How Should I prepare for my Carpet Doctors Appointment?
The more you prepare for your appointment, the better the results will be. In order for us to clean the area, it has to be clear of debris, accessible, and within reach of our equipment. We recommend you have furniture moved as well as carpet and upholstery vacuumed prior to our arrival. If your carpet is located on an upper level or far from the parking lot we may not be able to provide service. If parking is potentially an issue we recommend you park your personal vehicle in the preferred spot before we arrive. That way, when we arrive you can move your vehicle and give us the spot. We do offer some preparation services such as vacuuming for an additional fee.
How long will my carpet take to dry?
Normally carpets will be completely dry within 8-24 hrs. We do use air movers to help dry the areas and we have them available for overnight rental if faster drying times are of concern.
How often should I have my carpets professionally cleaned?
Carpet condition is highly based off of traffic. If usage is low then an annual hot water extraction cleaning should work just fine but for more moderate traffic and everyday living we recommend a biannual hot water extraction cleaning. For heavy traffic areas and lighter colored carpet we also recommend biannual interim encapsulation cleaning to subsidize the biannual hot water extraction cleaning.
What is the difference between hot water extraction and encapsulation cleaning?
Hot water extraction is a process involving a heated cleaning solution that is sprayed directly into the carpet fibers to dissolve and dislodge contaminants. The solution is then extracted with a powerful wet vacuum along with the contaminants. This is also generally referred to as “steam cleaning” and is included in our deep cleaning processes. Encapsulation cleaning is a more recent development in the cleaning world that involves an encapsulating solution that chemically bonds with contaminants and is then lifted from the carpet fibers using a dry cloth. This is also known as “Low moisture cleaning” as there is far less water used to extract the contaminants. This is included in our maintenance cleaning.
Why is encapsulation cleaning an “interim” process?
While encapsulation cleaning is a powerful tool for keeping carpets clean and fresh, it can not be used on its own. Many companies with only this capability advertise their services as superior due to the fast drying times of the low moisture process. In fact, encapsulation cleaning is neither superior nor inferior to the hot water extraction process. It is a process that does a great job cleaning moderate to lightly soiled areas. However, it is not advantageous to use on heavily soiled or stained carpets. The bonnet used will primarily clean the surface fibers of the carpeting but leave the base and padding untouched leading to less than satisfactory results and stains that will reappear. The hot water extraction process does a superior job of removing contaminants and odors from deep in the base of the carpet and in the carpet padding. However hot water extraction is more costly and takes considerably longer to dry which leads to more inconvenience. Therefore a strategic maintenance plan consisting of both hot water extraction biannually and encapsulation cleaning services during the interim will keep carpets in their best condition.
Do The Carpet Doctors move furniture?
It is our policy not to move furniture. We recommend having furniture moved before we arrive. We also do not allow customers to move furniture while we clean. We will work with you to clean as much of the carpet as possible. Any request to move furniture is at the technicians discretion, fees may apply and we are not responsible for any damages.
Can I walk on my carpet after it is cleaned?
We recommend as little contact with the carpet as possible while it dries. However, we do understand that it may be necessary to walk on the carpet which is why every customer and family member will be left with a free pair of shoe protectors to help protect your vulnerable drying carpet.
Should I treat stains myself (DIY)?
Absolutely! Most stains are more easily removed when they first occur. Early treatment of stains can prevent permanent damage. We recommend viewing our stain treatment guide for reference as to what products to use for common stains. Do not hesitate to call us for treatment or even for advise. Our goal is to keep your carpet looking clean and help you avoid costly replacement charges!