Clearing small furniture, toys and loose items off the carpet gives the crew a clear run at the whole room rather than working around obstacles, which affects both speed and how evenly the clean covers the space. Heavier furniture can usually stay in place and be worked around.
Vacuuming beforehand isn't strictly necessary since steam cleaning lifts embedded dirt regardless, but a quick pass does help with any loose surface debris and gives the crew a clearer read on problem areas like stains before they start.
Finally, plan for the space to be out of use for a few hours while it dries, and let the crew know about any pets, since some animals get unsettled by the equipment noise and are best kept in another room or outside during the visit.
