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It is time to bring in a professional carpet cleaning service. But which one? Selecting the right professional can make all the difference in maintaining a clean and healthy home environment.[Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with IICRC (The cleantrust) and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC (The cleantrust)].
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) below recommends questions to ask when choosing a cleaning service. (A worldwide listing of certified firms is available at http://www.certifiedcleaners.org/).
- Insurance, Licensing - Is the service willing to provide certificates of business and liability insurance and copies of local licenses required?
- Ongoing Training, Certification - Is there ongoing staff training at various levels of the organization? Are technicians trained in residential and/or commercial carpet cleaning and certified by the IICRC?
- Experience, Affiliations - How long have they been in business? Are they members of trade or professional associations that promote high ethical standards and continuing education?
- Knowledge - Can technicians answer questions regarding cleaning, maintenance, and spot removal procedures? Identify the type of carpet fiber and construction?
- Inspections, Estimates – Do representatives provide consulting, pre-cleaning inspections and written estimates? Do they pre-inspect all areas? Do they discuss structure access, water availability, any special limitations before providing an estimate? Do they move furniture and vacuum the carpet? Will drying time be longer than six to eight hours but always less than 24?
- References, Courtesy, Respect – Do they provide references? Are personnel courteous, quick to respond to and address customer concerns and complaints?
- Health and Safety – What policies help ensure products and cleaning procedures used are healthy and safe? Do technicians dispose of soiled solutions or materials in accordance with local, state, and federal regulations?
By considering the IICRC recommendations when choosing a professional carpet cleaning service, customers can expect to receive consistently higher quality outcomes, and a cleaner, healthier home.
To qualify for cleantrust-Certified Firm status, businesses must demonstrate proof of insurance, maintain a written customer complaint policy with documented follow-up, and provide ongoing education and training leading to certification for all technicians. cleantrust-Certified Firms are also required to abide by the IICRC Code of Ethics. Services provided by cleantrust-Certified professionals range from flooring inspection and cleaning, to mold remediation, to water and fire damage restoration.
Use the Locate a Pro feature on the IICRC site to find cleantrust-Certified carpet cleaning companies in your area.
