Frequently Asked Questions
Call Us: 206.637.6113
How often should I get my carpet cleaned?
Every home is different. Most carpet manufactures recommend your carpet to be professionally cleaned every 12-18 months with a hot water extraction process. This will vary however depending on the usage that your carpet gets. High use areas such as family rooms, stairs and hallways could require cleaning more often. Factors include the number of people, pets, outdoor environment and how well carpet is maintained between professional cleanings. Sometimes these things can contribute to a more frequent cleaning schedule of 6-8 months.
We also advise you check the warranty information on your carpet. Many carpet manufactures require you have your carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months in order to keep the warranty valid on your carpet.
How do you charge?
We charge by the square foot and only charge for the areas of carpet that we clean. So if you are wanting some furniture left in place then we will measure around those pieces. If the room will be cleaned wall to wall, meaning moving the furniture or in a vacant room then we will measure the whole room. No reason for you to pay for the whole room being cleaned if you are only requesting the open areas. For specialty services an hourly rate may be implemented instead. This will ALWAYS be discussed with you prior to starting. No surprises. No gimmicks. No hidden fees.
How can I find out what it will cost before the work is done?
We prefer to come to your home and do pre-inspection. That way we can discuss with you exactly what you want to have cleaned. At that time we will measure the areas to be cleaned and inspect for any special issues. We do appreciate having someone present to confirm the areas that will be cleaned, discuss cleaning options, and address any concerns we may encounter during the service.
EvercleanNorthwest does have a $175 minimum service charge.
Should I turn my heat up to speed up the drying?
What method do you use and why?
We use what is professionally called Truck Mounted Hot Water Extraction, also known as Steam Cleaning. The cleaning temperature of the water is over 200 degrees, so it does appear to be steam. This method is the preferred choice by the largest carpet manufactures. We choose this method to comply with the requirements of your carpets warranty and we feel it is the superior choice in cleaning residential carpets. Steam Cleaning DOES NOT soak the carpet and pad like some cleaning companies claim.
How long will my carpets take to dry?
The weather plays a role in dry times. Days of higher humidity will cause longer dry times; whereas warmer dry weather will shorten the dry time. In most cases 6-12 hours. However Everclean Northwest’s specialty equipment and procedure usually reduces this considerably and many of our customers experience dry times of only 3-6 hours. Ceiling fans, floor fans such as box fans can really speed the drying process. On a warm dry day open windows will help as well as turning your central heat fan “ON” from the “AUTO” setting. This will circulate air though out the house.
Is the carpet damp after the cleaning?
Yes, our hot water extraction cleaning process does leave some moisture in the carpet. Typical dry time is between 6 and 12 hours, depending on the airflow in the home, condition and style of carpet being cleaned.
Can I walk on the carpet after cleaning?
It is important to minimize use of the carpet until dry, but light use during the drying process is fine. It is completely safe to walk on the carpet as long as you’re feet or shoes are clean. Also for the first few hours of drying you need to take care walking from damp carpet onto hard surfaces to avoid slipping. Feel free to ask your service technician for a complimentary pair of shoe coverings.
What do I need to do prior to getting my carpets cleaned?
Remove all small things you can from the rooms you want cleaned, such as small rugs, magazines, kids toys, etc. breakables from the tops of any furniture you will be requesting us to move.
Do you move furniture?
We do ask that you remove as much of the smaller items as possible so that we can focus our time and efforts on the actual cleaning. We can move some large pieces of furniture that can’t be removed from the room. We only move the furniture far enough to clean under it. We then replace it, placing it on plastic tabs, or special styrofoam blocks to protect the furniture and carpet during the dry process. Some beds, pianos, entertainment centers, bookshelves, etc may not be safely moved, but can be cleaned around with no problems.
Is your cleaning process safe for kids and pets?
Our interests are to only provide you with a cleaning process that is safe for all members of your family. In the cleaning process any products used will be extracted, leaving the carpets fresh, clean and safe.
Will you remove all my stains?
We do our best to remove all of the spots and stains but it is sometimes not possible due to the staining material. We keep our van stocked with spotters for all type of stains. It is helpful to know the source of the stain, but not always required. We pride ourselves on not just being a great carpet cleaner, but a difficult stain removing professional.
What is your company’s experience?
We have been involved professionally in the industry for over 25 years. We keep up on the newest technologies and products to offer you the best cleaning possible. To maintain our certification status with the Institute of Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC) we are required to take special courses in continued education every year that are related to the cleaning industry.
How can I maintain my new carpet warranty?
Read the warranty information for your carpet. In most cases it will require professional cleaning every 12-18 months. Be sure to choose a method the manufacture suggests or requires. Vacuum frequently with a properly working vacuum. Blot up spills promptly.
I’ve heard that once a new carpet is cleaned it gets dirty quicker. Is that true?
This is false. It might have been true at one time when carpets were shampooed only and chemicals were left in the carpet. Any soap or detergent residue CAN cause accelerated soil accumulation so it is important to hire a trained professional to maintain your carpets. Everclean Northwest has adopted cleaning standards and procedures that completely rinse all residues from the carpet.
What about area rugs? Can you clean them in the home or do you take them off-site?
It is sometimes best that loose rugs be cleaned off-site. This is due to the amount of work that is needed to effectively remove the dry soil that is in the rugs. We can usually control the drying process and clean the fringe better at our shop. The on-site technician will make recommendations for your loose rug needs upon inspection. For added convenience, we offer free pickup and delivery. Minimum service charge of $175.00 applies.
Can a protector be applied to the carpet?
Yes, it absolutely can! Your service technician will discuss the condition of the carpet on-site and will let you know what the benefits of applying a fiber protector can do for you and for the longevity of your carpet.
What does carpet protector do?
Soil protection will help inhibit stains from setting. In addition as carpet wears the fibers get damaged or scratched. You won’t actually see the scratches but will notice this effect in the major traffic areas like hallways, stairs and in front of popular pieces of furniture. Carpet protectors like Scotchgard or DuPont Teflon help to fill minute scratches in the carpet fibers so that dirt and staining materials do not stick to them. New carpet comes with these protectors on them from the mill but they wear off with time. It is best to have the protector re-applied after every cleaning to help maintain the beauty of your carpet for years to come.
What areas do you service?
The entire greater Seattle area. Service minimums do apply. Call for more details.
Do I have to be home for the cleaning?
Certainly not. We are here to serve you and your convenience is our priority. Just make arrangements with our office staff and we will take care of the rest.
What methods of payment do you accept?
For your convenience we offer many forms of payment. Personal checks, cash, Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express. If you need to be billed please make these arrangements ahead of time.
What are the black lines around the baseboards and under doorways?
This is especially noticed on light colored carpet. This soiling is called filtration soiling because it comes from air passing through the carpet as it is attempting to get through the space between the carpet and the baseboard or closed door. This occurs over a significant period of time and is not noticed until a build-up has occurred.
This type of soiling is difficult to remove because the soil particles are so fine that they penetrate deep into the carpet pile and often into the backing of the carpet. With special effort, reasonable results can sometimes be achieved. If this service is required the on-site technician will be able to discuss the process for reducing filtration with you.
To help prevent filtration soiling, vacuum the edges of the carpet with a crevice tool on a regular basis.
What days are you open?
We provide service to our customers Monday – Saturday!
Do you offer "Green" cleaning?
Yes! “Green” cleaning products may not always be as effective as traditional products but we always carry them with us for our customers that have specific requests and are happy be use them!
Do you have a guarantee?
YES! We adhere to strict standards and will ALWAYS go above and beyond to guarantee your satisfaction. As a small family owned business, we believe in accountability and we rely on your referrals and reviews. Every reasonable effort will be made to make sure that your experience with Everclean Northwest, from start to finish, goes beyond your expectations.
How often should I get my carpet cleaned?
Every home is different. Most carpet manufactures recommend your carpet to be professionally cleaned every 12-18 months with a hot water extraction process. This will vary however depending on the usage that your carpet gets. High use areas such as family rooms, stairs and hallways could require cleaning more often. Factors include the number of people, pets, outdoor environment and how well carpet is maintained between professional cleanings. Sometimes these things can contribute to a more frequent cleaning schedule of 6-8 months.
We also advise you check the warranty information on your carpet. Many carpet manufactures require you have your carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months in order to keep the warranty valid on your carpet.
How do you charge?
We charge by the square foot and only charge for the areas of carpet that we clean. So if you are wanting some furniture left in place then we’ll will measure around those pieces. If the room will be cleaned wall to wall, meaning moving the furniture or in a vacant room then we will measure the whole room. No reason for you to pay for the whole room being cleaned if you are only requesting the open areas. For specialty services an hourly rate may be implemented instead. This will ALWAYS be discussed with you prior to starting. No surprises. No gimmicks. No hidden fees.