Frequently Asked and Answered Carpet Cleaning Questions

PORTLAND, OR – As someone born in the prime era of technological advancement, it is difficult sometimes for me to fathom what life looked like before the ease of an online search. It was only one generation before me that learned how to type on typewriters and had to do all their research in the library. Imagine how much time could have been saved with the ability to simply type a query into a computer and have a million results immediately at their fingertips.

Unfortunately, there was one downside to the entire world suddenly being able to access this massive dimension of information. It is not only easy to get into, but it is also easy to add to, making some of the information found on the internet questionable at best. In the United States, we are a people of convenience, and are often tempted by phrases like life hack, DIY, 30-second recipe… on and on and on. While some these blogs, articles, and social media posts can be enlightening, they are not always coming from the perspective of a professional. We find that if it comes to a service, it’s best to have your questions answered by someone who has experience, education, and a genuine desire to help.

In the spirit of helpful insights, we thought through some of our most commonly asked questions that we receive as a family-owned carpet cleaning business in Portland. This article will hopefully answer a question that you have, or at least add to your knowledge of carpet & carpet cleaning.

Which carpet cleaning method is best?

“Best” is sometimes a subjective term, like in the case of ice cream and movies. When it comes to carpet cleaning, there is a proven best—hot water extraction with a truck mounted machine. Not only is hot water extraction the method that carpet manufacturers recommend for maintaining a warranty, but it’s also the most thorough way of eliminating dirt and debris without oversaturating your carpet. Instead of introducing water and product with the same stroke, hot water extraction involves doing an initial pre-spray of cleaning agent, then coming through with the wand and rinsing, and then doing a last dry stroke to help the carpets dry faster and prevent wicking.

You’ll see lots of different methods when you’re doing your first delve into the world of professional carpet cleaning. Some cleaners will shampoo carpets, which typically uses a rotary brush and scrubs water and product into your carpet so that there is a higher potential for leftover sticky residue. Some carpet cleaners will also perform what’s called dry carpet cleaning, which uses specifically engineered dry product that collects debris as it sits and is then vacuumed up. Dry carpet cleaning doesn’t get deep into the carpet fibers like hot water extraction, and it’s often considered a “surface level clean.”

Do I really need to hire a professional carpet cleaner?

Those portable carpet cleaners can certainly seem like a more ideal option for those of us that tend to have a “do it myself” personality. There are millions of blogs and videos online about how to get stains out and how to clean your carpet on your own, and many of them even say you don’t need to purchase anything at all—you can clean with ingredients that you probably have in your home anyway, like baking soda and dish soap!

Some of those bloggers have really great ideas and ways to help you out, but they are posting to a broad audience and can’t cater their suggestions to your specific situation the way a professional carpet cleaner can and will. If you think of a carpet stain from a scientific standpoint, there are many variables that can impact how a stain will come out and what it needs. For example, when our technicians are on a job and are handling a coffee stain, they have to handle it differently if the stain had cream in it.

Take it from someone who tried to take apart her own laptop and put it back together, DIY is not always the answer. If there are multiple parts and variables involved, it truly is best to just give the professionals a call. We are happy to even give you advice over the phone—our priority is that you are proud of your home and its carpet, and we know that life happens. Coming up on twenty years in the carpet cleaning business, we’ve certainly handled our fair share of specialty stains, and we are happy to share our knowledge and expertise with you.

One more thing. That carpet cleaning machine you rent might not be worth the money you’re saving. Sure, some of them can be $50 to rent for the day, but then you are the one that has to clean the carpets, and you’re using subpar equipment and product. Our minimum at A+ Carpet Cleaning is $175, but we are using professional grade methods, tools, and cleaning agents in order to give your carpets the best chance at a full recovery.

Is carpet cleaning okay for kids? Is carpet cleaning safe for pets?

Good news! A+ Carpet Cleaning uses non-toxic and pet/kid-safe products so you don’t have to worry. If you have higher than normal allergies or sensitivities, we are even happy to use seventh generation or your own laundry detergent as pre-spray so there isn’t anything being introduced to your carpets that you haven’t interacted with before. If you just want to make sure that everything is non-toxic, there’s no need to mention it as a special request—we already default to using products that we feel safe using around our own kids and pup. As a family-owned business, your comfort level is just as important to us as your satisfaction with a job well done.

Am I going to have to move all my furniture to have the carpets cleaned?

Absolutely not. There are rare cases where a job has no furniture involved, and those are usually move out/move in situations. We don’t expect clients to remove anything—what you move is up to you! Anything left down on the carpet, we are more than happy to go around. If there is something you’d like us to clean underneath, like a bed or a low coffee table, notify the office when you call to schedule and we’ll ask you a couple of follow up questions. For the most part, we just ask that you vacuum prior to the technician’s arrival and clear the carpet of any small items (like toys/boxes/etc.)

Can professional carpet cleaning help with odor?

A+ Carpet Cleaning not only specializes in odor removal, but we have a couple different products that we can use separately or in combination in order to get the best result possible. Whether there’s the faintest smell of dog in the living room or an unfortunately sharp odor of cat urine in a closet, we have methods and cleaning agents that we have had great success with in the past. One product is an enzyme oxidizer that helps with moderate odor. The other product, xcide, changes odor on contact and can help for cases where you can smell a strong odor as soon as you enter a room. So before ripping all your carpets out, give professional carpet cleaning a try.

Why don’t I just replace the carpets instead?

Simple. It’s more expensive, and you might not need to! If you’re dealing with soiling and smells, your first temptation might be to rip it all out and start over. However, we have restored many a home’s carpet simply by using hot water extraction and our expertise with stains.

More questions?

Great! A+ Carpet Cleaning is a small, family-owned business, and we’d love to hear from you and answer any additional questions you might have! Give us a call at 503-314-7453. We’re in the office Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm.