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Everyone wants their home to be clean and smell fresh – so get the floor and furniture care information from a professional carpet cleaning source!
Professional carpet cleaners often get the same 10 questions about their processes and the best methods for homeowners to maintain their flooring and furniture between deep cleaning visits.
Questions to Ask Your Professional Carpet Cleaner
#1 Are your cleaning products and methods safe for children and pets?
Many carpet cleaning companies use harsh chemicals to clean carpets. When you call for service, ask if the company uses non-toxic and eco-friendly products.
Ask if they rinse the carpets to remove any cleaning products and extract excess water. Ask how they dispose of the wastewater and if they charge a disposal fee.
#2 How long will it take my carpets to dry?
Quick drying time may just be one of the only benefits of Arizona’s famous “dry heat”!
You can expect low-pile carpets to dry in 6 to 12 hours in the summer with the AC running – along with ceiling fans and box or tower fans. Your AC acts as a dehumidifier, so there is no need to open any windows to let in the 120-degree desert air!
Some thicker (high pile) carpets may take up to 24 hours to dry completely.
Try to stay off damp carpets as you may trap dirt in the newly cleaned areas. Renew offers surgical booties to customers if they must walk on the carpet.
#3 Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
The time when the “customer is always right” seems to be coming to an end. Cleaning companies may experience high employee turnover and be reluctant to invest in fully training their crews.
Look for a family-owned and operated company that takes pride in its work and stands behind its services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
#4 Can you seal my tile and grout after cleaning?
Customers with high-traffic households, young children, and pets usually add grout sealing and carpet protectant services to extend the cleanliness of the floors between professional cleaning.
Although some tile manufacturers say sealing is not necessary – it remains an owner’s choice and sealant can make it easier to clean up spills.
#5 Do you offer free estimates and is there clear pricing on your website?
Customers hate surprises – especially when hidden fees and unexpected charges end up on the bill.
Pick a carpet cleaning service with clear, up-front pricing and 5-star reviews on Google or Yelp. Measure the carpeting in your rooms so you have a good idea of your square footage so you don’t have to rely on the cleaner’s measurements.
Understand that most companies have minimum cleaning charges – and don’t be fooled by ultra-low pricing which usually means bare minimum service and cut corners. You typically get what you pay for!
Questions Answered About Homeowner Maintenance
While there is nothing like having your floors and furniture professionally cleaned, daily and weekly cleaning tasks can extend the life of flooring and furniture.
#6 How often should I vacuum?
We’d all love to vacuum daily like we should, but life gets in the way! No matter if you have carpet or tile, vacuum as often as possible. A robotic vacuum programmed to clean every day is an awesome time-saver between dragging out the full-sized vacuum.
Upholstered furniture should be vacuumed once a week to remove pet hair and dust before it penetrates the fabric. Remember to dust your hardwood furniture and ceiling fans before you vacuum for a Martha Stewart quality clean!
#7 What is the best mop or wet cleaning system?
The best stone & tile floor cleaning method uses little to no moisture. Clean up sticky spills by diluting a pH-neutral stone cleaner with water and spraying it onto the spill sparingly. Wipe up the solution and rinse immediately because grout natural stone can absorb excess liquids and attract dirt.
Microfiber dust mops can be used daily to lift dirt, pet dander, and hair from hard flooring to keep your home clean without the damaging effects of wetting agents.
#8 What are the most effective, all-natural cleaning products for spills or pet accidents on my floors?
Choosing the right methods and cleaners depends on the type of stains and the flooring type you’re cleaning. Regular maintenance, immediate spot cleaning, and periodic deep cleaning are essential for both carpet and tile to keep them looking their best.
The best way to avoid stains is to clean up a spill as soon as possible. Never use boiling hot water as it can set the stain and ruin your carpets. Never rub the spill to spread it across a greater surface area. Use paper towels or multiple clean microfiber cloths to lift out as much of the liquid/organic matter before adding any cleaning products.
Test any product (all-natural or chemical-based) on a small, inconspicuous area before moving to the spill or stain on your carpet or natural stone. Your goal is to clean the stain without damaging the stone or carpet fibers.
The source of your stain will determine which cleaner you should use. You can find all sorts of homemade products for natural stain removers and eco-friendly cleaners with a quick internet search. Homemade cleaning products can be made with items from your pantry like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, salt, Borax, club soda, and dish soap.
For pet accidents:
Lift (do not wipe) organic matter from the floor and soak up urine, then saturate the spot with an enzymatic cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle) to break down the proteins and eliminate the odor. Blot dry.
Baking soda and vinegar is also effective. Remove organic matter, sprinkle with baking soda, and soak the spot with a solution of 1:1 white vinegar and water. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Blot dry with paper towels or a microfiber cloth. Vacuum when completely dry.
#9 Can I sprinkle baking soda on my carpets to eliminate pet odors?
Pet owners often sprinkle scented baking soda products like Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh on their carpets to eliminate pet odors – but some people find the scents offensive and complain that the products just mask the pet odors instead of eliminating them. Sprinkling baking soda (even unscented) on your carpets will not eliminate the odor forever or remove any stains.
The source of the pet odor must be addressed. You can use a UV flashlight at night to find hidden urine stains (also great for hunting scorpions) or get your carpets and furniture professionally cleaned to remove pet dander and accident stains.
#10 Does enforcing a no-shoes policy really protect my floors?
Shoes can bring all the bacteria, pollutants, and pesticides from the outdoors into your home. A no-shoes policy can not only keep your floors cleaner, but it can keep your home and family healthier. Studies have shown that toilet seats are cleaner than carpets and shoes are the biggest culprit in transferring fecal matter onto your floors.
So yes, enforcing a no-shoes policy at your home is a great way to protect your floors.
At Renew Cleaning Services, we partner with our customers to provide the best long-term care for their flooring and furniture. Most of our business is referral-based and you can read our 5-star customer reviews on Google. Give us a call today at (602) 619-0687 to schedule your floor, window, and furniture cleaning.
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and only utilize proven methodologies and the best technologies for the deepest cleans. At Renew, we offer straightforward pricing, clear communication, and 28 years of experience serving customers in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and North Phoenix.