If you need help, we have a list of frequently asked questions and answers. We strive to give you the best experience possible. Click a question below to view the answer.

Should I pretreat my carpets before you arrive?

Dry Steam’s goal is to clean and restore your carpeting and upholstered items to a high level of appearance in an environmentally safe manner. We need your help to ensure we are able to obtain the highest quality care for your carpeting and upholstered items cleaned on location at your home or business. Once a stain or spill happens, blot up the substance as best you can and give us a call. We will send a technician to clean it professionally using certified techniques and products.

Do I need to move my furniture?

Moving furniture is totally up to you and optional. We will clean around all furniture or, if the furniture has been removed, corner-to-corner. There is no extra charge. Our technicians can move sofas and loveseats as a courtesy if needed.

How long will I need to stay off of my carpet?

Drying times can vary depending on current temperatures and humidity levels. The average drying time is 2-3 hours.

How often should I get my carpet cleaned?

We do recommend that frequently-used carpet should be professionally cleaned by a qualified technician at least annually. Sooner for carpet in homes with allergy and respiratory sufferers, indoor pets, or in homes prone to mildew and grime.

Is it better to dry clean or steam clean my carpet?

While dry cleaning can be effective solution for certain situations, steam cleaning is by-far the most effective for cleaning, disinfecting, and over-all improvement of appearance.

Should I pretreat my upholstery before you arrive?

Dry Steam’s goal is to clean and restore your and upholstered items to a high level of appearance in an environmentally safe manner. We need your help to ensure we are able to obtain the highest quality care for your upholstered items cleaned on location at your home or business. Once a stain or spill happens, blot up the substance as best you can and give us a call. We will send a technician to clean it professionally using certified techniques and products.

Can micro suede furniture be cleaned?

Yes, Dry Steam has trained, knowledgeable technicians that can take care of all of your microfiber needs.needed.

How long will it take my upholstery to dry?

Our cleaning process and professional equipment allows us to achieve drying times typically between 1-3 hours. However, this does depend on the type, quality, and level of soiling of the fabric.

Should I get my mattress cleaned?

Mattresses contain many common allergens that pose a risk to your health. Having your mattress cleaned on a regular basis gets rid of those disgusting dust mites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, mildew, and mold, leading to a healthier and happier you.

The tag on my upholstery says “Dry Clean Only.” Can you still clean it?

This type of label is often placed on a manufacturer’s products as a way of keeping them from being held liable if any problems were to occur during the cleaning process. Many professional cleaners know that with knowledge, experience, proper cleaning agents, and advanced equipment, they can clean the majority of fabrics that are labeled “dry clean only.” At Dry Steam, our technicians will evaluate your upholstery and notify you of all your options.

Can you remove pet urine from my rug?

Yes, we engage in a multi-step cleaning process to clean and remove bacteria and other odors from your rugs. We can clean impacted areas, flush it and add enzyme treatments. We offer different levels of pet cleaning from minor spots to full restoration.

I have heard that water cleaning will shrink my wool rug, is this true?

No. Proper cleaning by a trained and certified professional will not cause the rug to shrink. Your wool rug will be properly evaluated, cleaned, and allowed to completely dryout to prevent shrinkage.

How is area rug cleaning normally handled?

It takes a great deal of expertise and attention to detail to treat a valuable piece properly, so most firms have perfected their treatment process over many years. However, the general formula is similar from firm to firm.

First, the rug is closely inspected by our technicians to determine what kinds of soil have penetrated the fibers. We will look for any stains, worn areas, and if there are any particular concerns like pet odor or mold.

Once our technician learns everything they need to through inspection, the piece is run through a dry soil removal process. This typically consists of running it through a machine or one is run over the rug that gently vibrates the rug and shakes the dry soil loose.

The wet treatment process can vary, but it is usually done with a machine that goes across the surface. The flooring is agitated to dislodge embedded soils, and gentle detergents are used to pick up soil and wash it away.

We use powerful extraction equipment to dry your rugs completely, then hang them for several hours to dry completely, during which time the technician will perform secondary inspections to verify that the treatment process is complete.

Should I look for certified professionals when considering area rug cleaning?

Certification through an organization like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is extremely helpful for teaching professionals how to best approach the treatment process. Homeowners that select IICRC certified professionals report more positive experiences due to the firm’s greater degree of skill and focus on customer service. Certification also communicates a commitment to the field that is necessary to do the job right.

Dry Steam is an IICRC certified firm.

Why should I get tile & grout professionally cleaned?

High traffic gradually dulls the floors and the grout becomes dark with dirt. Regular mopping only removes surface-level dirt.

Is professional tile & grout cleaning expensive?

Professional tile and grout cleaning is just pennies compared to the cost of replacing tile. Call today to get an estimate from one of our professionals.

How long does it take to get the tile & grout at my business professionally cleaned?

For a 300 square-foot area, cleaning generally takes 60 to 90 minutes. If you choose to have the grout sealed, we recommend waiting 24 hours after rinsing to apply sealer so the sealer will adhere properly. Grout sealing itself takes two to three hours. Time varies based on tile size, the amount of soil in the grout and room configuration.

How often do I need to get my tile & grout professionally cleaned?

To keep the tile floors in your property looking their best, we recommend having them professionally cleaned every year, depending on the amount of traffic, soil and regular floor maintenance.

When will I be able to walk on my floors after a tile & grout cleaning?

Stay off freshly cleaned tile floors for at least 30 minutes. Avoid getting any liquid on the floor for 24 hours until the sealant cures completely if grout sealing is included as part of the service.

Do I need to do anything prior to the technician arriving for my scheduled service?

Simply pick up items on the floor, such as rugs, plants and trash cans, as well as sweep or vacuum the area to be cleaned.

Are there instructions to follow after my tile & grout surfaces are cleaned?

Stay off freshly cleaned tile for at least 30 minutes, and avoid getting any liquid on the floor for 24 hours if sealant has been applied. Return furniture (with suggested use of felt pads) and rugs to floors after 24 hours.

Are there any health benefits that come from HVAC system cleaning?

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to collection a variety of contaminants such as mold, fungi, bacteria and very small particles of dust that have the potential to affect overall health. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality.

How can I determine if the HVAC system cleaning was effective?

The best way to determine if the HVAC system cleaning was effective is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen during the visual inspection, the system should not be considered cleaned. While you can perform your own visual inspection using a flashlight and mirror, our professional technicians should be able to can use specialized inspection tools to determine if you need your air ducts clean.

How often should residential HVAC systems be cleaned?

Frequency of cleaning depends on several factors, not the least of which is the preference of the homeowner. Some of the things that may lead a homeowner to consider more frequent cleaning include:

  • smokers in the household
  • pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander
  • water contamination or damage to the home or HVAC system
  • residents with allergies or asthma who might benefit from a reduction in the amount of indoor air pollutants in the home’s HVAC system
  • after home renovations or remodeling
  • prior to occupancy of a new home

Will HVAC system cleaning reduce our home energy bills?

Research by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has demonstrated that HVAC system cleaning may allow systems to run more efficiently by removing debris from sensitive mechanical components. Clean, efficient systems are less likely to break down, have a longer life span and generally operate more effectively than dirty systems.