Your carpet cleaning technician has left you with a beautifully clean, fresh-smelling, slightly damp wall-to-wall carpet. So what comes next?
Post-Service Carpet Care: FAQs & Best Practices
1. How long will it take my carpet to dry?
- We generally estimate between four and eight hours, but there are a lot of variables, so it really depends on your situation. For a detailed breakdown, click here.
- Pro tip: Use fans and open windows to speed up drying time. Airflow prevents any musty smell and helps the carpet reset nicely.
2. Can I walk on my carpet right after the service?
- It is not recommended to walk on carpeting immediately after service. There are a number of reasons for this, but ultimately, you want to leave your carpeting undisturbed while it dries to prevent re-soiling.
3. What do I do if a treated spot comes back?
- We have a full blog post detailing this, but the short answer is: give us a call. If spots return, it indicates a deeper issue, which we’re happy to address with you.
4. Why was there so much debris when I vacuumed for the first time after my service?
- There are a couple of reasons for this. Wet cleaning is designed to remove soluble soils from your carpeting. Non-soluble soils are best removed with dry vacuuming. As we loosen and remove the soluble soils, we also separate the non-soluble ones, allowing them to be vacuumed up later. Some of these soils are removed during the wet extraction process, but much of it remains until your next dry vacuuming.
5. What do I do if my carpet isn’t dry the next day?
- We ask that our customers report any concerns within 24 hours so we can address them immediately. If your carpet feels damp (meaning you can step on a clean towel and it doesn’t absorb water, but the carpet still feels cool to the touch), this is not a concern. You only need to call us if the carpet is still wet enough to soak a towel or paper towel. Carpets that are thicker or more heavily soiled may take longer to dry, but when in doubt, we’re just a phone call away.
6. How soon can I move my furniture and small items back?
- If you use sheets of wax paper or furniture blocks, you can move your furniture back right away, but keep the blocks in place for 48 hours before removing them. If you don’t have wax paper or furniture blocks, wait 24 hours before putting your furniture back in place.
Tips for maintaining your carpeting between cleanings:
- Always quickly towel up spills and spots. Simply using a clean towel to lightly agitate the soiled spot can work miracles.
- Vacuum regularly. Soil left on carpeting becomes an oily, sandy, destructive mess.
- Keep your shoes outside, or have a separate indoor pair. Walking inside with outdoor shoes is the quickest way to re-soil carpet.
- Keep pets clean. Pet oils are big magnets for dirt and odor.
- Use your exhaust fan anytime you cook. It reduces the amount of oil suspended in the air during cooking, which later settles on your carpeting. Cooking oil residue can be even worse than pet oils.
Conclusion
Keeping your carpets clean doesn’t end when the technicians leave—it’s all about the little things you do afterward. With proper drying, regular vacuuming, and a few mindful habits, you can extend the life and beauty of your freshly cleaned carpets.
At Mother Nature’s Carpet Cleaning, we’re committed to helping you keep your home fresh, healthy, and beautiful year-round. If you ever have questions, need advice, or are ready to schedule your next cleaning, we’re only a phone call away. Contact us today to keep your carpets looking their best the natural way!
