Carpet Cleaning FAQs

There are several ways to quickly check if your rug needs cleaning.

1. Lift up a corner and slap the back with your hand. If dirt or dust comes out, it needs cleaning.
2. Dampen a white towel. Rub the towel across the surface of the rug, if it soils, it is time to clean the rug.
3. Visually inspect the rug. Pull the fibers apart and look for dirt trapped in the fibers.
4. You catch your pet in the act of relieving itself, or you spill a glass of your favourite red wine on the rug.

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Rugs should be regularly vacuumed to remove dirt and dust. Depending on the location, colour and fabric of your rug they should be professionally cleaned every 3 - 5 years. If you suffer from allergies or your have pets you should clean your rug more often.

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Depending on the type of rug you own, a professional cleaner will either come to your home or recommend in-plant cleaning. Typically, specialty (handmade) and oriental style rugs need to be cleaned by professional in-plant cleaning service.

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Spots can and should be treated immediately. Do not use household carpet cleaners on Persian or Oriental rugs. Deep cleaning should be done by a professional. Improper cleaning can cause discolouration, shrinkage, and most importantly, it can adversely affect your rug’s value.

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Yes.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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No. If cleaned correctly, steam cleaning will restore the stain resistant properties of the carpet.

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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.

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No. Dirt acts as an abrasive when trapped in your carpet causing it to wear prematurely. Regular professional cleaning protects your investment.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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No. Covers should stay on the cushion so that they keep their form.

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Most upholstery should be professionally cleaned once every 18 – 24 months to avoid soil build up and staining.

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Drying times vary depending on the fabric of your upholstery. Most upholstery will dry within 2 - 4 hours after cleaning.

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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.

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No. Covers should stay on the cushion so that they keep their form.

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Yes. Stain retardants like Scotch Guard can help protect your furniture from spills and soiling.

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