Care tag
- Ask how long the carpet will take to dry; EPA says wet materials should dry within 24 to 48 hours.
- Ask what products are used and whether they carry EPA’s Safer Choice label.
- Ask for a written estimate and insurance certificates before work starts.
A five-minute phone call can tell you most of what you need to know about a carpet cleaning company. These questions are built on guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service’s care rules for historic rugs and Tennessee’s consumer protection officials.
About the method
What cleaning method will you use, and how wet will the carpet get?
Moisture is the main risk after any wet cleaning. EPA’s mold guidance says that if wet or damp materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, in most cases mold will not grow, and that indoor humidity should ideally stay between 30 and 50 percent. A good answer includes how the company removes water and what it does to speed drying.
How long until we can walk on it and put furniture back?
Listen for a specific time and practical steps such as fans, open windows or running air conditioning. Vague answers about drying are a reason to keep looking.
Do you vacuum before cleaning?
Dry soil should come out before any liquid goes in. A company that skips this step is pushing dirt around.
About products
What products do you use, and are they labeled Safer Choice?
EPA’s Safer Choice label is given to products whose every ingredient, regardless of percentage, has been reviewed against human health and environmental criteria, and which perform comparably to conventional products. EPA says nearly 2,000 products currently qualify. Not every good product carries the label, but the question shows whether the company thinks about it.
Will we need to ventilate?
EPA advises increasing ventilation when using products that emit volatile organic compounds and following label instructions carefully. It reports that levels of several organic pollutants average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. Ask the company to open windows or run exhaust fans while it works.
About your rugs
How do you handle wool, hand-knotted or antique rugs?
The National Park Service tells its staff never to use vacuums with beater attachments on historic rugs, to control suction and to vacuum in the direction of the pile. A company that treats a hand-knotted rug the same way as wall-to-wall carpet may not be the right choice; see Caring for Wool and Oriental Rugs: Vacuuming, Moths, Pads and Storage.
What do you do about pet urine?
Pet urine soaks into the pad below the carpet. Ohio State’s veterinary hospital advises replacing the padding and cleaning beneath the carpet if the smell persists, and never using ammonia-based products, which can attract a cat back to the same spot. Ask whether the company treats the pad or only the surface; see Pet Stains and Odors on Carpet: A Vet-School Method That Stops Repeat Accidents.
Who moves the furniture, and how is it set back?
Heavy furniture dragged across a damp carpet can stain or crush it. The National Park Service places small cups or discs under furniture legs resting on rugs. Ask whether the crew uses protectors under legs until the carpet is dry, and whether moving furniture costs extra.
Will you spot-test before treating the whole rug?
University of Tennessee Extension advises spot testing products in a small, inconspicuous area to make sure they do not discolor carpet, a caution it gives for insecticides that applies to cleaning treatments too. A careful company will test first without being asked.
Will your own employees do the work?
Tennessee officials recommend asking for insurance certificates covering workers’ compensation as well as damage and general liability. If the company sends subcontractors, ask whether they are covered too.
About the business
- Can you send copies of your insurance certificates with a current effective date?
- Will you give me a written estimate listing rooms, rugs, treatments and price?
- What happens if a stain does not come out?
- Do you require a deposit, and how much?
- How do you take payment?
Tennessee officials advise never paying cash and never paying in full before the work is complete, and state law prohibits requiring more than a one-third down payment on home improvement work. The license and business checks to run before you call are in How to Choose a Rug or Carpet Cleaner in Nashville: Checks That Take Ten Minutes.
Tip: Write the answers down during the call. Comparing two or three companies on the same list is the quickest way to see which one gives specific, confident answers.
Answers that should make you hesitate
- “We use the same process on everything” — Ask how they handle wool and delicate rugs.
- “It’ll be dry whenever” — Ask for a specific drying plan.
- “Cash today gets you a discount” — Decline; state officials warn against cash-only deals.
- “We don’t do written estimates” — Choose another company.
If your carpet was wet from a leak or flood, a cleaning is a different job; read Water Damage and Mold in Carpet: The 24-to-48-Hour Rule and What to Do After a Leak first.