Get Quotes from Top Carpet Cleaning Services in Columbus, OH

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Carpet Cleaner

Six in ten Americans attempt to clean their carpets themselves despite lacking the requisite knowledge for handling cleaning agents and the right technique and tools to use. As a result, most do-it-yourself carpet cleaning projects produce unsatisfactory results, such as mold and mildew growth, carpet discoloration and shrinkage, overly wet and smelly carpets, and that is not all. If your carpet is new and covered under a manufacturer's warranty, do-it-yourself carpet cleaning may void any warranty claims.

To avoid these unpleasant results, it is always in your best interest to hire professionally trained carpet cleaners in Columbus to clean your carpets. However, before signing any agreement with a carpet cleaning service in Columbus, you should ensure that the company’s cleaners are experienced, insured, bonded, and can provide satisfactory answers to the following questions:

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

There are no fixed prices for carpet cleaning services in Columbus. Therefore, anyone interested in a carpet cleaning service should always find out how much they will be expected to pay for the service before signing contracts with their preferred carpet cleaning company. Columbus-based carpet cleaning companies consider several factors when calculating the cost of a carpet cleaning service. These factors typically include:

  • The size of the carpet
  • The carpet material
  • The cleaning method and cleaning supplies that will be used
  • The urgency of the job
  • The client's location within the city
  • Furniture moving and other labor costs

After taking these factors into account, carpet cleaning companies in the city will estimate the cost of the particular service using either square footage rates, where the client is charged per square foot cleaned, or per room charges, where a fixed rate is charged for each room worked on.

Regardless of how much your preferred carpet cleaning company intends to charge for the service you require, it is always in your best interest to obtain and compare estimates for the same service from at least three other carpet cleaning companies in town. On the one hand, it assists you in determining the average market price for the service, and on the other, it enables you to identify dishonest carpet cleaners who charge more than the value of the service they will provide.

Listed below are the average costs for different kinds of carpet cleaning services offered by professional carpet cleaning companies in Columbus:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Square Foot:

250 square feet
$37 - $100
500 square feet
$64 - $200
1,000 square feet
$150 - $400
1,500 square feet
$225 - $500
2,000 square feet
$310 - $800
2,500 square feet
$575 - $1,000

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Room:

1 room
$36 - $90
2 rooms
$60 - $170
3 rooms
$75 - $350
4 rooms
$100 - $360
5 rooms
$130 - $650

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Cleaning Method:

Steam/Hot Water Extraction
$80 - $370
Carpet Shampooing
$80 - $260
Dry Cleaning
$65 - $150
Bonnet
$30 - $90
Encapsulation
$80 - $200

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Carpet Type:

Synthetic fiber carpets
$60 - $300
Natural fiber carpets
$100 - $450

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Type of Service:

Green carpet cleaning
$100 - $240
Carpet stain removal
$30 - $450
Upholstery cleaning
$50 - $100
Pet stain and odor cleaning/removal
$30 - $50 per hour
Stair carpet cleaning
$3 - $5 per stair
Water extraction
$370 – $2,000
Furniture moving
$12 - $50
Carpet patch repair
$100 - $250
Carpet re-stretching
$100 - $300
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians?

Many carpet cleaning companies in Columbus conduct background checks on prospective employees to avoid hiring an unidentified, dishonest, or criminally charged individual. Some of the necessary background checks conducted by most Columbus-based carpet cleaning companies on prospective employees include:

  • Criminal record check
  • Credit record check
  • Driving record check
  • Court record check
  • Educational and certificate verification
  • Sex offender record check
  • Social security number check
  • State licensing record check
  • Worker’s compensation record check

Even though running a background check on prospective employees always benefits the carpet cleaning company, homeowners should not assume that the cleaning technician sent to their home was subjected to the necessary background check. Homeowners should always check to see if the individual sent to them has been properly checked by the company. Before allowing any cleaning technician into their home, homeowners can request background check records from the carpet cleaning company. This will not only assist homeowners in avoiding liabilities such as theft, but it will also assist them in identifying who is entering their home in case something goes wrong.

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

Finding out whether the carpet cleaning company you intend to hire is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) is one of the first steps in ensuring that you hire the best hand for the job. The IICRC guarantees quality service and safe cleaning by training and certifying some of the finest cleaning technicians in the world every year.

IICRC-certified carpet cleaners are trained to provide quality service using the best cleaning techniques and equipment. These cleaners are expected to uphold industry standards and conduct themselves professionally while discharging their duties.

Columbus-based carpet cleaners can obtain IICRC certification by completing multiple training courses, passing a written examination, and demonstrating proof of skill acquisition in cleaning. Similarly, carpet cleaning companies with at least one certified IICRC technician, business license, and the right insurance coverage can also obtain the IICRC badge alongside relevant certifications.

What Carpet Cleaning Methods Do You Use?

Another important step to take before hiring a carpet cleaner in Columbus is to find out about the cleaning methods they employ. Carpets are delicate materials that must be handled with extreme caution. As a result, it is critical that the carpet cleaning method chosen by your preferred carpet cleaning company not only removes stains but also ensures that the carpet's quality is not depleted.

Columbus-based carpet cleaners consider a variety of factors when determining the best cleaning methods and cleaning products to use on your carpet. The type of carpet and carpet fiber, the nature of the dirt or stains on the carpet, and your preference for eco-friendly or commercial cleaning products are among the factors taken into consideration when choosing the best cleaning method to use on your carpet. However, among the aforementioned factors, the type of carpet material is usually given more consideration than others.

Carpets are typically made from either natural or synthetic fibers, each of which has unique characteristics. Some common carpet fibers include

  • Nylon: this is the most popular carpet fiber among residential users. It is durable and very easy to maintain. However, carpets made from nylon are usually susceptible to stain
  • Polyester: this is similar to nylon carpets, but is more resistant to stains, especially water-based stains
  • Wool: this is one natural fiber that is durable, stain-resistant, and eco-friendly. However, this carpet material fades easily and needs to be maintained regularly and properly
  • Cotton: cotton is another natural fiber carpeting option. Cotton carpets are soft and easy to clean. However, they are prone to fading and less resistant to stains
  • Acrylic: this carpet was introduced as a less expensive substitute for wool carpet. However, these carpets tend to wear out easily compared to wool
  • Olefin: this is a less expensive alternative to nylon. These carpets come in different colors and are moisture, mold, and mildew-resistant, which makes them a good option for outdoor and basement carpeting. However, they are not durable
  • Triexta: this carpet is as strong as nylon. triexta is a synthetic fiber carpet that is durable, stain-resistant, and easy to maintain

Carpet cleaning companies in Columbus utilize one or more of the following cleaning methods when providing their services in relation to the aforementioned carpet types:

  • Hot water extraction/Steam carpet cleaning: this method involves spraying a mix of hot water and cleaning agents at high pressure to remove dust, mud, thick dirt, and other debris from the carpet
  • Carpet shampooing: this involves the use of a special shampoo and water to clean the carpet, often with a brush to apply the shampoo to the carpet, and a machine to extract this shampoo until the carpet is clean and dry
  • Dry carpet cleaning: this involves the use of special powders or chemicals and little-to-no water or liquids
  • Bonnet cleaning: this entails using a machine with a motorized spinning pad to apply the cleaning product to the surface of the carpet and then extract it along with trapped dirt and debris
  • Encapsulation carpet cleaning: this entails the use of specialized cleaning products that, when applied to the carpet, bubble and expand, trapping dirt and debris in the process

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

Method Pros Cons
Steam Carpet Cleaning/Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning Effective for removing dirt and bacteria from carpets
Can help neutralize pollens, dust, and other allergens 
Requires hours of downtime to dry
Retained moisture may cause mold or mildew-related issues
Carpet Shampooing Separates and removes dirt molecules from carpet fibers
Strips embedded pet hairs from tightly wound carpet fibers
Improperly removed shampoo molecules can end up making your carpet look dingy over time
Excess moisture may soak into your carpet’s foam padding and create mold and moisture-related issues down the line
Dry Carpet Cleaning No drying downtime
Safe for all types of carpets
Powders and detergents used can be pungent
Not a good option for homeowners with breathing difficulties or allergies
Bonnet Cleaning Effective for light stains 
Quick-drying
Not effective for deep cleaning 
Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Environmentally friendly
Quick-drying 
Does not rely on water or electricity 
Only useful for surface cleaning and is usually ineffective for deep stains and odors 

After considering the pros and cons of each cleaning method, you can now choose the best cleaning method for your carpet. However, you should find out if your preferred carpet cleaning company has the necessary equipment and expertise needed to perform the cleaning procedure. Finally, you should always inform your carpet cleaner of any allergies you may have so that they can take this into account when selecting the cleaning products to use on your carpet.

Are Your Cleaning Products Safe for Kids and Pets?

Another important factor to consider when hiring a carpet cleaning company in Columbus is the cleaning products that your preferred carpet cleaner intends to use on your carpet. Some cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants, such as ammonia, bleach, and artificial fragrances, which can be harmful, especially to children and pets. Some of the health hazards posed by these types of chemicals and cleaning supplies include:

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

To avoid these health hazards, you must ensure that the cleaning supplies your preferred carpet cleaning company intends to use is safe for your kids and pets. You can do so by requesting a list of the cleaning products that will be used for the job and looking up the products online via the EPA’s Safer Choice platform, which lists cleaning products that have been certified as safe for use by this agency.

What Other Cleaning Services Do You Provide?

Some professional carpet cleaners in Columbus offer additional cleaning services that are not carpet-related to members of the public. These services range from ordinary house cleaning services to laundry services and more. Residents of Columbus who need additional cleaning services alongside carpet cleaning can ask their preferred carpet cleaner what other cleaning service they can provide.

Note that some of these other cleaning services require expertise and special equipment. Therefore, it is crucial to find out if the preferred carpet cleaning can expertly handle the work. To be sure, interested persons can ask the carpet cleaning company about their years of practice and level of competence in delivering these other services, as well as a list of people they can contact to verify the company's claim.

Some additional cleaning services that carpet cleaners in Columbus typically provide include:

  • House cleaning services: here, the cleaners dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and polish surfaces around the house. The ideal price for this service ranges between $40 - $170, however, homeowners can pay more than the average price depending on the size of the house or the number of rooms to be cleaned
  • Deep cleaning: this cleaning service is more intensive as hard-to-reach parts of the house are cleaned. Deep cleaning services can cost between $150 - $400 or more depending on the size of the house
  • Window cleaning: this involves dusting and wiping the client's windows. The ideal price for this service ranges between $1.30 – $10.50 per window
  • Pet odor and stain removal: this involves getting rid of unpleasant smells and stains that are left by pets. The price for this service can cost you anywhere from $170 - $800
  • Pressure washing: this involves cleaning hard surfaces like walls, roofs, gutters, sidewalks, and driveways. Pressure washing services cost an average of $100 - $600
  • Laundry services: depending on the cleaning company, the service may solely include washing or also involves folding and ironing. This service can cost anywhere between $10 - $20 per load
  • Upholstery cleaning: most household furniture requires special techniques and supplies to clean. Professional cleaning companies are trained to remove dirt and stain from household furniture like armchairs and sofas. This service costs an average of $15 - $250 per item
  • Disinfection and sanitization services: this service focuses on preventing the growth and proliferation of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. This type of service costs an average of $180 - $450 or more, depending on the number of rooms that require cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization
  • Green cleaning services: this involves utilizing organic cleaning products and supplies to remove dirt and stains from a client's home. Green cleaning typically costs an average of $100 - $200 or more
  • Pest control cleaning services: this involves the use of special techniques and supplies to prevent or treat pest and rodent infestations. This service can cost anywhere from $80 - $1,500. Note that a state-issued occupational license may be required for this service
  • Rug cleaning: this involves any cleaning procedure used to remove dirt and stains from rugs. Rug cleaning costs an average of $180 - $500
  • Mattress cleaning services: this service focuses on removing stains from dirty mattresses and washing bedding supplies. Mattress cleaning costs an average of $50 - $150 per mattress
  • Tile and grout cleaning: this focus on cleaning tile floorings with special attention paid to the tile grouts. Tile and grout cleaning costs an average of $30 - $50 per hour

Hardwood floor cleaning: this involves cleaning hardwood floors with the use of cleaning supplies and equipment that help the floors retain their natural beauty. Hardwood floor cleaning costs an average of $40 - $65 per hour

How Long Will It Take for My Carpet to Dry?

Although the ideal duration for a professionally cleaned carpet to dry is 4-10 hours, homeowners should keep in mind that their newly cleaned carpet may take longer than expected to dry due to factors such as the type of carpet fiber their carpet is made of, the cleaning method that was used, and the weather or room temperature.

  • The carpet material: carpets are made of either synthetic or natural fibers. Synthetic carpet dries faster than natural fiber. This is because natural fibers absorb more water. Some natural fiber can take as long as 24 hours to dry completely
  • The cleaning method: professional cleaners use a variety of cleaning methods in removing dirt and stains from rugs. The type of cleaning method used typically influences how long it will take for a carpet to dry. This is because some of these cleaning methods require a lot of water while others only need little or no water at all. For instance, dry carpet cleaning takes less time to dry than carpet shampooing
  • Humidity: carpets typically dry faster in areas with low humidity
  • Temperature: the temperature of the room typically speeds up the amount of time it will take for a carpet to dry

Given that a variety of factors can influence how long it takes a professionally cleaned carpet to dry, it is critical to avoid scheduling your carpet cleaning procedure on the same day you intend to host a significant guest or event in your home. Nonetheless, you should ensure that your carpet cleaner operates on time so that you do not expose your children or pets to a wet carpet. You can speed up your carpet's drying time by taking any of the following steps:

  • Switching on your fans after the cleaning procedure is completed
  • Open your windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate
  • Turn on the air conditioner, when opening a window is not an option,
  • Use a dehumidifier If you live in an area with high humidity
  • Remove furniture from the wet carpet
  • Use a wet vacuum cleaner to absorb moisture

Are You Insured and Bonded?

There are generally no local insurance obligations for carpet cleaners in Columbus. However, reputable carpet cleaning companies in the city keep insurance policies and a janitorial bond to protect their clients from any liabilities that may arise from doing the job or from an employee's behavior.

Even though these insurance and bonds protect a client from service-related liabilities, it is important to note that they provide different types of coverage.

Insurance protects you from liabilities that may arise as a result of bodily harm, death, or property damage while the service is being performed. A carpet cleaning company may decide to keep general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and employee dishonesty insurance.

A janitorial bond, on the other hand, provides coverage for employee theft of money or property as well as breach of service contract.

You should always ensure that you confirm your preferred carpet cleaner's insurance and bond status before signing any contract. You can make sure of this by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and validating these documents with the appropriate issuing organizations.

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad Carpet Cleaning Service in Columbus

The Ohio Attorney General's Office handles consumer complaints involving carpet cleaning scams in Columbus and other parts of the state.

Cleaning-related scams are nothing new to Columbus residents. According to a post made by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, several cases of cleaning-related scams are reported by Columbus residents every day, with the majority of these cases involving paying for house cleaning services that are never delivered. Other scam tricks used by dishonest carpet cleaners in Columbus include:

  • Offering ridiculously low rate initially with the intent to inflate the price once the work commences
  • Insisting on full payment upfront
  • Claiming to use a unique cleaning method to inflate the cost of the service
  • Quoting a price different from their initial estimate, claiming that you have a special type of carpet or extra stubborn stains than require more expensive cleaning products

You can protect yourself from cleaning scams by taking the following precautionary measures:

  • Avoid hiring carpet cleaners that show up in front of your door uninvited
  • Ask friends and family that have successfully had their carpets cleaned for referrals to reputable carpet cleaning companies in the city
  • Always check for reviews and testimonials on prospective carpet cleaning companies online via websites like Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, Google Review, and other similar platforms
  • Get and obtain estimates from different carpet cleaning companies in the city before choosing one
  • Make sure the carpet cleaning company is insured and bonded
  • Avoid making full payment for the service upfront
  • Avoid verbal agreement. Do not allow anyone to commence work on your project until a written service contract is signed

Victims of carpet cleaning scams can report the incident to the Consumer Protection Division of the Ohio Attorney General's Office online, by calling (800)282-0515, or by downloading, completing, and mailing a complaint form to the address below:

Consumer Protection Section
30 East. Broad Street., 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3400

Note that reporting a carpet cleaner does not guarantee that you will recover all you lost. If you seek full compensation, you can file a legal action against a fraudulent cleaner in an appropriate court. The appropriate court for matters involving a total amount of $6,000 or less is the Franklin County Municipal Court.

However, it is crucial to consult a reputable attorney before filing a legal action against an individual or business. Victims of carpet cleaning scams can find reputable attorneys in their areas by visiting the Columbus Bar Association member's directory.