Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have some questions about your services? Take a look below to see if these can help. If not please contact us directly and we will be glad to answer your questions as best we can.

CARPET CLEANING


We use hot water extraction, commonly called steam cleaning. Hot, soft water and a specially formulated cleaning solution are worked deep into the carpet fibers, and then powerful suction pulls out the deep-down dirt, allergens, cleaning solution and most of the moisture. It is the cleaning method carpet manufacturers commonly recommend.
Typically, an area is a room that is up to 300 square feet, which is 15 by 20 feet or approximately the size of a two-car garage. A living room and dining room combination counts as two areas. Any area over 300 square feet but under 600 square feet is priced as two areas. Non-standard areas such as baths, halls, landings and walk-in closets are priced separately from the standard areas, usually at a lesser price. Room sizes may vary by location.
On average, it takes approximately 20 minutes per room. This time can vary greatly depending on the amount of furniture to be moved, how soiled the carpet is and any necessary spot removal treatments.
Dry time is affected by humidity, temperature and airflow in the area, and it can take anywhere from about half a day to a full day for the carpet to dry completely. Running fans in the rooms we cleaned and turning on your air conditioning or heat, depending on the time of year, helps speed drying. Leave the protective blocks under furniture legs, and any paper used with upholstered items, in place until everything is completely dry, to avoid color transfer. You can walk on your carpet right after cleaning, but avoid street shoes, which can re-soil it, and be careful walking from damp carpet onto bare floors so you do not slip.
The problem comes from residue left in the carpet, which attracts dirt. It usually happens when soap used in the cleaning process is not rinsed out completely. Our specially formulated solution and hot water extraction process leave little to no residue behind to attract dirt.
Most spots that are removed from carpet do not reappear, but some substances in the carpet backing can wick up to the surface after cleaning. If that happens, please call us at 704.258.9790 as soon as possible.
We cannot guarantee that we will remove all spots or stains. Some substances can permanently discolor carpet fibers, and the age of the carpet and the type of fiber also play a part. The technician will try to tell whether that is the case before cleaning, but it is not always possible to know before trying to remove the spot.
As the carpet dries, bubbles or ripples should start to lie flat again, and once it is dry they should be hard to notice. They are usually a sign that the carpet needed restretching before the cleaning. If the ripples do not go away after the carpet is completely dry, please call us at 704.258.9790 as soon as possible.
We cannot guarantee that cleaning will get rid of all fleas. We usually recommend that you kill the adult fleas first by whichever method you prefer, which a professional exterminator can help with. Keep in mind that the carpet is not the only place fleas lay eggs, so consider having your upholstery cleaned and treated as well as any area rugs or pet beds.
When you compare prices, ask a lot of questions and keep a few things in mind. Our price includes treating spots in the area we clean, and there are no hidden fees or additional charges. We also never subcontract, so our technicians are always our own background-checked, drug-tested and properly trained employees. That is what allows us to stand behind all of our work.
We are happy to work with you to correct any situation that may arise. In some cases that can mean spot cleaning specific areas of concern or even cleaning the area again. In the end, we are not satisfied until you are.
Carpet manufacturers commonly recommend professional cleaning about every 12 to 18 months. Homes with pets, children or allergy sufferers, and high-traffic areas such as entries, hallways and stairs, benefit from cleaning more often. If you are not sure, we will tell you what we see when we look at your carpet.
We move small and medium pieces of furniture out of the way so we can clean the whole carpet area, and we set them back on protective blocks when we finish. Larger or heavier pieces, such as big bookcases, are cleaned around, and we will tell you before we start if there is something we cannot move.
The solutions we use are family and pet friendly, and we would not use a product in your home that we would not use in our own. Keep children and pets off the carpet until it is dry, and tell us about any allergies or sensitivities when you book.
We treat pet stains and odors with an enzyme that breaks down the organic source of the problem, urine, feces and blood included, instead of covering it up. Fresh accidents respond best. If an old accident has soaked through the carpet into the backing or the padding, we cannot always remove the odor completely, and we will tell you what to expect before we start.

CARPET PROTECTION


As the finishing touch to a thoroughly cleaned carpet or upholstery, a specially formulated protector can be professionally applied. These products help carpet and upholstery resist soiling from dry dirt and water- and oil-based spills by wrapping each fiber in a protective coating. That extra layer gives you more time to clean up spots and spills before they soak into the fibers, helps keep your carpet and upholstery looking its best between professional cleanings, and makes vacuuming and cleaning up spots easier.
A dry soil protector comes on most carpet from the manufacturer. It wears away over time with everyday traffic. Carpet manufacturers recommend reapplying the protector about once a year, and perhaps more often in heavy-traffic areas.
Our Odor Out Plus deodorizer uses a natural bacterial enzyme action to digest organic odor sources such as vomit, feces, urine, milk and blood. It removes the organic odors it contacts, and it also uses a neutralizer to give immediate relief while the enzyme works. The key to completely removing an odor is that the product must reach all of the contaminated surfaces. If the source has soaked through the backing and possibly the padding, we cannot guarantee complete removal of the odor.

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING


We clean most common upholstery fabrics. Before we start, we read the cleaning tag and test the fabric in a hidden spot, then choose the safest method. If the tag says to dry clean only, we can still test and tell you what will work, since that recommendation is cautious and is not always the most effective way to remove soil. A few very delicate fabrics cannot be cleaned safely, and we will tell you so before we begin.
Your fabric decides the cleaning method, and the method, along with any protector, decides the drying time. Typical drying time is 6 to 12 hours. Running a fan or the air conditioning helps, and we will tell you what to expect before we leave.
We clean off loose pet hair and soil as part of the visit, and hot water extraction removes the dirt and oils that hold odor in the fabric. For pet odors that keep coming back, we offer an enzyme treatment that breaks down the source instead of covering it. Odors that have soaked deep into cushions are harder, and we will tell you honestly what to expect before we start.
A protector helps spills stay on top of the fibers so you have time to blot them. Cleaning can wear down the protective coating that came with your furniture, and everyday dry soil wears it down too, so we can re-apply protector after cleaning. It is optional, and we will tell you if we think your fabric would benefit.
Yes, we clean leather and vinyl furniture. Leather varies a lot, so we test it first and use a gentle method. Cleaning will freshen leather and lift surface dirt, but it will not repair cracks, peeling or worn-through finish, and we will tell you what to expect before we begin.
Manufacturers commonly recommend professional cleaning every 12 to 24 months, depending on use. Furniture that gets heavy daily use, or that is shared with pets or children, may need it more often.

TILE & GROUT CLEANING


We clean ceramic and porcelain tile and the grout between it, on floors, in showers, around tubs and on backsplashes. Natural stone such as marble or travertine can be sensitive to some cleaners, so tell us what you have when you call and we will say what we can do before we start. Cleaning will not repair cracked tile or missing grout.
We use a high-pressure rotary tool with dual rotating jets, combined with the same truck-mounted steam and pressure cleaning we use to deep clean your carpet. We use tile and grout cleaners that strip away any waxy build-up and remove the dirt embedded in the grout lines.
For an average-size room, up to 300 square feet, it typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to clean the tile and grout. This can vary with the size of the tile, the amount of soil in the grout lines and the layout of the room. If you choose to have sealant added, it typically takes 2 to 3 hours to complete the entire process.
Grout is a porous material that absorbs soil and spills, just like carpet. A sealant creates a protective barrier that gives you more time to clean up dirt and liquid before they soak into the grout, and the type of sealant you choose determines the degree of stain resistance. We offer a clear seal and a color seal, and we are glad to explain the difference.
It depends on foot traffic, children, pets and how you maintain the floor between cleanings. Kitchens, entries and busy bathrooms collect dirt fastest. Results last longest on sealed grout that is cleaned with a neutral cleaner between visits. We will tell you what we see and suggest a schedule that fits.
Clear small items, floor mats and rugs from the area if you can, and tell us about any trouble spots and whether the grout has been sealed. If you have sealant applied, use a neutral cleaner on your floor afterward and rinse after mopping. Avoid bleach and other harsh chemical cleaners, which can wear away the sealant and make it break down early.

COMMERCIAL CARPET CLEANING


Call 704.258.9790 or send us a request and tell us about your space: what kind of business it is, roughly how much carpet there is and where the trouble spots are. Availability depends on the size of the job and our calendar, so we confirm a day and time with you directly before we come.
Yes. We offer recurring commercial carpet cleaning, so your carpet stays presentable between visits. How often depends on your foot traffic and the look you want, and we will help you choose a schedule that fits. Tell us how often you have in mind when you contact us.
Spots and heavy traffic lanes are pretreated as part of every cleaning. If you only need a particular area or trouble spot looked at, tell us when you contact us and we will say what is practical. We cannot guarantee that every spot or stain will come out, and we will tell you what to expect before we start.
It depends on how much carpet there is, how soiled it is and how much furniture has to be moved. As a rough guide, our average is about 20 minutes per room, and large open areas and spot treatments add time. Carpet can take anywhere from half a day to a full day to dry completely, depending on humidity, temperature and airflow, and running fans and the air conditioning or heat helps. Describe your space and we will give you a realistic estimate.
Commercial carpet is priced by the square foot, so the quote starts with how much carpet you have. If you know the square footage, tell us. If not, a rough length and width of each area is enough to start, and we confirm when we see the space. Options such as a deodorizer or protector are added to the same quote.

AREA & ORIENTAL RUG CLEANING


Yes. We clean area and oriental rugs in your home, where they lie. The rug stays with you from start to finish, and you can watch the work and ask questions as we go. If a rug is too delicate or too damaged to clean safely at home, we will tell you before we start rather than risk it.
We clean wool and wool-blend rugs, which are common among area and oriental rugs, after checking the fiber and testing the dye. Silk, very old and fragile rugs need extra care, and some are better left to a rug specialist. If that is the case with yours, we will tell you honestly.
The dyes in some rugs can bleed when they get wet, which is why we test a hidden spot before any cleaning. If a rug does not pass the test, we change the method or tell you that cleaning it at home is not a good idea. We also avoid over-wetting rugs, because wool and other natural fibers can shrink.
We use an enzyme treatment that breaks down the source of pet odors instead of covering them, and fresh accidents respond best. Old or repeated urine can set into the fibers and dyes, so cleaning may not remove every trace or bring back the original color. We will tell you what to expect after we look at the rug.
We clean the fringe along with the rest of the rug, gently, because it is often cotton and can take on color from the rug's dyes when it is wet. Cleaning freshens the fringe and lifts dirt, but it will not repair fraying or other damage.
It depends on the thickness of the rug, its fibers, the humidity and the airflow in the room. We explain what to expect before we leave. Running a fan or the air conditioning helps, and it is best to keep furniture and foot traffic off the rug until it is completely dry.

WATER EXTRACTION & CARPET DRYING


We work by appointment rather than as a round-the-clock response service. Call 704.258.9790, tell us what happened, and we will check availability and give you a time. While you wait, shut off the water at its source if you can and keep the area ventilated. If water is still spreading or you need help right away, a full restoration company is the better call.
Often, yes, especially when the water was clean, such as an appliance overflow or a supply-line leak, and the carpet is extracted and dried properly. It depends on how much water there was, how long the carpet stayed wet and whether the pad underneath is soaked. Carpet that has been wet for days, or that took on contaminated water such as a sewage backup, usually cannot be saved. We look first and tell you honestly, including when replacing the pad or the carpet is the better choice.
It depends on how much water was in the carpet, how thick the pad is and how humid the air is. With air movers and a dehumidifier running, many carpets dry in about one to three days. We explain what to expect during the visit and what you can do to help, such as keeping the air conditioning on and keeping furniture off the damp areas.
We look over the affected area, extract the standing and trapped water from the carpet, set up drying equipment, deodorize if the carpet needs it, and talk through what to expect and whether anything else needs attention, such as the pad. We do the work in your home or business, by appointment.
We handle leaks, appliance overflows, small floods and spills on carpet. We do not handle major flooding, drying of walls and subfloors, or insurance claims. For those, a full restoration company is the right call, and we will tell you if that is what your situation needs.

PRESSURE WASHING


Soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning solution to loosen dirt and algae, while pressure washing relies on stronger spray to blast it away. Which one a surface needs depends on what it is made of. We offer low- to high-pressure washing and match the pressure to the surface, using gentler pressure on siding and wood and more on hard surfaces such as concrete. If you are unsure, we will recommend an approach after we look.
We wash house siding, driveways, walkways and patios, wood decks, gutters, and retaining walls and other masonry, at homes and at businesses. If you have something else, describe it when you call and we will tell you whether we can wash it. Delicate or damaged surfaces need special care, and we will say so if we think a surface should not be pressure washed.
Tell us what is growing near the work area when you call. We take care to keep the cleaning solution and the stronger spray away from shrubs, flower beds, potted plants and the lawn where we can, and we tell you what to expect before we start. It also helps to move potted plants and garden items out of the way beforehand.
It depends on the surface and where it sits. Shaded, damp areas turn green faster than sunny ones, and driveways and decks under trees collect leaves and stains. Heavy traffic and pets play a part too. Once we have seen your property, we can suggest a schedule that makes sense for it.
Please tell us when you call whether you have a working outdoor water spigot, and we will tell you what we need to plan the visit. If you are not sure, we will go over it with you before we arrive.
Pressure washing is quoted job by job, because the price depends on the surfaces, how large they are and how dirty they have become. Call 704.258.9790, describe what you would like washed, and we will give you an estimate.
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