FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Get answers to some of the common questions we receiveGeneral Questions
Does Chem-Dry of the Northwoods offer coupons, specials or promo codes for carpet cleaning?
Yes, at Chem-Dry of the Northwoods we do occasionally offer coupons and special promotions. You can find our current coupons on our Coupons page. You should also follow us on Facebook & Twitter to get the latest carpet cleaning coupons and be notified of promotions as soon as they are happening.
Are Chem-Dry products safe for my kids and pets?
All of the ingredients in Chem-Dry’s primary cleaner, The Natural®, are on the F.D.A.’s G.R.A.S. (Generally Recognized as Safe) list and are safe for your carpets, home, family, and the environment. Like the name states, The Natural® doesn’t contain any harsh soaps or chemicals, but is rather composed of natural elements that are safe for your carpets.
Is Chem-Dry the same as steam cleaning?
No, Chem-Dry of the Northwoods is not a steam cleaner. We use a carbonated cleaning solution combined with powerful suction to lift and remove dirt and grime from your carpets. As a result, we do not need to use the gallons of water that traditional steam cleaners use. Continue on to the next question below to see how Chem-Dry compares to steam cleaning.
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. This process leaves you 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.
Chem-Dry of the Northwoods’s process is very different. We use a carbonated cleaning solution called The Natural® that employs millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibers. The use of carbonation allows us to use a fraction of the water that steam cleaners require. After the carbonation releases and lifts the dirt, our high powered equipment agitates and extracts the dirt and moisture from the carpet. No sticky residue, no excessive moisture – just clean, healthy carpet and quick dry times.
What type of chemicals does Chem-Dry use?
Chem-Dry actually does not use any chemicals. The “Chem” in our name is short for “Chemistry” because our core cleaning solutions were developed (and continue to be improved) using chemistry, not chemicals. We use a natural, Green-Certified cleaning product called…you guessed it, The Natural®, as our primary cleaner. As the name suggests, The Natural® doesn’t contain any soaps or phosphates and is non-toxic and hypo-allergenic. It’s completely safe for kids, pets and your home. By contrast, most steam cleaners use soaps, detergents and harsh chemicals in their cleaning process.
What is the best carpet cleaning method?
The 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 and ideal for homes with kids and pets, and has received the Green Certification from the Carpet & Rug Institute and FDA.
Why do I need protectant on my carpets?
Most new carpets come with a factory-applied protectant but this wears off over time. Reapplying a protectant on your carpets can help resist stains and soiling, so your carpets will stay cleaner longer. Another reason protectant is a smart investment is that it slows the aging and wearing process and can extend the life of your carpets.
How do you remove pet urine odor from carpets?
Pet odors can linger for months if not treated properly. As urine dries in the carpet and padding, what’s left are millions of concentrated urine crystals that become even more pungent. Many companies just mask this odor with chemicals. Chem-Dry uses a patented system called P.U.R.T.®, (Pet Urine Removal Treatment), to literally explode the urine crystals and break down the enzymes, which gets rid of the pet urine odor forever.
Will my carpets re-soil quickly after the cleaning is finished?
Not with Chem-Dry. Many carpet cleaners including steam cleaners use soaps and detergents in their process. This often leaves behind a sticky residue on your carpets that attracts dirt, leads to carpets re-soiling quickly after being cleaned and often requires more frequent professional cleanings. As mentioned above, at Chem-Dry of the Northwoods, we use a natural, biodegradable carpet and upholstery cleaning solution that doesn’t contain any soaps, detergents or harsh chemicals, so it won’t leave any sticky or dirt-attracting residue.
How long will it take for my carpet to dry completely?
Drying time depends on humidity levels, airflow to the room(s) cleaned, and the type of carpet in your home. In general, turning on your air conditioning or fans will help accelerate dry times. After a professional cleaning, it typically takes 1-2 hours for the carpet to dry. Sometimes carpets can take longer to dry for various reasons.
How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) suggests that homeowners clean their carpets every 3-6 months. The majority of our customers get their carpets cleaned 1-2 times per year. If you have kids, pets or if someone in your home has asthmas or allergies, it’s advisable to do it more frequently. Regular cleaning will not only improve your home’s interior appearance, but it will eliminate dust and allergens, improve your home’s indoor air quality and extend the life of your carpeting.
Should I vacuum before you arrive?
This is not 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.
Why does Chem-Dry not use as much water to clean my carpets as steam cleaning does?
Chem-Dry of the Northwoods uses up to 80% less water than typical steam cleaning because its carbonated cleaner, The Natural®, relies on millions of microscopic bubbles 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 forcing large quantities of soapy water into your carpets and then attempts 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, mildew and dust beneath the surface. Excessive moisture also leads to re-soiling, which is when your carpets actually attract dirt.
What is considered a room?
Our room sizes are based on 150 sq ft. If any of your rooms are over 150 sq ft, there may be an additional area charge. Hallways and stairs are considered to be separate from a room.
Upholstery Cleaning
How long does it take for furniture to dry?
In most cases, cleaned furniture dries within just a couple of hours, but in some cases, it may take overnight to fully dry depending on the upholstery’s fabric and how deeply it was cleaned – i.e. heavily stained areas will take longer 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.
How does Chem-Dry clean upholstery?
We use our proprietary Hot Carbonating Extraction® cleaning method, featuring our core cleaner The Natural®. The carbonated cleaning bubbles release dirt, soil, airborne allergens and spots from the upholstery fibers. Then, we use our extraction equipment to remove the cleaning solution, dirt, soil and airborne contaminants from your furniture, leaving it with a deeper, healthier clean than other alternatives.
How often do upholstery manufacturers recommend that you clean your furniture?
Most manufacturers recommend professional upholstery cleaning every 24-48 months. As with carpets, the presence of kids, pets, and those with allergies and asthma in the home necessitates more frequent cleaning to improve air quality and 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?
In homes that have carpet, up to 80% of the dust and dirt brought into the home can end up in your furniture and upholstered fabrics. Without professional cleaning, this dust and dirt will remain in your carpets and furniture and can become very unhealthy.
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.
Call Chem-Dry of the Northwoods Today!
Our Services:
- Carpet Cleaning
- Upholstery Cleaning
- Area Rug Cleaning
- Pet Urine Odor Removal
- Commercial Cleaning
- Dryer Vent Cleaning
- Wood Floor Cleaning
Service Area:
Serving Beltrami County, Hubbard County and Clearwater County in Minnesota, including: Bemidji, Park Rapids and the surrounding areas.
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
*Based on results of studies conducted by independent laboratories of the Chem-Dry HCE (Hot Carbonating Extraction) and P.U.R.T. (Pet Urine Removal Treatment). Allergens tested were dog and cat dander and dust mite matter. Pet odor results based on testing with the most common odor sources found in dog and cat urine. Figures are an average across multiple tests.