Home carpet cleaning in Waterdown, Burlington and Hamilton

1. Vacuum Dry soil comes out first. Most of the dirt in a carpet is dry and loose, and wetting it only turns it to mud.
2. Pre-spray A cleaning solution goes on traffic lanes and spots to loosen the oily soil that vacuuming leaves behind.
3. Agitate The solution is worked through the pile so it reaches the base of the fibres, not only the tips.
4. Rinse and extract Hot water flushes the pile and is vacuumed straight back out, taking the loosened soil and the solution with it.
5. Groom The pile is brushed in one direction so it dries evenly and stands up.

What gets cleaned, and what to expect

• Rooms and open areas. Light furniture is moved and put back. Beds, dressers and full bookcases are cleaned around.
• Stairs and landings. Each step is done by hand to reach the riser and the front edge, where wear shows first.
• Hallways and traffic lanes. These carry the most oily soil and get the heaviest pre-treatment.
• Spots. Most food, drink and mud spots come out. Bleach marks, dye transfer and burns are damage to the fibre, not soil on it, and no cleaning reverses them. We will say which is which before we start, not after.
• Pet accidents. Fresh accidents usually clean up well. Old urine that has soaked through to the pad is a different problem: the smell comes from underneath, and surface cleaning cannot reach it. Tell us about pet areas when you ask for a quote.

How often should home carpet be professionally cleaned?

The Carpet and Rug Institute advises that you "professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months", and Shaw Floors tells owners to schedule professional hot water extraction every 6 to 18 months, depending on traffic. A home with a dog, small children or someone with allergies belongs at the short end. More detail, including how pets and stairs change it, is in the guide how often carpets should be professionally cleaned.

Does cleaning affect my carpet warranty?

It can. The CRI notes that its certified cleaners are "recommended and sometimes required by the manufacturer to ensure results and warranty protection." If your carpet is new enough to still be under warranty, read its care section before any cleaning, and keep the receipt from each professional clean. That receipt is what a manufacturer asks for.

How should I get ready for a carpet cleaning?

1. Pick up toys, cables, shoes and anything small off the floor.
2. Move breakables off furniture that will be shifted.
3. Point out spots and pet areas so they get pre-treated first.
4. Keep pets in another room until the carpet is dry.

How long does carpet take to dry?

It depends on the carpet, the humidity and the airflow in the room, so plan on several hours. Running the furnace fan, a ceiling fan or a dehumidifier speeds it up; a closed, humid basement slows it down. Walk on it in clean socks until it is dry, and leave the protective pads under any furniture legs that were put back on damp carpet.

Which areas do you cover?

Carpet cleaning is available across the Hamilton and Halton regions, including Waterdown, Carlisle, Burlington, Hamilton, Dundas, Ancaster, Milton, Oakville. It can be booked on its own, or added to a deep clean or a move-out clean so the floors are done last, after everything above them.