WHAT TO EXPECT: What to expect with our Professional Carpet Cleaning service.
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Step 1: Inspect, with you, the area to be serviced and review of the total cost
of the service.
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Step 2: Apply a pre-spray to the carpet and let it dwell for three to five minutes.
The pre-spray is a detergent solution that emulsifies (breaks down) the
soil embedded in the carpet.
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Step 3: Extract the detergent solution.
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Step 4: Rinse with clear water. This removes any residue that might cause the
carpet to re-soil faster allowing for fresh, clean carpets.
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Step 5: Post-treat any spots that might remain.
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Step 6: Inspect the carpets with you to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Pre-Cleaning Instructions:
- Remove breakables from the tops of furniture in the room we will be cleaning.
- Pick up items from the floor, such as rugs, plants, toys, pet beds, etc.
- Pre-vacuum all areas to be cleaned.
Note: We will place blocks under lighter items such as end tables, coffee
tables, dining room chairs, loveseats, chairs and small sofas. Items we
normally clean around instead of moving include beds, armoires, pieces
containing china and electronics, exercise equipment and large or heavy sofas.
Post-Cleaning Instructions:
- Stay off freshly cleaned carpets for at least 8 hours. Walking on them
may flatten the fibers. When walking on them for the next 8 hours, wear
white cotton socks.
- Use air movers to help air circulation and speed up the drying time.
- If a carpet protector such as Scotchgard was applied, foot traffic should
be minimized for up to 24 hours to let product cure.
- Don’t move any furniture back in place until carpet is completely
dry or Scotchgard carpet protector has cured.
- If extraction was performed, wait up to two days before placing heavy furniture
back onto carpet if not using blocks.
TIPS: Caring for your carpets correctly extends their life.
- Vacuuming regularly is the best way to maintain your carpets. Vacuum daily
in high-traffic or pet areas. Vacuum twice weekly in medium-traffic areas.
Vacuum weekly in light-traffic areas, using attachments at carpet edges.
- Be aware that one pass with a vacuum is usually not sufficient to do a
thorough job. Going over it one time may be enough to remove the dirt
that is on the very surface layer, but debris can work its way down into
the fibers and may need to be approached multiple times, from different
angles in order to be most effective.
- Use rugs or mats at doorways going in and out of your house. Outdoor and
indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house.
- Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet
or cause it to resoil quicker.
- To remove a spill, blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain
white paper towels (no prints or colors).
- Start at the outside of the spot and continue toward the center to prevent
the stain from spreading. Continue blotting until the area is barely damp.
Semisolids, like food spills, may need to be scooped up with a spoon.
Solid, dried bits can be vacuumed up. Warning: do not scrub or use a brush.
Scrubbing and brushes can damage the carpet. Fraying and texture change
is the likely result.
- Pretest your chosen carpet cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in a hidden
area of your carpet.
- Follow the product’s directions carefully. Apply a small amount of
the cleaner to a white cloth and work in gently, from the edges to the
center. Blot; don’t scrub. Never use a brush. You may need to do
this several times to remove the spot.
- Some business owners ask everyone to take off his or her shoes before entering
their business. This practice saves wear and tear on the carpet.
- Change your air filters regularly. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions
for your heating and air-conditioning system. The more dust and particles
removed by the filter, the less that fall on the carpet.
- Rearranging furniture every few months and combing the dents to fluff them
are ways to get rid of indentations that are caused by the weight of couches,
chairs or tables. Rotating rugs so that they do not get worn in the same
places over a long period of time is another quick way to lengthen the
vibrancy of smaller floor coverings.
Carpet Cleaning FAQ
Is professional carpet cleaning expensive?
Professional carpet cleaning is just pennies compared to the cost of replacing
it. Call today to get an estimate from one of our professionals.
How long will it take to have my carpets cleaned at my business?
The amount of time will be contingent on the size of the area needing to
be cleaned and processes used – low moisture, portable extraction,
or truck-mount extraction in terms of efficiencies and time. A highly
trained ServiceMaster technician can help you pick a program best meets
your needs and schedule.
Will carpet cleaning be disruptive to my employees?
The team at ServiceMaster will work with you to schedule a time convenient
for you. Our technician will let you know of expected dry times that you
will need to be aware of.
Can I use household carpet cleaners for spot removal?
We recommend using only ServiceMaster Clean products. For more information,
contact your local ServiceMaster Clean professional.
How often do I need to get my carpets professionally cleaned?
To keep your carpets in your business looking their best, we recommend
having your carpets professionally cleaned every 6-12 months depending
on traffic. Many carpet manufacturers require professional cleaning to
maintain your warranty, so save your cleaning receipts.
When will I be able to walk on my floors after a carpet cleaning?
Allow drying time of six to eight hours before you walk on your carpet.
It is best to wait two days before placing heavy furniture back onto carpet
if not using blocks.
Will there be an odor?
Depending on the type of carpet we’re cleaning, you may notice a
faint scent. This is especially prevalent when cleaning wool carpets.
The amount of time it takes for the odor to dissipate is usually within
an hour but varies based on air circulation, heat and humidity. A big
difference in the way ServiceMaster cleans carpet compared to many of
our competitors is that we do not put soap in our rinse water. We pre-spray
the carpets, remove the spots, then clean water extract, ensuring we do
not leave any soapy residue behind allowing for fresh, clean carpets.
Do I need to do anything prior to the technician arriving for my scheduled service?
Yes. Remove breakables from the tops of furniture in the room we will be
cleaning. Pick up items from the floor, such as rugs, plants, toys, pet
beds, etc.
Pre-vacuum all areas to be cleaned.
Do I have to move furniture?
To get the best results with professional carpet cleaning, we recommend
removing furniture from the rooms we will be cleaning. However, we can
place blocks under lighter items such as end tables, coffee tables, dining
room chairs, loveseats, chairs and small sofas. Items we clean around
instead of moving include beds, armoires, pieces containing china and
electronics, exercise equipment and large or heavy sofas.
Are there instructions to follow after my carpets are cleaned?
Immediately after cleaning, it’s best to allow carpets to dry for
at least 8 hours before walking on them. Walking on them may flatten the
fibers. When walking on them for the next 8 hours, wear white cotton socks.
Use air movers if needed to help air circulation as this will speed up
the drying time. If a carpet protector such as Scotchgard was applied,
foot traffic should be minimized for up to 24 hours to let product cure.
Don’t move any furniture back in place until carpet is completely
dry or Scotchgard carpet protector has cured. Regular maintenance includes
vacuuming often and cleaning up spills immediately.
How can I remove impressions on my carpets that heavy furniture left behind?
Our technical experts at ServiceMaster Clean recommend using a clothes
steamer to remove the furniture dents. If you do not have a clothes steamer
handy, you can use a kitchen towel and an iron. Place a damp towel over
the carpet dent. Heat the iron to a medium heat setting then set the iron
on the damp towel. You can use the steam button on the iron periodically.
Remove the iron and towel to check the carpet. If it is to your liking,
use your fingers to fluff the carpet. If the dent still needs work, place
the warm iron on the damp towel and repeat. This process is not suitable
for carpets made of olefin fiber.
Recommended Carpet Cleaning Schedule
To properly maintain your carpets, they should be vacuumed weekly and spot
cleaned as needed. To keep your carpets looking their best, we recommend
a professional carpet cleaning every 6-12 months depending on traffic
and the wear and tear. An easy way to remember when it’s time for
your deep carpet cleaning is to plan around your spring cleaning schedule
or when preparing holiday get togethers at your business.
