Summary: Choosing a carpet cleaning service is not easy. You should check on a carpet cleaning services licensing, reputation, verify their services and prices. Ask them about their cleaning methods. You should always research are read the reviews as well.

Your carpet can be one of your most valuable decor items in your home. Nevertheless, it is also one of the most abused decors: spills, food stains, high traffic area, dragging of furniture, toys, pets, and women's heels. Every now and then, you will want your carpet professionally cleaned. A professional cleaning company is best to clean your carpets not only for convenience, but also for a timely, safe, and healthy option. Selecting a company is not always easy, because this involves putting the outcome of your carpet in someone else's hands, a stranger no less. Take proper precautions when selecting a carpet cleaning company with a few steps.

Check for Licensing

Check that the carpet cleaning service is licensed and bonded, just as you would with an auto mechanic or appliance repairperson. This helps protect your home and valuables.

Check Their Reputation

Again, you are letting strangers into your home. Even if you have seen a big ad where they guarantee their services and satisfaction, you want to be sure. There are many ways to check the reputation of a company, but the most reliable method is to verify their status with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB will track any complaints filed and if they are resolved or open. It gives a brief overview of how they are resolved. They also have important information you can use to verify the company is who they state they are such as their headquarter address, phone number, number of years in business, and any other names they've been known by. Their letter rating is also a good start to check.

Another important factor of a company's reputation is how they handle their employees. Each one that comes out to a person's home should be a certified or licensed technician. You will want to know about their experiences as well.

Another way to check their reputation is to verify their references. Preferably, after meeting with the carpet cleaning service so not to waste your time, ask for a list of references and call them. Any professional company should have a list of satisfied customers who are comfortable being contacted. Ask them questions such as if they had any initial reserves about the company, customer service given to them, and how any complaints were handled.

Verify the Services and Prices They Offer

If possible, always arrange for an in-home inspection from a carpet cleaning service. You will see flyers, online advertisements, television advertisements, all sometimes with a catch. A professional and reputable cleaning service will offer a bottom line price, with no additional catches. If you get price quotes on the phone, it's possible to be an entirely different story once on site, such as furniture moves, particular carpet type to be cleaned, the type of stain on the carpet, or location of the carpet. Upselling is what makes a company their bread and butter so to speak.

It's important to go with a carpet cleaning service that can service all of your needs. A reputable and reliable company will often ask various closed and open-ended questions. If you have specific stains to be cleaned, odor removal, or additional rugs, be certain to inquire about it. If your carpet cleaning needs includes cleaning for dust mites or taking care of pet dander, be sure to mention that you are looking for some type of cleaning services for allergies.

Common questions to ask are:

• What industry training their technicians have
• How they charge
• What solutions they use and if they are safe
• Inquire about written guarantees
• Inquire about background checks on their employees
• Ask about same day services

Verify Their Cleaning Methods

Verify their products and cleaning methods. This can have a major impact on who you select. Check for environmentally safe and non-toxic products especially with children or pets around. You may want steam cleaning versus no moisture cleaning. Verify if the methods they have can provide the satisfaction that you need.

Do Not Take Their Word for It

Ask your family and friends for referrals. They may know of a cleaning service they or another friend have used. Check consumer's reports or carpet cleaning service industry reviews. These sites offer trustworthy and unbiased reviews.

Your carpet takes a beating, but there is no reason your sanity should. Follow this guide to selecting the best carpet cleaning service for you and your home.