Tag Archives: Carpet Care and Maintenance

Carpet Cleaning Cost and Prices for 2024

Carpet Cleaning Rule #1

The dirtier your carpet is… the more it’s going to cost to have it cleaned properly.

Imagine not cleaning your stove top for a week, or a month or a year! How much more difficult would it be?

If your stove top was just dirty from last night’s meal then it might take just a few quick swipes with a damp cloth or sponge to get the surface clean.

But if you had not cleaned it for a week or more, then can you imagine how long it could take to clean it and how much more difficult it would be?

The same goes for your carpet. If you haven’t your carpet cleaned in years, no matter who you call it’s going to take some extra time and effort to do the job properly.

Carpet Cleaning Rule #2

Don’t expect miracle results from low-cost or discount carpet cleaning services.

If your carpets are in serious need of a thorough deep-cleaning, don’t go searching for a Carpet Cleaner Coupon that says “Two Rooms Cleaned for $49.99!” You won’t be happy with the results from a light surface cleaning.

Carpet Cleaners that advertise super cheap prices are notorious for luring you in with an amazing low price special and once they arrive, they surprise you with an estimate so high it will knock you off your feet! You don’t need this type of aggravation! But be prepared to pay a reasonable and fair price to have your carpets properly cleaned.

Basic Carpet Cleaning Cost

The typical cost to clean your carpet ranges from 15 cents to 45 cents per square foot.

Dirty carpets take longer to clean and you must understand that. This means if you have your carpets professionally cleaned at least every 18 months like you are supposed to, then the cost to have your carpet cleaned should be on the low end of the scale.

That’s because it will not take very long to clean your carpets. But if you seldom have your carpets cleaned, then expect the price you are asked to pay to be on the higher end of the scale.

If you haven’t had your carpets professionally cleaned in 6 years, don’t be surprised when the estimate is twice or three times as much as you expect.

The fact is, all carpet cleaners must charge a reasonable price for their services or they won’t be able to stay in business. If it will take twice as long to thoroughly clean your dirty carpet then expect the job to be priced accordingly.

Check out my Carpet Cleaning Service Directory

Cost to Clean One Room Example:

A common bedroom size is 10’ X 14’ or 140 square feet.

18 cents per square foot the cost for cleaning would be about $25.00 (Carpet doesn’t appear dirty)
28 cents per square foot the cost for cleaning would be about $40.00 (Carpet looks fairly dirty)
36 cents per square foot the cost for cleaning would be about $50.00 (Carpet is very dirty!)

Some Carpet Cleaning companies prefer to charge by the room or by the job.

It still ends up being pretty close to the same price as it would be if calculated by the square foot, so if you know about how many square feet you need to have cleaned it will be easy for you to calculate an approximate cost.

Cost to Clean Whole House Example:

Most 3-bedroom ranch style homes are about 1000 square feet.

18 cents per square foot – Total cost about $180.00 (Carpet doesn’t appear dirty)
28 cents per square foot – Total cost about $280.00 (Carpet looks fairly dirty)
36 cents per square foot – Total cost about $360.00 (Carpet is very dirty!)

Please remember: It’s NOT a scam for a professional carpet cleaner to charge you accordingly-based on how dirty your carpet is.

Proper Carpet Care and Maintenance

It’s up to you to make sure your carpet is maintained and cared for according to the carpet manufacturer’s guidelines. Failure to do so will void your carpet warranty and cause your carpet to wear out prematurely.

Regular vacuuming and professional cleanings at least every 18 months is required and will allow your carpet to last as long as possible.

Carpet Cleaning Rule #3

Have your carpets cleaned before they start to look dirty.

Abrasion is what causes carpet to look ugly and worn out. If you wait too long between cleanings, your carpet can become permanently damaged.

Dirt and grime can easily cause abrasive wear that cannot be undone. Once you reach this point there is nothing any carpet cleaner can do to restore the “like-new” appearance your carpet once had.

Sure you can have your carpets cleaned, but you won’t be happy with the way your carpet looks when it’s done.

Carpet Cleaning Rule #4

Make arrangements to have your carpets cleaned regularly

There are plenty of “poor quality” carpet cleaning companies that you need to avoid. So instead of clipping out a carpet cleaning coupon and rolling the dice hoping you get good service, visit Alan’s Best Carpet Cleaner Directory and see who I recommend near you.

All the companies on my list are IICRC certified and personally hand-selected by me. They must pass my test before I will recommend them to you. Make an appointment and ask them about their Carpet Maintenance Plans.

What is a Carpet Cleaning Maintenance Plan?

It’s a special deal where you purchase your future carpet cleanings in advance to get a discounted price.

Perhaps they offer four cleanings for the price of three or three cleanings for the price of two. Either way, it is in your best long-term interest to invest in a carpet maintenance plan. This will ensure your carpets are cleaned on a regular and ongoing basis.

I think purchasing a Carpet Cleaning Maintenance Plan is a very smart move for homeowners who want to keep their new carpet warranty in force, and you also have the option of setting the date of cleaning when it is convenient for you. Benefits? You will

Save money in the long run,
Satisfy your warranty requirements,
Make your carpet last years longer,
Have a healthier place to live and breathe.

Carpet Cleaning Extra Fees and Charges?

Spills, Spots and Stains…

Some carpet stains need special treatment and require extra time, treatment and effort.

You should expect pre-treatment of most household spots and stains to be included as part of the basic price. In some cases, especially with pet accidents or biological spills and stains, there may be an extra charge.

It’s impossible to predict how much extra it might be without knowing the type of stain, size and disposition of the affected area.

Carpet Damage, Restoration and Repairs

Professional Carpet Cleaners may be able to repair or restore your damaged carpet.

Carpet is often damaged from floods, accidents, burns or pets. Carpet can be repaired or restored by a competent Carpet Cleaning Technician.

In some cases, depending on the type of carpet fiber you have, carpet dyeing may restore color to a faded or bleached out area. You might even be able to change the color of the entire carpet.

Burns can be cut out and replaced with leftover carpet or by using the same carpet taken from a “less critical” area (like a closet).

Some carpets may need to be re-stretched if the carpet has lost it stretch and is developing wrinkles. The cost for these extra services will depend on your situation. What causes carpet wrinkles?

If the cost is too high or if the carpet is not repairable you will have to decide if it’s time to start thinking about buying new carpet.

Q. Should I Clean Or Replace my Carpet?

New Carpet Care and Maintenance for 2024

Q. How often should I Clean my Carpet?

You must follow your carpet manufacturer’s carpet cleaning and maintenance guidelines to the letter if you want to keep your new carpet warranty in force.

You should hire a professional to clean your carpets at least once every 18 months, or as required, whether you think your carpet is dirty or not.

Always Keep All Your Original Carpet Cleaning Sales Receipts!

You may be asked to show proof of professional carpet cleanings as required by your new carpet warranty.

Read your carpet warranty and follow the carpet maintenance suggestions to the letter.

This is how you can make sure your carpet lasts as long as possible! Spot clean as necessary and use approved carpet cleaning products.

A Typical New-Carpet Warranty Requires You To…

Make sure you know which warranty applies to your particular carpet.

Warranty limits are usually posted on the backs of samples in the store at the time of purchase.

Know which warranty applies to your specific carpet and obtain a copy.

Keep proof of purchase in the form of a bill, invoice, or statement showing the price you paid for the carpet, excluding pad and labor.
Make sure your carpet is installed according to the guidelines set forth in the Carpet and Rug Institute‘s Installation Standard CRI-105
Read How to find a qualified carpet installer.
Maintain your carpet according to the manufacturer’s warranty recommendations.
Always keep every receipt as proof of recommended periodic cleaning by a Certified Carpet Cleaning Company.
Have your carpet professionally cleaned at least once every 18 months.

Why Hire a Certified Carpet Cleaner?

Not all carpet cleaning service companies are created equal.

Some are definitely more reputable than others and homeowners need to be careful who they hire.

Carpet cleaning costs can vary greatly and hiring the company with the lowest price may not be the smartest way to go.

Watch out for carpet cleaning companies that have low-cost specials that sound too good to be true.

Learn more: Carpet Cleaning Costs Carpet Stain Warranties

You don’t want to hire a inexperienced carpet cleaner that will do more damage than good.

Excessive soaking of the carpet and padding can ruin any carpet and cause mold and mildew to form if the carpet takes too long to dry.

A bad carpet cleaning job can easily void your carpet warranty and ruin even the most expensive carpets!

Should I Buy New Carpet or Have My Old Carpet Cleaned?

Carpet Cleaning Certification

It would be wise to hire a carpet cleaning company that has trained and certified carpet techs. The two organizations I trust most are; The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI).

Why is Vacuuming so Important?

Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your carpet looking like-new longer!

Most carpets don’t wear out, they ugly-out! This is the common description for a carpet pile that loses it’s shine.

Once your carpet fibers lose their shine, they start to look dull. Then, your new carpet start to look worn out.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to make your ugly looking, dull carpet look like new again.

Dirt and grime is one of the key reasons that carpet fibers lose their shine. The dirt and grime that grind into the carpet pile is the cause of the loss of carpet shine.

Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your carpet looking like new longer!

How Often Should I Vacuum My Carpet?

How many people live in your home?

That’s how many times you should vacuum each week, especially in high-traffic areas! How many people live in your home? Four? Then you should vacuum your new carpet about four times a week!

Some folks need to vacuum everyday!
More people and pets means more vacuuming for your new carpet.
Want your carpet to keep looking like new longer? Then you should vacuum more often.

More vacuuming may be necessary if you:

Have more than 1 active child under the age of 10.
Have active indoor dogs, cats, ferrets or Sasquatch.
Entertain or have huge parties.
Live on a farm or a dusty rural area.
Have active teens with lots of friends coming and going.
Live in a windy or sandy area or near the ocean.
Have allergies, COPD, asthma or other respiratory issues.
Live in a moist or humid climate like Florida.

Having any of these 8 factors mean you should be vacuuming practically everyday. But vacuuming everyday won’t help if you don’t have a good quality vacuum or if your vacuum is not operating at it’s peak efficiency.

The Main Cause of Carpet Wear

The effects of abrasion is most obvious on stairs, down the hallways or other high traffic lanes.

Carpet fibers can only tolerate a certain amount of abrasion before they show the effects.

While diligent vacuuming won’t undo damage caused by active kids, it will help reduce the damaging effects by removing the majority of gritty abrasive sand-like dirt and debris.

If your vacuum doesn’t do a good enough job, the grit that penetrates the nap of your carpet will quickly begin grinding away at the fibers.

Abrasion is Carpet Enemy #1

Abrasion leads to dulling of the color and matting and crushing of the pile, which in turn makes your carpet look worn out faster.

Once your carpet starts to lose it’s shine and look dingy, nothing can be done to make it regain it’s original shiny and like-new appearance.

Small children and active teens can significantly increase the daily wear and tear on your carpets. Running, jumping, dancing, playing with hula-hoops and other common busy activities are very damaging to the carpet pile.

Rigorous activities help grind in and force dirt and grit particles deep into the nap, often too deep for older or less-powerful vacuums to remove.

This is why having a good quality vacuum with a beater bar and enough suction power is so important.

To File a Valid Carpet Warranty Claim:

You must notify your carpet retailer in writing; describe your concerns and if possible provide photos or other documentation; include a copy of your sales invoice and copies of receipts for required periodic professional cleanings.

Your carpet retailer will usually initially investigate your claim and attempt to satisfy your concerns.

If that is not sufficient, they may need to notify the original installer or the carpet manufacturer as they deem necessary to satisfy your complaint and try to determine who may responsible for your complaints and hopefully provide a satisfactory resolution to your concerns.

Have you read your manufacturer’s new carpet warranty? It’s an eye opening experience! Every manufacturer has their carpet warranty worded a little bit different so be sure to read the full warranty for the carpet you are considering… before you buy. About Carpet Stain Warranties

Carpet Defects Complaints and Bad Carpet Install

Carpet Complaints and Carpet Installation Problems are Common!

Note: Many of these Carpet problems could have been avoided had the homeowners done their “Carpet Homework” before they purchased new carpet. Visit my Table of Contents to see all my free carpet articles.

Defective Carpet

I have had my carpet for 11 months. After 3 or 4 months I noticed different shades in the carpet. I bought the best carpet. I put in a complaint 4 months ago. The warranty means nothing. In the living room half is one shade and the other half darker. I have big dark spots other places and in the bedroom circles of very light color. It looks like some one spilled something and tried to clean it.

Polyester Carpet

At first our new carpet was beautiful, but it didn’t take me long to realize that I didn’t like to walk on it barefoot. Also, it seemed to mat down very quickly. We have high traffic areas and steps since our home is a split-level and the carpet really started looking “old” and “worn” within the first 6 months. In a nutshell – I HATE this carpet! Carpet Fiber Choice vs Durability

Olefin Berber Carpet

I had a looped Berber carpet installed just a couple of years ago and already it looks dingy in the high traffic areas. I had it cleaned by Coit for the first time and now it seems to be worse not better. Is there anything I can do to make it look better? I know that the carpet isn’t that worn as there are only 2 adults here and we work 5 days a week so not much wear but on weekends and evenings, and most of the time shoe-less. Is Berber Carpet a Good Choice?

Bad Carpet Install / Low Quality Carpet

Hi Alan, I hope you can help me out before I’m stuck with my builder trying to tell me my carpet is supposed to look the way it does. We are having a new home built after being in a hurricane. They laid the new carpet in three bedrooms. They all have ripples in them and one room has the worst ripples. Could you please tell me why that is so I don’t look stupid when I argue the point with the builder? We are closing in a couple of weeks. Carpet Fiber Choice vs Durability

Staple Fiber, Not a Continuous Filament

I recently had new carpeting installed. It is suppose to be nylon. The issue I have is every time I vacuum it I wind up with a ton of what I call carpet fluff in the vacuum. Is this typical? Or is this just cheap carpeting. Why Do Some Carpets Shed and Fuzz?

Bad Carpet Installation / Olefin Carpet

The carpet we have was not installed correctly and we have rolls (wrinkles) and highly visible seams. The carpet has been professionally cleaned, but the tech said that he was not able to remove the stains because the carpet was so badly rolling and loose. It looked like he did a good job at first, but the stains reappeared after a short time. Carpet Fiber Choice vs Durability

Staple Fiber, Not a Continuous Filament

We have just moved into a new construction that has Mohawk Somerset installed. It’s been 45 days of hell. The rug sheds continuously. We have contacted the Mohawk rep and he said that this might continue for up to a year. Meanwhile we are sneezing, itching and inhaling these fibers into our system. We are very dissatisfied with this carpet and it is throughout our house. We have a two year old son who is always playing on the floor. It is causing some real problems for us. We have spoken with our neighbors who have the same carpet and they said the same thing. Why Do Some Carpets Shed and Fuzz?

Low Quality Carpet

I just had carpet installed a week ago. It is a textured cut pile manufactured from Camelot Carpet Mills. I kept several extra pieces. One of the pieces had some water spilled on it and I noticed after an hour or so later that the primary and secondary backing had separated. What does this mean? Carpet Specifications Explained

Improper Carpet Installation

We purchased a Mohawk “soft back” carpet and within a year experienced tremendous rippling. We had it re-stretched and a year later the rippling is back worse than ever. The manufacturer claims the installation is to blame rather than the carpet. Top 10 Causes for Carpet Wrinkles

Wrong Carpet Padding / Poor Carpet Installation

We have a new two year old home and we thought we got good carpeting and most of all a good depth of padding. They put in Stainmaster Carpet. We have begun to have ‘ripples’ in the carpeting! What in the world causes this? We are just two senior citizens living here and don’t have much company at all. Where we first began to notice the ripples is in a room which is hardly used – other than to walk through, clean and sit to read a newspaper. Top 10 Causes for Carpet Wrinkles

Carpet Manufacturing Variance

I purchased a plush carpet for a living room, dining room, stairs and a hallway. My concern is the sample I based my decision on is different than the laid carpet. The laid carpet feels softer than the sample but it seems to show more foot traffic.

Polyester Carpet

Our home is 2 years old and is a spec house in which the builder used all cheap flooring, appliances, fixtures etc. Most of our house has plush carpet that is stained, worn down and worn out. Carpet Fiber Choice vs Durability

Carpet Shading – Construction Defect

I recently had Mohawk carpet installed in my home. This is the problem. The insert piece in the living room and bedroom is a darker color than the main piece of carpet in each room which causes a stripe to appear down one side of each room. I’m perplexed because I had this exact same carpet installed in my previous home with no problems.

Carpet Construction Defect

We recently had some carpet installed and the carpet seems to have several “lines” developing across the pattern. The installer and manufacturer and an “independent” analyst have all insisted this is a normal “defect” in the carpet. Is this normal? The lines look like someone took a child’s wagon and wheeled it up and down the hallway.

Common Trait of Commercial Carpets. Not a Defect.

I recently had an expensive, high quality synthetic carpet over a jute and hair mat installed in my bedroom by a large company that specializes in carpets and caters only to designers. Now, when I walk across the room, the rug “crunches” ((has a squeaking sound) The carpet on the stairs was installed by a second person, and does not have the crunching sound. What is the problem? (carpet too loose???) and how can it be corrected?

Chose The Wrong Carpet Padding

I just recently had brand new carpet installed and it is literally acting funny. When you walk on it it has a strange crunchy/squeaky feel to it under your feet. It is everywhere you walk and every one feels it. Any ideas what this is? Choosing The Right Carpet Padding

Carpet Defect / Low Quality

We had Mohawk Horizon carpet installed in our basement. It has been stretched 2 times (including the initial installation). One section in the middle of the basement is rippling again. Could this be installation, carpet or some other issue? The basement is dry, so it is not moisture.

Carpet Defect

I had Beaulieu Hollytex carpets installed and there was a problem with a side match. They replaced it and still there was a problem with it. The next time we changed the color and the pieces matched, but now we have a line like a cut down the middle. I blame the manufacturer or mill for not inspecting it better.

Defective Carpet

I have a dilemma with our master bedroom wool carpet from Glen Eden Mills. Shortly after having the carpet installed, I noticed a sort of shading appear just inside the bedroom doorway. After vacuuming and getting on my hands and knees to see what could be wrong. The fibers were going in different directions making a sort of water line well into the room. After many calls and letters to Glen Eden, we received several articles on water marking or pooling from the manufacturer. None of us wanted to accept this bogus explanation, so I wrote a letter myself and asked that an independent carpet inspector come out and take a look. They finally sent an inspector out and he agreed that the excuse seemed bogus, but that he had to report what he saw and that it was ” water marking”. Glen Eden chose not to do anything for us. We had the carpet less than 9 months when I started the investigation and we spent $4000.00 on one room of carpet! (Not a huge room either.) I then wrote another letter, this time to the president of Glen Eden, hoping to appeal to his caring side. We have heard nothing in response and I imagine we never will. It has been at least four months since I wrote. What do you know about water marking and is there anything else you can think of for me to do?

Carpet Construction and Manufacturing Variances

We have already purchased and installed an Evans Black, Carpet One carpet. My husband and I don’t feel like it is the same one we chose – which I know now is a common scam.

Carpet Defect

We just had Nylon repeat-pattern carpet put in our family room. When you enter the room on the left as you view within 4 feet you see what I would think the carpet should look like but as your eyes move to the right it looks like someone has scattered sand across the carpet. It is something to do with the nap but I hate it. If you move to the right and look back then the pattern appears. Help ME!

Wrong Padding Choice

We are in the process of building a new home, and an option we chose was “Glacier Spill-Proof Carpet Padding”. Now that the carpet is in, when you walk around the house, it sounds like your walking on trash bags. Originally, I was told it was a defect in the padding where it was bunching up. They supposedly replaced the padding. Still does it. They have now supposedly “upgraded” it to the “BMW of spill-proof carpet pads”. Still does it. Now I am being told that again supposedly a rep from the factory came out, and deemed it a “characteristic” of the carpet pad due to the spill proof layer on top. Choosing The Right Carpet Padding

Chose Wrong Carpet Style / Olefin Berber Carpet

We purchased a soft Berber for our basement. It is the newest Mohawk Smartstrand carpet. 3 days after it was installed, we noticed there was already a loop pulled. Looks like 3 loops or more have already pulled up. We also found 3-4 areas where the loop looks to be separated/broken on the top. And, we found at least 2 areas where the top of a loop is separated but it appears almost to be tied. So, at the top the loop is separated but something has it together at the very top, and then the two frayed ends are sticking out from there.

Looped Berber Pulls that are hard to repair.

Active kids and pets are often the cause of snags to Looped Berber Styles.

My dealer came out and said the pulled area must have been from something catching on it, perhaps our dog, child or a box, or almost anything. Nothing they could do about that but repair it. The other areas where the loop is separated, he said well, that can happen. As for the loops that look tied, he said he has never seen that before. My question is: did we just pick the wrong carpet for our basement??? Does three days to 1 week sound unreasonable to be having so many problems already? And, what might our recourse be? Is Berber Carpet a Good Choice?

Bad Carpet Install / Improper Carpet Installation

We’ve lived in this rental home for 4 years, our carpet started wrinkling about a year after we moved in- the wrinkles were in carpet before I got it professionally cleaned. The carpet cleaner said the carpet was not installed properly. The property owner is saying the carpet cleaner ruined it, although wrinkles were there already. I’ve spoken to others and were told that carpet was not stretched properly at installation and needs to be re-stretched. Top 10 Causes for Carpet Wrinkles

Have Carpet Defects complaints and Bad Carpet Installations? This is why it is important to learn how to choose new carpet wisely and buy from a reputable carpet dealer. Where to buy new carpet? See who I recommend near you!

Carpet Cleaning Rule #1

Carpet Cleaning Rule #2

Basic Carpet Cleaning Cost

Cost to Clean One Room Example:

Cost to Clean Whole House Example:

Proper Carpet Care and Maintenance

Carpet Cleaning Rule #3

Carpet Cleaning Rule #4

What is a Carpet Cleaning Maintenance Plan?

Carpet Cleaning Extra Fees and Charges?

Spills, Spots and Stains…

Carpet Damage, Restoration and Repairs

Q. Should I Clean Or Replace my Carpet?

A Typical New-Carpet Warranty Requires You To…

Know which warranty applies to your specific carpet and obtain a copy.

Keep proof of purchase in the form of a bill, invoice, or statement showing the price you paid for the carpet, excluding pad and labor.

Make sure your carpet is installed according to the guidelines set forth in the Carpet and Rug Institute‘s Installation Standard CRI-105

Read How to find a qualified carpet installer.

Maintain your carpet according to the manufacturer’s warranty recommendations.

Always keep every receipt as proof of recommended periodic cleaning by a Certified Carpet Cleaning Company.

Have your carpet professionally cleaned at least once every 18 months.

Why Hire a Certified Carpet Cleaner?

Carpet Cleaning Certification

Why is Vacuuming so Important?

Proper maintenance is the key to keeping your carpet looking like-new longer!

How Often Should I Vacuum My Carpet?

How many people live in your home?

More vacuuming may be necessary if you:

The Main Cause of Carpet Wear

Abrasion is Carpet Enemy #1

To File a Valid Carpet Warranty Claim:

Carpet Complaints and Carpet Installation Problems are Common!

Defective Carpet

Polyester Carpet

Olefin Berber Carpet

Bad Carpet Install / Low Quality Carpet

Staple Fiber, Not a Continuous Filament

Bad Carpet Installation / Olefin Carpet

Staple Fiber, Not a Continuous Filament

Low Quality Carpet

Improper Carpet Installation

Wrong Carpet Padding / Poor Carpet Installation

Carpet Manufacturing Variance

Polyester Carpet

Carpet Shading – Construction Defect

Carpet Construction Defect

Common Trait of Commercial Carpets. Not a Defect.

Chose The Wrong Carpet Padding

Carpet Defect / Low Quality

Carpet Defect

Defective Carpet

Carpet Construction and Manufacturing Variances

Carpet Defect

Wrong Padding Choice

Chose Wrong Carpet Style / Olefin Berber Carpet

Bad Carpet Install / Improper Carpet Installation

Have Carpet Defects complaints and Bad Carpet Installations? This is why it is important to learn how to choose new carpet wisely and buy from a reputable carpet dealer. Where to buy new carpet? See who I recommend near you!