Carpet Cleaning FAQ

Many carpet cleaners rely on hot water extraction and steam cleaning. With those methods, the carpet is saturated with hot water and cleaning agents, and then the equipment attempts to pull the water and loosened soil back out. That process can leave behind moisture, dirt, and residue, which can settle deeper into the carpet and extend drying time to 24+ hours.

Some cleaners also use the Spinning Bonnet method, which is essentially a floor buffer. These machines scrub downward, so they generally clean only the top portion of the carpet while pushing much of the dirt and grime farther down into the fibers.

Oxi Fresh uses a low-moisture system instead. Carefully controlled amounts of water are mixed with powerful, safe cleaning solutions to break up dirt and grime without over-wetting the carpet. Pile-lifting equipment then lifts the soil up and out of the carpet, leaving you with a deep-cleaned, fast-drying, and non-compressed carpet. Because less water is used, doors and windows typically do not need to stay open to help with drying.

To explore more carpet cleaning methods and learn more about what makes Oxi Fresh different, visit the related Oxi Fresh pages.

Oxi Fresh reduces environmental impact through low-moisture cleaning, efficient equipment, and responsible product use.

• Oxi Fresh uses 95% less water per cleaning than a traditional steam cleaner.
• Oxi Fresh uses energy-efficient machines and does not rely on a running vehicle to power cleaning equipment.
• Oxi Fresh helps reduce extra energy use because your carpets dry in about one to one and a half hours, so doors and windows do not need to stay open to speed drying.

For the cleaning system itself, Oxi Fresh also uses non-toxic green carpet cleaning solutions. In addition, the process helps remove contaminants, dust, mites, and allergens from your home.

To learn more about Oxi Fresh’s environmental approach, visit the green cleaning page. You can also review Oxi Fresh’s green associations.

Think of scheduling carpet cleanings like you would a dentist appointment. If you only go when your teeth hurt, you’ll end up with cavities, pulled teeth, etc. Soon you’ll have more fillings and false teeth than real ones. Likewise, if you wait until your carpets get really dirty, you’ll end up with serious stains, ground-in dirt and oils, and significant traffic areas. Instead, get it cleaned every six to 12 months. Just like regular dental checkups, regular cleanings will help prevent serious problems from forming, catch any problem areas before they can get significantly worse, and add years to the life of your carpet.

There are a lot of those small carpet cleaning machines at grocery and hardware stores, and they can get some stains out. Keep in mind, though, that those carpet cleaning machines use a lot of soaps and chemicals that, while they can make your carpets look better, can leave a film on the carpet itself. This sticky film captures dirt, dust, and hair, which means those carpeted areas will get dirty again, and faster than before.

That is one of the advantages of professional carpet cleaning with Oxi Fresh. Oxi Fresh’s cleaning solutions are designed to be effective soil removers without leaving any sort of residue. In addition, Oxi Fresh cleaning technicians are trained carpet cleaning professionals who can get those carpets looking fresh and clean with a minimum of hassle for you.

Carpet cleaning should not make your carpets get dirty faster when the process is done correctly. Faster re-soiling is usually caused by leftover soaps, heavy residue, or excess moisture, which can attract new soil after the cleaning is finished.

Oxi Fresh uses a low-moisture process and professional solutions designed not to leave behind a sticky film. That helps reduce residue-related re-soiling compared with some DIY systems and some forms of steam cleaning. To learn more, see dry carpet cleaning vs. steam cleaning.

Your carpets dry in about one hour after an Oxi Fresh cleaning. You can carefully walk on the carpet right away if needed, but limiting traffic until it is dry is best. This fast drying time is one reason many customers prefer Oxi Fresh over traditional steam cleaning.

After carpet cleaning, it is best to limit traffic until your carpet is dry, even though you can carefully walk on the carpet if necessary. Wait until the carpet is dry before returning furniture to its normal position, and use protective tabs or other furniture-leg protection as needed.

To help extend results after carpet cleaning, vacuum regularly, blot spills quickly, and use entry mats to reduce tracked-in soil. A carpet protector can also help extend results by improving resistance to future staining.

Oxi Fresh’s basic cleaning system is safe for pets and children due to its safe,non-toxic cleaning solutions. These green carpet cleaning solutions are designed to be safe for people, pets, and the environment. Once the carpet is dry, typically in about one hour, family members and pets can return to the room.

In addition to cleaning carpets, we also clean upholstery, area rugs, hardwood floors, and tile and grout.

Dryer vent cleaning is also available in select markets.

The Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning process is extremely effective at getting rid of many everyday stains, including dirt, high-traffic areas, and even mild pet urine stains. In some cases, a normal cleaning can also help with more difficult substances, such as coffee or red wine. While the basic cleaning is often helpful, Oxi Fresh generally recommends stain removal add-ons for more advanced stains.

Stain-removal results depend on the age of the stain, the type of stain, and the carpet fiber. Some stains can be fully removed, while others may only be lightened.

If the stain is more advanced, such as ink or rust, or if it is older, the normal process may only be able to lighten those areas. Thankfully, Oxi Fresh also offers a Spotter Kit to help treat more difficult, persistent stains. Ask a representative about the Spotter Kit if you think your home needs additional stain treatment.

What you might be dealing with is a process called “wick back.” In this situation, stains have sunk deep into the pad of the carpet, whether from the original spill or due to the carpet being wet for more than four hours, which allowed the staining material to sink further down.

When the stain gets into the pad, the situation becomes difficult. Think of an oil-wick candle. The end of the wick is placed in the oil, and then the wick naturally absorbs the oil and carries it up to the top of the wick. Likewise, when the dirt and oils are in the pad, the carpet fibers act as a wick, absorbing the stains and lifting them up. Thankfully, Oxi Fresh usually does not have to worry about wick back, since your carpets dry about one hour after a cleaning. If you notice a stain returning within a few days, contact Oxi Fresh so the area can be reviewed.

Bad smells in carpet can usually be traced to pet urine or some sort of food stain. More specifically, the bacteria living off the stains cause the odor. The bacteria feed on the staining material, breed on it, and produce that terrible smell. Oxi Fresh has a solution: Odor Destroyer. This bio-enzyme treatment targets and breaks down the bacteria causing the odor.

Generally, Oxi Fresh carpet cleaning technicians will be able to move small furniture for you, such as chairs and coffee tables, but they cannot move anything heavy or large. Anything like that would need to be moved beforehand if you would like it cleaned under. Keep in mind, though, that Oxi Fresh can always clean around objects and does not need the room to be clear before service can start.

• Pick up loose items from the carpet, such as toys, cords, clothing, and pet bowls.
• Remove breakables and other items from furniture tops that may be moved during service.
• If you want to vacuum before carpet cleaning, a light pass can help remove loose debris, but it is not required.

Vacuuming before carpet cleaning is not required, but a light vacuum can help remove loose dry soil, pet hair, and surface debris. The most helpful preparation is picking up items from the floor and making sure the areas to be cleaned are easy to access.

The quotes Oxi Fresh gives are very accurate, unlike many cleaners who are often masters of the bait and switch.

An Oxi Fresh quote is per room, as long as the room is a standard-sized room (pricing may vary for larger, open rooms). The quote also breaks down the other aspects of the service for you to give you a very accurate total. Since the total already includes things like pretreatment, which some other carpet cleaners charge hidden fees for, you can rest assured that what you were quoted is what you pay, unless, of course, you decide to add something yourself. Sometimes a technician may recommend additional treatments if necessary, but there’s no pressure to add them if you don’t want to.

Ready to book with clear, upfront pricing? Read more about our pricing, or get a free quote and schedule your carpet cleaning online.

Appointment length depends on the number of rooms, the room size, the level of soiling, and any add-on services or specialty treatments. When you book, the Scheduling Center can provide a more specific time estimate for your home.

If you are not happy with your cleaning, contact Oxi Fresh soon after the appointment. The team can review the area and determine the best next step.

Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning started as a one-location business in Denver, Colorado, in 2006. Since then, Oxi Fresh has grown rapidly and steadily, expanding to nearly every state and hundreds of locations. And this growth has been possible due to the strong Oxi Fresh team and customers who love our cleanings.

Every Oxi Fresh location accepts credit cards. Please call the Scheduling Center if you have questions about cash, check, or other payment methods.

If you’re ready for fast-drying, green carpet cleaning, get a free quote or schedule your carpet cleaning online.