Frequently Asked Questions about Carpet, Rug & Upholstery Cleaning

Q. My carpets have been cleaned by Coastal Cleaners – how do I keep them looking great?

A. First, make sure to vacuum regularly with a good-quality vacuum. That will help you get rid of all the dirt, even the dirt you can’t see with the naked eye. Just having the right equipment can help you keep your carpet cleaner.

If you’re trying to clean up a spill, it’s important to use products that don’t need to be rinsed after – don’t use laundry soap or hard flooring cleaners. Instead, add one drop of dish soap and a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of water. Dip a white towel in the water and blot out the spill. Scrubbing can damage the carpet fibres, so only dab.

To keep your carpet looking its best:

• Vacuum regularly
• Clean spills right away
• Have the carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year

If your carpet has a texture retention warranty, it will need a professional cleaning every year and a half.

Q. Is do-it-yourself carpet cleaning okay?

A. While we highly recommend at least yearly professional carpet cleaning, here are some guidelines for cleaning your carpet yourself:

• Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and don’t over-apply detergent.
• Rinse and extract thoroughly. Most “home use” machines have very low water lift, which means to get out most of the water you might have to go over the area more than once without water in the machine and only using the suction setting.
• Use a machine with a built-in heater. Water in the machine should be at less than 200 degrees Fahrenheit at all times during the cleaning.
• Do not use any solution that is not specifically formulated for carpets. To avoid voiding your warranty, don’t use cationic solutions or chemicals with a pH greater than 10.
• Remember that maintaining your warranty will need a professional cleaning at least every 18 months.
• It’s very important to remember that do it yourself methods are not recommended for wool, silk or other delicate fabrics due to the high risk of damage.

Q. Do cleaning spotters and/or solvents harm the stain resistance properties?

A. Some solvents will affect colourfastness, cause more staining and detrimentally impact your carpet’s stain resistance. You should always do a small spot check to assure that the solvent is safe on your carpet. It’s crucial to only use products specifically made for carpets or upholstery. If your carpet has natural fibres, only use products that say they’re safe for those kinds of fibres.

Q. Do you apply a deodorizer or sanitizer to a carpet after cleaning it?

A. Having our team apply a deodorizer or sanitizer to your carpet after cleaning is an optional treatment that we highly recommend. In the meantime, don’t use baking soda or other powder deodorizers, which can damage the carpeting and be very hard to remove.

Q. Is it recommended to have a carpet protector applied every time I get my carpets cleaned?

A. Absolutely! Having the professionals at Coastal Carpets apply a carpet protector to your freshly cleaned rug, carpet or upholstery acts as insurance to prevent soiling and spills from leaving a permanent stain. The carpet protector we use is Scotchgard™ Protector, which is a fantastic product for all fabric types. Its stain blocking, liquid repelling formula dries clear and odourless – you won’t even know it’s there!

Q. Will I void my warranty by applying a carpet protector?

A. Using a fluorochemical-based (water-based) carpet protector product will not void your warranty. Solvent or silicone-based treatments may invalidate the warranty. Coastal Cleaners only uses 3M Scotchgard™ (fluorochemical-based) treatment.

Q. How frequently should I get my carpets cleaned?

A. The answer depends largely on how much traffic your carpet receives. Low-traffic area carpets can go 12 to 18 months between professional cleanings, but high-traffic areas may need to be cleaned more often. Factors to consider include: traffic, soil level, vacuuming schedules, spot cleaning schedules, professional interim cleaning schedules, and restorative cleaning schedules. Households with pets, children or smokers should have their carpets cleaned professionally two to four times each year. We also suggest vacuuming once a week to get rid of allergens and keep the area well maintained in between our visits.

Remember: It’s important to follow the carpet manufacturer’s recommended cleaning schedule to maintain your warranty.

If you have:

Q. Are all professional carpet cleaners alike?

A. No, just because someone advertises themselves as a “professional” carpet cleaner, it doesn’t mean they have the expertise, equipment and certification to provide the same level of professional service as Coastal Cleaners. Your carpet cleaning professional should be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, which is earned through comprehensive training and examinations. This certification will show that your technician has the expertise to handle your carpet cleaning needs in a professional manner.

Information about Scotchgard™ Protection

Q. How does Scotchgard™ Protection work?

A. Scotchgard™ provides effective carpet protection by surrounding each fibre with a liquid repelling, stain blocking formula that works without changing the feel or look of the carpet. It’s a simple, one-step application that dries clear and odourless. This product is not only ideal for standard fabric types by it is also a great choice for your delicate fabrics and upholstery.

Q. How long does Scotchgard™ Protection last?

A. Scotchgard™ Protection should provide long lasting benefits if proper maintenance is performed between treatments. However, any hot water extraction cleanings will eventually diminish the protection. For optimal results, 3M recommends that you reapply the protector after every hot water extraction, as well as at least after every second HOST® dry extraction cleaning. Foot traffic removes Scotchgard™ from a carpet after around 1-3 years.

Q. Why doesn’t water “bead up” on a carpet treated with Scotchgard™ Protection?

A. Some carpet fibres may not exhibit the beading that you think of when you talk about Scotchgard™ Protection. This happens when there are spaces between loosely woven carpet piles. However, this should not affect the effectiveness of the application.

Q. Does Scotchgard™ Protection “waterproof” carpets?

A. Scotchgard™ Protection isn’t meant to be a waterproofing agent for carpeting. However, the product will still provide improved resistance to water-based liquids.

Q. Is Scotchgard™ Protection safe for children and pets?

A. Yes, they are safe and have been safely used in homes for more than 65 years. All Scotchgard™ products have undergone extensive testing before being sold to the public.

Q. How should I clean a carpet with Scotchgard™ Protection?

A. Soil can greatly hurt your carpet’s appearance, so it’s recommended to vacuum frequently. Using a beater-bar or rotating brush on your vacuum will raise the carpet pile while it removes soil. You should also clean up spills immediately, making sure to blot the area instead of rubbing or brushing.

Q. Are competitors’ products the same as Scotchgard™ branded products from 3M?

A. No. It’s important to the life of your carpet that you chose only high-quality cleaning products. 3M is very distinct in how it creates and tests its products. It’s a brand well-known for working with specific natural and synthetic carpet fibre types. This ensures optimum performance on any given carpet.

Indoor Air Quality

In the last three decades, concern over the quality of indoor air has increased. Homes, schools, and offices have been made more airtight in efforts to reduce energy costs. Reduced fresh air exchanges and more time spent indoors have increased exposure to airborne contaminants. At the same time, although not necessarily related, there has been an epidemic increase in asthma and allergies. Airborne particles, allergens or chemicals can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

Carpet Acts as a Filter

Carpeting has been an integral part of the indoor environment. Studies now show that in addition to providing warmth and reducing noise, carpet acts as a filter. Its dense fibre construction has the ability to trap and retain airborne dust, allergens, small particles and fumes, keeping these contaminants and allergens out of the air you breathe.

The “Trapping Effect” of Carpet

Particles, pollen, dander and allergens, which are all light enough to be carried with the wind and too small to be seen, move around the indoor and outdoor air. Eventually, they settle out on horizontal surfaces. Although dust on bookcases and floors is easily seen, settled dust in carpet is not as visible. According to published research in the American Industrial Hygiene Journal by the University of Public Health in St. Louis, Missouri, carpet is perhaps the most important reservoir of airborne dust, and its contained allergens. The retention or “trapping effect” of carpet keeps contaminants and allergens out of the air.

Hard Flooring vs. Carpet

Reports of biocontaminants found in carpet dust samples have often been taken as evidence that carpet is the source of these contaminants, and will release them into the air. But studies that have taken air and surface samples now show the reverse is true. A year-long study in two non-problem schools comparing hard flooring vs. carpet flooring, found significantly higher airborne levels of biocontaminants over the tiled floors than over carpet. Compared to hard floors, studies now show that when carpets are regularly cleaned, their capacity to hold settled dust and allergen out of the breathing zone is most effective.

When an air filter is working, it becomes full with use, and this trapped load diminishes its capacity to filter. Although most people routinely replace furnace filters and vacuum cleaner filters, they do not replace carpet very often. Instead, they clean carpet. Research also shows regular carpet maintenance maximizes the ability to trap particulates as they settle from the air.

Some More Facts about Indoor Air Quality

Most people are aware that indoor air quality is a major issue in many homes, but do we really know the facts? Please read some of the indoor air quality facts that are listed below, you will probably be quite shocked:

• Most homes generate about 40 pounds of dust per year for every 1,500 square feet of space
• About 40,000 dust mites, a common cause of household allergies, can be found in only one ounce of dust
• Because they breathe faster than adults, children inhale 50% more air per pound of body weight than adults and are especially sensitive to air quality problems
• The EPA ranks indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health
• EPA studies indicate that indoor levels of many pollutants may be 25 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. In general, indoor air is four to five times more polluted than outdoor air
• More than 15 million Americans are estimated to have asthma, including one in 13 school aged children
• In the last 30 years, the number of people with asthma has gone up by almost 60%
• Over 2.6 million Canadians over age 12 and 12% of children under 12 suffer from asthma-related breathing problems