So your dog tracks mud on your new clean carpet, who ya gonna call? Well, certainly not the Ghost Busters. Of course you will need to call a carpet cleaning company and picking out a reputable one can be risky business. With the introduction of new cleaning tools, carpet cleaning companies are spreading like wildfire. So how do you weed out the pros from the average Joes?

The most important thing for you to do is ask questions: How long has the company been running? What cleaning methods do they employ? Will my carpet be insured?

If the company has been running for a while, it can easily be assumed that they are doing something right. This is why the age of the company is important. Granted, all businesses have to start somewhere, but do you really want to take that risk with your carpet?

The next question to ask, is what cleaning methods they employ. It is important to know exactly what the cleaners will be doing to your carpet. In addition to this, call the makers of your carpet to get their opinion, after all, they know your carpet best.

Lastly, make sure that the company will ensure your carpet. It is very common for color transfers and tears to occur during carpet cleaning and you dont want to be footing th ebill for someone else’s mistake.

If you’re really proactive about finding a good carpet company, think about calling the the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IIRC). They will be able to tell you of all the the reputable and certified carpet cleaning services in your area.

Bottom line, make sure you know exactly what you’re getting into before you choose a carpet cleaning company. You wouldnt want a tiny spot to turn into a huge mess!