Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Cleaning

Carpet cleaning scams you need to know about

Be a savvy cleaner. - by Laura Barry
  • 08 Nov 2018
Carpet cleaning scams you need to know about

Spring cleaning season is well and truly underway, and many of us like to include a professional clean of our floors and carpets in our annual deep cleanse. However, not every carpet cleaning company actually does what they claim to do on their websites, and their too-good-to-be-true prices are just that – too good to be true! Unfortunately, this is an industry that’s largely unregulated, and it’s far too easy to sign up for much more than you bargained for. Here are some of the most common carpet cleaning scams you should be aware of.

1. The bond guarantee

Many professional home cleaning services promote a ‘get your bond back guarantee’ on their websites that claim if you use their services, you will 100 per cent get your bond back, OR the company will reimburse you the cost of the cleaning. This is a tricky little deal that almost never pans out in the renter’s favour. There’s usually a whole lot of fine print, criteria and clauses that will negate the deal so they never have to pay you back a dollar.

professional carpet clean
Getty

2. Too good to be true prices and deals

If you’ve seen an unbelievable deal online, such as three rooms professionally cleaned for one low price – buyer beware! While they make this claim online, once they show up to clean your carpets they may claim the rooms are too large to be covered by the online deal, leaving you significantly out of pocket. ALWAYS try to get the deal in writing, and ask how much the job will cost before they so much as plug a vacuum in. If you aren’t happy with it, or it isn’t the agreed upon price, feel free to send them on their way.

3. Eco-friendly products

The green scene of cleaning is one that is rapidly growing in Australia, however eco-friendly cleaning products tend to be a little more expensive that their chemical-laden alternatives. Due to this, cleaning services that claim to be ‘green’ will continue to use chemical-based cleaners, or swap a few of the more expensive green products for cheaper synthetic versions without clarifying this with their clients. If you’re very specific about having your home cleaned with eco-friendly products, ask the company what brand of cleaners they use, and do a little research before hiring them.

carpet cleaning scams
Getty

4. “It'll look better dry”

If a carpet cleaner tries to tell you the carpet will look cleaner once dry, or the stain will be less visible once the carpet is dry, they’re lying. Wet carpet actually has a much more uniform colour that hides stains more adeptly that dry carpet. If you can still see a stain on the carpet, or you’re unhappy with how it looks wet, don’t pay any invoices until you’ve seen the carpet dry, just to ensure you are, in fact, getting what you paid for.

You might also like:

The Australia Post scam targeting Aussies this Christmas

The MyGov internet scam you need to be aware of

The airport travel scams you should be aware of 

  • Better Life
  • Cleaning
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Choosing the right carpet for your home

Choosing the right carpet for your home

How to make a floor rug with t-shirts

How to make a floor rug with t-shirts

7 DIY projects homeowners regret doing the most

7 DIY projects homeowners regret doing the most

5 quick tips for choosing new flooring

5 quick tips for choosing new flooring

{headline}

{headline}

The beginners guide to hard and soft flooring

The beginners guide to hard and soft flooring

How ice cubes can bring your carpet back to life

How ice cubes can bring your carpet back to life

8 handy tips and uses for bi-carb soda in the laundry

8 handy tips and uses for bi-carb soda in the laundry

{headline}

{headline}

10 of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that’ll leave your home sparkling clean

10 of the best eco-friendly cleaning products that’ll leave your home sparkling clean

How to stop condensation on windows

How to stop condensation on windows

Clean your oven in less than five minutes

Clean your oven in less than five minutes

8 crazy toothpaste hacks

8 crazy toothpaste hacks

How to get rid of scratches on your car

How to get rid of scratches on your car

How to make your own eco cleaning products

How to make your own eco cleaning products

The top eight spots where mould is hiding in your house

The top eight spots where mould is hiding in your house

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription