Carpet in a typical home should be professionally cleaned every 12 months, and more often with high traffic or in areas of the country with high air pollution. Not all professional cleaners use the same cleaning methods:

Bonnet cleaning is a system that uses a rotary floor machine and absorbent bonnet or pad. The carpet and/or pad is sprayed with a cleaning detergent then the carpet is buffed to remove the soil. The bonnet is not capable of deep cleaning, leaving detergent residue in the carpet. The rotary action of the machine can open up the tufts on cut pile twisted yarn which can cause unsightly matting of the fibers.

Hot water extraction is the method recommended by most leading carpet makers. The system - commonly called "steam cleaning", consists of spraying a solution of water and cleaner into the carpet pile and extracting the water with a vacuum machine. The better hot water extraction systems use truck-mounted units with only hoses and a cleaning wand brought inside your home.

Misleading advertising and by low end price cleaners can leave cleaners who offer quality service at a disadvantage. Advertisements promising carpet cleaning at unbelievably low prices (like $5.95 a room; or two rooms for $10.95) are prevalent these days. If you think they are too good to be true, you're probably correct.

Have you been left with an over wet and still dirty carpet? Have you ended up paying several times more than what you thought you would be paying? Does your carpet become quickly re-soiled or does it still feel dirty, sticky or hard? If yes, then you have had firsthand experience with such cleaners.

Quality service requires investments and takes some time. It is not possible to offer good service at ridiculously low prices.