Carpet Cleaning in Northern Virginia Homes – Frequently Asked Questions

Which cleaning method will remove the most dirt, bacteria, allergens, and improve my carpets appearance?


This would largely depend upon who you ask. Those that only dry clean would say dry cleaning is best, those that only offer hot water extraction would say that method is best. At Mighty Clean we offer more than one cleaning method, so after determining the condition of your carpets we select the method that best fits your needs. In a residential setting however, the method that will typically have the greatest improvement is the Hot Water Extraction Method (Steam Cleaning). This method offers the deepest cleaning, best sanitation, most thorough extraction of soils and truly the best overall results. We prefer this method because it is the only carpet cleaning method recommended by many of the major carpet manufactures, including Shaw Industries.

We hear this question quite often. Depending on who you ask, you are certain to get a different answer. We follow and recommend the standards set by the EPA.

E.P.A. Cleaning Frequency Guidelines

Environment
Normal Conditions

2 Persons, non-smoking

6-12 Months

2 Persons, with-smoking

4 Months

Young Children

6 Months

Young Children with Pets

3-6 Months

The experts recommend between 18 to 24 months to keep furniture in good condition, but every home is unique and individual needs will vary.

Many spots will be removed with our normal cleaning however, more difficult stains many require additional treatments. Our technicians are trained to remove all types of spots & stains, including red wine, ink, mustard, pet urine, jelly, permanent marker, makeup, and more. Our technicians are trained so thoroughly that many of these stains can be completely removed. However, if the spot is determined to be permanent, our technicians will discuss other possible options with you.

Having carpet protectant applied has many advantages. It will keep the carpet’s ability to resist dirt, wear and tear, and stains. Many carpet manufacturers require a yearly professional cleaning to validate their product’s warranty. Read our carpet protector page for more info here.

No! Dirt can be as abrasive as sandpaper. Every time you step on the carpet, dirt is transferred from your shoe and ground into the carpet. The dirt is actually cutting the fibers, just as if you had used a knife. These small cuts are causing the carpet to wear. A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as clean carpet. While vacuuming helps to remove dirt, by itself, it is simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out.

No! Outdoor air contains pollens, fungi, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members enter your home, those indoor air pollutants are introduced by way of your clothing and shoes. These indoor air pollutants settle deep within your carpet. If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems, one major source of your problem could be these pollutants nestled within your carpets. Even if you don’t smoke, any of the 4,000 different chemical compounds found in cigarettes can be tracked into your home and left in the carpet. Carpet cleaning will remove much more than dirt from your carpet. Regular carpet cleaning will actually help improve your homes indoor air quality.

These are referred to as “Bait and Switch” tactics. They will advertise a low price, but the restrictions they place on these “specials” are unrealistic. They will add additional charges to perform “standard” cleaning steps. Often they skip many of the steps required, and rush through the cleaning process. They must clean many homes in a day to meet their quotas. At Mighty Clean Carpet Care we do not rush. We are committed to exceeding our customers’ expectations, and never use such unethical tactics to earn business.

No! Using a pre-spray is part of our cleaning process and is included in the estimates that we give.

Because we always perform a pre inspection of the carpet, estimates given in person will not change. However, estimates given over the phone may change if the information provided was not complete (For Example: If specific spots & stains were not mentioned, or the number of rooms/areas was not correct). In the rare occasion that the estimate provided changes, the customer will always be given an explanation of charges and the option to proceed or not.

Drying times vary. That variation comes from many factors including but not limited to, the amount of cleaning needed, humidity, air conditioning, carpet thickness, etc. Our Truck-Mounted System has a powerful vacuum that removes most of the water used to clean and greatly cuts down the drying times. To put an average time – Most of our clients tell us that their carpets are dry within 4 hours. We ask that you plan on 4 hours, but in many cases the carpets will dry sooner.

Yes upon request and depending on the package selected, we will move light items such as sofas, tables and chairs. Please remove all breakable items from furniture which will have to be temporarily moved, cleaned under, and placed back. Computer equipment, china cabinets, sectional sofas, entertainment centers, antique and fragile furniture cannot be moved. However, carpet underneath such items can be cleaned where sufficient room is available, or we can edge right around the base. Please review “Customer Pre-Cleaning Form”.

No, we thrive off of our trustworthy and honest reputation. Many clients feel at ease leaving us unattended while at work or running errands. It is common for clients to meet with us then leave when we’re ready to begin cleaning. Some clients have chosen to leave a key in a designated spot, or have a friend, relative or neighbor meet us. If questions arise we will call your contact number and discuss them with you. When we are finished, we’ll adjust the thermostat and fans for the quickest drying time and lock the doors behind us.

Having your carpets dry-cleaned does not rinse away any of the chemicals used, leaving a dirty residue on your carpet. This residue is sticky and causes the carpet to resoil quickly.

Having your carpets cleaned will reduce the amount of allergens within the carpet and the air within the home. Regular housekeeping and carpet cleanings are very helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.

The populations of any kind of living contaminates will be greatly reduced, because we thoroughly clean your carpets using temperatures between 165°and 230°. Let us know if you feel that there might be a need to work strongly toward reducing living contaminates.

Absolutely. Some cleaners avoid Berber because it takes a lot time and effort to get it clean, but at Mighty Clean Carpet Care we guarantee complete satisfaction.

We recommend waiting until the carpet is dry to reduce possible re-soiling from shoes, slip & falls, and carpet fiber compaction.

Most homes should vacuum once weekly at minimum, individual homes may require more or less. Vacuum slowly and make sure the vacuum bag is not full. Replace the vacuum’s bag or empty the canister when it is 2/3 full.

Cash, checks, and all major credit cards are all forms of payment we accept.

Would a homeowner buy the cheapest carpet for their home? Then why would one buy a cheap floor cleaning service for their home? Often the low price is part of the bait and switch tactic. Paying a LITTLE more and getting quality service can save your investment and make your cleaning last longer. The “do it yourself machines”, store bought cleaning agents, and poor professional cleaners all leave a residue that causes the carpets to quickly re-soil. This equates to another cleaning needed sooner. Mighty Clean Carpet Care depends largely on “referrals” and no one can deny that a friend’s referral is worth thousands spent in advertising. We may cost just a LITTLE more, but friends, relatives, and neighbors alike all say that our services are worth it. And really, it is just a little more than the so-called bargain cleaners charge and the results are far better! Quality minded clients seek out our services.

Our technicians use temperatures between 160°and 230° to clean carpets. Fleas, flea larvae and flea eggs that are in your carpets will parish when exposed to those temperatures, but please remember that keeping your carpets clean is only one step in the flea elimination process. Please consult a veterinarian for a complete eradication program. The best thing to remember here is that we clean the carpet and furniture, but fleas can still be in clothes, on pets, beds, in the yard, in cabinets etc… If fleas are an issue, do not give up hope. Make sure that you hit and continue to work all the areas where they are and where future eggs could hatch! A Flea and Tick prevention program is a great defense against the return of these pests.

Vacuuming is one of the most important steps one can take to maintain carpets day to day. Vacuum slowly and in different directions. Yes, this is hard in hallways, but once in awhile give it a try. Most vacuuming is done way too fast and even the most powerful household vacuum does a poor job when moving too fast. Give the vacuum time to lift the pile, agitate and remove the soils. Remember that 98% of soils are dry and can be removed if done properly. Leaving the soils in the carpet allows the dirt to go deeper into the carpets fibers and these soils “cut” the fibers and break down the carpets’ appearance. Also treat spills as soon as possible and correctly.

The home carpet shampooer is all too often under-powered and not able to rinse the carpets completely. This causes the carpets to appear clean at first, but in a very short time the residue left on the fibers begins to re-soil. This is because the carpet is “sticky” and the dirt, soils, and allergens stick to the fibers. Mighty Clean Carpet Care has powerful equipment, and the proper chemicals to safely and effectively clean all soil and residue from your textiles.

Most stains that customers show us are really just soiling. A spill allows for the area to hold grime and look like a stain. This happens when the spill is cleaned and a sticky residue is left behind. The “stickiness” collects soils and then a spot is formed. Stains are harder to remove and are made of dyes and grime. They can often be removed with proper training and professional care.

After the technician is done, they give any instruction needed for post care at that time. The most common instructions are to remove any sticky tabs your technician placed on the feet of your furniture.

Some carpets can be refreshed with professional cleaning. Allowing them to be fluffy and look new again. Carpets look old for different reasons. Some carpets look dingy from having not been cleaned, and others because of improper cleaning technique or method. Residues left on carpets can cause it to look old. The residual residue attracts soils. The debris sticks to the carpet and makes the carpet look old and worn.
We do not leave any dirt-attracting residue. With our truck-mounted equipment we are able to give a worn carpet new life. You can start to see the difference right away. If there was to be no noticeable difference, we would speak with the owners and make a decision as to continue or not. We have never had anyone not see a difference in his or her carpets under our care. Mighty Clean Carpet Care services many rental properties, and we continue to amaze even the most seasoned rental owner.

Mighty Clean Carpet Care uses only the best cleaning agents. Most of the products we use are biodegradable and all are child safe. The individual formulas will be determined during the evaluation that best fits your carpets needs.

We ask that you remove small items, small furniture, plants, toys and shoes out of the rooms being cleaned. Breakables and knickknacks need to be removed for furniture that is to be moved. In preparation, a through vacuuming before our arrival should be done. Please also make appropriate arrangements for children and pets.