There are not many people who get excited about a professional carpet cleaning. Most people see it as a necessary inconvenience and have several valid concerns prior to their cleaning. The main concerns are: when the technician will arrive, how long the job will take, how long before the carpet is dry, why it costs so much, and will it be worth all the trouble.

Despite these concerns, the clean, fresh, and renewed state of your carpet following a cleaning makes it all worth it! Not to mention all of the health benefits that come with having your carpet cleaned regularly.

While the concerns are valid, most of them are based on negative experiences or misconceptions. Here are five questions based on misconceptions that carpet cleaning companies hear from their clients:

1. Can you tell me exactly when the technician will arrive? 

Most cleaning companies provide clients with arrival windows because they believe in setting realistic expectations for their clients. Because service companies have to factor in things like traffic, having a job that is more time-consuming than expected, having clients add on tasks for the technicians, etc. it is important to offer arrival windows rather than making exact appointments that could easily be broken. The last thing a service company wants to do is disappoint a client before they have even arrived to do the work.

While many cleaning companies will try to work with clients who have time constraints, there is never a guarantee due to the possibility of unforeseen and uncontrollable factors. The best way to at least narrow down the arrival time window is to schedule first thing in the morning. This lessens the chances of any unforeseen circumstances occurring throughout the day that may put the technician behind. If there is truly no time window within regular business hours that works for you, many cleaning companies offer after-hours services such as in the evenings or on Saturdays.

2. How long does it take?

This question comes up a lot in the cleaning industry – and for good reason. First, a cleaning company provides the client with an arrival window between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm – but what if the technicians do not arrive until 3:30 pm or even 4:00 pm to begin the job? Most cleaning companies are well aware that clients do not want them in their homes during the “busy” hours, such as dinner time, or when the kids come home from school. This being said, most cleaning companies schedule larger jobs in the morning rather than the afternoon to avoid the possibility of inconveniencing their clients during those busier evening hours.

To give an idea of a large job versus a small job within the carpet/upholstery cleaning industry – a large job is anything more than three bedrooms, a staircase, and a standard sofa (with no stain or odor issues). Anything less than this is considered a smaller job and can be completed in about one or two hours. Some very large jobs can take the entire day – which is why the amount of cleaning being performed is critical information to provide the carpet cleaning service prior to scheduling.

3. Do I need to stay in a hotel after I get my carpets cleaned?

The answer to this question highly depends on the company you hire and their level of expertise. There are so many different carpet cleaning companies – some are corporate industries, some are just a man in a van, and others are family owned and operated. If you hire a real, professional, carpet cleaning expert, then absolutely not! Your carpets will be completely dry in 6 to 12 hours and can be walked on directly after the cleaning – though your socks might be a little damp. Consequently, if you hire a less experienced carpet cleaner, your carpets could remain wet for two days or more.

The best method for cleaning carpet is hot water extraction. The most effective way to perform this method is by using a truck mount that has a high-level water recovery vacuum system (about 25x stronger than a regular vacuum cleaner). Some cleaners choose to use other methods that have a lower-level vacuum and will therefore not extract as much water increasing the drying time for the carpet.

If drying time is a concern for you, be sure to ask the carpet cleaning company about their cleaning methods and express your concerns. How quickly the technician works will also affect the drying time. The faster they perform the carpet cleaning service, the more moisture will be left behind. It is important to hire professionals who work efficiently and effectively, rather than “splash and dash” cleaners who work quickly but lack in quality.

4. Why does having a professional carpet cleaning cost so much?

Pricing for professional carpet cleaning depends on many factors such as quality, expertise, equipment, and job requirements. Most people have heard the phrase, “you get what you pay for,” and this certainly applies to professional cleaning companies. In most cases, the cheapest carpet cleaners will have the cheapest equipment, be lacking in safety measures, will not move any furniture, will use the cheapest cleaning solutions, work the fastest, and have the slowest carpet drying times.

Alternatively, the cleaning companies that charge more and are upfront with their price will:

– Use top industry equipment.
– Use corner guards.
– Lay down Tarps to protect hard surface floors.
– Apply door guards to preserve your air-conditioned home.
– Move standard furniture and replace on top of protectors to prevent any staining from furniture legs on your freshly cleaned carpet.
– Work efficiently but take their time on high traffic areas, stains, or trouble spots.
– Use top cleaning solutions that are non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, biodegradable and safe for children and pets.
– Vacuum multiple times to extract as much water as possible and speed up drying time.
– Use fans to expedite the drying process if the carpet was very soiled and required extra cleaning.
– Have certified technicians who are very well educated in the industry.

5. Will having a professional carpet cleaning be worth all of this trouble?

According to the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification), it is recommended that residential homes have their carpet cleaned once every twelve to eighteen months.

According to experts, it takes about twelve to eighteen months before your carpet must be cleaned in order to maintain the health of your home. This is due to the fact that most carpet accumulates about 40 pounds of dirt in one year. While standard vacuuming can remove a percentage of dry soils, most household vacuums are not powerful enough to extract all of the dirt and bacteria from your carpet. This is where hot water extraction comes in – hot water extraction not only uses a high-level vacuum (in the case of a truck mount), but it also uses a combination of hot water and cleaning solution to wash and extract deep into every fiber of the carpet.

While having your carpet professionally cleaned may feel like an inconvenience to most, it is necessary in order to maintain the health of your home and may even help extend the life of your carpet. Not only this, but a professional carpet cleaning service will leave your home feeling clean and fresh and your carpet looking renewed!

Need to Schedule a Cleaning?

Ayoub Carpet Service has over seventy years of carpet, upholstery, and rug cleaning expertise! ACS® services Northern Virginia, including Arlington and McLean, DC, and parts of Maryland and is located in Chantilly, VA, and Falls Church, VA. Call or text 703-255-6000 to schedule your carpet cleaning service today!