Get Quotes from Top Carpet Cleaning Services in Chicago, IL

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

It is always a good idea to determine how much you will be expected to pay for your requested carpet cleaning services right off the gate. Many carpet cleaning companies in Chicago usually utilize square footage rates where the client is charged per square foot of area cleaned. However, some of these companies also use hourly rates where the clients are charged per hour of work done or charge flat fees for each service provided. Sometimes, a combination of all three billing structures may be used.

Regardless of the method your carpet cleaning company uses to calculate their charges, your overall fee will primarily be determined by factors like:

• The size of your carpet
• The type of carpet material
• The cleaning method and cleaning supplies used
• Your location within the city
• The urgency of the job
• The type and number of furniture that needed to be moved around
• Extra requested services like water damage restoration, stain and odor removal, and house cleaning

You should strongly consider getting and comparing price quotes from at least three carpet cleaning companies before coming to hiring conclusions. Note that most professional carpet cleaning companies in Chicago typically offer potential customers free cost estimates when negotiating services with them. However, be wary of any carpet cleaner that requires you to sign paperwork before providing you with cost estimates, as this usually suggests that they are attempting to scam you.

The list below provides average costs for different kinds of carpet cleaning services offered by professional carpet cleaning companies in Chicago:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Square Foot:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates per Room:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Cleaning Method:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Carpet Type:

Carpet Cleaning Cost Estimates Based on Type of Service:

Do You Conduct Background Checks on Your Carpet Cleaning Technicians?

Determining whether your intended carpet cleaners are trustworthy is as important as ensuring they have the necessary experience and equipment to perform the job satisfactorily. As such, it is important to confirm that the carpet cleaning company you wish to sign up with conducts proper background checks on their cleaners before you reach any agreements with them. This is crucial because these cleaners are usually granted entry into your home and will have access to your belongings and other valuables.

In addition to assuring you that your potential carpet cleaners are reliable and trustworthy, proper background checks also protect the reputation of the carpet cleaning company that conducts them by ensuring that their employees do not steal from customers. Therefore, you should take it as a warning sign if any carpet cleaning company you are considering for the job cannot guarantee or give proof that their employees have been thoroughly vetted. Some of the public records that are usually accessed during these background checks include:

• Court records
• Credit records
• Criminal records
• Driving records
• Educational and certificate verification
• Financial records
• Sex offender lists
• Social Security number
• State licensing records
• Worker’s compensation records

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

Finding out what training programs your prospective carpet cleaning company provides its personnel is another way to gauge its capacity to complete the task satisfactorily. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) upholds standards accepted globally and is one of the most recognized certification bodies in the cleaning industry. Note that other reputable organizations, like ISSA, also offer training and certification opportunities to interested cleaners. Hiring carpet cleaning technicians who have earned IICRC certification, or any other recognized credentials, typically ensures the best level of service delivery because these credentials can only be attained by individuals with sufficient work experience who also pass written tests.

Finding out if your prospective carpet cleaning company has earned an IICRC badge is another effective way to gauge their suitability for the job. This badge generally indicates that they have at least one IICRC-certified technician on staff, a current business license, and sufficient insurance coverage.

What Carpet Cleaning Methods Do You Use?

When selecting carpet cleaning companies in Chicago, it is essential to find out the types of cleaning methods they typically utilize for their services. Professional carpet cleaning companies in the city usually consider several variables when deciding which cleaning methods and products are best for your carpet, and these include:

• The kind of carpet and carpet fiber
• The type of dirt or stains on the carpet
• Your personal preference for conventional cleaning supplies or environmentally friendly ones

Amongst these variables considered, the kind of carpet and carpet fiber plays the most significant role in determining the cleaning method used. Carpets are typically made with either natural or synthetic fibers, and they come in various kinds, like

• Nylon: this carpet's strength and wear resistance make it one of the most popular carpeting options available. However, nylon carpets are susceptible to stains
• Polyester: while polyester carpets have similar properties to nylon carpets, they are less durable
• Wool: wool is a premium natural fiber carpet that is long-lasting, eco-friendly, and stain-resistant. However, these types of carpets require a lot of upkeep and are vulnerable to fading
• Cotton: this is another popular natural fiber carpeting option. However, although cotton carpets are ultra-soft and easy to clean, they are also prone to fading, require a lot of maintenance, and are not stain resistant
• Olefin: due to its resistance to moisture, mildew, and mold, olefin carpets are frequently utilized for outdoor and basement carpeting. However, they can be difficult to walk on
• Triexta: this is a long-lasting and highly durable synthetic fiber carpet that is also highly stain and moisture-resistant and easy to maintain
• Acrylic: this is an affordable substitute for wool carpets. However, these types of carpets are not usually readily available for purchase

These different carpet types are usually cleaned by Chicago-based carpet cleaning companies using at least one of the following methods:

• Carpet shampooing: with this method, the carpet is cleaned using a solution of water and specialized detergents. The "shampoo" is often applied with a revolving brush and is then mechanically withdrawn until the carpet is clean and free of residue
• Hot water extraction/steam carpet cleaning: in this method, dust, dirt, mud, and other stains and particles are removed from the carpet using superheated pressured water
• Bonnet cleaning: with this method, a machine with a motorized spinning pad is used to apply the cleaning solution to the carpet's surface and then extract it along with any dirt and debris that was left behind
• Dry carpet cleaning: in this method, the carpet is cleaned with specialized powders or chemicals. This method uses very little to no liquids or water
• Encapsulation carpet cleaning: this method uses specialist cleaning agents that, when applied to the carpet, bubble, inflate, and trap dirt and debris

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

Always find out the types of cleaning methods your prospective carpet cleaners intend to utilize for the job before they begin any work. Ensure that this method is suitable for your carpet type and that they have the skills and equipment necessary to do the job efficiently and satisfactorily. It is also a good idea to inform the carpet cleaning service about any allergies you may have so they can use cleaning supplies that won't trigger them.

Are Your Cleaning Products Safe for Kids and Pets?

Many conventional cleaning products and supplies contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other potentially toxic pollutants and chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and artificial fragrances that can have adverse health effects on parties that come in contact with them, particularly children and pets. Some of the risks associated with these chemicals 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 this end, you must take the kinds of cleaning products that will be used for the job into account when searching for carpet cleaning services in the Chicago area. Thus, even though most professional carpet cleaning companies in the city utilize cleaning supplies that are kid and pet friendly and also environmentally-safe, you should always get confirmation on this from your intended carpet cleaners. An effective way to do this is by requesting a list of the cleaning products that will be used for the job and checking these products online via the EPA's Safer Choice portal. This platform features a regularly updated list of cleaning supplies and products that have been certified safe for use by this agency.

What Other Cleaning Services Do You Provide?

Even though some Chicago-based carpet cleaning businesses focus solely on cleaning carpets, many also offer other cleaning services. Therefore, if you plan to do more than simply clean your carpet, it is a good idea to find out if your preferred carpet cleaners offer any additional cleaning services you might require. These additional services that are usually provided by Chicago-based carpet cleaning businesses include:

• House cleaning services: this includes dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, and polishing surfaces. These services often cost $50 to $225 or more, depending on the number of rooms or the size of the house to be cleaned
• Deep cleaning: deep cleaning is a more intensive sort of house cleaning that typically pays extra attention to hard-to-reach or less-frequently-used areas of the house. These services usually cost $200 to $450 or more, depending on how many rooms need to be cleaned and the size of the house
• Window cleaning: this entails cleaning or washing your windows and normally costs between $1.50 and $13.50 per window
• Pet odor and stain removal: this entails getting rid of unpleasant smells and difficult-to-remove stains often left by pets. This service usually costs between $150 and $825
• Pressure washing: this type of cleaning is mainly used for walls, driveways, sidewalks, roofs, gutters, and other similar hard surfaces, and it usually costs anywhere from $100 to $700
• Laundry services: these services generally entail washing, folding, and ironing your dirty laundry, and they usually cost between $10 and $20 per load
• Upholstery cleaning: this service entails cleaning armchairs, sofas, and other kinds of furniture that normally call for specialized cleaning tools, supplies, and methods. Upholstery cleaning services generally cost an average of $15 to $250 per item
• Disinfection and sanitization services: these types of cleaning services are intended to stop the growth and proliferation of bacteria, viruses, and other germs and microorganisms. Disinfection and sanitization services range in price from $200 to $465 or more, depending on the number of rooms that need to be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized.
• Green cleaning services: these types of cleaning services generally utilize only organic cleaning supplies and products. Green cleaning costs typically range from $100 to $275, depending on the number of rooms or the size of the house to be cleaned
• Pest control cleaning services: these services involve preventing or treating pest and rodent infestations, and they can cost you anywhere from $80 to $1,500. Note that offering these types of services often requires a state-issued occupational license and certification
• Rug cleaning: while rugs are similar to carpets in makeup and composition, they are usually smaller and not attached to the floor. Rug cleaning typically costs between $150 and $500
• Mattress cleaning services: these normally include eliminating stains from mattresses, washing bedding items, and airing out the mattresses where necessary, and can cost from $50 to $150 per mattress
• Tile and grout cleaning: this involves cleaning tile flooring, particularly the tile grouts, and it generally costs about $30 to $50 per hour
• Hardwood floor cleaning: this is similar to tile and grout cleaning, but instead focuses on cleaning hardwood floors with supplies and tools that ensure that these floors preserve their natural beauty and are not damaged during the cleaning process. These services typically cost between $40 and $65 per hour

Confirm the nature and scope of additional cleaning services that your preferred carpet cleaners are capable of providing, as well as the cost of these services, before signing any agreements with them. You should also inquire about discounts these carpet cleaners may offer clients who sign up for multiple cleaning services.

How Long Will It Take for My Carpet to Dry?

Being informed on how long your cleaned carpet will take to dry is necessary, especially if you have young children or pets that you need to keep away from the wet carpet or if you are expecting visitors soon. While it takes four to ten hours on average for professionally cleaned carpets to dry, this drying time is affected by several factors:

• Carpet material: synthetic fiber carpets like polyester and nylon generally dry faster than natural fiber carpets like cotton and wool, which tend to be more moisture and liquid-absorbent and can sometimes take up to 24 hours to dry completely
• Cleaning method: carpet cleaning methods that use little to no water, such as dry carpet cleaning and encapsulation, typically lead to quicker drying times than techniques that use a lot of water, such as steam cleaning and carpet shampooing
• Humidity: low-humidity environments typically have faster carpet drying times
• Temperature and airflow: indoor temperatures and airflow also affect how quickly freshly cleaned carpets dry

The following techniques can be used to reduce the overall drying time of your carpet:

• Using fans
• Opening windows and doors to let in more fresh air
• Turning on the air conditioner in situations where you cannot leave your windows or doors open
• Using a dehumidifier if you live in a high-humidity location
• Moving furniture away from the wet carpet
• Using a wet vacuum to remove moisture

Are You Insured and Bonded?

Carpet cleaners typically face several on-the-job hazards, like exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxic substances and physical injuries from work tools. In addition, there is always the risk that these cleaners may damage your property while providing their services. As such, ensuring that any carpet cleaning company you hire is adequately insured and bonded is crucial. This way, you will not be held liable for any on-the-job injuries, property damage, or other unforeseen adverse scenarios that occur during or as a result of your carpet cleaning.

Be aware that while bonding and insurance are financial guarantees meant to protect business owners and their clients in case something goes wrong, they are not the same. Bonds generally protect only the clients and ensure they won't suffer losses if the carpet cleaning business does not provide the agreed-on services. However, insurance covers the carpet cleaning business and the client and guarantees that the latter will not be obliged to pay out-of-pocket costs if something unforeseen occurs. To this end, professional carpet cleaners often carry the following kinds of insurance coverage:

• General liability insurance coverage: this provides coverage for personal injury, third-party bodily injury, and property damage
• Workers’ compensation insurance coverage: this provides coverage for the carpet cleaning business's employees and is mandatory for Chicago-based carpet cleaning companies with at least one employee
• Employee dishonesty insurance coverage: this provides coverage for damages brought on by employee theft or other unethical conduct

Always ensure that your preferred carpet cleaners are adequately insured and bonded before entering into any agreements with them by requesting copies of their insurance and bond certificates and validating these documents with the relevant issuing organizations.