Will the protective treatment be removed by cleaning?

Yes. Cleaning will substantially diminish the repellent properties of a topically applied fabric protectant. Christopher's suggests that you have it reapplied. Our specialists can reapply fabric protection immediately after cleaning adding no additional dry time or inconvenience to your schedule.

Will you move furniture?

We move all readily moveable furniture, lamps and objects. We do not move semi-permanent or permanent furniture, or items exceptionally large, heavy, fragile or valuable. This is standard procedure as dictated to us by our industry's insurance carriers.

Will you put moved furniture back on wet carpet?

Carpet tabs are placed under all furniture feet present when wood stain transfer or rust are a possibility

Can I walk on freshly cleaned carpets and/or rugs?

Safety first! Walking on wet/freshly treated carpet creates a slip and fall hazard. Safe drying time is usually 6-8 hours but can take up to 24 hours. Also walking on freshly cleaned carpet that is not yet dry can degrade the quality of the job. Imagine washing your hair and then not brushing or combing; however it dries is how it will look. When carpets are cleaned, their fibers are pulled (mostly) into an upright position, if it is allowed to dry like this, the carpet will look better, longer. If premature foot traffic is allowed, it will bend the fibers and thus reduce the aesthetics of cleaning. It will still be clean, it just won't look as good as it could.

What if a spot comes back?

The term for this occurrence is wicking. A spot that initially appeared to have been completely removed during cleaning but reappears upon drying or over a several day/week period of time is caused when the spotting substance is residing in the padding or backing of the carpet and subsequently wicks to the surface as it dries. Christopher's will be happy to come back one time to re-clean the spot at no additional charge. If more than one revisit is needed, our standard cleaning rates will apply.

Will you clean under the bed?

In most circumstances, our carpet wands clean several inches under and around the perimeter of the bed. However we do not actually move the entire bed to clean the carpet beneath it. If this is something that you require, please call or office so we can find a solution.

Do you dry clean?

No. Generally, dry cleaning is the use of a dry compound that is applied to the surface, gently agitated and then vacuumed out. There is great debate as to whether dry cleaning is as effective as hot-water extraction. Christopher's has investigated all methods of cleaning and has determined that the time-tested water extraction method yields the best and most dependable results for our clients. Certain fibers however, such as sisal - a plant fiber, cannot be safely cleaned (overall) by water extraction. In those cases localized spot cleaning and stain lightening treatments are applied.

Can my area rugs be cleaned on-site?

Whenever possible, rugs should be taken off-site to be cleaned because of the risks involved with on-site rug cleaning. High end rugs can exhibit dimensional changes from cleaning due to the different tensions involved in knotting/weaving and the nature of the materials used in the rug itself. If this occurs on-site, there is no measure of control (as it is unlikely that you would want someone to tack out your rug on your hard-wood floors). Finally, there is a risk to the floor itself. In our many years in business we have witnessed discolored and sometimes ruined floors due to water vapor trapped beneath rugs that have been improperly cleaned on-site. For these reasons, we highly recommend that clients have their rugs cleaned off-site.

How often should I fully clean my wall-to-wall carpet?

It depends mostly on the color and use of the carpet. Lighter colors with higher use should obviously be cleaned more often than darker colors with less foot traffic. It is customary for high-end, medium tone (color) carpet receiving regular use (not including pets) to be cleaned at least annually (for health reasons alone). Lighter colors, heavier use, and homes with pets should clean at least twice annually. It is much easier to keep a carpet clean by sticking to a cleaning cycle than it is to restore a carpet to its original look. Generally speaking, once a traffic area can be seen on carpet, it may be reduced but usually cannot be eliminated.

What is the difference between spot cleaning and full cleaning?

Spot cleaning is localized for a specific incident. For example, a pet accident, a spilled glass of wine, or muddy foot prints (if they are contained within a few feet). Full cleaning is the complete cleaning of a piece of furniture or a carpet. Sometimes there are so many spots that there is no choice but to clean an entire piece of upholstery or carpet. Occasionally when called to spot clean a specific incident, we are forced to do full general cleaning rather than leave behind an obvious 'clean spot'. This scenario is an undeniable indicator that the carpet or furniture is overdue for cleaning. When this occurs, regular cleaning rates apply.

After my carpet is clean, how do I keep it that way?

Make sure your protective treatment is current; limit (or eliminate) foot traffic from shoes worn outdoors; vacuum at least twice weekly; have a spot cleaning plan and supplies on hand, and finally, stick to your cleaning cycle (at least annually) so that the carpet never looks unclean.

Can pet stains be removed?

Often yes, but time is of the essence. The longer a stain resides on a carpet the less likely the chance for 100% removal.

What method do you use for carpet cleaning?

Water extraction is our primary cleaning method. It is the by far the most common method used for cleaning carpet and upholstery. The up side of using water is that it does the best job. The down side is that using water presents risks such as discoloration and shrinkage. This is where experience, training and equipment come in to play. However, there are alternative methods that use dry chemical or foam instead of water. These methods decrease the risks that come with water extraction; but it is our opinion that without the rinsing action of water, it is impossible to truly clean an item. Imagine washing your clothes or hair with a foam cleanser -- without any rinsing action (water), would they truly be clean?

How long does it take carpet to dry after cleaning?

We always like to err on the side of caution and say safe drying expectation is 6-8 hours but sometimes it takes up to 24. Plan accordingly.  Remember, wet carpets are a slip and fall hazard so test it by feeling with your hand to determine if it is dry before allowing foot traffic. Furthermore, using fans (including ceiling fans) significantly decreases drying time.