RIP-OFF #1: UNBELIEVABLE LOW PRICE. To some degree, all of us are attracted by low price because we want to work within a budget. But some carpet cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. Once they’re in your home, the technician pressures you into buying “Add-Ons.” It’s as if you were buying a car and found out that the dealer was charging you extra for the steering wheel.

RIP-OFF #2: BAIT AND SWITCH. Pre-treating carpet is the process of applying a cleaning solution to your carpet prior to cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use pre-treating as a bait and switch technique. Here’s how it’s done: First, they “BAIT” you with a basic cleaning (without pre-treating) at an unbelievably low price. Then when you call they try to “SWITCH” or convince you that pre-treatment is not included in the actual price.

RIP-OFF #3: UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS. “THIS CLEANING METHOD IS THE BEST.” You will read this in almost every carpet cleaning advertisement. REMEMBER THIS: The method that’s best for you is the method that achieves your carpet cleaning goals. If you want a method that dries quickly, then a method that may take longer to dry isn’t the best for you. If your carpet is extremely soiled you may need to have rotary jet extraction, the most effective cleaning method available. So, BEFORE you choose a carpet cleaner and method, identify YOUR objectives. Then select the method that best reaches those objectives.

RIP-OFF #4: OUTDATED BELIEFS. “HOT WATER DAMAGES YOUR CARPET.” Years ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by ‘technicians’ who didn’t know how to properly clean using hot water. But today, we know hot water extraction DOES NOT DAMAGE YOUR CARPET OR CARPET PAD! By pre-treating and then rinsing your carpet with hot water extraction, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned in the same way that a person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath.

There are many methods to clean carpet. Some of the methods are hot water extraction, bonnet, dry foam and dry absorbent powder. Obviously, each method does have advantages and disadvantages. So I suggest you look to what a carpet manufacturer says. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only hot water extraction cleaning with a truck mounted unit used by technicians and firms that are Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification certified. This is also called IICRC.