Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Does Chem-Dry of Bexar County offer coupons, specials or promo codes for carpet cleaning?

Yes, we do occasionally offer coupons and special promotions. You can find our current coupons on the Coupons page. You should also follow us on Facebook 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 of Bexar County a steam cleaning service?

No, Chem-Dry of Bexar County is not a steam cleaner. We use carbonation to lift up dirt and grime from your carpets so we do not need to use the gallons of water that typical 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 often soaks carpets with an excessive amount of water filled with soaps and detergents. Carpets are then wet for 1-2 days, which creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Plus the soapy residue left behind attracts dirt and causes your carpets to get dirty much faster.

On the other hand, Chem-Dry of Bexar County’s process is very different. We need only a fraction of the water that typical steam cleaners use and instead rely on millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibers. We can then quite easily extract the dirt and moisture from the carpet.

Take a look at a detailed comparison of Chem-Dry vs Steam Cleaning.

What is the best carpet cleaning method?

We think that the “best” carpet cleaning method should stand out as more efficient and healthier than any other method. Chem-Dry’s process is just that. We provide a deeper clean using non-toxic, kid- and pet-friendly solutions with less moisture. Carpets stay clean longer and allergens are washed away. Plus, our process is better for the environment!

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. Chem-Dry uses a patented system, P.U.R.T.® (Pet Urine Removal Treatment), to 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 of Bexar County. Many carpet cleaners including steam cleaners use soaps and detergents in their process. These soaps leave behind sticky residue that attracts dirt, leading to carpets re-soiling quickly after JUST being cleaned and often requires more frequent professional cleanings. At Chem-Dry of Bexar County, 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 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. If you have kids, pets or if someone in your home has asthmas or allergies, it’s advisable to do it even more frequently. Regular cleaning will not only improve your home’s appearance, but it will eliminate germs 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.

What type of chemicals does Chem-Dry use?

Chem-Dry uses a natural, Green-Certified cleaning product called The Natural® as our primary cleaner. The Natural®, doesn’t contain any soaps or phosphates and is safe, non-toxic and hypo-allergenic. By contrast, most steam cleaners use soaps, detergents and harsh chemicals in their process.

Why does Chem-Dry not use as much water to clean my carpets as steam cleaning does?

We use up to 80% less water than typical steam cleaning because we have a unique cleaner that relies on millions of microscopic carbonation 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 and your home. Our process allows your carpets to dry in only 1-2 hours and is also environmentally friendly.

Can other carpet cleaning methods actually hurt my carpets?

Yes. Steam cleaning uses a process of dumping large amounts of soapy water into your carpets and then trying 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 bacteria beneath the surface.

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, the 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?

Manufacturers recommend professional upholstery cleanings every 24-48 months. As with carpets, the presence of kids, pets, allergies and asthma in the home necessitates more frequent cleanings 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.

Area Rug Cleaning

Is Chem-Dry's cleaning process safe for my rugs?

Our effective, yet gentle, area rug cleaning and drying process preserves the dye within the fibers of your rug, leaving the colors of your rug vibrant and fresh. Our cleaning products don’t leave behind any dirt-attracting residues and help your area rugs stay cleaner longer – providing a safe and healthy home environment for your family and pets.

Why should I have my area and oriental rugs cleaned?

Area and oriental rugs usually receive a lot of traffic. Just like carpets and upholstered furniture, area and oriental rugs act as air filters for the home, trapping dirt, and allergens. A thorough, professional oriental and area rug 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 stay clean and healthy.

How much does it cost to clean an area rug?

The cost of cleaning an area rug depends on the following factors: Whether you clean it yourself or have it professionally cleaned, the area in which you live, and availability of cleaning services, the size of the rug, and the extent of the dirt or damage