Carpet cleaning is not one of those topics that homeowners have general awareness about. When they approach companies, it is usually with very little knowledge about the carpet cleaning process or general practices in the industry. As a result, it is quite easy for them to be misled by people whose intentions are less than honorable.
To prevent that from happening, it’s important you form a fair idea about the more common things related to carpets and their cleaning process. Although we can’t answer every single question here, we’ve put together a list containing the ones that we come across quite frequently in our line of work and tried our best to answer them satisfactorily. If you have a question in mind and it’s not on this list here, do not hesitate to give us a call. We’ll help you in any way we can.
How regularly should carpets be cleaned?
Generally speaking, carpets should be cleaned once every 12-18 months although this estimate can change from home to home depending on the kind of usage your carpet sees. Other factors that come into play are the presence of pets in the house, outdoor environment, weather conditions, and how well you’ve looked after the carpet. Additionally, you must also check with your carpet manufacturer how often you should have the carpet cleaned to maintain a valid warranty on it.
How can I tell if my rugs/carpets need to be cleaned?
Here’s how you can tell if your carpets and rugs are due for their cleaning session. Some of the more common ones are given below:
- Lift up a corner of the rug or carpet and give it a slap with your hand. If you see dust or dirt coming out, it needs to be cleaned.
- Rub a damp towel across the carpet/rug’s surface. If it comes back soiled, it’s time to call in the experts.
- If, upon visual inspection of the carpet/rug, you notice dirt or soil trapped in the fibers, you must call in professional cleaners.
- Your pet relieves himself on the carpet.
- You’ve spilled red wine on the rug.
What is hot water extraction? Is it beneficial for carpets?
Hot water extraction is also referred to as steam cleaning and it happens to be the only method that is classified as a deep cleaning method. Highly recommended by industry experts and manufacturers, hot water extraction brings your carpets back to life and rejuvenates the fibers while also getting rid of dust, dirt, grime, pollutants, and harmful micro-organisms.
I’ve heard carpets tend to get dirtier quicker after they’ve been professionally cleaned. Is that true?
The only way carpets tend to get dirtier after professional cleaning is if the technician has done a poor job of removing detergent/cleaning shampoo from your carpet. If you choose competent carpet cleaners who are trained in their job, you won’t have to worry about anything like this happening to you.
My carpet is stain resistant. Does it still need deep cleaning?
The pre-treatment your carpets have received during the manufacturing process makes them stain resistant. However, they are not effective in preventing dirt, grit, soil, and allergens (mold, dust mites, pollen, etc.) from embedding deep into the carpet. Deep cleaning is essential to get rid of these pollutants.
Can steam cleaning have a negative effect on the stain resistant treatment on my new carpet?
Absolutely not. As long as hot water extraction has been performed by a trained professional, it will not affect the pre-treatment your carpet has received. If anything, it will only restore your carpet’s ability to resist stains.
How do I prepare the house before you arrive to clean the carpets?
There is very little you have to do in preparation for the carpet cleaning process. We move all the furniture in the room, with the exception of fragile items like fish tanks, loaded china cabinets, or LCD televisions. Homeowners are responsible for these items. However, it would be great if you could clear the rooms of small/breakable items such as lamps, photo frames, children’s toys, etc.
My husband has allergies. Are your cleaning agents/detergents harmful for him?
While other carpet cleaners might use harmful cleaning solutions, we are only in favor of environment-friendly products that are non-toxic in nature, and absolutely safe for children, pets, and people with allergies.
How long does it take for carpets to dry after the cleaning process is over?
While normally carpets dry within 24 hours of cleaning, the actual drying can vary depending on a number of factors, including ventilation, humidity, thickness of the carpet, its ability to retain water, and competence of the technician doing the job. Until your carpets dry completely, it‘s recommended you wear plastic booties or socks while walking on them. This prevents dirt and oils from your feet transferring onto damp carpets.