Get Quotes from Top Carpet Cleaning Services in Houston, TX

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Carpet Cleaning Companies in Columbus?

Asking how much you will be expected to pay for your carpet cleaning services is a crucial question when selecting carpet cleaners in Houston and goes a long way in preventing misunderstandings down the line. Carpet cleaning companies in Houston usually charge clients per square foot of area cleaned, per room cleaned, or per hour of work done. However, several factors generally affect the total amount you will pay for your requested services at the end of the day, like

• Carpet size and material
• The condition of the carpet
• Your location within the city
• The cleaning technique and supplies used
• The urgency of the job
• Whether or not furniture needs to be moved and other labor costs
• Related services like stain and odor removal, water damage restoration, and house cleaning

Professional cleaning companies in Houston typically offer potential clients free cost estimates during the negotiation process, and you should consider requesting these estimates from up to three different companies and comparing them before making your selection. Be wary of any carpet cleaner that asks you to sign a contract or any paperwork before they offer you an estimate for your requested services, as well as ones whose estimates are noticeably higher or lower than the others. This is usually an indication of dishonest and possible fraudulent business practices.

The list below provides average costs for different kinds of carpet cleaning services offered by professional carpet cleaning companies in Houston:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Square Foot:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Room:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Cleaning Method:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Carpet Type:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Type of Service:

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians?

When deciding on prospective carpet cleaning companies in Houston, you must ensure that the company you select thoroughly vets its staff. Carpet cleaners are generally granted access to your personal space, and ensuring that thorough background checks have been carried out on your preferred cleaners assures you that you will be dealing with honest and reliable individuals. These background checks also protect the carpet cleaning company’s reputation by ensuring that they recruit trustworthy employees who won't damage their reputation by stealing from clients.

To this end, you should consider it a red flag if your intended carpet cleaning company cannot guarantee that the individuals on its payroll have been thoroughly checked and vetted. The following areas are usually looked into during background checks:

• Court records
• Credit records
• Criminal records
• Driving records
• Educational and certificate verification
• Financial records
• Sex offender lists
• Social Security number
• State licensing records
• Worker’s compensation records

Are Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians Certified By the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC)?

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) upholds the cleaning industry's most stringent standards and guidelines and accredits some of the best cleaning technicians globally. Therefore, finding out if your preferred cleaning company offers its employees training and certification opportunities from this institute, or other recognized organizations like ISSA, is an excellent way to assess their capacity to provide your requested services effectively and satisfactorily. This is because these certifications generally indicate professionalism and expertise on the part of the carpet cleaner, as they are typically only issued to individuals that have attained adequate work experience and have passed written exams to demonstrate this.

You can also go further by determining if your preferred carpet cleaning company holds an IICRC badge. This badge is usually earned by companies that have at least one IICRC-certified technician on staff, possess a valid business license, and also carry adequate insurance coverage.

What Carpet Cleaning Methods Do You Use?

Another crucial step to take in ensuring that you receive satisfactory carpet cleaning services is finding out the types of carpet cleaning methods and techniques that will be used for the job. Several factors typically determine the most suitable cleaning techniques and supplies for carpet cleaning jobs in Houston, and these include:

• The type of carpeting material
• The nature of the carpet stains
• Your personal preferences or allergies, if any

Of these three factors, the carpeting material plays the most prominent role in determining the most suitable cleaning method. Carpets are usually made from two main types of materials, namely Natural Fibers and Synthetic Fibers. Common examples of these include

• Nylon: this is a very common carpeting material. Nylon carpets are highly durable and resistant to wear but are also susceptible to stains
• Polyester: these possess the same characteristics as nylon carpets but are less resilient
• Wool: wool is a high-quality natural fiber. These types of carpets are durable, stain-resistant, and eco-friendly but also prone to fading and relatively high maintenance
• Cotton: cotton is another popular natural fiber carpeting option. These carpets are ultra-soft and easy to clean, but also prone to fading, high-maintenance, and can often get easily stained
• Acrylic: while acrylic carpets are considered an inexpensive alternative to wool carpets, there are typically not as readily available for retail purchase as other carpet types
• Olefin: olefin is a popular option for carpeting basements and outdoors due to its moisture, mold, and mildew resistance. However, these carpets are not very comfortable to walk on
• Triexta: this is a synthetic fiber carpeting option that is extremely moisture and stain-resistant, highly durable, and very low maintenance

To this end, Houston-based carpet cleaners typically utilize one or a combination of the following cleaning techniques when providing carpet cleaning services to interested parties in the city:

• Steam/Hot water extraction carpet cleaning: this technique uses superheated pressurized water to remove dirt, stains, and other similar debris from the carpet
• Carpet shampooing: this technique involves cleaning the carpet with a solution of water and specialized detergents and usually involves using a spinning brush to apply this "shampoo" to the carpet and a machine to extract it until the carpet is dirt and shampoo residue-free
• Dry carpet cleaning: in this technique, specialized powders or chemicals are used to clean the carpet, and little to no liquids or water are applied during the cleaning process
• Bonnet cleaning: this technique uses a machine with a motorized spinning pad to apply the cleaning solution to the carpet's surface and then extract this solution along with any trapped dirt and debris
• Encapsulation carpet cleaning: this technique involves the use of special cleaning products that bubble, expand, and trap dirt and debris when applied to the carpet

The table below lists the pros and cons of each of these carpet cleaning methods:

Always confirm the types of cleaning techniques your carpet cleaners intend to use for the job before they begin any work and ensure that they have the right equipment and expertise needed. It is also advisable to inform the cleaners if you have any allergies or breathing issues that need to be considered to ensure that they do not use cleaning products that can aggravate your condition.

Are Your Cleaning Products Safe for Kids and Pets?

When deciding on prospective carpet cleaning companies in Houston, it is crucial to take the kinds of cleaning supplies that will be used for the job into account. Many common cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially dangerous pollutants and chemicals, like ammonia, bleach, and artificial fragrances. All these can have negative health effects, especially on children and pets, such as

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sore throat
• Eyes and skin irritation
• Allergic reactions
• Fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased risk of new on-set asthma
• Increased risk of cardiovascular and lung issues

As such, even though professional carpet cleaning companies in the Houston area generally use cleaning products that are safe for not just children and pets but the environment as well, it is always in your best interest to verify this with your intended carpet cleaners. To this end, request a list of the cleaning products they plan to use for the job before they start any work and check them on the EPA’s Safer Choice platform, which details products that have been certified as safe for use.

What Other Cleaning Services Do You Provide?

It is common to consider undertaking other cleaning-related services when planning carpet cleaning activities. To this end, it is a good idea to find out if your preferred carpet cleaning company also offers these types of services, as this makes it easier to deal with just one company instead of hiring multiple companies to provide your required services. Many professional carpet cleaning companies in Houston generally offer their clients a broad scope of additional cleaning services, such as

• House cleaning: this involves dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, and polishing surfaces and typically costs an average of $50 - $150, depending on the size of the house or the number of rooms cleaned
• Deep cleaning: this is a more intensive form of house cleaning that focuses on less-often-used or hard-to-reach areas of the house and typically costs an average of $150 - $400, depending on the size of the house and the number of rooms cleaned
• Pet odor and stain removal: this focuses on eliminating unpleasant stains and smells left by pets and typically costs an average of $150 - $750
• Window cleaning: this involves washing and cleaning windows and typically costs an average of $1.50 – $12 per window
• Pressure washing: this is usually done for hard surfaces like walls, roofs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways and typically costs an average of $100 - $675
• Upholstery cleaning: this involves cleaning sofas, armchairs, and other similar furniture, and it typically costs an average of $15 - $220 per item
• Rug cleaning: rugs are similar to carpets but are usually smaller and not affixed to the floor. Rug cleaning typically costs an average of $100 - $450
• Laundry services: this involves washing, folding, and ironing dirty laundry and typically costs an average of $10 - $20 per load
• Mattress cleaning: this involves washing bedding supplies, removing stains from dirty mattresses, and airing out these mattresses, if necessary. These types of services typically cost an average of $50 - $150 per mattress
• Green cleaning: this type of cleaning uses only organic supplies and products and typically costs an average of $100 - $250, depending on the size of the house and the number of rooms cleaned
• Disinfection and sanitization services: these cleaning services focus on preventing the growth and spread of viruses, germs, and other microorganisms and typically cost an average of $200 - $430, depending on the number of rooms that require cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization
• Hardwood floor cleaning: this focuses on hardwood floors and involves using cleaning products and equipment that ensure that the floors retain their natural beauty without being damaged by the cleaning process. Hardwood floor cleaning services typically cost an average of $40 - $65 per hour
• Tile and grout cleaning: this is similar to hardwood floor cleaning but is done on tile flooring and focuses on the tile grouts. Tile and grout cleaning typically costs an average of $30 - $45 per hour
• Pest control cleaning services: this focuses on preventing or treating pest and rodent infestations and typically costs an average of $80 - $1,200. Note that state-issued occupational licenses may be required for the provision of these types of services

Always confirm the exact nature and scope of additional cleaning services that your preferred carpet cleaners are equipped to provide, and agree on the cost of these services before signing any paperwork with them. Some carpet cleaning companies in Houston also offer customers that request multiple cleaning services discounts, and you should find out if your preferred cleaners do this too.

How Long Will It Take for My Carpet to Dry?

Professionally cleaned carpets typically dry within an average of four to ten hours. Nonetheless, the actual drying time of your carpet will depend on factors like

• Carpet material: natural fiber carpets like wool and cotton are more absorbent than synthetic fiber carpets like nylon and polyester, and as such, typically take longer to dry
• Cleaning method: carpets cleaned with methods that require little or no water, such as dry carpet cleaning and encapsulation, typically dry faster than carpets cleaned with methods that use a lot of water, like steam cleaning and carpet shampooing
• Humidity: carpets cleaned in areas with low humidity typically dry faster than carpets cleaned in high-humidity areas
• Temperature and airflow: the indoor temperature and airflow of the room or space where the carpet is cleaned will affect its drying time

Asking your carpet cleaners to provide you with an estimated drying time for your cleaned carpet helps you plan towards expected guests or children and pets that need to be kept away from the wet carpet. You can also speed up the carpet’s estimated drying time by doing the following:

• Using fans
• Opening doors and windows to increase fresh air circulation
• Turning on the AC if opening doors and windows is not an option
• Moving furniture away from the wet carpet
• Using a dehumidifier if you live in a relatively humid area
• Using a wet vacuum to soak up excess moisture

Are You Insured and Bonded?

There is always a risk of injury or property damage occurring when you invite workers and service providers into your home. Carpet cleaners, in particular, face work-related risks like exposure to chemicals, flammable liquids, and other potentially harmful substances and injuries from work tools and equipment. By ascertaining that your intended carpet cleaners are well-insured and bonded, you protect yourself from financial and legal liabilities if any injuries, property damage, or unforeseen service-related events occur during or because of your requested carpet cleaning services.

Note that even though insurance and bonding are often used in tandem and offer similar financial protection to business owners and their customers, they are not the same. Bonds generally protect the customer from losses incurred when the bonded business does not provide the agreed-on services. On the other hand, insurance typically covers both the business and the customer and ensures that they do not have to make out-of-pocket payments for any injuries, property damage, or similar adverse events that may occur during the provision of the agreed-on services. Professional Houston-based carpet cleaning companies typically carry several types of insurance coverage, and these include

• General liability insurance: which covers personal injuries, third-party bodily injuries, and property damage
• Workers’ compensation insurance: which specifically covers injuries to the carpet cleaning company’s employees
• Employees dishonesty insurance: which covers losses incurred by theft and other similar actions by the carpet cleaning company’s employees

Therefore, always ask your preferred carpet cleaners to provide proof of their insurance and bonding and verify the provided documentation with the relevant issuing organizations before they start any work in your home.