all that on the balcony, the baby sleep 2 hours from 12 noon, sorry I can't let you in but the agent can he will need for you to collect the keys from him and drop them back etc.... you must prepare in advance so the coast is clear so he can get to you to give you the results deserve. Carpet Cleaning What do I get? Well that is the question. A good carpet clean duh, (always try to see the carpet cleaning companies google reviews when selecting them, do they tell you what you get), but there is much more to carpet cleaning. When the carpet cleaner arrives always expect a visual inspection at the beginning, pre-vacuuming, then stain removal / a pre-spray, for breaking down the soiling, agitation is also great to have or expect for results (some do some don't) then finally hot water / steam extraction, please ensure they don't turn up with a vax machine or a rug doctor it's just wrong, they may need access to water to fill the machine. Carpet Cleaning The Drying process is very important: it is important to have some understanding that the carpet drying is crucial on cold days and in winter always try to have some drying from the carpet cleaner it aids the circulation and speeds up the drying, also if the carpet is heavily soiled and is being restored drying is a must, after the cleaning the heating should be put on and windows open, circulation is key (thank me later). Avoid getting the carpet cleaned close all windows leaving and come back in a few days, the place can smell like damp wet feet, it's like leaving damp clothes in the washing machine they gain a musty smell. Please don't ignore the drying process, and expect 6-8 hours drying times on occasions and longer on wool. Carpet Stain Removal: can never be fully guaranteed and should never be, spills that are treated with household bleach and a YouTube quick fix can sometimes set the stain, on a D.I.Y attempt absorb any stains into a white cloth pinching inwards with warm water, no rubbing, if in doubt hire a professional carpet cleaner. Carpet Pet Stains Removal: If you have pets, you must disclose them in advance to your carpet cleaning service and expect to pay a higher premium, Why should you disclose having pets? Well the carpet cleaner will have to clean all the carpets with a different process and his chemicals may activate what pet dander is in the carpet fibres, it will stink and isn't really his fault, full disclosure is a must or a double clean and a dispute is quite common. Pets: No secrets, we have a cat, a dog, etc,,, nothing worse than a pet jumping out at your carpet cleaner whilst moving the sofa, speak up, find them in advanced, be responsible, finally if the dog / animal is not trained or safe around others or your kids please have you dog secure and away from causing harm, incidents happens more than you could imagine. Hot Water Extraction: Ok just some understanding, there are different types of carpet cleaning tools for your carpet cleaning requirements, wands, stair tools, upholstery tools and more, some contractors will use a standard wand which will have 1-4 jets for carpet cleaning distributing rinsing solution evenly, some carpet cleaners may use a powerbrush which has an electric powered brush that scrubs the carpet and vacuums the solution with usually a 2 jet system for a 2 in 1 carpet clean. Finally you may need a rotary 4-6 jet scrubbing system, which loosens debris, agitates and scrubs the carpet as it rotates for deep cleaning and with the vacuum the results are like wow. All these systems are effective and will get you results, always feel free to ask your chosen carpet cleaning service which one they are using. Do It Your Self D.I.Y Carpet Cleaning Hire a Rug Doctor: Ok here it goes, let me try to attempt to explain what you can experience when you D.I.Y carpet clean with the lovely Rug Doctor or D.I.Y Bissell. First you need to rent the machine or Buy it outright and pay for the cleaning products, how many? what's stains are in the carpet? paint, oil, ink, food, high traffic, coffee, does the solutions they provide cover everything, Ah well, were riding with what they have, (easy so far) How much for that lot, Ah well, were in now lets go. Then you need to fill the machine, with the product, (still ok, you got this) now for the cleaning process, moving furniture, nah, next time, ok, lets begin, you go forward and back, have the stains gone, some have ok, were good, oops row 2-3 nothing is happening oops, I've run out of water, ok, lets go again, refill, solution, go again, same again, ok, it becomes frustrating, then you finish the room, next one, your on a roll, 5 hours in and guess what I will do the rest another time, great, the results weren't great, then it happens, it starts to smell, what's going on? Quite simple really the carpet has been over wet right into the backing, at which point you now need to save face, take back the machine and get someone out, there is no drying process, there's a knock at the door, when your carpet cleaner arrives, you are thankful that it's no longer my fault, he introduces himself. Good morning Mark MML Carpet Cleaning