(515) 981-3034

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Does Chem-Dry of Des Moines 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, Google+ & 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 of Des Moines a steam cleaning service?
No, Chem-Dry of Des Moines 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 and mildew. Plus the soapy residue left behind attracts dirt and causes your carpets to get dirty much faster.

On the other hand, Chem-Dry of Des Moines’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 and dust 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 Des Moines. 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 Des Moines, 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 a few 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 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.
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 and mildew 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.

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, allergens and dust. 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

Serving:

We provide superior residential and commercial carpet & upholstery cleaning services in Polk County, Dallas County, & Warren County, Iowa, including Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale, Clive, Norwalk, Altoona & the surrounding areas.

Chem-Dry of Des Moines

Carpet, Rug & Pet Odor Cleaning in Des Moines

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(515) 981-3034

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Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

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*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.

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