FAQ Carpet-Upholstery-Rug Cleaning

Although we are always trying to anticipate the questions you may have about the cleaning process some of the most insightful observations come from our clients. The list below contains many of the most frequent questions presented to us over the years followed by our advise and guidelines. If the questions and answers do not address your concerns or if you would like a more in-depth response or have a unique inquiry not addressed below about carpet cleaning, Oriental rug washing, furniture cleaning or drapery & fabric cleaning we’ll always be happy to help!

FAQ Carpet-Upholstery-Rug Cleaning

Please Contact Regal Fabric Care (781-995-0683).

Do regular carpet and rug cleanings help relieve the symptoms of allergies?

How do I maintain my carpeting between professional cleanings?

How often should I have my upholstery cleaned?

Does your cleaning process kill dust mites?

Which vacuum cleaner do you recommend for home and office?

How long does it take for carpet to dry after the cleaning?

Are the detergents you use safe for me and my family? My co-workers & employees?

Will Scotchgard protect my carpet and upholstered furniture? What about my Oriental Rugs?

Besides my home, what other facilities do you maintain?

Do you clean Berber carpet?

How can I help my Oriental rugs last a life time?

Do regular carpet and rug cleanings help relieve the symptoms of allergies?

Common household allergens, usually referred to as “triggers” such as dust, dust mites (specifically their droppings), soot, smoke, pet dander, mold spores and harsh cleansers can trigger allergy symptoms. Dr. Mary Lasley, a pediatric allergist, explains, “Simple changes in your routine household cleaning can reduce allergies and help your family live more comfortably.” Cleaning is the best way to reduce allergens. Done properly, cleaning stops allergens from accumulating on Oriental rugs, carpeting, drapery and upholstery, which helps minimize allergy and/or asthma symptoms. Regular professional cleanings coupled with a comprehensive cleaning plan by the homeowner can greatly reduce allergy symptoms. Office complexes that have instituted a thorough cleaning routine of their soft and hard furnishings have also noted a reduction in worker complaints from allergen sources. For more on Allergy and Asthma Relief and also an in depth discussion of Asthma Triggers (U.S. EPA).

How do I maintain my carpeting between professional cleanings?

When it comes to interim carpet maintenance you should concentrate on two critical areas – traffic lanes and spotting. The traffic lanes need to be vacuumed as often as possible (several times a week or more) to remove the abrasive soils that can excessively wear carpet fibers causing a permanently soiled look. Traffic lanes should be vacuumed in two directions using slow and repeated strokes to ensure maximum removal of abrasive soils. Spotting procedures should be performed as soon as possible after the spill. Red wine, red beverages, urine, blood, etc. can cause a permanent stain if not treated immediately. For a complete list of spotting procedures to remove spots and spills, please refer to THE EMERGENCY SPOTTING GUIDE. Be sure you are prepared for any accident-Have enough of our HomePro Spotter for carpet and fabrics on hand (see photo upper right). To order this amazing product call 781-995-0683 or info@regalfabriccare.com .

How often should I have my upholstery cleaned?

As with any soft furnishing, upholstery needs regular cleaning to keep it looking and performing at it’s best. We always recommend that upholstery be cleaned every 12 to 18 months. If you have formal upholstery which is not used regularly, it may not need cleaning as frequently as upholstery in a family room which is used every day. Regardless of how often your upholstery is used, you should never wait until it appears dull and soiled before having it professionally cleaned. And remember, gentle vacuuming and immediate spot removal is the best way to maintain your upholstery and other fine fabrics, including custom drapery, in between professional visits. A note about carpet cleaning: It is recommended that you have your wall to wall carpeting and area rugs cleaned every 12-24 months. Although floor coverings can be cleaned more aggressively than upholstered furniture, rugs and carpeting are subjected to some very harsh circumstances-greasy foot prints, pet accidents, tracked in sand/grit and salt (think cold Boston area winters). Waiting too long can cause permanent abrading and staining of the carpet fibers.

Does your cleaning process kill dust mites?

Normal, routine carpet and furniture cleaning for your home or office is not intended to kill any living organism. However, during the cleaning process we will remove a large quantity of dust mites (and their droppings, which are the cause of allergic reactions) and other allergens that affect you or your family’s health. Deep professional cleaning also removes dust mite eggs and their food source, thus slowing down their rate of reproduction and reducing the chances of an allergic reaction. Dust mites can never be totally eliminated from an indoor environment, but with proper housekeeping techniques and timely professional steam cleaning these pests can be held to a manageable level. A Note of CAUTION: Please be very careful of any product you purchase or any company that claims to kill dust mites. Dust mites are a naturally occurring pest in all homes and offices, adding a toxic chemical to your environment can cause more damage to your family’s health than the dust mites. Only a licensed pesticide company/person should apply these chemicals. Visit this page for more tips on reducing the dust mite population in your home and office

Which vacuum cleaner do you recommend for home and office?

No matter which brand name you choose to purchase a vacuum cleaner should be able to perform well in three areas: To remove soil effectively, to keep dust in the vacuum and out of the air and to keep your carpet and Oriental rugs looking good. In order to achieve this a vacuum cleaner should be equipped with a beater bar brush to agitate the carpet fibers (allowing soil to be lifted away), have separate motors for both the vacuum and the beater bar and have a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Remember a vacuum can only perform as well as it is maintained: keep brushes clean, replace them when worn, change the vacuum bag when it is half full (when the bag is half full soil removal is greatly reduced-by as much as 80%), keep vacuum hoses and attachments free of obstructions that restrict air flow and inspect belts frequently to make certain they are working properly.

How long does it take for carpet to dry after the cleaning?

Carpet drying time can vary widely due to the density of your carpet, humidity and the degree of soil. Most residential and commercial carpet will be dry in as little as 6-10 hours. To speed drying we suggest ventilating the area as much as outside weather allows and increase air circulation by using ceiling fans, rooms fans and we’ll even leave behind our own air movers which can reduce dry times by up to 50%. Furniture Blocks & Tabs: Blocks and tabs are placed under the legs of wooden and metal furniture to protexct both the carpet and the furniture-Please leave them in place for a MINIMUM OF 48 HOURS following professional carpet cleaning.

Are the detergents you use safe for me and my family? My co-workers & employees?

The detergents and spotting solutions used to clean your residential or commercial carpet, upholstered furniture and Oriental rugs are both safe and effective. The first rule in this company is: Safety First-we will not compromise the safety of you or your family during the cleaning process. We also take great care to eliminate our own exposure to dangerous detergents, which is why we are always in the pursuit of a less harmful way to clean. All major detergents used to clean your home and office meet or exceed the U.S. EPA’s Designed for the Environment Program (DfE) ( http://epa.gov/dfe) . They are biodegradable, butyl-free, phosphate-free and VOC compliant……Safe for You, Safe for Us, Safe for the World!

Will Scotchgard protect my carpet and upholstered furniture? What about my Oriental Rugs?

Scotchgard Fabric & Textile Spot and Spill Protection is designed to prevent liquid water-based and oily-based spills from becoming permanent stains. Scotchgard also helps suspend dry particulate soils (grit, sand, dirt etc) on the top of fibers so that your routine vacuuming will become more effective. Scotchgard Protection is part of a comprehensive three part maintenance plan for both home and offices: Prompt spot/spill removal by a qualified person using a safe, effective spotting agent, regular (every 12-18 months) professional cleanings and daily or at least weekly vacuuming to prevent soils from becoming embedded deep into fibers. Scotchgard Protection is recommended for your nylon and wool carpets, your upholstered furniture, drapery and Oriental rugs following each professional cleaning to ensure your home and office will remain both clean and safe!

Besides my home, what other facilities do you maintain?

We clean and maintain carpeting and upholstered furniture, as well as drapery and rugs, in commercial office buildings, daycare facilities, schools, assisted living complexes, bio-tech firms and Main Street offices (dentists, doctors, insurance agencies etc). You will receive the same level of care and professionalism at your office that our residential clients have come to expect. From one-time or as needed visits to monthly, quarterly or semiannual cleanings we will keep your work place clean and healthy-call us! We’ll show you how!

Do you clean Berber carpet?

We still see Berber carpet from time to time-and we absolutely do clean Berber wall to wall carpeting. Berber is a type of weave, not a particular type of fiber. Berber is simply a type of loop construction carpet that has face yarns which can be made of olefin, nylon, wool or a blend. Berber requires a more thorough cleaning than other carpets because more “flushing” action needs to take place to get under, around and through the loops. This also necessitates more dry vacuum passes with the wand in order to allow the carpeting to dry as soon as possible. Berber may also require a bonnet application following extraction which is a process to help speed up the drying which may prevent “wicking”.

How can I help my Oriental rugs last a life time?

Simple maintenance is what we recommend to all of our clients. You want to rotate your rugs 180 degrees at least every six months. Rotating rugs not only helps even out the normal wear or walk patterns that develop in a rug over time but will interrupt the ideal living/breeding environment of moths and other pests. While the rug is being moved make sure to vacuum the flooring and the pad under the rug-this will help keep your rug clean and pest free. Vacuuming: Vacuum the top of all of your fine rugs at least weekly-careful near the fringe-vacuums have been known to “eat” fringe. Spots and spills should be addressed quickly if possible-use a safe, pH neutral detergent like our own HomePro Spotter for carpet and rugs to blot (never rug or scrub) spots and spills. In most homes a professional rug cleaning every 12-24 months will help your Oriental rugs last a life time! A Special Note: Real Hand Knotted Oriental Rugs should never be cleaned in the home. Rugs should be taken out of you home or office for a thorough cleaning which should include dye stability testing, dusting to remove loose gritty soils and then a complete wet cleaning followed by a quick dry-down and finishing.

Do you have a question or concerns not addressed here? Email me at david.mavilio@regalfabriccare.com or call 781-995-0683 we’ll be happy to visit you at your home or office and answer any of your individual concerns.

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