Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Obvious Advantages of "Deep" Cleaning my Carpets?

How can I prevent damage to my carpet?

Do you have sensible and fair pricing?

Charging by the hour is, in my opinion, the fair and only way to go. This means the customer gets what they want and what they pay for according to their needs and budget... and you may qualify for a "good customer discount" by using my services more often and referring me to your friends. All my customers are presently receiving a "hidden discount" because I have not raised by prices for several years while my costs have risen dramatically. Also, I do not charge for the use of my fans, or 2-3 trips back to pick them up and touch up the "PH brown" wicking stains when needed!

Can I order different levels of cleaning?

Of course you can! It's your house and your budget. I believe you usually get what you pay for. If all you want is surface cleaning and less expensive cleaning, I will be happy to accommodate you.

My customers that want deep cleaning are usually very gratified to observe my equipment in action, and are willing to pay a little extra when they see my capability to clean the carpet deep down.

These are the customers that often say, "It looks like you installed new carpets." Their carpets will look nicer and stay looking nicer longer, and the customer will probably save money in the long run by going longer between cleanings.

Do I encourage my customers to watch me in action?

Yes, the more you see, the more you'll like my work and understand why your carpets look and feel so nice compared to other cleaning experiences.

Does cleaning your carpet make it wear out faster?

No, actually it is the dirt that wears your carpets out faster. It acts as an abrasive when trapped in your carpet or fabrics and should be removed to reduce wear.

Why don't some stains come out during cleaning?

This depends on many factors including:

• 1. What has caused the stain
• 2. How long the stain has been in the carpet
• 3. If the stain has a dye in it
• 4. If any spot removers were used on the stain which may have set the stain prior to having me clean the stain

I have a very good reputation for removing stains.

What is the difference between steam cleaning and dry cleaning?

Can I walk on my carpets right after it has been cleaned?

Yes, if your feet are clean. Be careful not to slip as you walk from damp carpeting onto non-carpeted areas. Placing a clean towel or cloth on the hardwood, tile or vinyl where you step off the wet carpet helps prevent slipping. Also, I recommend you wear clean shoes or house slippers and don't go barefoot inside because bare feet have oil in the skin which transfers to your carpet. This will attract dirt to your newly cleaned carpet.

How often should I Vacuum?

Carpets will last longer if you vacuum at least once or twice per week. You can never vacuum too much. Be sure to change the bag often. Vacuuming often prevents surface dirt & sand from being ground into the carpet fibers, and from falling beyond the reach of your vacuum. Also, the slower you push the vacuum, the more dirt you will get out of your carpet.

Why do you recommend Mats or runners at entry ways?

Almost 80% of the soil brought into your home is tracked in on the soles of your shoes. Place mats or runners at all entrance areas to help clean your shoes, or take your shoes off.

How Often Should You Have Your Carpet Cleaned?

Did you know that some carpet manufacturers will not honor your warranty, if you don't have your carpets cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months? They go on to say that main traffic areas need to be cleaned more often! Dirt is like sandpaper. It damages your carpet. The more often you have your carpets cleaned, the longer they will last. It makes sense that homes with children and pets need the carpets cleaned even more often. Industry standards recommend that you clean your carpets every 6 to 18 months, depending on your lifestyle. Vacuum cleaners cannot extract the deep dirt... another reason to vacuum frequently.

What Are The Differences and Reasons Why Your Carpets Re-Soil After Dry Cleaning?

Have you ever had your carpets cleaned and your carpet re-soiled within a few short weeks? It may have looked good when it was finished, but it seemed to get dirty (especially in the traffic areas) quicker and worse than it did before you had it cleaned. Dry Chem. cleaning companies, use equipment that does not rinse the carpet at all! (If they did, they wouldn't be a dry chem cleaning company) This method only cleans the surface of the carpet. Your carpet may dry feeling stiff if there is soap and dirt and other residues left below the surface. These residues will wick back and attract dirt, like a magnet.

I recently had my carpets cleaned by someone who offered a bargain three-room rate. When he was finished, the bill was surprisingly large. He said there's a substantial extra charge for steps. Is that standard?

Stairs are more labor intensive and most firms charge for them separately on a per-step basis. Prices vary enormously on this item, with the so-called bargain firms often charging the highest rates. This helps them compensate for the low-ball prices in their ads. Buyers beware! Stick with reputable firms and check all prices up front. This is one more reason why I charge by the hour. You get what you pay for, or pay for what you get, and I am not tempted to compromise the quality of the cleaning.

Is it necessary to Eliminate Stains immediately when they occur?

A very important factor in good carpet care is to clean up stains as quickly as possible. The longer a stain sits there, the harder it is to remove. Make sure you use the right cleaning agents or you may make the situation worse. Check our "stains" page for safe household cleaners and directions on how to properly remove stains in your carpet.

Another factor in removing stains is having them thoroughly extracted with hot water; leaving your carpets as residue free as possible. This means they will not have a residue left in them to act like a magnet to attract dirt from the bottom of your feet or shoes

Are all carpet cleaning companies the same?

All carpet cleaners and carpet cleaning companies are all the same. I might just as well hire the company that quotes the lowest price. This is not usually a good idea. Some carpet cleaning companies offer a low price to persuade you to call, but then add on services you thought were included in the price. It would be like a car dealer quoting you for a new car and then telling you the steering wheel and windshield are extra. Also, anyone can hurry over and clean the surface of the carpet, and use carpet brighteners which make the carpet sparkle and look decent on the surface for a few weeks. Deep cleaning will probably take a little longer, but your carpets will stay cleaner longer, and you will be much happier with the job.

Does the method of carpet cleaning matter?

One has several methods to choose from: Bonnet, Dry Foam, Dry Compound and Hot Water Extraction (steam cleaning). Some cleaning systems are considered interim maintenance cleaning systems and others are regarded as restorative by the industry. Only Hot Water Extraction (steam cleaning) can employ a rinse step to leave your carpets as residue free as possible.

Does anything besides equipment matter?

All a company needs to clean carpets correctly is the right equipment. This is incorrect. Many cleaning companies own professional carpet cleaning systems, but they don't teach their technicians the proper ways to use them. Better yet, choose an experienced owner operated company. The owner wants your repeat business and will do the best job and will usually pay the most attention to detail. (At least that is what my customers tell me and what I have personally experienced).

Do you clean Berber?

Absolutely, Berber is a weave, not a particular type of fiber. Berber is simply a type of loop construction that my come in olefin, nylon, wool or a blend. Berber requires 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 service. Other carpet cleaning companies that are still using a push wand have a big disadvantage in cleaning Berber, hard surface and thick carpets. My 39 lbs., Rotovac 360® deep cleaning buffer head makes all the difference in the world. You will be so happy that you tried my carpet cleaning services.

Do you clean Cotton or Wool?

Yes, I have special products that I use for cotton and wool.

What about references?

Carpet cleaners don't provide references. This is incorrect. I love to provide our customers with references. I provide customer references all the time. If the cleaner you're considering won't provide references, you know that the cleaner: