How to Get Ready for a Carpet Cleaning Appointment

Here is the good news first. TJ’s says there is no prep work, no need to move furniture and no need to pre-treat. You can have your appointment with your home just as it is. A few small steps do help, though. They keep the visit smooth, protect your belongings and give the carpet its best chance of coming out the way you want.

Vacuum before the visit

Run your vacuum over the carpet the day before, or the morning of. Vacuuming pulls out loose dry grit, hair and crumbs. The cleaning then spends its effort on the soil embedded in the pile instead of on what a vacuum could have lifted. Go slowly in the busiest lanes and make two passes in different directions. It’s a small job that pays off.

Plan for the pets

Remove pets, toys and bowls from the areas being cleaned. A nervous dog underfoot while a technician moves equipment is a safety issue for everyone, and a cat in a closed room is happier and safer. Put bowls and toys somewhere else so they don’t get wet or in the way. If an accident has happened in the house, point it out when the technician arrives. Pet odor often lives in the pad beneath the carpet, and the technician needs to know where to look.

Leave room for the vehicle

Plan parking for a medium commercial vehicle. That is bigger than a car or an SUV, and it needs a spot close to your door, because the equipment runs from the vehicle to the room. The closer it sits, the shorter the lines and hoses inside your home or office.

If you live in a condo or apartment building, an HOA or a narrow street, check where a larger vehicle can safely and legally park. Move your own car out of the driveway ahead of time if that frees the closest space. For an office, tell the building manager and reserve a loading spot if one exists.

Furniture and fragile things

Furniture gets moved and put back, with two exceptions: very large or heavy pieces, and electronics. So you don’t need to clear the room. You help by picking up what you wouldn’t want bumped. That means small items on the floor, breakables on low tables, loose cords and anything personal. Clear a path from the front door to the room, too.

Point out your spots

Walk the technician through the rooms at the start. Show them every spot you’re worried about and say what caused it if you know: coffee, wine, paint, a pet, a spill from last year. Different stains respond to different treatments, and some are best handled before the main cleaning. If you have area rugs you want looked at, mention them now.

Be specific about what bothers you. Saying the hallway looks dull tells the technician far less than saying the lane by the back door stays gray no matter how often you vacuum. The more precisely you describe a problem, the better the plan for fixing it, and the easier it is to judge afterward whether it worked.

What to expect on the day

• You get an exact appointment time, not a vague window.
• TJ’s calls you if running more than 15 minutes late.
• You choose the system: truck-mounted or portable. The portable system has no long hoses running through the house.
• Payment is by personal check or cash, and cash customers get a 10% discount.
• Business hours are Monday 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm and Tuesday through Saturday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. TJ’s is closed Sunday.

After the cleaning

Keep everyone off the carpet until it is dry, which TJ’s puts at 1-3 hours. An accelerated drying option is available, and an extra charge may apply. Don’t rearrange furniture for 48 hours. The carpet may ripple for 5-6 days as it settles after being damp, and in most cases that flattens out by itself.

All workmanship is guaranteed up to 15 days. If something doesn’t look right in that time, call and say so.

A quick checklist

• Vacuum the day before or the morning of.
• Move pets, toys and bowls out of the work area.
• Pick up small items, breakables and cords.
• Free up parking close to the door for a medium commercial vehicle.
• Make a list of spots to show the technician.
• Plan to leave the furniture where it ends up for 48 hours.

Ready to schedule? Call TJ’s at 303-400-6961 or use the contact page. Next-day and even same-day appointments are available most days.