Getting Ready for Carpet Cleaning

Getting a professional carpet cleaning offers plenty of benefits, but it is does require some preparation in order to make the most of the process. As with most tasks, spending a bit of time in preparation and organization allows for a smoother, more secure accomplishment, and often reduces the length of time it takes. So, what can be done to prepare for a professional carpet cleaning?

What to do on the outside

A few things can be done on the outside of your home to help prepare for a professional cleaning.

• Clear the driveway. Our vehicles will need to be close to the rooms being treated. Running hoses into your home from our vehicles might be necessary, and we want to make sure we can keep everything connected properly. Also, some of our equipment is heavy and bulky, so carrying it shorter distances is greatly appreciated.
• Where’s the water? Take a moment to note the locations of outdoor spigots and outlets for water, so you can point them out to us. We can heat the water, but we can’t take it with us, and fire hydrants are off limits.
• Clear the area if needed. You might have delicate lawn ornaments or porch furniture out in front of your home to add peace and character, to enjoy your slice of paradise. If you relocate these temporarily, it would ensure they don’t have a meeting with our hoses and other equipment.

What to do on the inside

Since it’s the inside we will be cleaning (although we’ve been known to clean outside carpets, on rare occasions), that’s where you can do most of the preparation.

• Clear the room of furniture. Light tables and chairs should be placed in different areas, like the kitchen or garage, to make sure as much of the carpet is cleared as possible. If arranged beforehand, we can help with this when we get there, but heavy items like beds and sofas will likely stay in place.
• Remove breakable items. Any precious or delicate items (pictures, vases, lamps, etc.) should be removed before we arrive to make sure they are not compromised during cleaning.
• Note any problem areas. Let us know about any areas with stubborn stains or structural issues so we can address those areas accordingly. Colored tape or sticky notes work great!
• Hoist the colors. Granted, removing any curtains, drapes or banners would be best. If not an available option, however, try hooking a clothes hangar on the curtain rod and sliding the curtains through it. We want to keep the fabric at least six inches away from the carpet. Or, if needed, temporarily pin them to themselves or the wall.
• Vacuum thoroughly. Although vacuuming your carpets is typically part or our service, a preliminary run-through with the vacuum will remove any loose hair, dirt or crumbs. This allows us to focus on removing the particles deeper in the fibers of the carpet.
• Take care of your pets. Many dogs, cats, birds and other pets don’t like the noise of our equipment. And, believe it or not, some pets hate the idea of unknown humans going through their home doing a fantastic job cleaning the carpets. It’s true, really. So, for their own safety (and sometimes ours), please make sure your pets are in an area where we are less likely to disturb them.

We also understand you or your kids might be interested in watching us do the excellent job we do, and we wouldn’t mind that. However, you might consider scheduling a day outing with your family, perhaps including your pets, so we don’t keep getting in your way as we work.

If this seems like a lot of work, please give Preferred Carpet Care a call. Based on your home and the rooms we will clean, we likely have tips and pointers in preparing for our arrival. By doing so, we work with you to get your carpets professionally cleaned safely, successfully, and in a timely fashion.