New carpet can improve the appearance of any room, but how can carpet that is walked
on every day stay looking new? While regular vacuuming helps maintain a carpet's
fresh appearance, fibers inevitably become soiled, resulting in a dulled appearance.
It may be the time for a thorough cleaning.
To help your carpet look new again and ensure your complete satisfaction, the Institute
of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends hiring
only certified professional carpet cleaners.
While selecting the right professional may seem difficult, you can contact the IICRC
to easily obtain the name, address and phone number of certified firms who employ
certified technicians. Upon request, the firms you contact should be able to provide
a list of satisfied clients.
Before hiring anyone, have a company representative or technician come to your home
to determine the most suitable type of cleaning method and inspect your carpet for
problems spots or extremely soiled areas.
The IICRC also suggests that the consumer conduct an informal interview at this
time and receive a written estimate.
Here are some questions you should ask the technician:
- What are the basic services offered and what constitutes an extra charge? What are
the prices for each?
- Which cleaning method should be used? Discuss with the professional the best cleaning
method for your carpets, as there are a variety of methods to suit different carpets
and installations.
- Who will move the furniture and is there an extra charge for doing so?
- Prior to any services being performed, the IICRC recommends you receive a written
contract or invoice confirming the total price and any statements or guarantees
the cleaning company offers.
Visit
http://www.iicrc.com/referral.shtml
for more information on IICRC technicians or to locate a certified firm. Also, check
out
IICRC Facts and Recommendations for further information.
*All of the above information can be found on the
IICRC
website
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