If you just cleaned your carpet or you are thinking about hiring a cleaner, then you will most likely have a few questions about the process. Hopefully, our answers to some of the most common questions with carpet and rug cleaning will help you.
When will it be dry?
Carpets can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours to fully dry. If it is humid outside, it may take longer. Fans may help expedite the drying process by moving air around and wicking the moisture away. If you can open the windows in your house that too can help speed up the process, but only if you are in a very dry climate.
How soon can I walk on it?
As long as you aren't wearing shoes, almost immediately after the floors are cleaned. It is recommended that heavy foot traffic be diverted around the cleaned floors until they are dry. Flat bottomed slippers or booties are the best if you need to cross the floors right after cleaning. Caution is needed when transitioning from a wet area to tile or wood. The bottoms of your feet could be very slick.
Will heating the house speed up drying?
Unless it is cold outside and you need to run your furnace anyway, it is not necessary. In the summer you can run your air conditioning. If you are having problems with your air conditioner, have ambrose air come check it out. What matters is humidity and airflow when it comes to drying your floors. Keep the temperature in your home at a comfortable level and turn on the fans. Running the unit on the fan will not alter the temperature but will create air movement throughout the home and improve dry time.
What do I need to do before getting them cleaned?
Generally, you should pick up loose items off the floor. Toys, books and remotes should be put away before the cleaning crews arrive. Items that might not react well to moisture (stack of magazines, wood- footed coffee table) should be put up on other furniture or moved away from the cleaning area. Vacuuming right before cleaning is always helpful. Call ahead and find out if you need to vacuum your floors or what you should do about your furniture. You usually save money when the cleaners work primarily in the open areas.
Will cleaning my floors make them dirtier faster?
This is a myth. Proper cleaning removes all cleaning agents and detergents from the fibers. As long as all residual cleaning solutions are removed, and the floors don't get dirty any sooner than they would normally with heavy foot traffic One thing to consider is re-applying a protector to the carpet. Over time and with cleaning, the protector is removed. These products really make a difference in the life of the carpet and the re-soiling.
Help! My carpet developed a bubble in it right after cleaning!
Carpet ripples or “bubbles” happens if a carpet isn't stretched properly. It should go back down after drying. Similarly, your carpets should not shrink due to cleaning either. If you notice these things in the days following your cleaning, please contact the cleaning company who performed the service.
My old rug has knots showing. Can those be trimmed to make it look new again?
No, don't cut the surface knots. It is common to see those on an old handmade rug. It is a part of the process to tie the two ends of the fabric together when it is in the loom. When it was new, those knots were hidden away but time and traffic can bring them out. Don’t trim them as doing so can damage your rug. Instead, be happy that your rug has withstood the test of time. A good cleaning though may restore some of the color and luster it once had.
How can I maintain my floors after they have been cleaned?
It is best to use a good, quality vacuum to pull dirt and dust out of the carpet fibers. The frequency of vacuuming is so important. It keeps fibers from crushing and removes the dirt and dust before it settles in the base of the carpet and the carpet pad Blot any spills with a towel or rag. Never rub or scrub spills! Just like when you remove dirt from the wall, it is generally a good idea to refrain from using chemical spot removers, especially when cleaning accidents on rugs. A 50/50 solution of water and vinegar and blotting with a towel or rag should be enough to prevent staining from spills and accidents. Ready for a cleaning? Great! Call us at 405-329-8999 and we can answer any other questions you may have and schedule a time that works best for you.