FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get answers to some of the common questions we get.General Questions
Does Great American Chem-Dry offer coupons, specials or promo codes for carpet cleaning?
Are Chem-Dry products safe for my kids and pets?
Is Great American Chem-Dry a steam cleaning service?
Carpet Cleaning
How does Chem-Dry compare to steam cleaning?
Traditional steam cleaning saturates your carpet with an excessive amount of water filled with soaps and detergents. So you’re left with wet carpets for 1-2 days, which creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Plus the soapy residue left behind attracts dirt and causes your carpets to get dirty much faster.
Great American Chem-Dry’s process is very different. We employ millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibers, which is why we only need to use a fraction of the water that typical steam cleaners uses. After the carbonation releases and lifts the dirt, our high powered equipment extracts the dirt and moisture from the carpet.
Take a look at a detailed comparison of Chem-Dry vs Steam Cleaning.
What is the best carpet cleaning method?
The Great American Chem-Dry cleaning process is considered by many to be superior and healthier than other methods for your carpet and upholstery cleaning. Chem-Dry’s unique hot carbonating extraction carpet cleaning method uses the power of carbonation to extract more dirt and grime from your carpets, giving them a deeper and longer lasting clean. Our carbonated cleaning solution only requires us to use a fraction of the moisture other methods require. This allows your carpets to dry faster, typically in 1-2 hours rather than 1-2 days, and helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew under your carpet. Chem-Dry’s signature cleaning solution, The Natural®, is a cleaning mixture that—through the power of carbonation—lifts dirt to the surface where it is whisked away. The Natural® is non-toxic, ideal for homes with kids and pets, and Green certified.
Why do I need protectant on my carpets?
How do you remove pet urine odor from carpets?
Will my carpets re-soil quickly after the cleaning is finished?
How long will it take for my carpet to dry completely?
How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) suggests that homeowners clean their carpets every 3-6 months. If you have kids, or pets or if someone in your home has asthmas or allergies, it’s advisable to do it even more frequently. Regular cleaning will not only improve your home’s appearance, but it will extend the life of your carpeting.
Should I vacuum before you arrive?
Vacuuming prior to a carpet cleaning isn’t necessary. Our professionally trained technicians will vacuum your carpets with our commercial, HEPA-filtered vacuum when they arrive as a standard part of our service.
What type of chemicals does Chem-Dry use?
Why does Chem-Dry not use as much water to clean my carpets as steam cleaning does?
Great American Chem-Dry uses up to 80% less water than typical steam cleaning because its carbonated cleaner, The Natural®, relies on millions of microscopic bubbles (instead of water) to release dirt and grime from the fibers of your carpet and raise it to the surface where it can easily be suctioned away. This low water, low pressure approach is healthier for your carpets, allows your carpets to dry in only 1-2 hours and is also more environmentally friendly.
Can other carpet cleaning methods actually hurt my carpets?
Yes. Steam cleaning uses a process of dumping large amounts of soapy water into your carpets and then trying to suck it all back out. Because the heavy amount of water results in an extended drying time, usually 1-2 days, this method can actually cause carpets to grow mold and mildew beneath the surface.
What is considered a room?
Upholstery Cleaning
How long does it take for furniture to dry?
Do you offer protectant or stain guard for upholstery?
Yes, after the upholstery cleaning, you can have the furniture stain guarded with Chem-Dry’s Protectant. This will help protect it against future stains.
How does Chem-Dry clean upholstery?
How often do upholstery manufacturers recommend that you clean your furniture?
Manufacturers recommend professional upholstery cleanings every 24-48 months. As with carpets, the presence of kids, pets, allergies and asthma in the home necessitates more frequent cleanings to improve the overall healthiness of the home. If furniture is stained, saturated, or has unwanted odor then it is ready for a cleaning.
Why should I have my upholstered furniture professionally cleaned?
Tile & Grout Cleaning
Why should I have my tile, stone and grout cleaned?
Just like carpet, dirt builds up over time that dulls your tile or stone’s appearance and discolors your grout. A thorough, professional tile, stone & grout cleaning is the only way to remove the deep-down dirt, make this area of your home look nicer and ensure that all areas of your home are clean and healthy. Scrubbing tile & grout on your hands and knees isn’t a fun job – with our professional equipment we can save your back-ache and make your tile surfaces look better than ever.
How often should I clean my tile, stone and/or grout?
Many factors need to be considered when determining the frequency of cleaning. Foot traffic, children, pets, and routine floor maintenance will affect how often you need to have your tile, stone & grout cleaned. If stains and discoloration are present then your tile and grout is ready for a cleaning.
Why should I have my grout lines sealed?
Grout is a porous material that absorbs soil and spills, just like carpet. Having a sealant applied will help create a protective barrier, giving you more time to clean up dirt and liquid spills before they soak into the grout. The type of sealant you choose will determine the degree of stain resistance that the grout will hold.
Area Rug Cleaning
What is your process for cleaning area rugs?
We offer a complete area rug cleaning service. The process is washing and cleaning using the Hot Carbonated Extraction method only available from Chem-Dry. We specialize in pet urine removal, using the proper way to treat and remove the odor. We first use our rug duster to beat the dirt and soil from the area rug. We then give them a full rug bath and if necessary, do any fridge work (detailing, bleaching). Rugs are then hanged out to dry in our facility to ensure secure and proper drying.
Do you offer pickup and delivery?
Yes, we do! We’ll come to your home to pick up the area rug(s) you need cleaned, then deliver them back to your home as soon as we’re finished. We have a $40 fee for area rug pickup & delivery.
How long does the entire process take?
Can you get out pet stains and smells?
Is Chem-Dry's cleaning process safe for my rugs?
Why should I have my area and oriental rugs cleaned?
Area and oriental rugs usually receive a lot of traffic. Just like carpets and upholstered furniture, area and oriental rugs act as air filters for the home, trapping dirt, allergens, and dust. A thorough, professional oriental and area rug cleaning is the only way to remove the deep-down dirt, make this area of your home look nicer and ensure that all areas of your home stay clean and healthy.