Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will my carpet get dirty more quickly after it has been cleaned?
A. No. Several years ago detergents derived from oils or animal fats were used to clean carpet. These detergents were very difficult to remove and left residues behind to attract soil. Today synthetic detergents are used and these detergents rinse more easily with water. I also use a rinse that neutralizes and removes soap residue.
Q. Is there anything I have to do before getting my carpet cleaned?
A. You want to remove all small and especially breakable things from tabletops that are to be moved. Remove any floor lamps, small chairs, floor decorations, magazine racks, etc. Basically anything you can pick up and move yourself please do. I will move couches, chairs, tables etc. However carpet cleaners will not move electronics, bookcases, buffets, anything over 500 pounds or beds that are not on rollers. Please vacuum thoroughly beforehand—it helps our equipment to clean your carpet more thoroughly.
Q. Will cleaning my carpet destroy my soil and stain treatment?
A. No! Stain warranties are effective for 5 years. Carpet cleaning should not influence these warranties. Soil treatments are more likely to be reduced through normal foot traffic than cleaning. It is not necessary to reapply soil and stain resist treatments after every cleaning. However, foot traffic can destroy some soil resist treatments. Soil resist treatments should be reapplied after every two to three cleanings if the carpet is cleaned regularly. Carpet that is not cleaned at least every 12 months may require a soil resist treatment after each cleaning.
Q. Will hot water extraction (steam cleaning) damage my carpet?
A. Absolutely not. Hot water extraction is the method preferred by many carpet manufacturers. It is considered by many to be the best method of removing embedded soil and other contaminates.
Q. Can a carpet cleaning professional properly clean my carpet for $39.00?
A. Probably not! An unbelievably low price could be a questionable sign. Dirt-cheap prices are too good to be true and if the cleaner advertises a 25%-50% discount, they've inflated their prices to give the customer an artificially inflated sense of saving. You may be setting yourself up for bait-and-switch and at the least, lots of up-charges. These promotions are primarily to get your attention and for them to get their foot in your door. If you’re quoted one price over the phone and the technician once he’s at your house gives you a whole different price, tell them you are not interested. You are absolutely under no obligation to hire them.
Q. Should I wait until my carpet shows soiling before I have it cleaned?
A. Ideally it would be better to have the carpet cleaned before soil is visible. The reason for this is because most of the soil in your carpet is below the surface where you can't see it. This is where most of the damage comes from because the soil particles grind and wear on the carpet, wearing it away. All residential carpet should be professionally cleaned a minimum of every 9 to 12 months. Some new carpet warranties may require 3-6 months between cleanings. Allowing dry soils to build up in the carpet pile scars pile fiber allowing it to take on a dull, dirty hue. This permanent fiber damage will give the impression of soiling even after cleaning.
Q. I have spots that go away after cleaning but they return a few days later.
A. Spots or stains that come back after the carpet has been cleaned is called resoiling. This is caused by oily soils trapped deep in the carpet fibers. Cleaning will get most of these out and you can’t see them when the carpet is wet but once in awhile you will come across a stubborn spot that comes back after the carpet has dried. Callbacks are free and in the carpet cleaning industry we understand that this will happen on occasion. Certain do it yourself spotters that you buy at the department store are really nothing more than mild soap and if you don’t get it completely out of the carpet will cause resoiling.
Q. This is the first time my carpet has been cleaned. I heard it will never be the same after cleaning.
A. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about cleaning a carpet for the first time. It does not alter or change the carpet, particularly with advancements in carpet manufacturing in recent years. By delaying your cleaning and leaving the soil in the carpet you will do more damage to the carpet fibers than any cleaning would do.
Q. I have a home steam cleaner, are those OK to use?
A. This is where I like to use the dentist analogy. Even though you have a toothbrush and floss this doesn’t mean you can skip the dentist and not have your teeth professionally cleaned. I say this because some portables, even those with a hot water rinse capability, don’t completely get out all the soap in the carpet. The portable and rental home steam cleaners do not have a neutralizing rinse capability and therefore the soap, which is alkaline is still in the carpet, and the soap residue is collecting oils and soils from socks, feet, etc. After repeated use there’s too much soap in the carpet and for all practical purposes the cleaner has stopped cleaning. My customers ask if it’s all right to use them and I tell them they’re fine for between professional cleanings.
Q. I see some cleaners advertise color brighteners, do they work?
A. They do work, your fabrics will be brighter, but this is temporary and over time the color brighteners will degrade and yellow. The only time you should ever use a brightener is if the fabric in question is at the end of its life cycle and is old and it needs a boost to look better for just a little while longer. But if the fabric is still in good repair and good shape definitely stay away from a color brightener. Sometimes color brighteners are used to make a bad job look acceptable.
Q. My carpet is still wet after 24 hours, is this acceptable?
A. Absolutely not! the standards set by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) states that under ordinary circumstances no carpet should still be wet after 24 hours. If you've used a cleaner and your carpet is still wet after 24 hours, demand that they remedy the problem immediately.
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