Poignantly placed rugs, furniture and room accessories can only do so much when it comes to covering up unsightly carpet stains. If you’ve run out of options – or ideas – on how to deal with soiled carpeting, consider hiring a Los Angeles carpet cleaner.

In addition to helping give your carpeting a fresh look and brightening up the rooms in your house, a thorough and professional carpet cleaning can help reduce allergens and promote a healthy indoor air quality.

Angie’s List contains grades for nearly 300 highly rated Los Angeles carpet cleaners. Members who sign-in to the List have access to member reports, which detail recent services from those companies.

Angie's List member Jean Prewitt turned to highly rated A-Plus Carpet Care of Redondo Beach, Calif. to steam clean the carpet in her house.

“The work was excellent,” Prewitt says. “They arrived on time, were thorough and professional and completed the job in under two hours. The carpets were installed three years ago and have been cleaned by other vendors but no one has so effectively removed stains.”

If you’ve never hired a Los Angeles carpet cleaner, here are some helpful hints to keep in mind:

1. Determine if you want to be home for the cleaning or not. Some companies will clean while you’re at work or running errands, but some homeowners prefer to be in the house with the carpet cleaners. Establish a time that works best for you.
2. Know your rooms, inside and out. You will likely be asked how many rooms need cleaned and what the room dimensions are. Be sure to disclose any pertinent information, such as carpet with heavy traffic or stubborn stains.
3. Ask for an estimate. Based on your home dimensions and configurations, determine if the company charges more for the space. Ask if there are additional charges for certain stains or special services. Be prepared to pay more for cleaning a carpet with years of soil and stains compared to a newer carpet that is in better shape.
4. If anyone in your household suffers from allergies or is sensitive to cleaning chemicals, let your carpet cleaner know. Many will use eco-friendly products upon request.
5. Before the carpet cleaners come to your house, remove any valuables, clutter or debris which can slow down the project or drive up your bill. Your cleaners may not be able to move furniture for liability reasons, so be sure to ask before they arrive.
6. Ask if employees are subject to background checks, and ask for the name of the person or people who will arrive at your home. Expect the cleaner(s) to be professionally dressed for the job and ready to show you proper identification.
7. During the visit, expect the cleaner to measure the exact square feet of the area and then prepare a final estimate. Having a written contract is always suggested. Make sure you receive a copy of the contract before your cleaners leave your property.