XtraKleen

Xtra Kleen

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With our Frequently Asked Questions page, we hope to address any general questions about the cleaning and care of your carpets and upholstery and the specific services that Xtra Kleen offers. If you are looking for answers to specific cleaning needs such as stain prevention or removal, please click on the Cleaning Tips link. If you don't find an answer to your specific question, or just want to discuss a specific cleaning, stain removal or other issue related to your carpets and upholstery, please call us at 215-721-4664. We will be glad to help you.
What are your prices?
	Our prices are one of our greatest advantages over other carpet and upholstery cleaning services. We price all work simply on square feet, linear feet or number of items. Our prices are for the entire job to be done right; there are no hidden "extras" for spot cleaning, pre-treatment or bait and switch tactics. Our carpet cleaning prices are based on $0.30 per square foot, stairs are $2.50 a stair. Only extras are for Scotch Guard™ at $0.12 per square foot and deodorizing, also at $0.12 per square foot. Please check out our on-line estimating page for prices for upholstery and area rug cleaning.
What cleaning system should you use?
	Research indicates that the hot water extraction system provides the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning," although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of spraying a solution of water and detergent into the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into a holding tank. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the hose and wand brought inside or by a portable system brought into the home.
Professional or do-it-yourself?
	It is to your advantage to use professional cleaners because their experience enables them to do a better job than you can do yourself. Their equipment has more extraction power than the rental units available to individuals, and the carpet should dry more quickly. True professionals also understand the equipment, know the proper cleaning agents for the situation at hand, and recognize the differences in fibers and carpet construction.
No carpet is absolutely stain proof
	Some carpets have stain resistant treatments that improve your ability to clean stains, but not prevent stains. Similarly, carpets with soil resistant treatments reduce the rate of soiling, but all carpets require regular care and maintenance.
Staining versus soiling?
	There is often confusion about the difference between soiling and staining. The majority of stain complaints are actually soil related. For example, many sugar-based spills, such as soft drinks and coffee, leave a sugar residue after removal. This sticky residue readily attracts soil from ordinary shoe traffic, and the resulting discolored area appears to be a stain. The same thing happens when spills are cleaned with a detergent solution and the area is not sufficiently rinsed with plain water, leaving a sticky detergent residue. It is important to rinse thoroughly with water and blot dry after removing any spill.
Carpet Care: Vacuuming The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming.
	Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Realize that walking on soiled carpet allows the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the fibers. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before problems occur. For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting.