Carpet Cleaners - Upholstery Cleaners - Tile Cleaners in San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
2. Which cleaning method is the best choice for carpets?
3. What is the difference between stains and spots?
4. Why do spots go away after cleaning but then return a few days later?
5. Why is vacuuming my carpet so important?
6. Will carpet cleaning destroy my soil-resist or stain-resist treatment?
7. Is it possible to repair burn marks or pet tears in carpet?
8. Can ripples be removed from my carpet?
9. How long should we stay off the carpet after it has been cleaned?

1. How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
Carpet should be cleaned every 6-18 months, even if it does not appear soiled, so that you may protect your investment. Carpet cleaning should occur before the appearance of soil to reduce permanent fiber damage! Regular carpet cleaning using hot water extraction or steam cleaning and vacuuming is important in extending the usable life of your carpet. Some areas of the home may require more frequent cleaning. » top

2. Which cleaning method is the best choice for carpets?
There's Dry Foam Extraction, Rotary Bonett, and Hot Water Extraction/Steam Cleaning. Out of all 3 cleaning methods, hot water extraction/steam cleaning is the method preferred by Shaw Industries and many other carpet manufacturers. It is considered by many to be the best method of removing embedded soil and other contaminants. » top

3. What is the difference between stains and spots?
A spot is a discoloration from a dissolvable or removable substance that is lying on or adhering to your carpet fiber, but has not affected the fiber's color. A stain is a discoloration from any substance that has adversely and sometimes permanently affected the fiber or dye. » top

4. Why do spots go away after cleaning but then return a few days later?
Most recurring spots or stains can be traced to inadequate rinsing of spot removal agents. Many commercially available spot removal agents do an excellent job in removing spills but detergent residues remain behind to attract additional soil. In using any spot removal agent, continue rinsing with warm water and blotting with paper towels until all sudsing has stopped. It may also be due to original stain or spot migrating deep enough to penetrate the padding then “wick” back to the surface as time passes. Ask us about subsurface cleaning guarantee. » top

5. Why is vacuuming my carpet so important?
Dirt can play an exponential role in wearing down your carpet by burrowing into the fibers, and shredding away at them with each pass. We recommend that you vacuum regularly, about once a week, to help extend the life of your carpet. If you or your children have allergies and pets are a part of your family, vacuuming your carpet twice a week and deep cleaning at least 4 times annually is recommended. » top

6. Will carpet cleaning destroy my soil-resist or stain-resist treatment?
No. It is not necessary to reapply soil and stain resist treatments after every cleaning. However, foot traffic can destroy some soil resist treatments. Soil resist treatments should be reapplied after every two to three cleanings if the carpet is cleaned regularly. Carpet that is not cleaned every 12 to 18 months may require a soil resist treatment after each cleaning. » top

7. Is it possible to repair burn marks or pet tears in carpet?
Yes. Small areas can be cut out and replaced with remnants you may have left over or a corner of a closet. Most of the time, these can be done with no visible seams or cuts. » top

8. Can ripples be removed from my carpet?
Yes. Ripples or long bumps in your carpet can be caused by wear and tear, moving heavy furniture or bad installation. We can professionally re-stretch your carpet to remove these ripples and long bumps in most carpet. » top

9. How long should we stay off the carpet after it has been cleaned?
This answer depends on several factors: Type of carpet, how soiled was it and the weather outside. We have had some carpets dry completely in less then 2 hours. Others may take 4-8 hours to dry completely. To help speed drying, carpet fans are used while we are at your residence or business. Rapid evaporation is the key to speed drying your carpet. This can be achieved with air movement. Turn on ceiling fans, floor fans, etc...to help circulate the air to aid in rapid drying. Also, it helps to have a certified technician that understands the proper setting and operating procedures of his machine and is familiar with your style of carpet. See Post-Cleaning Instructions.
» top

Please feel free to call our office with any questions you may have.

Carpet Cleaning Tips and Tricks

1. The good form of carpet cleaning is always prevention
2. Never rub rashly and carelessly at a carpet stain
3. Never use an iron or a hair dryer to dry a carpet stain
4. Steam clean your carpet as often as needed
5. Use a non-chlorine bleach or lemon juice and salt solution on colored fabrics for particularly obstinate mold and mildew
6. Watch for spills and take care of them quickly
7. Take the time to vacuum often enough and do it correctly

1. The good form of carpet cleaning is always prevention. Taking proper care and maintaining your carpet clean will save you money from having to buy expensive cleaning products. » top

2. Never rub rashly and carelessly at a carpet stain, this may only cause it to smear and become permanent. Also, doing this will weaken the fiber causing your carpet to wear out quicker. » top

Stains that are not treated well often reappears at the surface of your carpet. You may have thought you've cleaned the stain, but soon after you'll see the same making its way to the surface of your rug. To prevent this, cover the stain with a thick cloth and weigh down with something heavy overnight, allowing the cloth to absorb the stain, then, clean as usual.

3. Never use an iron or a hair dryer to dry a carpet stain, this will only seal the stain permanently on your rug. » top

4. Steam clean your carpet as often as needed. Carpet should be cleaned every 6-18 months, even if it does not appear soiled, so that you may protect your investment. Carpet cleaning should occur before the appearance of soil to reduce permanent fiber damage! Regular carpet cleaning using hot water extraction or steam cleaning and vacuuming is important in extending the usable life of your carpet. Some areas of the home may require more frequent cleaning. » top

5. For particularly obstinate mold and mildew, you can go in for a non-chlorine bleach or lemon juice and salt solution for colored fabrics. Else you can just slightly brush the area with a solution of hydrogen peroxide (one part of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to five parts of water), provided you are sure that the solution doesn't harm the fabric of the carpet. » top

6. Watch for spills and take care of them quickly to maintain a clean carpet. Just using water on the spill will help most spills. And, if that doesn't work, expand your search. You will find several products on the market that can help you to get rid of spills quickly. These products range in uses and can be helpful when you match them with the type of spill that has occurred. You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar to help you keep the stains out. Taking immediate action can help to prevent spills from becoming stains leaving you with a clean carpet. » top

7. A clean carpet is one that is taken care of. Take the time to vacuum often enough and make sure to do it correctly. That means going over the floor in several directions to allow the vacuum to pick up all the debris it can. A high quality vacuum is the best choice. Make sure to use it correctly as you are directed by the manufacturer. Also, make sure to keep the bags or containers empty and filters clean as well. » top

To get your free quote for professional carpet cleaning, call (858) 483-5300 or click here to schedule an appointment.