Story Published:
Feb 10, 2006 at 4:55 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 2:12 AM PDT
SEATTLE - Here's some dirt about carpet cleaning companies. Not only do prices vary greatly from firm to firm, so does the quality of the work. For its latest issue,
Puget Sound Consumers' Checkbook magazine surveyed people about their experiences with local carpet cleaners. While some companies excelled at customer satisfaction, others left many greatly dissatisfied.
"Sometimes the carpets look fine as soon as they leave, but two weeks later it doesn't look good at all," says Robert Krughoff, Checkbook's president.
To see how much prices vary, the magazine got telephone quotes for the same job - cleaning 330 square feet of moderately dirty carpet. Estimates ranged from as little as $66 to as much as $180. That's a substantial difference.
Checkbook found that with carpet cleaners, as with many other services, you don't have to pay top dollar to get the job done right. "Some of the lower-priced firms actually rated very high on the quality of work they do," he says.
But price is only one factor to consider. Hire the wrong firm, Krughoff warns, and they could ruin your expensive carpeting.
"They can over wet it, that's the biggest problem," he says. "You can end up with bleeding of colors, the backing coming loose, seams popping open, or distorted pile."
There are various ways to clean carpeting. Checkbook says hot water extraction is best for "a serious cleaning," but the firm needs to have truck-mounted equipment.
"They can't just use portable equipment that they bring into your home," cautions Krughoff.
A carpet cleaner can't work magic; some stains just can't be removed. That's why Krughoff says it's important to walk through the house before the cleaning begins. You want to point out stains or other problems and ask if they can be eliminated.
"Get a written guarantee," Krughoff advises, "promising that the firm will at least redo the job if you don't consider it satisfactory."
Checkbook gives top marks for quality and pricing (for in-home cleaning) to the following firms:
- Brainerd's Cleaning Services, Poulsbo
- Crystal Carpet Care, Federal Way
- Don's Carpet Cleaning, Silverdale
- Fresh & Clean Professional, Lake Stevens
- Morgan's Chem-Dry, Kenmore
- Pro-Tech Carpet Cleaning, Seattle
- Schuler's Carpet Cleaning, Federal Way
You'll find detailed ratings of 52 Puget Sound Area carpet cleaners in the Winter/Spring 2006 issue of Checkbook magazine (a subscription publication).
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