PaperlessKitchen Blog

Choosing Steam Cleaning to Protect Yourself from Scams

This week, the founder of Angie's List, Angie Hicks, spoke out about carpet cleaning scams. Hicks' was prompted to comment on the problem due to a high number of complaints about unscrupulous carpet cleaning companies appearing on her website, which allows people to leave reviews about local service providers in their hometowns.

Hicks cautioned consumers to look out for warning signs of scams. One of the biggest indicators that a carpet cleaning company is out to take consumers for a ride is a low cost special, such as offering to clean multiple rooms in a home for $5, $10 or $20.

With this scam, consumers call the company and set up an appointment. Then, the representative of the company comes to the home and does an inspection. When finished, he or she tells the homeowner that their carpets are excessively soiled and do not qualify for the special. A much higher rate is then quoted and the representative uses high-pressure sales tactics to try and force homeowners into agreeing.

Among the tips provided to help protect consumers from carpet cleaning scams was to attempt to clean products on one's own. Often times with the right equipment, carpet stains can be removed without needing to enlist the help of a professional cleaning service.

Steam cleaners are one of the most effective methods for cleaning carpeting and use only water to remove stains from carpeting. For families that are concerned about the presence of toxins in their homes, steaming cleaning carpets is preferable to professional carpet cleaning, as often these services use chemical-based cleaning products along with their equipment. You can learn more about steam cleaners here on our site.

Hicks also advises consumers to read reviews for carpet cleaning companies, do research and be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.

Have you ever had a bad experience with a carpet cleaning company? Tell your story in the comments.