Questions and Answers About Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

Debunking Common Cleaning Concerns

We know that if one of our customers has questions about carpet cleaning, then likely others do, too. For your convenience, we have compiled the most common questions that our clients have into one place. Have a question that we didn’t answer below? Give us a call and we’d be happy to chat!

Why do I need professional carpet cleaning?

Carpets are great filters. They trap contaminants that otherwise would be in the air you breathe, but vacuuming alone cannot remove all these contaminants. Most vacuums are not powerful enough and lack good filtration, allowing a percentage of what you pick up to escape into the air again, only to be redeposited in the carpet. Above all, vacuums do not use a cleaning solution. Some soils need to be emulsified in order to be removed, and not removing these soils shortens the life of your carpet, creating an unhealthy environment. That's where Atlas Cleaning Service, Inc. can help!

What kind of contaminants are we talking about?

You name it. We can probably give you a few for every letter in the alphabet. Here is a partial list: asphalt, dust, food particles, sand, smoke, tar, grease, oils, hair, skin cells, dust mites, germs, fungus, bacteria, mold, pet dander, hair, etc., etc., etc. These contaminants and microorganisms can create a very unhealthy environment, causing illness and allergies. Every time you walk on the carpet, they are re-dispersed into the air where you can breathe them in.

How do I know when it's time to clean my carpet and how often should I have it cleaned?

If you put a little water on the carpet and grass starts to grow, it may be time! However, carpet manufacturers recommend cleaning every 6 to 18 months. One of the wonders about carpets is that they are designed to hide soil and lots of it. So when it starts to look dirty, it may be past the time when it should have been cleaned. If you have kids and pets, you will need to clean more often than a single person living in a big house. We can help you determine the frequency of cleaning that is best for you.

You should wait as long as possible to clean your carpet because after cleaning, it gets dirtier faster…right?

That's one of the most common misconceptions. In the dark ages of carpet cleaning, it used to be that way. Cleaning systems used to leave a lot of soil-attracting residue. However, because dirt is abrasive, every time you step on your carpet it grinds into the fibers. This creates traffic lanes that can become permanent when not properly taken care of. Today's equipment and cleaning agents, when used by trained technicians, are designed to leave the carpet fibers completely clean and residue free, actually extending the time between cleanings and the life of the carpet.

When is it better to clean my carpet? Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter?

All seasons create soil that can affect a carpet's appearance and health. Spring cleaning reduces dust and pollen that gets tracked inside. The summer's heat can speed the growth of bacteria thriving in the fibers. Fall is a great time to eliminate all of the dirt that was tracked in during the fun-filled summer days. In winter, rain and mud can deteriorate carpet fibers. Plus, during the holidays, chances are you will entertain friends and family. You don't want them talking about your dirty carpets!

How long does it take to dry?

It depends on the type of carpet, time of the year and how soiled your carpet is. The dirtier it is, the more water and cleaning solutions we'll need to use. Our equipment removes most of it, so it is common to have carpets dry in 4 to 5 hours.

What will happen if I walk on the carpet before it's completely dry?

Your feet will get wet.

Do those fabric protection treatments work, or do they just make my wallet thinner?

As a matter of fact, they REALLY work. Any bad experience you may have had could be attributed to someone not applying the product properly or over-diluting it and basically spraying water. Unfortunately, this happens all the time. It is important to remember that just about every carpet that comes out of the mill has some type of protector applied to it, and carpet manufacturers recommend reapplying the protector after cleaning. With protectors, you can remove dust through vacuuming better than you can on carpets that do not have them. Protectors also make a difference when removing spots and spills. Of course, to get the best results, you should clean spots as soon as possible, before they have a chance to go through the protector. The most common products are Teflon (by DuPont ) and Scotchgard™ ( by 3M ). Both are fluorochemicals and they are the best products for most of today's carpets. They repel dust, as well as both water and oil-based spills. Another kind is silicones, and some companies will apply this product because is cheaper. Be careful, though, because silicones can void your carpet warranty. They are great for water-based spills but because they are oily in nature, they will attract oil-based spills.

How can I choose a carpet cleaning company?

There are several things to consider before choosing a carpet cleaning company. Avoid these common mistakes:

Choosing a carpet cleaning company based on equipment alone. Even though you want first-rate equipment, that alone will not guarantee a first-rate job. Good technicians with the right training (such as the professionals at Atlas Cleaning Service, Inc.) are the other part of the equation.
Choosing a carpet cleaning company based on low price. Low prices limit the ability of a company to offer quality service, and most likely, they'll pressure you into buying more services, whether you need them or not.
Choosing a carpet cleaning company that doesn't offer a guarantee. Do we need to explain this one?

Moral of the story? Call Atlas Cleaning Service, Inc. for your carpet cleaning needs! We’re professionals with exceptional equipment and even better experience. We are fairly priced, standing by our strict quality standards. Most importantly, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We pre-inspect every job and tell you what you can expect from us. If you don't feel we've achieved what we promise, we do it again.