Set up a virtual appointment to discuss the scope of work. Conducting the consultation over video conference or phone call will ensure that you remain within the CDC's social distancing guidelines. 

Start by messaging a professional steam cleaner or carpet cleaner near you, and ask them if they would be willing to talk by phone or video call. Be sure to ask them how they handle payments and what precautions they have in place to keep you and your household safe. 

Local and federal governments are currently in the process of defining essential services guidelines, and it’s best to read them to see whether professional carpet cleaning or steam cleaning is considered essential. A good place to start is with your city or state’s government website.

The CISA's Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19 webpage identifies 16 critical infrastructure sectors on a federal level. Some, but not all, jurisdictions follow CISA’s definitions of critical infrastructure.

It’s common for professional carpet cleaners to accept digital payments such as Square Cash, Venmo, Google Pay, Zelle, PayPal and others. The current COVID-19 pandemic is quickly encouraging other companies to digitally transform as well. Make sure the carpet cleaner you hire will accept a digital payment instead of cash or check, and come up with a strategy for complying with social distancing regulations.

Compare carpet cleaners near you to see which types of payments they accept.

If you decide to hire a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner, follow all guidelines surrounding social distancing, sanitize any involved surfaces, ventilate indoor areas where workers have been and use digital payment services instead of cash or a check. Before the pro arrives at your home, create a plan with them to make sure everyone in the household stays safe.

Because the majority of carpet cleaning and steam cleaning jobs take place in someone’s home, it’s likely that a professional carpet cleaner would need to enter your home.

When you contact carpet cleaners near you, ask if they will do a video call in place of a standard consultation. Send photos and other materials digitally. Practice safe social distancing at all times, and follow both local and CDC guidelines.

While cleaning services such as professional carpet cleaning or steam cleaning are not typically done remotely, many businesses and professionals are making changes to accommodate the CDC's social distancing guidelines. If you come across a carpet cleaner’s profile and it states they’re offering remote services, contact the cleaner to see what those services include. 

Dirty carpets can be unhealthy for the people living in the home, particularly those who have allergies, so it’s important to have them cleaned regularly; simply vacuuming once or twice a week isn’t enough. Carpet cleaning should be done by a professional carpet cleaning service at least once a year to remove grime and help extend the life of your carpet. Most carpet manufacturers recommend professional steam cleaning, which penetrates deep into the carpet fibers and lifts out both dirt and the pollutants that get tracked inside. Steam cleaning also removes most of the moisture, so carpets dry quickly enough for homeowners to resume using them the same day. Between professional carpet cleanings, your carpet may need an emergency spot cleaning. Pet accidents, food or drink spills, and more can often be effectively cleaned with some water and a drop of white vinegar, although many cleaners will also make house calls for smaller spills and hard-to-clean spots like wine or grease stains.

National average carpet cleaning prices range between $100 and $130. Carpet cleaning prices depend on how many square feet of carpet you want cleaned, how many rooms in one house or building will be cleaned, how stained your carpet is, how much the carpet cleaning company charges, your ZIP code, and the type of carpet you have. Cost per square foot can range from 20 cents to $1 or more, based on the above variables. Synthetic carpets are typically the least expensive to clean; natural fibers like wool cost more, as they require more care and attention, as well as more drying time. Excessive stains, challenging locations such as stairs, and accessibility also factor into your carpet cleaning price. Companies may charge a minimum service fee for cleaning a small carpet to cover their business expenses (paying employees, transporting the special equipment to your home). If your pet has repeatedly saturated the carpet with urine or if the fibers are extremely matted down, it may make more sense to completely replace your carpet than to continue to have it cleaned.

Regular professional carpet cleaning can both extend the life of your carpet and remove harmful pollutants from your home. Finding a good carpet cleaning company is an important aspect of home maintenance. When choosing a carpet cleaner, consider these top three questions:

• What method of carpet cleaning do you prefer? Steam cleaning is an increasingly popular method because it’s thorough and safe, and dries quickly enough for you to return to your home the same day the carpets are cleaned.
• Have you checked the company’s references? Most cities are home to several carpet cleaning companies, so it’s a good idea to check their reviews and references. Look for references from people in your neighborhood with homes similar to yours.
• What’s included in the base price? What other services does the carpet cleaning company offer? Some companies will move furniture for you, while others charge a fee for it. Some include stairs in the cost of the home’s cleaning, while others charge per step.

Carpet cleaning costs vary depending on the type of cleaning, such as steam cleaning, and whether there are any stains that require special treatment. The main cost factors are the square footage of the carpet and the material it’s made from. The national average carpet cleaning price ranges from $100 to $130 for a typical suburban home, but steam cleaning prices start at an average of $120. In general, professional carpet cleaning ranges from an average of 20 cents to 50 cents per square foot, depending on where you live. Many companies have a minimum fee or room requirement — such as two rooms for an average of $40 each — and will charge more to clean carpeted stairs or a second floor. Finally, the carpet fiber type, density and pile will also affect the cost of cleaning; man-made fibers are stain-resistant and easier to clean, while wool carpeting is sensitive to water and requires more care.