If you have carpets at home, you know that it will need regular cleaning to keep it looking new. This is best done by a carpet cleaning surface. With so many cleaning businesses out there, how can you be sure that you are hiring the best company? Read this article for some tips.

You should call several carpet cleaning companies before deciding on one. Since many companies offer dramatically different rates, it is a good idea to make sure that you are getting the best deal. If a company is offering a rate that is drastically lower than all of the rest, you should see this as a red flag.

Companies that do carpet cleaning normally charge by the square foot. In order to make sure that you are not paying any more than you should, measure the area you plan to have cleaned ahead of time. If the figure quoted is much higher than you expected, you are probably dealing with a shady company.

Hire a professional! Carpets are an expensive item so you want to hire a reputable company to clean them. Contact your local Better Business Bureau and always check online for customer reviews. But the best way to find an excellent carpet cleaning company is through word of mouth; get advice from friends and family who have recently had their carpets professionally cleaned.

Every carpet is unique and requires different cleaning methods. It is best to test a small hidden section of your carpet 24 hours before getting the entire floor cleaned. Wool and silk rugs will likely be damaged by most cleaning materials. Leave carpet cleaning to the professionals in order to make sure the job gets done right.

Never hesitate to ask a carpet cleaning company how long they have been in business. This will give you a good idea of whether or not they can be trusted to do a good job. If they have not been in business very long, you should require a lot more references than usual.

Make sure to show your carpet cleaning company what spots on the carpet need special treatment. Not all carpet and stains respond to the same treatments. Any hard to clean food and drink stains, pet stains, and the like will require special product applications in order to effectively get rid of them.

Make sure any company you hire to clean your carpets is insured. Accidents can and do happen. For this reason, you want to make sure your home and belongings are covered in case something unexpected happens. Most legitimate companies are insured, but it never hurts to ask and make sure.

Vacuum your carpets as often as you can. This keeps a lot of dirt and dust from being sucked into your carpet if it is to become wet. Spilling water on your carpet is not a problem, as long as there was not dirt on top to soak in with it.

The most effective way to preserve your new carpet is to prevent soil from coming in contact with it. Use carpet runners in high-traffic areas and make sure family members remove their shoes before walking onto carpeted areas. Spot cleaning may be necessary just inside the entry door of a carpeted room.

Talk to a company before hiring them about the procedures they do when actually cleaning. You should hear that they begin with vacuuming before they start deep cleaning. Your carpet is bound to look a lot better because of this. So, if the business you consult does not vacuum, look elsewhere.

Always read the fine print on any coupon that you use from a carpet cleaning company. They will offer discounts and a specific number of rooms. Make sure you know what size rooms they are referring to and if hallways and stairs are included. Ask if they include spot treatment and deodorizing after cleaning as well.

Always read the fine print on the coupons you may have. There could be limitations about which services are covered. Some services will require an extra fee. Always ask for a detailed list of charges before work begins. Ask them to explain in detail what the coupon includes. Also, inquire about any specials that are more valuable than the coupon.

Do not allow a cleaning company to give you a quote over the phone. Ask them to come out to your house first and look around at the area that needs to be cleaned. This will allow them to ascertain what cleaning products they will have to use and come up with a fair quote based on the work involved. You will also avoid any unpleasant surprises when it comes time to pay, too.

As you now know, a good carpet cleaning service can breath new life into your carpets. When you're ready to turn your dirty carpet over to the professionals, remember the tips you read in this article in order to make a wise choice. Apply what you have learned in this article and you will end up with a good looking carpet.