The majority of people really hate cleaning their carpets, and the results of DIY carpet cleaning aren't usually very good. Leave it to the professionals and take the pressure off yourself. The advice here will let you know what you should be on the lookout for.

When you are cleaning, focus the majority of your attention on the spots where people are sitting like in front of the couch. These are typically the spots where you will find the most dirt, grime and bacteria when cleaning. Run over these areas at least three times when you are vacuuming.

When hiring a carpet cleaning company, get an in home estimate. It is easy for a company to give you an estimate over the phone, but that estimate will not take into account the current condition of your carpets or the true square footage of carpeted areas. Things like stairs can also cost more, and that is often forgotten in a phone estimate. Avoid surprises by asking the company to come to your home before providing a price.

Not all carpets can be cleaned by carpet cleaning machines and harsh chemicals. Test a small piece of your carpet to confirm that it can withstand a chemical. The cleaning process can damage delicate materials such as silk or wool. Speak with a professional if you do not have a handle on what you are doing.

Inspect your vacuum regularly. Your vacuum will be more efficient if you keep it clean and replace bags or filters as often as needed. Take you vacuum apart to clean the dust that accumulates inside and check how full the bag is. If you have had the same vacuum for years, consider replacing it with a more recent model.

The most effective way to preserve your new carpet is to prevent soil from coming in contact with it. Use carpet runners in high-traffic areas and make sure family members remove their shoes before walking onto carpeted areas. Spot cleaning may be necessary just inside the entry door of a carpeted room.

Make sure any company you hire to clean your carpets is insured. Accidents can and do happen. For this reason, you want to make sure your home and belongings are covered in case something unexpected happens. Most legitimate companies are insured, but it never hurts to ask and make sure.

Always make sure you vacuum a carpet before you use a machine to clean your carpet. You could end up breaking the machine if you do not, costing you quite a bit of money. Make sure you vacuum before you have professional carpet cleaners work in your home, also.

Spend some time going over your carpets with a vacuum. You can remove more dirt the more you spend time in each area. This can cut down on the amount of stains and help your carpet last longer. It will be well worth it.

Make sure you point out any areas that need special attention to your cleaning company. Do not assume that they will see them and realize that they need a little extra work. Make your expectations very clear, or you may be disappointed with the end result of the carpet cleaning.

In the cleaning world, a professional carpet cleaner should be completely certified through the IICRC. This is the most recognized form of certification available for cleaners all over the world. You should hire a cleaner with a certification if you have a warranty on your carpet. If your carpet cleaner is not certified, your carpet manufacturer may void your warranty.

When looking for a professional carpet cleaner, ask for referrals. One of the best ways to find good carpet cleaners is to get referrals from friends and family that have hired a cleaning service before. Advertisements and testimonials can be misleading and dishonest, but getting truthful recommendations from loved ones can be incredibly helpful in your search.

Beware of advertisements that promise you the cleaning of multiple rooms for a very low cost. A lot of times, these ads will bait you into using their service and will only provide minimal surface cleaning. A more thorough cleaning will usually cost a lot more. Make sure that you understand this before you hire them on.

As you can probably tell, a cleaning service can help make your carpet look like new. These tips should help you pick the best professional carpet cleaner so that you can what can be done for your carpet. Implement the tips mentioned and your carpets will look as good as new.