Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in Steamaster Carpet Cleaning! Below are some of the questions most commonly asked by our customers.

1. What method of cleaning does Steamaster use?
2. What kinds of detergent does Steamaster use, and are they harmful?
3. Will Steamaster be able to get out all of the stains?
4. Should I wait to clean my carpet until it “really needs it”?
5. How long will my carpet and upholstery take to dry?
6. How soon can I walk on my carpet?
7. Does Steamaster move furniture?
8. Does Steamaster clean area rugs? What about my hand-made, imported rugs?
9. How often should I have my carpets and upholstery cleaned?
10. What is the best way to maintain my carpets in between Steamaster professional cleanings?
11. What if my home has recently been treated for bed-bugs, lice or other mites?

1. What method of cleaning does Steamaster use?

We steam-clean all carpets and upholstery using a Truck-Mounted, Hot Water Extraction System. Simply put, this is the deepest, most thorough and effective cleaning method available. When our technicians arrive, they measure and assess the areas to be cleaned. They will start by pre-treating the stains and traffic areas with a hot solution that will separate the soil from the fabric/fibers of the carpet. Then, they will use the Truck-Mounted, Hot Water Extraction System to remove the pre-treatment and thoroughly clean your carpets. The machine is powered by the engine of the truck; the water pressure is very strong, and most importantly the vacuum is very powerful.

The solution we clean with is over 200 degrees, with a mild detergent. It is this exceptionally hot, powerful solution which cleans your carpet deeper than it’s ever been cleaned before! Not only does it remove soil, it also rinses out all cleaning solutions you may have used in the past. The machine also vacuums the water into a separate tank in the truck. We don’t recycle our water, so the soiled water will not touch your carpets or upholstery at any time. This is a far superior method of cleaning to the portable home-machines you can rent in a store, or that some companies carry in the trunk of their car. At the end of the process we will groom the carpet with a brush to help it dry more evenly, and apply any treatments which you have chosen, such as Scotchguard or deodorizer.

Industrial portables are available for high-rise buildings or hard to reach areas.
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2. What kinds of detergent does Steamaster use, and are they harmful?

We do not use harsh detergents, as it is the power of the machine and the water’s temperature which cleans the carpet and removes dust mites and allergens that other methods leave behind. All of the detergents and cleaning agents which we do use are both Pet and Child safe, in addition to being safe for the environment.
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3. Will Steamaster be able to get out all of the stains?

When Steamaster arrives at your home we will note any stains, spots or prior damage and discuss the origins of the stains with you. Our technicians will go over all stains as thoroughly as possible, and do their best to remove these blemishes from the carpet and upholstery. We guarantee 100% dirt and soil removal; however in some cases we are unable to guarantee 100% stain removal due to the nature of certain types of stains. Additionally, some areas may appear to be stained, but are actually worn. Please rest assured that we will do our best to remove all stains, and that we have special removers for tough spots, such as grease, oil and tar. We encourage you to inquire about a specific stain, and to let us know what may have occurred when making an appointment.
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4. Should I wait to clean my carpet until it “really needs it”?

Carpeting should never get to the point that there is a lot of imbedded soil and other contaminants. Firstly, it weakens the carpet fibers, and secondly, you must be very aggressive with the cleaning. This cycle of two extremes – very clean, then very dirty – dramatically reduces the life of your carpet. Soil and other contaminants act as sandpaper, wearing away the fibers of your carpets and upholstery. In addition, carpets filter the air, and like any other filter they require regular and thorough cleaning. With regular maintenance of your carpets and upholstery, you can prolong their beauty and ensure that your indoor environment is healthier and more sanitary.
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5. How long will my carpet and upholstery take to dry?

The average carpet in our climate can take between 6-8 hours to dry completely, while upholstery can take between 2-4 hours. We recommend ventilating the area to encourage faster drying. We also suggest that tabbed and blocked furniture be left in place for a period of 24 hours. Areas which were heavily soiled and required more attention may take longer to dry.
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6. How soon can I walk on my carpet?

Your carpets will be damp to the touch, not wet, and as such can be walked on immediately provided that you exercise caution when moving from the carpets to a hard surface. We also recommend the use of clean socks or house slippers on your newly-cleaned carpets, at least until they have dried completely.
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7. Does Steamaster move furniture?

Yes, we do. Please advise us that you would like the furniture to be moved when making your appointment. We also offer the option of having your “Traffic Areas” cleaned. The Traffic Areas are the areas on which you walk, and which are exposed. These areas are usually the most soiled, while hidden areas such as under a bed typically do not collect soil.

If you elect to have us move your furniture, we ask that you remove all breakables and any electronic items from the furniture prior to the arrival of our technicians. We will move the furniture, clean the exposed area and replace the furniture to its original position, placing blocks or tabs under the feet and legs to protect them. Heavier pieces such as entertainment centers or china closets are left in place, as moving these items can weaken the structural integrity of the piece. If our technicians feel that a piece of furniture is too heavy or cannot be moved safely, they will not move the item.
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8. Does Steamaster clean area rugs? What about my hand-made, imported rugs?

We offer professional in-home or off-site cleaning of all area rugs and runners, both imported and domestic. Please click here for more information.
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9. How often should I have my carpets and upholstery cleaned?

We recommend steam-cleaning your carpets and upholstery at least once a year (every 6 months if you have children, pets, or high-traffic) to remove residuals and hidden soil that effect the health of your home and family.
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We suggest weekly vacuuming of the traffic areas of your home, as well as the placement of floor mats outside of entry ways to decrease the amount of soil tracked onto your carpets. We do not recommend the use of scented vacuuming powders as they are especially difficult to remove from the fibers of the carpet and can add to dust and soil collection.

We also suggest treating any spots or stains with our Steamaster Spotter when they occur. Please ask your technicians for a bottle of our complimentary spot remover at your next appointment.

Steamaster Spotter can also be purchased between appointments. Please call or e-mail for further information.
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Professional exterminators recommend having your carpets steam-cleaned after extermination treatments in order to remove chemical residues, dormant eggs, exterminated mites/parasites and other contaminants. While steam-cleaning is not a 100% extermination guarantee, the temperature of the water and powerful vacuuming used for cleaning typically kills any mites or parasites which may have been left behind. In addition, we offer several sanitizing treatments for various insects or contaminations. Please let us know if you have had any infestations when making your appointment.
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