Great article!! You have pointed out some of the major scams. I own a carpet cleaning company and work hard to provide my customers with a reasonable price and overwhelming value. I meet potential clients who are still persuaded by companies that run these types of ads. I will reveal a couple other tips that most people do not know about proper carpet cleaning: 1. Most carpet cleaners skip the most important step before cleaning, vacuuming! Most homeowners do not vacuum properly and are leaving alot of dirt in their carpet. Vacuuming should be part of the carpet cleaning experience. If the dirt in the carpet is not removed prior to cleaning then it becomes mud. 1. Did you know that the dirt in your carpet is acidic in value? Carpet cleaners use an alkaline (detergent) to neutralize the acid and then extract the detergent with a rinse. To clean properly and help restore the pH in your carpet they should use a fiber rinse. A fiber rinse is a mild acid and helps to neutralize any remaining detergent. Guess what? According to my supplier 80% of the cleaners in my area do not use a fiber rinse! So your carpet is left with a sticky detergent residue! 3. How long was the last cleaner you hired at your home cleaning? Most people have a cleaning experience that lasts less than 1 hour for around 800 sqft. of carpet cleaned! This is way too fast and usually results in spots returning. Now you have some more information to help you make an educated choice when selecting a carpet cleaner. For more information, please visit my website at: http://seanscarpetcare.com or my blog at: http://seanscarpetcare.blogspot.com/ Take care, Sean