Frequently asked questions

To ensure your carpet stays in top condition, the Carpet and Rug Institute advises scheduling a professional deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months. Additionally, many carpet manufacturer warranties mandate this to keep the warranty valid. Be sure to review your warranty details or consult your carpet retailer for specific requirements.

Drying times for carpets can vary based on several factors. In optimal conditions, such as low humidity, warm temperatures and good air circulation, carpets can dry in just a few hours. However, carpets should never take more than 24 hours to dry fully. Wear clean shoes or slippers in the meantime! That way your routine is not disturbed at all!

Dirt acts like countless tiny blades that damage carpet fibres. Every step on a dirty carpet grinds these sharp particles into the yarn, creating small cuts. The fuzz you see in your vacuum cleaner bag is actually bits of your carpet being worn away and discarded.

As dirt scratches the fibres, it reduces their shine, causing high-traffic areas to look dull compared to the rest of the carpet. Over time, this wear breaks down the fibres, leading to matting and making stains harder to remove. Regular maintenance and applying carpet protector are essential to preserving your carpet's lifespan and appearance.

Frequent vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to maintain your carpet. Focus on entryways and high-traffic areas, vacuuming them twice a week, while the rest of your carpet should be cleaned at least once a week. Regular vacuuming helps minimize soil buildup, as oily soils tend to attract more dirt over time.

Ensure your vacuum is working at peak performance by starting with a clean bag or filter. A dirty bag, dirt cup or filter can reduce suction by up to 50%. For bagless vacuums, clogged filters are a common issue: wash or replace them every three months. For bagged vacuums, replace the bag when it is about three-quarters full to maintain efficiency.

Generally no, our insurance policy prohibits us from moving large furniture. Small items can be moved safely, and we will put tin-foil under the legs of furniture before placing it back on the carpet. Furniture legs on wet carpet can cause permanent staining.

No, you do not need to clean your entire carpet every time. Many of our customers opt to clean only the "traffic areas," which is often all that is necessary. If your room layout remains the same, there is unlikely to be ground-in dirt under furniture that would require professional cleaning. Dust or debris beneath furniture can usually be handled with a standard household vacuum.

There are many methods to clean carpet, but the best is hot water extraction (HWE). Steam Genie uses HWE, either through a truck-mounted system or a portable machine equipped with an electric heater. The temperature of our water can be adjusted anywhere between warm and boiling depending on the cleaning situation. We strive for excellence, both our equipment and cleaning products are top of the line... for a better clean, hire Steam Genie!

There is no comparison between DIY carpet cleaning and our professional-grade equipment, extensive expertise and IICRC-aligned training. Store-bought or rental carpet cleaners often leave behind sticky, soapy residues and lack the necessary heat, pressure and suction to clean effectively. These machines typically rely on harsh, high-pH chemicals and aggressive brushes, which can damage carpet fibres, cause yellowing and lead to long-term wear.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, announced in 2008 that their carpet warranties require cleaning by an IICRC-certified company. Choosing professionals not only protects your carpet but also ensures compliance with warranty requirements.

The IICRC recommends having your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year to extend their lifespan. Waiting until carpets are visibly dirty can cause more harm than regular cleaning.

Over time, abrasive soil builds up deep in the fibres, something routine vacuuming cannot address. These particles act like tiny blades, gradually cutting into the fibres and causing cumulative damage. Infrequent cleaning accelerates wear in high-traffic areas, leading to a shadowy or blotchy appearance.

Our professional cleaning methods use heat, powerful suction and gentle yet effective rinsing agents to remove dirt while preserving your carpet's original condition. Our goal is to restore your carpet's cleanliness without compromising its integrity.

Many people mistakenly believe that carpets cause allergies, but the real issue often lies in improper maintenance. Research shows that carpets can actually be more effective than hard flooring, like tile, laminate or hardwood, at trapping allergens. Instead of remaining airborne, allergens and particles settle into the carpet fibres, keeping them out of the breathing zone.

These trapped particles can then be removed through regular vacuuming, making a well-maintained carpet function as a filter that improves indoor air quality by capturing allergens circulating in your home. Proper care ensures your carpet supports a healthier living environment.

We highly recommend applying a carpet protectant to help repel dirt and spills while extending the life of your carpet. This protective layer is applied as a spray immediately after cleaning and evenly distributed using a carpet groomer for optimal coverage. Read more about Scotchgard stain protection.

Carpet protectant works by filling in the microscopic scratches that form in carpet fibres from regular use, starting from the moment your carpet is installed. By smoothing out these tiny imperfections, the protectant minimizes areas where dirt and soil can cling. This not only helps reduce soiling between cleanings but also lessens ongoing wear, ultimately extending the lifespan of your carpet.

Yes! We bring our equipment to you, it is much more convenient that way. We take precautions to protect your home such as placing moving blankets on hardwood floor and using towels to soak up any over-sprayed water.

With most rugs, the underside will not become damp when cleaned with our equipment. This is because our equipment simultaneously sprays and sucks up the hot water. The rug does not become oversaturated with water.

That being said, every situation is different. For certain rugs, we may recommend putting a tarp under it while we clean it.

Exceptionally soiled rugs (for example, pet urine) may need to be taken to a rug cleaning plant. These facilities have large baths and the rug will be completely immersed in detergent. This process is quite expensive so most of the time it is more economical to simply buy a new rug. Contact us and describe your situation, we will give you our honest expert advice!

This depends on the rug and the job, so please contact us to discuss!

Just like carpet cleaning, we use hot water extraction (the highest quality cleaning method). Rug cleaning is similar except we use different cleaning products to protect your rug and get it super clean.

Yes, we offer pet odour treatment. Choose Heavy Duty on the booking page, or text us a photo and we will tell you what to expect.

Yes! We will visit your commercial space and measure the dimensions, then multiply that by our flat rate.

In-person quotes are free and our prices are very competitive. Remember, not all cleaning methods are the same. When shopping around, verify that all quotes are for hot water extraction to ensure that you are getting a quality clean. Some companies will offer VLM so that they can be the cheapest bid, but it ends up being worse value in the long run.

Generally yes! Please contact us so we can arrange a cleaning at a time that works for you.

We can use our commercial grade portable extractors to give you a quality clean without needing to leave the doors open.