Carpet Cleaning FAQ’s
Q. Why should I have my carpets professionally cleaned?
A. Carpets and fabrics not properly cleaned and maintained have the potential to cause a variety of health problems. Professional carpet cleaning improves the indoor air quality of your home or work environment and it extends the life of your carpet.
Q. How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
A. Most manufacturers recommend that carpets be professionally cleaned every 12 18 months. However, if you have pets, children or are subject to allergies you may need to have carpets cleaned more frequently.
Q. Why isn’t weekly vacuuming enough?
A. Even the best vacuum cleaner will not be able to reach the deep-down dirt and grit at the base of your carpets fibres. Regular cleaning is needed to help your carpet maintain its original appearance.
Q. Why does stain resistant carpet need to be deep cleaned?
A. While the fibres in these carpets have been pre-treated to resists stains, deep cleaning is still needed to remove embedded dirt and grit and allergens such as dust mites, mould and pet hairs.
Q. Will steam cleaning affect the stain resistance of my carpet?
A. No. If cleaned correctly, steam cleaning will restore the stain resistant properties of the carpet.
Q. Will my carpet need cleaning more often once it is cleaned?
A. Some poor quality cleaning systems leave residues that can lead to rapid resoiling. A professional carpet cleaner will avoid this problem by using advanced extraction methods and high quality detergents.
Q. Does professional cleaning make my carpet wear faster?
A. No. Dirt acts as an abrasive when trapped in your carpet causing it to wear prematurely. Regular professional cleaning protects your investment.
Q. What is the best method for cleaning carpets?
A. It depends on the fibre system of your carpet. Synthetic fibres such as nylon and polyester can be cleaned with most methods. Natural fibres such as wool, cotton may require specialised care. Check your carpet manufacturers recommendations before proceeding with any cleaning method.
Q. How long will it take for my carpets to dry?
A. Drying times vary. Most methods take between 2-6 hours. Factors affecting drying times include:
- Humidity
- Ventilation
- Carpet thickness
- Water retention qualities of the carpet fibre
- Competence of the cleaning technician
Until your carpet is completely dry, most professional carpet cleaners recommend wearing socks or plastic booties so that the oils and/or any dirt from your feet do not come off on the damp carpet.</li>
Q. Do I need to move my furniture?
A. Most carpet cleaners will move furniture such as sofas, chairs and tables. It is advisable that you remove any breakable items and nick knacks including items from inside cabinets, magazine racks, and bookshelves.
Q. How can I keep my carpet looking good?
A. Between professional cleaning services vacuum at least once a week and treat spots immediately. Always consult the carpet manufacturers guidelines for stain removal before attempting any at-home treatment. For severe stains call a professional carpet cleaner for advice to prevent permanent damage.
Q. What is the difference between a spot and a stain?
A. A spot is a substance (mud, food, grease) that is adhered to the carpet fibre but has not become set. Spots are most likely removed by a professional carpet cleaning service. A stain is more advanced and may have become set, requiring additional treatment.
Q. Are carpet cleaning products safe?
There are a variety of non-toxic carpet cleaning products available. Most professional carpet cleaning services use safe chemicals. An experienced technician will make sure that no chemical residues remain within the carpets fibres after cleaning.
Q. What can be done about pet stains and odor?
A. Treat the area as soon as possible. Urine removal is most successful by washing the contaminated piece. Blot up any foreign matter. Enzyme treatment is a common step to eliminate odors. Call a professional carpet cleaner to prevent permanent changes in your carpets appearance.
Q. Who should clean my oriental rug?
A. Specialty area rugs and oriental rugs should not be cleaned in the home. Take them to a specialty rug cleaning firm to ensure a safe and thorough cleaning.
Q. Should I remove cushion covers for upholstery cleaning?
A. No. Covers should stay on the cushion so that they keep their form.
Q. How often do I need to have my upholstery cleaned?
A. Most upholstery should be professionally cleaned once every 18 – 24 months to avoid soil build up and staining.
Q. How long will it take for my upholstery to dry after cleaning?
A. Drying times vary depending on the fabric of your upholstery. Most upholstery will dry within 2 – 4 hours after cleaning.
Q. What cleaning method is best for upholstery?
A. Most upholstery can be safely and effectively cleaned by steam or extraction cleaning. Some fabrics are susceptible to colour migration or are too delicate for extraction cleaning. These fabrics have to be cleaned by “dry” or “low moisture” cleaning methods. What are the fabrics that need delicate treatment.
Q. Can upholstery be treated with a stain retardant?
A. Yes. Stain retardants like Scotch Guard can help protect your furniture from spills and soiling.