FAQ
General
When can my family and pets use the carpet after cleaning?
After cleaning, we’ll let you know when the cleaned areas are ready for normal use. Drying time can vary depending on carpet type, humidity, airflow, and soil level, but Chem-Dry carpets often dry in just a few hours.
Is Chem-Dry a steam cleaner?
No. Chem-Dry is not a traditional steam cleaner. Chem-Dry uses Hot Carbonating Extraction, a low-moisture process that uses carbonation to help loosen dirt and grime from carpet fibers. Because it uses significantly less water than many traditional steam-cleaning methods, carpets often dry faster.
Carpet Cleaning
What is the best carpet cleaning method?
Chem-Dry’s Hot Carbonating Extraction process is a low-moisture carpet cleaning method designed to deliver a deep professional clean with faster drying times than many traditional steam-cleaning methods.
The process uses carbonation to help loosen dirt and grime from deep within carpet fibers. Professional extraction equipment then removes the loosened soil and moisture from the carpet.
Because Chem-Dry uses significantly less water than many traditional steam-cleaning methods, carpets often dry in 1–2 hours, depending on carpet type, soil level, humidity, airflow, and other conditions.
Why do I need protectant on my carpets?
Most new carpets come with a factory-applied protectant, but this protection can wear down over time. Reapplying protectant can help carpets resist everyday spills and soiling, making routine care easier and helping carpets stay cleaner longer between professional cleanings.
Carpet protectant does not make carpet stain-proof, but it can give you more time to blot many spills before they become harder to remove.
How do you treat pet urine odor from carpets?
Pet odors can linger when urine reaches the carpet backing, padding, or other deeper layers. As urine dries, odor-causing crystals can become more concentrated, which is why surface cleaning alone may not fully address the problem.
Chem-Dry uses P.U.R.T.® Pet Urine Removal Treatment, which is designed to treat pet urine odors at the source rather than simply masking the smell. Results can vary depending on the severity of the issue, how long it has been present, and whether urine has reached the pad, subfloor, or nearby surfaces.
Will my carpets re-soil quickly after the cleaning is finished?
Some cleaning methods can leave behind sticky residue that attracts dirt after cleaning. Chem-Dry’s process is designed to avoid sticky, dirt-attracting residue, helping carpets stay cleaner longer between professional cleanings.
How long will it take for my carpet to dry completely?
Drying time depends on humidity, airflow, carpet type, soil level, and other conditions. After a Chem-Dry professional cleaning, carpets often dry in 1–2 hours, but some carpets may take longer.
How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
Cleaning frequency depends on foot traffic, kids, pets, spills, and routine maintenance. Many homeowners schedule professional carpet cleaning every 6–12 months, while busier homes may benefit from more frequent cleaning.
Regular professional cleaning can help improve your home’s appearance, remove built-up soil, and help extend the life of your carpet.
Should I vacuum before you arrive?
This is not necessary. Chem-Dry’s professionally trained carpet and upholstery cleaners can vacuum your carpets with our commercial HEPA-filtered vacuum when they arrive as a standard part of our service.
What type of cleaning process does Chem-Dry use?
Chem-Dry uses Hot Carbonating Extraction as its primary carpet cleaning method. This process uses carbonation to help loosen dirt and grime from carpet fibers so it can be removed using professional extraction equipment.
Why does Chem-Dry not use as much water to clean my carpets as many steam-cleaning methods?
Chem-Dry uses significantly less water than many traditional steam-cleaning methods because its carbonated cleaning process helps loosen dirt and grime from carpet fibers with less moisture. This low-moisture approach helps carpets dry faster and can be more convenient for busy homes and businesses.
Can other carpet cleaning methods leave carpets wet longer?
Yes. Many traditional steam-cleaning methods use more water than Chem-Dry’s low-moisture process, which can lead to longer drying times. Chem-Dry’s process is designed to use less moisture so carpets can dry faster.
Area and Oriental Rug Cleaning
Is Chem-Dry’s cleaning process appropriate for my rugs?
Chem-Dry’s area rug cleaning process is designed to be effective yet gentle. Our technicians consider the rug’s material, construction, colors, and condition before recommending the right cleaning approach.
Why should I have my area and oriental rugs cleaned?
Area and oriental rugs often receive regular foot traffic and can collect dirt, dust, pet hair, spills, and everyday household particles over time. Professional rug cleaning can help remove built-up soil and keep your rugs looking cleaner, brighter, and more refreshed.
Upholstery Cleaning
How long does it take for furniture to dry?
In most cases, furniture dries within a couple of hours. In some cases, it may take overnight to fully dry depending on the fabric, soil level, humidity, and airflow.
Do you offer protectant or stain guard for upholstery?
Yes. After upholstery cleaning, you can have Chem-Dry Protectant applied to help your furniture resist everyday spills and soiling.
How does Chem-Dry clean upholstery?
We use Chem-Dry’s Hot Carbonating Extraction cleaning method for many upholstery cleaning jobs. The carbonated cleaning process helps loosen dirt, soil, and spots from upholstery fibers. Then, our extraction equipment removes the loosened soil and moisture from your furniture, leaving it cleaner and fresher.
Why should I have my upholstered furniture professionally cleaned?
Upholstered furniture can collect dust, dirt, body oils, pet hair, spills, and everyday soil over time. Professional upholstery cleaning can help your furniture look cleaner, feel fresher, and be more enjoyable for everyday use.
Stone, Tile and Grout Cleaning
Why should I have my grout lines sealed?
Grout is a porous material that can absorb soil and spills. Having a sealant applied can help add a protective layer, giving you more time to clean up dirt and liquid spills before they soak into the grout. The type of sealant you choose will determine the degree of stain resistance.
Why should I have my stone, tile and grout cleaned?
Dirt and grime can build up over time, dulling tile or stone and discoloring grout. Professional stone, tile, and grout cleaning can help remove built-up soil and make these surfaces look cleaner and brighter.
How often should I clean my tile, stone and/or grout?
Frequency depends on foot traffic, children, pets, spills, and routine floor maintenance. High-use areas may need professional cleaning more often than lower-traffic spaces.