Questions to ask before booking a carpet clean

Booking a carpet clean sounds simple until you realise you don't know what to ask. You could hand over access to your home and a deposit to someone you've barely vetted, or you could spend ten minutes asking the right questions upfront. The difference between a clean that leaves your carpets fresh and one that leaves them damp, sticky, or worse is often determined before the cleaner even arrives.

A good carpet cleaner will answer your questions directly and give you specifics. They'll explain their process, their equipment, and their pricing without vagueness. An evasive answer—hedging, over-promising, or deflecting—is a red flag worth taking seriously.

What's your equipment and how do you maintain it?

A cleaner's equipment matters more than most people think. Ask whether they use portable machines or truck-mounted systems, what brand, and how old the equipment is. A truck-mounted system typically extracts water more effectively, reducing drying time and residue risk. A portable machine offers flexibility but may not extract as thoroughly.

Then ask how often they service their machines. Regular maintenance—cleaning filters, checking hoses, replacing worn parts—prevents mould growth inside the equipment and dirty water being pumped back into your carpet. A cleaner who services weekly is more reliable than one who says "when needed."

A good answer sounds like: "We use a truck-mounted system serviced every two weeks. We replace our extraction hoses every two years and our filters every month." An evasive one: "Oh, our equipment is fine, it works great." That tells you nothing.

What's your solution and can you guarantee it won't damage my carpet?

Ask what cleaning solution they use and whether it's safe for your specific carpet type. Some carpets are wool, some are synthetic, some are a blend. Some have a delicate backing. A cleaner who asks *you* about your carpet before recommending a solution is already ahead of one who uses the same recipe everywhere.

Press on guarantees. Ask them to explain in writing what they'll do if their cleaning causes damage—fading, shrinking, colour bleeding. A reputable cleaner carries public liability insurance and will have a clear policy. Don't settle for "we've never had a problem." Problems do happen, and you need to know you're protected.

How long will my carpets stay wet, and what happens if they're not dry within that timeframe?

Drying time varies wildly depending on humidity, airflow, carpet thickness, and extraction quality. A cleaner should give you a realistic window—often 4 to 24 hours depending on conditions—not a guarantee of "completely dry by tomorrow morning."

Ask what they recommend to speed drying: opening windows, running fans, keeping the room warm. And ask what they'll do if your carpets *aren't* dry within their stated timeframe. Will they return to re-extract? Will they credit you? A cleaner confident in their work will have a straightforward answer.

Also ask whether they move furniture back themselves or whether you'll need to do it. If you move heavy furniture onto damp carpet, damage is your responsibility, not theirs. Knowing this upfront prevents frustration.

Can you give me a breakdown of your pricing and what's included?

Ask for a quote that spells out cost per room, any surcharges (stairs, hallways, pet stains), and what's included in the base price. Some cleaners charge extra for high-traffic areas, extra-thick carpets, or stubborn stains. Others bundle these in.

Confirm cancellation terms, especially if you're booking weeks ahead. What happens if you need to reschedule? Is there a cancellation fee? Can they confirm the appointment 24 hours before arrival?

Ask whether they offer a follow-up appointment at a discount if you're not satisfied. This isn't common, but cleaners who offer it signal confidence.

• Cost per square metre or per room
• Surcharges and what triggers them
• What's included (moving furniture, stain treatment, deodoriser)
• Cancellation and rescheduling policy
• Timeline for payment (upfront, on completion, invoice terms)

Once you've asked these questions and heard clear, specific answers, you'll have a much better sense of who to trust. Look for a verified carpet cleaner on Strove who can walk you through all of this before you commit.