Q. Hey all...had a question about carpet cleaning for anyone who knows. Does the machine a professional carpet cleaner uses also do the job of what a vacuum cleaner does, too? Would vacuuming after the carpet cleaning be redundant? After it's done, is it okay to walk on the carpet or if not, how long do you have to wait? Is anything used in the carpet cleaning process toxic to pets? Thanks!

A. I have cleaned carpets professionally twelve years. Basically a carpet shampooing machine is like a vacuum cleaner. It’s still a good idea to vacuum regularly. After the carpet has been cleaned there is no need to vacuum. After it’s been shampooed give it a couple of hours to fully dry. The carpet cleaning chemical residue is not harmful to animals or humans.

Q. I own a two man carpet cleaning business. We are a two man team and we use the best truck mount system you can get. Our work is excellent and we do furniture as well as on-site vacuum cleaner repairs. We are commercial and residential. We charge 3 rooms for $69. Would you call us or Stanly Steamer or Sears etc.

A. That is a great price, but price alone won't get you the work. You will have to count of word of mouth and good reputation to bring in business. Can you use written testimonials from previous customers in a flyer or advertisements? Maybe offer customers a discount on future services ($10.00 off)on referrals. You may also be able to compete with the big guys on flexibility-offer more evening and weekend hours so they don't have to take a day off to get their carpets cleaned. Good luck!

Q. Do any one have any ideas or suggestions on how I can go about getting new contracts for my new Janitorial business? I offer carpet cleaning, residential and commercial cleaning, move in/move out cleaning. Should I do cold calling to different businesses? Flyers? How can I go about putting a proposal for companies to bid on my company to clean for them? Help Me out people.

A. You might as well forget the Internet because it's global - you need to target your efforts locally. This is best done in the newspaper, direct mail, and cold calling. Here's an idea: Call the business and get a price quote from THEM instead of the other way around. You'll find out what price YOU need to charge to get their business that way.

A. That is really hard to say, Rug Doctor has a good rep but if you could go to some carpet suppliers, or Home depot, lowes and ask who they would recommend you may get a really good deal by a smaller company on a one man self employed

Q. I have an invalid living in my house. He sometimes cannot control his bowels and makes a mess in the floor. I currently have carpet over hardwood floor. I need the carpet to be taken out and want to find some sort of flooring that can be mopped with Clorox or Lysol in water to destroy odor. I would like to avoid any type of flooring that would have to be glued to the hardwood. It appears that all vinyl flooring has to glued down. Does anyone have any idea what I can put over the hardwood that will stand up to some serious cleaning?

A. Try laminate flooring, it is easy to install by locking the pieces together like a puzzle and it floats(needs no glue). It also cleans like a dream, we just got it and love it. You can get the kind that looks like wood or tile. We have the ceramic tile type and it really looks like tile. GL!

Q. It was a water based paint and unfortunately we left it thinking we would cover with carpet but now we have to sell up and we desperately need someone to come in to clean it off. Do floor cleaning companies do this kind of work? the hardwood floors have a seal, but they are quite old... any answers loved, we are desperate! (also does anyone knows how much they charge?) thanks!

A. Why pay someone? You can get it off with a $4.00 bottle of "latex paint remover".

Q. My grandparents have both been moved (grandfather had surgery and is in hospital and grandmother is stroke patient and in nursing home). From what I understand from neighbors and my aunt (who have been in the house since my grandparents were moved to their respective locations), the house is just filthy--bodily fluids of all types, some human waste (from my sick uncle who lived there until recently), etc. They've been reclusive the last several months and I guess it's gotten pretty bad. Can anyone tell me how I could go about finding a company who would be willing to go to their house and clean it thoroughly (throwing away all upholstered furniture, ripping up carpet, deep cleaning floors/windows, etc.)? My aunt claims she can't find anyone in their area (Columbus, Ohio) who is able or willing to clean up a mess like this. Where could I start looking? I live in Georgia and they live in Ohio, so it would have to be somewhere I could get an online estimate, or at least a list of phone numbers for local Ohio businesses that handle things like this, since my aunt is pretty much a useless *****. (Sorry, I'm just very bitter about this. It's a deplorable situation.) I've tried ServiceMagic, but am not having any luck. Where can I start looking??

A. I would ask a police officer in that area there are companies that deal with clean up after homicides and they will do it but it will be expensive, and yes I understand they didn't die in their home violently but from what you have described something like that would be your only option, cause MollyMaid isn't gonna help you out at all! I just googled Ohio Homicide clean-up and several popped up. Good-luck

Q. This is for a large bed room, about 270 sq ft. (26*11). Where is the best carpet installation place in Westchester, New York? I got a quote from a local carpet place in Mt. Kisco, NY. The name is Suburban Floor. Does any one know this store's reputation? They gave me a quote for $1,270, which includes removal the existing carpet and install new carpet, Mohawk brand, Sensational styple, 40 oz synthetic hair and jute padding. Is this a good price? Can I use the existing padding? If I do, the price would reduce by $100. Should I look into other companies such as Empire today, Home Depot and Lows? Any other suggestions? Also, the carpet is about 6 years old. What is the average year that bed room carpet should be replaced?

A. Hi. You can try Kanters Carpet Services in White Plains. Their phone number is 914-949-6517. I know they do installation and cleaning of any existing carpets.