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An incompetent firm can be worse than no cleaning firm at all, so choose your cleaner with care. Are you dealing with a professional or a guy in a pickup truck that works out of his garage? Obviously, the best recommendation for the perfect rug-cleaning firm would be satisfied neighbors and friends. They probably have done the due diligence required before they hired the firm that cleaned their carpeting.

If you strike out with your neighbors and friends, ask a lot of questions of potential firms about price, workmanship, and also note how their business phone answers calls. If you get a voice mail machine responding to your call, it could be a one-man operation. That doesn't mean that he is incompetent, but at least you have your guard up and can ask the right kind of questions that will result in a knowledgeable decision on your part.

Here are some things that can separate the good from the not-so-good firms:

' Ask if your cleaner provides a written workmanship guarantee. Will they perform another cleaning if you are unhappy with the job?

' Ask the firm for an in-home estimate. If they offer an estimate over the phone, how can they tell how much spotting is required or if there are unusual requirements to be concerned about? Judge how candid your estimator is when he arrives on site. This can be a good clue concerning their integrity.

' Beware of additional costs for soil retardants and deodorizes. You my find that some firms include these in their basic costs, while others will want more than you think it is worth.

' Ask for a quote on a square foot basis rather than a per room basis. Your 15 X 20 foot living room simply has to cost more to clean than a 10 X 15 foot living room in another house. A quote per room does not allow for these differences.

' Carpeted steps could be a determinant in the price you pay with different firms. This is another good reason for an in-home estimate.

There are different cleaning methods used of carpeting. Make sure you are comparing prices for the same type of cleaning method. The methods are shown below. Get some knowledge about these various types before you start shopping.

' Shampooing
' Hot water extraction
' Combination shampooing and hot water extraction
' Dry Compounds
' Foams

Hopefully, this article will benefit you in your choice of the cleaning firm you eventually use in your home.