These are a collection of frequently asked questions that we encounter while cleaning carpet and upholstery on the Central Coast.

What can I expect when I choose your company?

When you choose Pioneer Carpet Cleaners for your carpet and upholstery care, you can expect quality service from an honest IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) trained and experienced cleaning engineer. We pride ourselves on being punctual, professional, and upfront with the costs of our services so there are no hidden charges. We are the oldest carpet cleaning company in San Luis Obispo with over 50 years in business, so you can trust that our multi-step cleaning process will make your home look its best. We use air movers while we clean to expedite the drying process so your carpet will be dry within hours, not days.

What cleaning process do you use?

We use a hot water extraction process, often referred to as "steam cleaning." This process is the most thorough carpet cleaning method as it reaches even the deepest fibers of the carpet. We also offer a restorative cleaning process for carpet that is heavily soiled. For more information, see Carpet Cleaning Service Page.

How long does the carpet take to dry?

After your cleaning appointment, your carpets should be mostly dry within 4-6 hours (please allow for an extended dry time if your carpeting is wool or after fabric protection application). We use air movers while we clean to expedite the drying process. Many factors can affect the dry time of your carpet, including airflow, humidity, and room temperature. It is good to open all available windows and doors to ensure good airflow and use ceiling fans to facilitate evaporation in your home.

Can I walk on the carpet after the cleaning before it is dry?

While wet, the carpet is particularly vulnerable to re-soiling. It can also pose a slipping hazard, so we recommend staying off the carpet as much as possible within the first four hours after the cleaning. Please be especially careful when using stairs and walking from freshly cleaned carpet to any hard surface, such as vinyl or tile. For your convenience, the technician will provide you with booties for you and your family to wear when walking on the carpet before it has completely dried. However, it is best to keep children and pets off damp carpet until it dries.

Will all the spots and stains on my carpet come out?

It depends. We will pre-treat all spots with products specifically designed for your carpet fiber. Some everyday household products, like red wine, coffee, acne products, household spotters like Resolve, or bleach, can cause permanent discolorations that cleaning will not remove. Whether or not a spot will come out largely depends on what caused it and what products were used on it afterward. We will try our wide array of spotters before declaring a stain permanent.

Do you offer fabric protection for my freshly cleaned carpet or upholstery?

Yes. Most carpeting and upholstery is manufactured with a form of fabric protection. This protective layer wears off over time and through use and leaves your decor more susceptible to permanent damage. Fabric protection is usually an excellent investment as it repels stains, provides excellent protection from dry soil, and traffic wear and improves vacuum efficiency.

For more information on protector re-application, see our Protector Re-Application page.

How do you protect my home when cleaning with equipment and hoses?

The safety of our customers and their homes is our #1 priority. Our cleaning engineers come equipped with special equipment to protect walls, floors, furniture, and everything in between. When you choose our company for your carpet or upholstery care, you can be confident that we will take all safety precautions to ensure your home will look better after we leave than when we came.

Here are some examples of the specialty equipment we use:

Are the products that you use safe for kids and pets?

Yes, our products are safe for kids and pets of all ages. We use products specifically designed for residential homes, many of which are considered "green."

How much does it cost to have my carpet cleaned?

We provide FREE estimates for our services. We can provide a ballpark estimate for most residential cleanings over the phone or by e-mail with some basic information about the job. We also offer in-person pre-inspections, as availability allows.

Due to the complexity of commercial cleanings, we provide in-person estimates.

If you would like a FREE estimate, you can contact us at (805) 544-4761 or Office@PioneerSLO.com. We would be delighted to hear from you!

Do you have a green cleaning process?

Yes, we do! We strive to offer the highest quality service using the safest chemicals and products available, including chemicals considered "green." Although our standard cleaning process is almost entirely "green," we will happily discuss what we can offer to meet your needs or expectations at booking or at the time of service.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes, we accept all major credit cards, including Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express.

Are you insured?

Yes, we are insured, so you can confidently use our company.

How can you guarantee my satisfaction as a customer? 

We pride ourselves on our stellar reputation and stand behind our work. We are up-front about our prices, processes, and policies, and you will never be surprised by hidden fees, as we don't have any. If you are unsatisfied with how your carpet turned out, we would be happy to send one of our cleaning engineers back out to reclean any areas of concern. You can trust our company to provide the highest level of satisfaction with our work. If you ever have any questions, please contact us within a week of the cleaning to address any concerns.

I have heard that my carpets will get dirty faster if they are professionally cleaned. Is this true?

That is not the case with our cleaning process. Some methods that are not as effective, including ones utilizing "home" carpet cleaning machines, do not thoroughly rinse the carpet and leave behind residue that attracts soil. Our experienced cleaning engineers and their powerful truck-mounted equipment provide the most thorough cleaning possible, leaving the carpet residue-free, so there is no need to worry about that. Frequent cleaning extends the life of your carpet and is recommended by most manufacturers and the EPA.

Can't I clean my carpets myself with a rental home machine?

You can, but we wouldn't recommend it. If properly used, some carpet cleaning machines may be adequate for "maintenance" cleanings. However, there is a lot of chemistry involved in carpet cleaning. Using the wrong solution or not rinsing the carpet well enough can cause permanent discolorations, buildup in the carpet, or other problems down the road. Many of these machines take A LOT of time to use, and the results aren't comparable to a professional cleaning with a truck-mounted unit that can provide:

• Optimum power.

• Products specifically designed for your carpet fiber.

• A highly educated and experienced cleaning engineer.

You have a significant investment in your carpet, and if you use the wrong chemicals or techniques, you may void the warranty or damage the carpet.

I have wool carpeting and was told by our flooring installer that it needs to be cleaned in a particular way. Can you clean it?

Yes, we can but you are right to be concerned about how it is cleaned. Wool carpets are beautiful, expensive, and require specialized chemicals and cleaning. We test carpet fibers prior to cleaning so we can use the right products and follow the proper procedures for this fiber type. Since wool absorbs moisture, you can expect a slightly extended dry time (as compared with what you would expect with a synthetic fiber).

I have Triexta carpeting. Can you clean it?

Yes, we can. Smartstrand carpet (aka Triexta) is relatively new to the carpet world. This carpet has built-in stain and soil protection, creating a more durable, family-friendly carpet. While it is resistant to natural spots and stains, it can attract oily soils and is susceptible to wear. Hence, regular maintenance (vacuuming regularly and professional cleanings every 6-18 months) and fabric protection are crucial to getting the most life from your investment.

How do you treat pet accidents?

As fellow pet owners, we are all too familiar with accidents involving owning a furry family member. We specialize in the removal of pet stains and odors. However, pet accidents have to be assessed in person as the treatment options vary depending on how extensive urine is present in the carpeting. These options range from surface deodorization treatments to more thorough decontamination treatments. Pet urine can penetrate the backing of the carpet, padding, and subfloor, requiring replacement. While we have treatment options that can remove spots (as long as the carpet dye was not damaged) and deodorize to remove most odors, we cannot guarantee the complete removal of pet urine or odor.

For more information and to see how we can detect pet urine in carpeting,

see our Urine Stain and Odor Removal page.

Can you remove gum from carpet?

Yes, we can. We are very experienced at removing gum from carpeting.

Can you remove a wine spill from my carpet?

Yes, but there may be some permanent staining. Wine spills can dye the carpet fiber (or upholstery fiber), which would be permanent. However, our cleaning engineers are very experienced at treating wine spills and carry specialty spotters specifically designed for them. We have had good success removing them entirely, but we can't make that guarantee since individual cases will vary.

Do I need to be present for the cleaning?

No, you do not need to be present for the cleaning. We offer contactless appointments with a method of entry, a credit card on file, and a contact available by phone to answer any questions that may arise at the time of service.

What do I need to do to prepare for a carpet cleaning?

There is very little that you need to do to prepare your home for our arrival. 

1. We ask that you move little things, plants, toys, breakables, chairs, and small tables before we arrive. If there are any small pieces of furniture that you would like to have moved but cannot do so, please let the technician know during the walk-through of your home. Please note that we are not permitted to move heavy, large, fragile, or expensive objects (including all electronics) to protect your belongings and our staff. 

2. If there are any large pieces of furniture that you would like moved, please be sure to have it done before our technician's arrival. 

3. Please pin back any full-length draperies that touch the carpet, so they're at least 6 inches from the carpet. If the skirts on upholstered furniture touch the carpet, you will want to pin these back as well (unless we will be cleaning that upholstered item).

4. It is helpful to vacuum your carpet before our arrival, but you do not need to do so. 

5. For your pet's peace of mind (and ours), please put them in a safe place where our cleaning process won't disturb them.

6. If you live in a place where there isn't parking readily available directly outside the home, please be sure to reserve a parking spot for our cleaning engineer. Since our equipment is truck-mounted, we will need to park as close to the home as possible.

7. Please ensure the electricity and water service to the home will be on at the time of your scheduled appointment. If either of these services is not available, please let our office know right away (at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment), as it may necessitate rescheduling to a time when these services are available.

8. For the safety of our cleaning engineers and their families, we kindly ask that you contact our office if anyone in the home has tested positive for COVID-19, had any COVID-19 symptoms, is awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, or been within close proximity to someone who has tested positive within two weeks of the cleaning appointment.

Do I have to remove all my furniture to have my carpets cleaned?

No, you do not have to do that. However, the more exposed your carpet is at your cleaning appointment, the better. We recommend moving whatever small items you can, and we can clean around whatever is left. Most people prefer to leave their large, heavy items like bookcases or china cabinets in place. If you would like to have all of the carpeting in a room cleaned, you can remove all the furniture before our arrival.

Do I need to vacuum before you arrive?

You can never over-vacuum your carpets, so it's always helpful to do so if you're able to. However, it's not necessary as we vacuum before cleaning.

What should I do to maintain my carpet between cleanings?

The most important way to maintain your carpet is to vacuum regularly between cleanings, at least once a week or 2-3 times/week if you have children or pets. For tips on becoming more efficient at vacuuming and other carpet care topics, see our blog or follow us on social media.