Frequently asked questions

Q1. Does the room have to be clear?

No, but it does help if any small furniture or breakable items are removed from the room, including those inside cabinets. The technician will then move moveable items, clean and put them back in position, placing protector pads/fibre blocks beneath the item to prevent staining from loose wood dye or rust from metal studs under the legs transferring onto the carpet.

Q2. Someone in the house suffers from an allergy will the cleaning chemicals be a problem?

Most of our cleaning products are water based chemicals and the cleaning technician should be made aware of any family member with allergies. Once we are informed, then the technician will take steps to ensure that the risk to the allergy sufferer is eliminated.  The allergy sufferer should not enter the treated room within the next twenty-four hours.

Q3. Do you use steam?

Most professionally do not use steam. The small moisture particles that are sprayed onto the carpet are very fine and give the appearance of steam. Warm water and hot water extraction methods work at lower temperatures but also provide deep cleaning.

Q4. How long will my carpet/furniture take to dry?

Drying times for carpets and soft furnishings can vary greatly due to the following conditions:
• Relative humidity within the environment.
• Adequate ventilation introduced to the environment.
• The degree of soil contained within the carpet or fabric.
• The level of competence of the cleaning technician.
• The moisture retention rates of the respective fibres including wool, nylon, cotton, polyester and polypropylene. Even with the most favourable conditions, the industry recommended drying time is still between 6 - 12 hours.

Q5. Will my carpet shrink?

Prior to cleaning the technician should inspect the carpet and during this inspection discuss any risk of potential shrinkage with the client. In some cases the carpet fittings are not secure and require correction. Some carpets are more prone to shrinkage, due to the fibre they are manufactured from. Alternative cleaning method should be thoroughly discussed with the client before any work proceeds.

Q6.Why Use a Carpet cleaner that is part of CCANZ? (Carpet Cleaners Association of New Zealand)

A cleaner that has joined CCANZ has to show evidence of IICRC Training, completed by the technician themselves along with a number of client references from ones who they have done work for and also a copy of their Health and Safety Policy. At this stage when all the paper work has been filled out they become a probationary member. In this process, all the requirements have to be met before the next step of becoming a certified member takes place. After that initial period of time and all requirements are met, the cleaner then becomes a certified member. That is not where it ends because he or she has to prove that he is keeping up with his accreditation.

Q7. Why have I got dark grey or brown lines under doors, curtains and along the edges of stairs?

Airborne soil such us dust, smog, tobacco smoke, etc. flow through the carpet pile. The carpet "filters" out these pollutants and gradually becomes soiled and dark. Because most of the filtration soil is often oily, it can be very difficult to remove, especially if the soil remains on the fibres for months or years. It can take several applications to remove, is labour intensive and therefore can be a costly process.

Q8.I have just had my carpet cleaned and there is a terrible odour, where is it coming from?

The culprit is normally old pet stains. It is impossible to remove urine by normal cleaning and while there may be no visible evidence of a stain, the urine oxidises and reacts with carpet to create amino acids which work into the fibres and even into the under floor. When moisture in present, for example after cleaning or in high humidity, the uric acid crystals absorbs water and exudes an ammonia gas. Professional cleaners have powerful oxidizing agents that can eliminate the source. It should be noted that if the animal is still in the house it will invariably re-mark its territory and the odour will return.

Q9. What should I do if my room is flooded?

If safe to do so, turn off electricity to wet areas, unplug and remove any small electrical devices located on the wet carpet. Call a carpet cleaner trained in water restoration to eliminate or repair the water source. Remove small items such as books, shoes, plants etc. if possible to prevent rust or stains and expedite restoration. Place plastic or aluminium foil under legs of wood furniture. DO NOT - use any type of vacuum cleaner; it could result in electrical shock and damage the equipment - walk on wet carpets more than necessary - place newspaper in traffic areas, as newspaper ink will cause staining.

Q10. What should I expect to pay for carpet and/or upholstery cleaning?

There is no fixed price for carpet and upholstery cleaning and average prices vary from area to area. Keep in mind that it is a labour intensive job and be wary of cheap promotions like - "3 rooms for $65" - they can hardly pull up at your front door for that, and will up sell products and services to cover their costs. Reputable companies will always give you a firm price before starting the job and provided you have given them accurate information, the cost will not exceed their quote.