Frequently Asked Questions -
All You Wanted To Know

Carpet and Rug Cleaning

How long will it take to clean my carpets?

A typical home with six rooms will take approximately two hours to clean depending on size of the rooms, the furniture to be moved, and the extent of pre-treating required. A single room can be done in as little as 20 minutes.

What do I need to do before the cleaning crew arrives?

Remove fragile items—like electronics, lamps, and knick-knacks—from the rooms to be cleaned. All American Rug Cleaning crews will carefully do the rest. They are trained to handle your furniture—sofas, tables, and chairs—with special care. Most large pieces, such as dressers, pianos, and china cabinets, can be left in place.

Do I need to be at home when my carpet is cleaned?

It is not necessary for you to be home while your carpet is cleaned. Our company is bonded, and all of our crews provide services you can trust! We understand that you may want to be present, so All American Rug Cleaning offers flexible scheduling, including Saturdays. To help us provide the best service, it is helpful to meet our professional technicians when they arrive to discuss any specific needs or concerns you may have about the job before it starts.

Can I clean my carpets or furniture myself?

Many home owners do choose the do it yourself (DiY) route using portable home equipment or steam cleaners. Unfortunately, because of limitations in residential electricity, this equipment does not have the power or the ability to properly heat and extract water in the way needed to ensure the best care for your carpets or to remove deeply ground-in soil, pet orders, and stains.

Can having my carpet cleaned make it soil faster?

If residues from cleaning agents are left in the carpet they will attract dirt. However, this is not a problem due to the cleaning process we utilize. This process uses all-natural organic cleansers and state-of-the art equipment to pull virtually all residue and water out of the carpet immediately and not leave behind any dirt-attracting residues.

Can water damage my carpet?

Carpet is only damaged if water is left behind. To eliminate this possibility All American Rug Cleaning uses a powerful truck-mounted system that immediately removes more than 95 percent of the hot water used with an industrial-strength vacuum. This hot-water extraction method is recommended by most carpet manufacturers.

How long will it take my carpet to dry completely?

On average it takes 2-24 hours for a carpet to be thoroughly dry. Of course, turning on your air conditioning or heating system helps to speed this process. This time may be extended in areas with high humidity levels and when very plush carpet is involved. You may walk on your carpet as soon as our crew has finished, but please remember to remove your street shoes first to avoid re-soiling the fibers and be careful not to slip when moving from damp carpets to hard surfaces.

How long do I have to wait before letting my children and pets on newly cleaned carpets?

It is better to limit the activity on the carpet as much as possible until it is completely dry. Your children and pets are allowed on the carpets at the same time you are, but be sure to follow the same recommendations with regard to shoes. This normally takes from 2-24 hours, depending on a variety of factors, including the thickness of the carpet, air ventilation and humidity levels. Be sure to ask our professional technicians for their recommendations, which will take into account your individual circumstances, before they leave.

Can the cleaning agents used to clean my carpets harm my children or pets?

It is always a good idea to limit contact with a newly cleaned carpet until it is thoroughly dry more for the carpets sake than yours. All American Rug Cleaning uses only non-toxic, all organic cleaners that are friendly both to the environment and your family.

Upholstered furniture cleaning

Do I need to have my upholstered furniture cleaned professionally?

Up to 80 percent of the everyday dirt and dust carried into most homes can settle onto the carpets and upholstered furniture. Therefore, having your furniture professionally cleaned has two important benefits. First, professional cleaning helps prevent damage to the upholstery fabric by removing soil and sand, which can slowly scratch the fabric and permanently alter its appearance. Second, and even more important, professional cleaning removes dust and other allergens or pollutants that can affect the air quality in your home. Professional cleaning is especially important if you or your family have asthma, allergies or sensitivities to air pollutants.

Will professional cleaning damage the protective coating I purchased with my furniture?

Although our cleaning methods may affect the protective coating on your furniture, dry soils, sand and dust that accumulate on it—along with everyday wear— also cause that coating to deteriorate over time. Extending the life of your upholstered furniture can be accomplished with a fresh application of those same fabric protectors after every cleaning.

Can I wash my cushion covers in the washing machine?

All American Rug Cleaning can provide a much safer and healthier deep cleaning without causing damage to your furniture. Most manufactures do not recommend putting cushion covers in the washing machine. The action of machine washing can cause fading, shrinkage, and fabric deterioration.

How often should I have my upholstery cleaned?

Most manufacturers recommend having upholstered furniture cleaned every 12-24 months, depending on how often it is used.

Which cleaning method is best for my upholstery?

Cleaning methods will vary depending on the type of fabric. Our professional consultants are highly trained in manufacturer recommendations. Our technicians will examine the construction of your furniture and test your fabric to determine the most effective method.

What if the tag on my furniture says "dry clean only"?

While manufacturers are required to place a tag or "Manufacturer Liability Code," on every piece of furniture recommending a cleaning method, the recommendation may not always be the most effective way to remove soil and prolong the life of your furniture. All American Rug Cleaning professional technicians will use dry cleaning methods when that is the safest and most effective cleaning method for your furniture.

How long will it take my furniture to dry?

Our state-of-the-art hot-water extraction method minimizes drying time. On the average drying time is 1-6 hours, but actual drying times vary, depending on the cleaning method used and the optional application of fabric protector, as well as other factors, such as humidity levels and air ventilation.

Flood and Water Damage

Can I clean up flood and water damage myself?

Unfortunately most DiY techniques, like using shop vacs, are not able to extract water to the extent needed to prevent secondary damage and microbial growth. This longer-term damage can be very costly to fix. It is best to have professional clean-up after water damage or flooding has occurred. For example, black and even gray water that gets into carpet padding needs to be completely removed to eliminate the threats of disease.

What is it going to cost to have my home treated for water damage?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide an upfront estimate, given that every situation is unique. When you contact All American Rug Cleaning our professional consultants will conduct an in-home inspection immediately (within one to five hours) to assess how much water is involved, how many rooms are affected, and the extent of microbial damage.

Will the damage be covered by my home-owners insurance?

Insurance coverage varies greatly. It is always a good idea to review your insurance policy with your agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all situations, including leaks from your water heater or sump pump failures. This kind of coverage may require an inexpensive rider be added to your insurance policy.

Can my carpet and padding be salvaged?

If you experience flooding or water damage, it is essential to contact All American Rug Cleaning immediately, so our expert consultants can work with you to assess the damage and the most effective ways to address it. There are a lot of factors, including the extent and cause of the flooding and the amount of time that expires before clean up begins that must be evaluated before deciding if the carpet and padding can be saved. In many cases, when water is extracted immediately and thoroughly, carpets and padding can be saved.

Can my hardwood floors be salvaged?

Every situation is unique. Like carpeting, when hardwood floors are dried quickly and thoroughly, they often can be saved. Therefore, it is important to contact All American Rug Cleaning immediately, so an expert consultant can work with you to assess the damage and advise you on the options available.

Should I move my furniture and personal belongings?

You can reduce the damage to your furniture and other belongs by removing them from the affected areas, but only do so if it is safe. When our trained crew arrives, it will carefully move your belongings to dry areas where they will be safe until the clean-up process is completed.

Tile and Grout Cleaning

Do I need to have my tile and grout professionally cleaned?

A thorough professional cleaning using our powerful hot-water extraction technique will tackle and remove deeply embedded dirt and stains that other DiY techniques simply don’t reach. This will prolong the life and the beauty of your tile counters, walls, and floors.

Do I need to have sealant applied to grout lines?

Grout is a very porous material that absorbs soil and spills. Having sealant applied after your tile and grout is thoroughly cleaned provides a protective barrier against staining and makes your tile much easier to maintain.

How often should I have my tile floors cleaned?

Most people have their tile and grout cleaned every 12 to 24 months, depending on the wear and tear it receives and their regular cleaning schedules. This may vary depending on the location of the tile within your home and the wear it receives. For example, areas that encounter heavy foot traffic or where children and pets play will require more frequent cleaning than others.

How long does it take to have tile floors cleaned?

Cleaning times vary, depending on the size and configuration of the room, the type of tile and amount of soil and staining involved. Nevertheless, the average cleaning time is about 30-60 minutes per room. The application of new sealant usually extends the length of the job to 2-3 hours.

How long does it take the sealant to dry?

Drying times vary, but it usually takes about 24 hours for new sealant to completely dry. We recommend waiting 30 minutes before walking on newly cleaned and sealed floors and waiting 24 hours before allowing any liquid to come in contact with the sealant.