Commonly Asked Questions

Over the past century man has produced over 70,000 new chemicals, many of which are toxic. Each year man produces over 2000 new chemicals! We track most contamination into our homes and businesses from outside on the soles of our shoes, our pets paws and on our clothing

Many contaminants come from cleaning products, insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals we use in and around our homes. Our appliances, furnishings and the construction byproducts also leave some contamination behind.

80% of pesticides are found indoors. We spend more time indoors than ever before. On average we spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors.

Common house dust is made up of natural contamination, such as human and pet dander, insects, their excrement and their dead matter, soil, food particles, bacteria, molds, etc… And more chemicals than a scientist can name. And the biggest problem is once these chemicals attach to indoor dust they can linger for decades!

Studies show Lead, Arsenic, pesticides, herbicides, fire retardants, Asbestos, and DDT (which was banned by the EPA 12.31.1972) as well as many other toxic chemicals in common house dust.

Small children are much more susceptible to this contamination because they play on the floor and routinely transfer things from their hands to their mouths. They absorb many compounds through their skin while crawling and sleeping. Their mouths are also much closer and receive higher concentrations of contamination from carpet, furniture and bedding.

Exposures to environmental pollutants may lead to the development of respiratory disease in children. Even low level exposure can intensify neurological problems, learning disabilities, asthma, cancer, aggressive behavior, immune system dysfunction and other adverse health effects.

On average, more than 200 industrial compounds, pollutants, and other chemicals are detected in the average Americans blood, fat, and urine.

Research has found an average of 200 chemicals in newborn babies. These toxins have been linked to many debilitating and life threatening illnesses, including Cancer, ALS, MS, reproductive issues and birth defects.

Asthma triggers are commonly found in homes, schools, and offices and include mold, dust mites, pollution, secondhand smoke, and pet dander. Mold can be growing in bathrooms, basements, or any damp area. Once mold begins growing it releases many more spores that float in the air. Dust mites and other insects leave their excrement everywhere they’ve been.

The asthma triggers are mostly found in bedding, carpeting, rugs, furniture, draperies or stuffed animals.

Begin with checking your furnace filter monthly and replace as necessary. Buy quality furnace filters or have an electronic air purification system installed.

Properly maintained carpet contributes to a reduction of indoor air pollution. Start with keeping your floors and other furnishings clean. Microfiber mops and dusters capture more dust and dirt than traditional fibers. Use damp mopping techniques that insure that you’re not making the dust airborne again. We don’t recommend feather dusters.

Vacuum often. We recommend using a Zero Emission, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtering vacuum cleaner daily.

If you have allergies or asthma vacuuming 2-3 times per week is recommended. Whole house vacuum systems are the best if they vent outside.

Vacuuming is a necessary step to get your carpet as clean as possible. After conducting a recent survey we found over 70% of carpet cleaners do not vacuum prior to cleaning. You want these contaminants trapped, rather than released back into the air to be breathed in. Most vacuums, even with HEPA filters allow small particulate to escape back into the air.

We want to protect our environment for generations to come, so our cleaning agents are Green and environmentally safe for YOU, your CHILDREN
and PETS. Some cleaners still use cleaners that are dangerous to the environment as well as us.

We also comply with EPA laws for the discharge of waste water extracted from your carpet and furnishings; this water is never deposited on your lawn,
street, driveway, or storm drain. It is always discharged into a sanitary sewer where it belongs.

Synthetic fabrics can withstand temperatures of 220ºF, but wool should never be cleaned any hotter than 180ºF. Some delicate fabrics require cool temperatures.

6-24 hours is average depending on the season.

Your carpet’s life can be extended just from a routine professional cleaning. Many carpet manufacturers require this when it comes to satisfying the integrity of their warranties. When cleanings are avoided, your susceptible to holding in even more dust, dirt, dander and allergens. Getting regular cleanings can restore the original look and luster of your carpet.

It depends on the household. If your home has children, pets, smokers, or just a large family in general, you will need a cleaning more often than the alternative. Usually, it’s about every six to twelve months.

We strongly recommend that you vacuum beforehand, though it’s not mandatory. If you don’t vacuum, please make sure all visible debris is removed. We will move most furniture if necessary and within reason. Therefore, bookcases, fish tanks, armoires, etc. will not be moved. Please remove all fragile items and décor, so we don’t accidentally damage any of your belongings. 

If you have certain spots of concern, let us know so we can give them special treatment. Also, we’re animal-lovers, but if you don’t think your pet will love us, please put him or her in a separate area for safety purposes.

Our cleaning process will remove most, if not all, of the usual odors. Some other odors that are more stubborn, like from pets, can linger, which can be knocked out with a deodorizer.

When cleaning your hardwood floors, the first thing you should ask yourself is what kind of hardwood you have and what kind of cleaner has been used on your floors in the past. If your floors are sealed with polyurethane or wax, use a mild or pH-neutral soap. Stay away from acidic cleaners because they can damage wood over time. If you don’t know what your floors have been cleaned with, the best product to clean hardwood floors is a neutral, pH-balanced hardwood floor cleaner because it’s safe on all hardwood and laminate floors.

You can find a hardwood floor cleaner near you on our website. Or give Chet’s Cleaning a call at 248-587-8343 and our customer service team will help you.

We do not recommend that you steam clean area rugs on hardwood floors. Water and steam can permanently damage hardwood. Instead, move the rug to an area of your home that has a less porous flooring before cleaning it. 

Regular mopping just doesn’t reach the stubborn dirt that lies deep in the pores of your hardwood, but our hardwood floor cleaning process does. We use a high-speed rotary brush extraction machine and a neutral cleaning agent to break up tough dirt and contaminates. The final step is to go over the floor using a microfiber mop. Edges are hand scrubbed, as are stairs.

Cleaning upholstery can vary greatly based on the fabric. Before you clean upholstery make sure you check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. Typically, the tag of any upholstered furniture will have one of four different letters on it. 
 W — You can clean this material using water.
S — No water. You’ll need to purchase a special solvent-based cleaner.
WS — You can use water or a solvent-based cleaner on this sofa.
X — Vacuum only.
This will help you choose the appropriate cleaning method.
For more tips on how to clean upholstery click here.

Your specific upholstery fabric will determine which cleaning method we use. While the cleaning method along with optional protector application determines the drying time, typical dry time ranges from 2-6 hours. 

You can find an upholstery cleaner near you on our website in the upper right-hand corner. Or give Chet’s Cleaning a call at 248-587-8343 and our customer service team will help you.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a small-particle or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Use a damp cloth to clean other surfaces, including the tops of doors, windowsills and window frames. If you have allergies, either wear a dust mask or get someone who doesn’t have allergies to do this job.

Mold, pet dander, dust mites and pollen particles are successfully removed from carpets and other surfaces by applying innovative cleaning techniques. It is proven that allergy symptoms are significantly reduced if carpets are cleaned by applying the hot water extraction method.

Vinegar and baking soda are two powerful household ingredients that can neutralize pet odors throughout your home. On carpets, rugs, and upholstery, sprinkle baking soda over the entire area and let it sit overnight to absorb the odor, then vacuum the surface.

Professional carpet shampooing can often remove those animal smells and the smell of a dog that’s gone too long without a bath or proper grooming. Carpet shampooing or steam cleaning can also pull up the fresh waste that a dog or cat might have tracked over the carpet recently, removing those unpleasant odors as well.

The first type of drape that you should consider is sheers. Sheer drapes allow light into the room, but also provide privacy for those who wish to not be seen from outside their home. Another type of drapery is a thermal curtain. These curtains will help insulate your home and can even help reduce energy costs in certain climates. A third option is blackout curtains which block out all light and noise – perfect for bedrooms or other rooms where people want uninterrupted sleep!

Drapes are a type of window covering that hang from the ceiling. Curtains, on the other hand, hang from either side of the window frame.

Drapery is a word that may be used to describe decorative fabric panels on windows, curtains hung around beds to give them privacy, or any other type of fabric hanging. Some people use drapery as the term for all types of window coverings, but it’s more accurate to call curtains and sheers by their names.

So the work performed in your home or business can be as safe and efficient as possible, we ask that you move small pictures on window ledges or other items that will be difficult to work around. Preparation for commercial customers such as large office buildings, hospitals, etc., is discussed in much greater detail with your sales consultant.

The length of time will depend on which one of our products is utilized for your project. Our solvent based product drives fastest, usually within one hour with most items returned to light, normal use 4-6 hours after application. Fiber ProTector® DECO, DUO, and H20 could take longer. Full protection is achieved after product t has cured for 24 hours.

For our entire line of protection products, there is no scent once cured. Fiber Protector’s family of solvent protection products have a discernible odor when applied. This intensity of this odor will depend on which of these protection products is utilized for your project.  Our premium protection product utilizes medical grade Isopropyl Alcohol as a carrying agent which dries in minutes, and the odor dissipates depending on ventilation and relative humidity.  Our DECO and DUO protection products has a very slight odor, however take a few hours to dry. Our Enviroseal Certified Water-Base product has no discernible odor at all, yet will take the longest to dry. Our Licensed  Applicators will commonly use natural ventilation, and air-movers which can accelerate the drying process.

Fibers treated with Fiber ProTector® are up to 60% more resistant to wear and abrasion because soil must wear through the protection before causing wear on the fibers. Similarly, fibers must wear off the protection before they can wear on each other. This “wear resistance” promotes longer fabric life and less frequent need for replacement. Treated fibers will release dry soils more effectively with simple routine vacuuming as well.

Fiber ProTector® is created with nano-tech particles, that when applied, reduce the surface tension of the individual fibers. It creates an invisible, yet breathable shield around each fiber, providing an effective barrier against organic fluids, soil and dust. The unique and proprietary Fiber ProTector® system is engineered to mechanically produce a bacteriostatic surface to resist the growth and spread of pathogens, mold, and mildew. This is of particular value for individuals with allergies, asthma or a weakened immune system when subjected to recycled indoor air.

Virtually all types of fibrous items natural characteristics are enhanced by the application of Fiber ProTector® Products. Our Licensed Applicator will choose the best product due to your fiber and specific application. Virtually all textiles benefit from a Fiber ProTector Application including, wool, cotton, nylon, polyester blends, silk, cellulose and regenerated cellulose, natural suede, synthetic suede and even finished leather! Fiber ProTector can also be applied to most any porous material you would like to keep the natural look without adding a sheen to the surface of the item treated. Item such as Travertine, Marble, Wood, and even concrete are treated by our worldwide applicators.

Fiber ProTector® does not claim to be a disinfectant, however Fiber ProTector’s premium solvent based protection product PRO utilizes medical grade Isopropyl which is an EPA/CDC listed disinfectant. Items sprayed with Fiber ProTector® and allowed proper dwell time have had a highly effective disinfected applied. This is an added benefit of the Fiber ProTector® application.

No! Once again due to the advanced nano-technology utilized in Fiber ProTector® products, there will be absolutely no discernable difference in the look or feel of your fibers. Sometimes a slight over application may stiffen certain fibers temporarily, however normal use or first vacuuming after 24 hours brings them back to normal.

All of the Fiber ProTector® family of protects are Silicone free! Silicone has been shown to produce a residue when applied to wool that can actually cause rapid re-soiling of of fibers when exposed to oil-based contaminants. Our Fiber ProTector® products are tested and approved by the WoolSafe organization and therefore safe to use on wool. A Fiber ProTector® application is the absolute best way to protect you silk, viscose, bamboo, or other delicate fibers from damage causing moisture.

Fiber ProTector has been tested to be nontoxic to humans and is chemically inert once it has cured. Fiber ProTector® has been used in healthcare facilities around the world, in air ambulances, and in Nursing homes to help keep textiles clean while keeping patients safe. Fiber ProTector® is a perfect way to protect your valuable textiles while also protecting your family and pets

When cleaning grout, avoid using bleach and other harsh chemical cleaners that might break down sealants. The best way to clean grout is using a natural grout cleaner.

We recommend mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tsp dish soap. Mix together the baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Spoon mixture onto grout, wait 10 minutes, scrub and rinse.

Just like carpet, dirt builds up over time dulling your tile’s appearance and discoloring your grout. A thorough, professional tile and grout cleaning is the only way to remove the deep-down dirt. 

You can find a tile and grout cleaner near you on our website in the upper right-hand corner. Or give Chet’s Cleaning a call at 248-587-8343 and our customer service team will help you.

As with carpet, many factors must be considered when determining the frequency of tile and grout cleaning. Foot traffic, children, pets, and routine floor maintenance will affect how often you need to have your tile and grout cleaned.

We scrub each individual grout line as well as tiles with tile and grout specific cleaners. We clean using high pressure that hooks up to our truck-mounted unit that will extract the dirt and grime embedded in the grout lines. 

Yes. Most definitely! We understand the feelings of fear and frustration when tackling a project that you are unfamiliar with. We also provide a technical support “hot line” that you may call to get quick answers when you need them. Call us toll free at 248-587-8343.

Genuine leather is a type of skin. It should be maintained in top hygiene without depriving it of its natural moisture and softness. Our professional cleaning techniques and products work against germs. They also work as a conditioner to keep the pH balance normal and to revive the shine. One wrong cleaning approach to the leather sofa could be catastrophic due to the delicacy of the material.

Our leather cleaning service is suitable for any type of sofas, divans, couches, settees. We also clean other upholstery such as stools, chairs, armchairs. Our services include cleaning of your leather car roof, door trims and seats. We apply the most appropriate cleaning method and detergents according to the type of the leather furniture.

Our leather sofa cleaning company has adopted the eco-friendly policy in sanitizing and disinfection. For all the cleaning chores we use organic and natural products. This includes stain removal and nasty smell elimination. The cleaning solutions we have are environment-friendly and cannot harm your children or pets. The products are certified and preliminarily tested.

The key to removing pet urine odors from your rugs is to start by eliminating the contamination that causes the odor. This can only be removed with our special pet treatment, which includes things like a full saturation flushing, thorough washing on both sides of the rug, and an odor neutralizer that helps kill the odor causing bacteria. Some store bought products only mask the odor temporarily. 

Any type of rug can be cleaned. From natural fibers such as wool, to synthetic material like nylon or polyester. Even animal pelts can be cleaned! A thorough inspection is performed to ensure the best possible and safest cleaning method is used.

Make sure to vacuum your rugs often.  Vacuum your rugs at least once a week, more often in high traffic areas of your house.  Doing so will keep your rugs in good condition.  Also make sure to clean up spills as soon as they happen.  If left too long, they can create stains that cannot be removed, even with professional cleaning.

Not all stains can be removed, even with professional cleaning.  The kind of stain, length of time it’s been on the rug, and the general condition of the fibers, all play a role in stain removal. Things such as pet urine, coffee, tea, and alcohol can permanently discolor or re-dye the fibers.