Carpet Cleaning Questions Auburn Washington

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Why should I have my carpets cleaned?

A. Health – Carpets are the biggest filter in the home & require routine cleaning. Hot water extraction contributes to a healthier indoor environment by extracting soil, pollutants, allergens, and sources of bacteria and odor to the outside.
Life of your carpet – Routine professional cleaning can greatly extend it.
Improved appearance – Maintain the original look and luster of your carpet with regularly scheduled cleanings.
How often should I have my carpets cleaned?

Frequency of cleaning should be determined based on household conditions. The EPA recommends every 6 to 12 months for the average home with two people. The majority of carpet manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning at least every 12 to 18 months. Commercial carpet such as a restaurant may require monthly cleaning while a medical office may require cleaning every 3-6 months.

With two kids and a dog I clean our carpet every 6 months ☺

Q. How often should I have my furniture cleaned?

A. There are no guidelines on the recommended cleaning frequency for upholstery. Elite Carpet Care recommends you have your upholstery cleaned every other year or as you see fit. We all know that vacuuming your carpet helps out…do the same for your upholstery to keep it in tip-top shape.

I thought our family room furniture was fairly clean. I was shocked at how bright the colors were after I cleaned it ☺

Q. Which method of carpet cleaning is best?

A. There are several different ways to clean a carpet: hot water extraction (steam cleaning), bonnet cleaning, absorbent compound, and rotary shampoo cleaning.

The majority of carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction (steam cleaning) as the preferred method and some manufactures require hot water extraction to maintain the warranty of your carpet. Hot water extraction is the only method that uses water to freely rinse cleaning solutions from the carpet the same way you use water to rinse your fabrics in the clothes washer. Hot water extraction, used properly, leaves the least amount of residue behind after cleaning.

A key factor in determining the outcome of any job is the cleaning technician himself. It is important that a skilled technician take the necessary time to do a satisfactory job using whatever methods he has at his disposal.

Q. How long does it take to dry?

A. Typical dry times range from two to six hours. There are always exceptions and quicker or slower dry times may be experienced. A lot of factors can affect dry times including the cleaning methods used, the amount of soil, air flow, temperature, humidity, and the type of carpet. We strive to get your carpet dry as quickly as possible by using proper cleaning techniques and powerful air movers to speed up the drying process.

Q. Are the products you use safe?

A. Yes. We strive to use biodegradable and/or environmentally friendly cleaning products in your home or business. Some soiling conditions require stronger cleaning solutions, however even these products are safe when rinsed from your carpet with our hot water extraction. We are happy to provide the MSDS sheets of the products we use.

Q. Should I have a fabric protector applied after a cleaning? Does it really work?

A. Yes and yes! Most carpet manufacturers recommend that you reapply protector after professional cleaning to restore the original stain resistance. Stain protection helps against spills but more importantly they help protect against dry soil abrasion on your carpet fibers. Dry soil acts like sandpaper and wears out your carpet prematurely. Fabric protector minimizes the soil from attaching to the fiber and makes it easier to vacuum up.

Q. Will you remove all my stains?

A. We will do our best to get all of the spots out of your carpet but sometimes the spots are permanent stains. For example, some beverage spills can actually dye the carpet fiber. Pet urine normally cleans up, however sometimes the urine dyes the carpet fiber. Spilled bleach is another example. If we can not remove the stain, your carpet is still clean in that area. The fibers may be a different color from the permanent stain damage…but they are clean! When fabric protector is applied on a consistent basis, permanent stains are a rarity. *Clean up any spills promptly to minimize stains.

Q. Should I vacuum before you arrive?

A. Yes, pre-vacuuming is helpful. Although our cleaning method does vacuum, cleaning is meant to remove oil, grease, and other spots that regular vacuuming does not address.

Q. What preparations do I need to make?

A. Picking up small items off the carpet and removing items from the end tables/coffee table makes for a smoother job. We can move most furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, etc.) provided there is room and no other items are stacked on top of them. Discounts are given for vacant (empty rooms), or traffic areas only. We are unable to move large items such as beds, desks, dressers, entertainment centers, pianos, etc.

If possible a parking space in the driveway nearest the front door also helps out. Our van is well maintained and will not leak oil on your driveway ☺

Q. Which provides better indoor air quality: hardwood or carpet?

A. Independent studies have shown that as long as a regular cleaning schedule is maintained, carpet provides much better indoor air quality than hardwood. Carpet acts like a filter trapping pollutants which are then removed by professional cleaning. If you choose to install hardwood floors, make the decision based on the beauty of the wood not on the improved indoor air quality. Hardwood floors still need to be waxed, stripped, washed, polished, buffed, etc. Quite often homeowners accentuate their hardwood floors with beautiful area rugs. We can clean your area rugs as well ☺

Tips to keep your carpet clean:

Q. Why do prices vary widely from company to company?

A. Some companies try to attract customers with a low price then change it once they are at your house (bait & switch). Others skip steps in the cleaning process or finish the job quickly with untrained laborers in order to compensate for the low price. Some companies use cheap equipment and cleaning products and some just go out of business. If you are unsatisfied later, even the lowest price in town is too much!

Our reputation is important to us and we appreciate your referrals and repeat business. With Elite Carpet Care you get the owner/operator on every job. Every cleaning is done by following all of the established industry steps to ensure you get a great cleaning instead of a ho-hum cleaning. We use a truck mounted machine that generates high heat, high pressure, and good vacuum to give you the best cleaning. We use neat tools to help your carpet dry faster such as a glided wand and an air mover. We have a rotary floor machine and a Rotovac 360 machine for those hard to clean carpets. We are insured and licensed and attend training classes to further our education. We follow up to make sure everything is ok. If it is not, we come back out at no charge to fix the problem. If you are still unsatisfied we will refund your money.


	Carpet Cleaning Questions Auburn Elite Carpet Care has compiled a list of frequently asked questions related to carpet cleaning. We hope you will find it useful. If you still have a question, that was not answered here, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions: Q. Why should I have my carpets cleaned? A. Health – Carpets are the biggest filter in the home & require routine cleaning. Hot water extraction contributes to a healthier indoor environment by extracting soil, pollutants, allergens, and sources of bacteria and odor to the outside. Life of your carpet – Routine professional cleaning can greatly extend it. Improved appearance – Maintain the original look and luster of your carpet with regularly scheduled cleanings. How often should I have my carpets cleaned? Frequency of cleaning should be determined based on household conditions. The EPA recommends every 6 to 12 months for the average home with two people. The majority of carpet manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning at least every 12 to 18 months. Commercial carpet such as a restaurant may require monthly cleaning while a medical office may require cleaning every 3-6 months. With two kids and a dog I clean our carpet every 6 months ☺ Q. How often should I have my furniture cleaned? A. There are no guidelines on the recommended cleaning frequency for upholstery. Elite Carpet Care recommends you have your upholstery cleaned every other year or as you see fit. We all know that vacuuming your carpet helps out…do the same for your upholstery to keep it in tip-top shape. I thought our family room furniture was fairly clean. I was shocked at how bright the colors were after I cleaned it ☺ Q. Which method of carpet cleaning is best? A. There are several different ways to clean a carpet: hot water extraction (steam cleaning), bonnet cleaning, absorbent compound, and rotary shampoo cleaning. The majority of carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction (steam cleaning) as the preferred method and some manufactures require hot water extraction to maintain the warranty of your carpet. Hot water extraction is the only method that uses water to freely rinse cleaning solutions from the carpet the same way you use water to rinse your fabrics in the clothes washer. Hot water extraction, used properly, leaves the least amount of residue behind after cleaning. A key factor in determining the outcome of any job is the cleaning technician himself. It is important that a skilled technician take the necessary time to do a satisfactory job using whatever methods he has at his disposal. Q. How long does it take to dry? A. Typical dry times range from two to six hours. There are always exceptions and quicker or slower dry times may be experienced. A lot of factors can affect dry times including the cleaning methods used, the amount of soil, air flow, temperature, humidity, and the type of carpet. We strive to get your carpet dry as quickly as possible by using proper cleaning techniques and powerful air movers to speed up the drying process. Q. Are the products you use safe? A. Yes. We strive to use biodegradable and/or environmentally friendly cleaning products in your home or business. Some soiling conditions require stronger cleaning solutions, however even these products are safe when rinsed from your carpet with our hot water extraction. We are happy to provide the MSDS sheets of the products we use. Q. Should I have a fabric protector applied after a cleaning? Does it really work? A. Yes and yes! Most carpet manufacturers recommend that you reapply protector after professional cleaning to restore the original stain resistance. Stain protection helps against spills but more importantly they help protect against dry soil abrasion on your carpet fibers. Dry soil acts like sandpaper and wears out your carpet prematurely. Fabric protector minimizes the soil from attaching to the fiber and makes it easier to vacuum up. Q. Will you remove all my stains? A. We will do our best to get all of the spots out of your carpet but sometimes the spots are permanent stains. For example, some beverage spills can actually dye the carpet fiber. Pet urine normally cleans up, however sometimes the urine dyes the carpet fiber. Spilled bleach is another example. If we can not remove the stain, your carpet is still clean in that area. The fibers may be a different color from the permanent stain damage…but they are clean! When fabric protector is applied on a consistent basis, permanent stains are a rarity. Clean up any spills promptly to minimize stains. Q. Should I vacuum before you arrive?* A. Yes, pre-vacuuming is helpful. Although our cleaning method does vacuum, cleaning is meant to remove oil, grease, and other spots that regular vacuuming does not address. Q. What preparations do I need to make? A. Picking up small items off the carpet and removing items from the end tables/coffee table makes for a smoother job. We can move most furniture (sofas, chairs, tables, etc.) provided there is room and no other items are stacked on top of them. Discounts are given for vacant (empty rooms), or traffic areas only. We are unable to move large items such as beds, desks, dressers, entertainment centers, pianos, etc. If possible a parking space in the driveway nearest the front door also helps out. Our van is well maintained and will not leak oil on your driveway ☺ Q. Which provides better indoor air quality: hardwood or carpet? A. Independent studies have shown that as long as a regular cleaning schedule is maintained, carpet provides much better indoor air quality than hardwood. Carpet acts like a filter trapping pollutants which are then removed by professional cleaning. If you choose to install hardwood floors, make the decision based on the beauty of the wood not on the improved indoor air quality. Hardwood floors still need to be waxed, stripped, washed, polished, buffed, etc. Quite often homeowners accentuate their hardwood floors with beautiful area rugs. We can clean your area rugs as well ☺ Tips to keep your carpet clean: Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Dry soil abrasion damages your carpet fibers. Vacuuming removes the dry soil. Clean up any spills promptly. Take your shoes off. Use entry way mats or rugs. Keep your driveway, garage floor, and front porch clean. Keep your hardwood floors clean. Sell your kids…just kidding…give them allowance to vacuum instead☺ Q. Why do prices vary widely from company to company? A. Some companies try to attract customers with a low price then change it once they are at your house (bait & switch). Others skip steps in the cleaning process or finish the job quickly with untrained laborers in order to compensate for the low price. Some companies use cheap equipment and cleaning products and some just go out of business. If you are unsatisfied later, even the lowest price in town is too much! Our reputation is important to us and we appreciate your referrals and repeat business. With Elite Carpet Care you get the owner/operator on every job. Every cleaning is done by following all of the established industry steps to ensure you get a great cleaning instead of a ho-hum cleaning. We use a truck mounted machine that generates high heat, high pressure, and good vacuum to give you the best cleaning. We use neat tools to help your carpet dry faster such as a glided wand and an air mover. We have a rotary floor machine and a Rotovac 360 machine for those hard to clean carpets. We are insured and licensed and attend training classes to further our education. We follow up to make sure everything is ok. If it is not, we come back out at no charge to fix the problem. If you are still unsatisfied we will refund your money.


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