Carpet Cleaning Frequently Asked Questions
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• How long will it take to clean my carpet?
Depending on certain variables such as actual room size, exposed carpet area, furniture to be moved, soiling conditions, etc., it will take about an average of 30 minutes to clean each room.
• Isn't steam cleaning unhealthy for my carpet?
No, not at all. First of all, it's technically not cleaned with "steam" - the carpet is rinsed, after applying a pre-spray cleaning agent, with hot water that is between 180 and 200 degrees F.
What is unhealthy for your carpet is improper cleaning by unqualified technicians - or using inferior do-it-yourself rental units with soapy detergents. (I know - I cleaned my own carpets that way a long time ago before I knew better). Without the necessary training to understand modern carpet fibers, the science of cleaning, and carpet warranties, it’s very easy for anyone to ruin a carpet. The same goes for upholstery, especially since nearly 60% of all fabrics contain some cotton fibers which are
very delicate. Another reason our company and its technicians are trained and certified in carpet cleaning.
• How long will it take for my carpet and upholstery to dry?
Drying time will greatly depend on the current weather conditions, amount of moisture needed to obtain the necessary results, whether or not protector is applied, and most importantly, air flow. Given these variables, you could expect anywhere from two hours on the low end to 24 hours on the high end. We will do everything possible to remove excess moisture, but after we leave your home the use of fans to create air movement will do more for drying time than anything else.
• How soon will I be able to walk on my carpets?
You can walk on your carpet immediately, but limiting the amount of traffic is recommended until it is completely dry as wet carpet picks up soil very easily. Wear clean white socks or shoe covers if walking on wet carpet is necessary. It is also recommended that children and pets stay off the carpet for the first 6–8 hours of drying. If furniture has been moved, do not remove the styrofoam blocks or plastic tabs for at least 48 hours.
• Are the products you use safe to be around?
Our basic cleaning products are very safe for you, kids and pets - and they're biodegradable. They are pH balanced, water-based products that contain no toxic or caustic additives. Additionally, there is very little odor associated with them. We also use Green Seal approved products.
• Do I have to stay at home while my carpet is being cleaned?
It is not necessary for you to be home during the cleaning process. However, we do ask that you be home when we arrive so you can go over the details of the job with the technician and point out any areas of concern or furniture moving, etc. If at that point you want to leave, please leave a forwarding number where you can be reached if necessary.
• Do you guarantee complete stain removal?
Although we are generally able to remove most visible stains, occasionally there are permanent stains we will not be able to remove. These are things like oxidized soil or wear areas, discolorations such as dye transfers (Kool-AidTM), and other unidentifiable situations. Of course, we will do our best, but as your carpet ages it will become more susceptible to these situations.
• What if a stain reappears shortly after the cleaning?
We try to prevent these things from happening, but it’s very hard to see what’s in and under the carpet and padding. If a spill is excessive enough underneath, chances are good that it will “wick” to the surface quickly. If this happens within the first 30 days of the cleaning, simply call us and we will return to correct the problem at no charge.
Our regular pricing includes moving sofas, chairs, tables, end tables, etc. Beds, dressers, and heavier pieces are left in place (it's usually not soiled under these pieces).
• Can you clean carpet or rugs over hardwood floors?
Yes, our cleaning process does not saturate the carpet or the backing; therefore, no problem with wood floors underneath. No problem with edges either; our rinse does not affect hardwood floors. Orientals and all woven rugs should be cleaned in-plant. And we quickly wipe up any "overspray".
Absolutely. Berber is a weave, not a particular type of fiber. Berber is simply a type of loop construction that may come in olefin, nylon, wool, or a blend, requiring a more thorough cleaning than other carpets because the “flushing” action needs to take place to get under, around, and through the loops. Other companies that are not as thorough as we are have a lot of problems with Berber because they leave soil behind that “wicks” back to the surface.
Yes, we clean wool often. We use special cleaning and rinsing products and we use a lower pressure, lower temperature, and also take special drying precautions.
Yes. We have special Haitian cotton cleaner, or we can dry clean it. Case by case.
Does cleaning cause my carpet to soil faster than by not cleaning at all?
The products and techniques we use do not cause it to soil faster by any means. The reason for this misconception is that among the 4 basic cleaning methods, the other 3 leave very heavy residual soaps and cleaners behind as they are not able to properly rinse out the products they apply to the carpet. Our pre-treatment products begin as powder and if left to dry, go pack to powder form and are easily vacuumed out if necessary. However, our second step in the cleaning process allows us to thoroughly flush out not only our cleaning agents, but also past residues from past cleanings, along with the soil of course.