So, it has finally happened. You are fed up with those mystery spots in your carpet and have called for professional help. But what happens when that professional cleaning doesn't quite go as planned?
Hiring expert cleaning services should yield great results and not add to your worries. Having worked with hundreds of satisfied customers for over a decade here in El Dorado, Restore-It knows all about the issues that may pop up.
Whether you are left with a damp carpet or unsure if they really got all the dirt out, let's look at the most common problems when hiring a professional cleaner. We will also talk about how homeowners can avoid them. So, let's get going!
1. Over-Wetting / Carpets Stay Wet Too Long
The Problem: The technician has used too much water or doesn't extract enough when cleaning. This makes your carpet take days to dry (instead of hours), which can result in reappearing spots (wicking). In the worst scenario, a musty smell can appear, indicating mold growth. To make matters worse, our highly humid climate here in South Arkansas exacerbates this problem.
How to Prevent It: This issue is caused by inexperience with carpet cleaning, so choosing a reputable company is the best way to prevent it. Before hiring a company, make sure they have been working in this industry for a while and have positive reviews.
A well-established company should have the training and the specialized equipment to ensure quick drying. Ask them about their timeline and how long it should take for your carpet to dry. Usually, this should be between 4 and 12 hours, depending on carpet type, humidity, and airflow. If the hours pass and your carpet is still wet, contact them and ask them to help dry it.
Finally, ensure enough ventilation in your home once the cleaning is done. Turn on your ceiling fans, floor fans, and air conditioning (or heat in winter) as the technician recommends to speed up drying.
2. Stains Reappearing (Wicking)
The Problem: Spills trapped deep in the carpet padding or subfloor dissolve during cleaning and "wick" back up the carpet fibers as it dries, causing the stains to reappear.
How to Prevent It: This problem is often associated with improper cleaning. When too much water or detergent is used or there has not been a thorough rinse, the stains can resurface. The same can happen when the carpet is not dried properly or takes too long.
Other than carefully picking the right cleaning company, we suggest you point out deep or recurring stains to the technician beforehand. In some cases, stains may be permanent (especially if the carpet has not been cleaned in years), so it's worth noting that even professionals have limits. Still, a good company will use the proper techniques and equipment to make your carpet look its best.
Another tip is to let your carpets dry completely before allowing people in the house to walk over them as normal. Consider putting a no-shoe rule at least temporarily to keep them from wicking.
Finally, call the company back if a spot reappears shortly after drying. A good, reputable cleaner should guarantee their work for at least a short period.
3. Sticky Residue / Rapid Re-soiling
The Problem: This happens when cheap detergents are used, or the cleaning solution isn't rinsed out properly. This sticky residue attracts dirt like a magnet, quickly making carpets dirty again.
How to Prevent It: The key here is to verify that the company you will hire is the best one for you. Follow these tips:
- Ask what kind of cleaning solutions they use – look for companies using high-quality, low-residue products.
- Inquire about their rinsing process. If they use hot water extraction, it means their cleaning includes rinsing.
- Check reviews – repeated mentions of carpets getting dirty quickly after cleaning are a red flag.
4. Carpet Damage (Discoloration, Fuzzing, Shrinkage)
The Problem: A poorly trained technician can only deliver a poor result. Using the wrong cleaning solution (e.g., too high pH, bleach), overly aggressive brushing, excessive heat, or severe overwetting can damage your carpet fibers. This can cause your carpet colors to bleed or fade. It can also make the carpet fuzzy or even cause it to shrink or buckle.
How to Prevent It: The best way to protect yourself against a bad job is to hire the right people. Take a look at these tips so you can find the best match for the task:
- Hire experienced technicians certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification). Certified techs are trained to identify fiber types and use appropriate methods and chemicals.
- Talk about your carpet type (wool, synthetic, etc.) with the cleaning company.
- Avoid companies that use harsh chemicals.
5. Bait-and-Switch Pricing
The Problem: Shady businesses often advertise an extremely low price initially, then arrive and drastically increase the cost. These individuals may claim that every spot requires expensive pre-treatment or charge extra for basic steps.
How to Prevent It: Once again, the key here is ensuring you get the best people for the job. Get it right by following these tips:
- Get a written quote beforehand. It should detail exactly what's included (pre-treatment for common spots, standard cleaning).
- Ask specifically about any potential extra charges (heavy staining, pet treatment, furniture moving, carpet protector).
- Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Remember: quality equipment, solutions, and trained labor cost money.
6. Lingering Odors
The Problem: Musty smells from over-wetting, strong chemical odors from harsh cleaners, or failure to fully address the source of odors like pet urine.
How to Prevent It: The first step is to ensure proper drying (see point 1). Another tip is to ask your cleaning company about specific pet odor treatments and point out areas of concern. This often requires specialized enzymes and techniques and may cost extra, but it should be discussed upfront. Reputable companies will use low-odor or pleasant-smelling, safe cleaning solutions, but you can always ask them to be entirely sure.
7. Damage to Furniture or Surroundings:
The Problem: Water splashing on baseboards or walls, furniture legs causing rust or dye stains on damp carpet, equipment bumping into furniture or walls.
How to Prevent It: The key here is to communicate with your cleaning company beforehand and take some precautions as well. Follow these tips:
- Ensure the technicians use corner guards and are careful with their equipment.
- Confirm that they use hot water extraction to prevent overwetting the area.
- Ensure they can move furniture away to do their job without issue. This may be included in your service, or it can be an extra charge.
- Move small, fragile, or valuable items out of the cleaning area yourself beforehand. Avoid moving heavy items by yourself to prevent injuries.
Follow These Tips and Prevent a Disaster
- Do Your Research: Look for well-established local companies with positive reviews (check Google, BBB, ask neighbors). Prioritize IICRC-certified firms.
- Ask Questions: Inquire about their methods, equipment, solutions, drying times, pricing structure, and insurance.
- Get It In Writing: Obtain a detailed written estimate before work begins.
- Communicate Clearly: Point out specific concerns and do a walk-through before and after the job.
- Manage Expectations: Understand that some stains or wear patterns may be permanent. A reputable cleaner will be honest about what results are achievable.
Your Path to Clean Carpets with Restore-It
Suppose you were concerned about the potential issues of professional cleaning. We hope you understand these problems better, from overwetting and wicking to residue issues and bait-and-switch pricing.
This guide highlighted what to look for in a reputable company: experience, proper techniques and equipment, safe cleaning solutions, clear communication, transparent pricing, and positive reviews. So you now know the right questions to ask and the signs of a trustworthy service provider.
Here at Restore-It, serving the El Dorado community for over a decade, we understand these challenges intimately. We can help you by openly discussing your specific carpet concerns, our cleaning methods, and what to expect, and giving you a detailed quote before we begin.
Ready to have your carpet professionally cleaned? Then, schedule an inspection with Restore-It. We aim to give you the best service possible through transparent communication and guarantee optimal results.
If you are still looking for more information, consider checking out our FREE price estimator. This easy-to-use tool will let you have a better idea of our services and their cost. So, what are you waiting for? Find out if we are the right cleaning company for you!
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