Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland. Here you can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about our cleaning services and processes. We want to ensure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about choosing Chem-Dry for your cleaning needs.
General Questions
Does Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland 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 Northern Maryland a steam cleaning service?
No, Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland is not a steam cleaner. We use carbonation to lift dirt and grime from your carpets so we do not need to use the gallons of water that typical steam cleaners use. Continue to the next question below to see how Chem-Dry compares to steam cleaning.
Carpet Cleaning
How does Chem-Dry compare to steam cleaning?
On the other hand, Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland’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?
Why do I need protectant on my 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 removes the pet urine odor forever.
Will my carpets re-soil quickly after the cleaning is finished?
Not with Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland. Many carpet cleaners including steam cleaners use soaps and detergents in their process. These soaps leave behind a sticky residue that attracts dirt, leading to carpets re-soiling quickly after JUST being cleaned, and often require more frequent professional cleanings. At Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland, 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?
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 or pets or if someone in your home has asthma 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?
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 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 cause carpets to grow mold, mildew, and dust beneath the surface.
What is considered 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?
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 the furniture is stained, saturated, or has an unwanted odor then it is ready for a cleaning.
Why should I have my upholstered furniture professionally cleaned?
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 backache 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 are 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, 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:
Baltimore County & Harford County, MD, including: Parkville, Perry Hall, White Marsh, Nottingham, Lutherville, Timonium, Phoenix, Monkton, Sparks, Parkton, Freeland, Baldwin, Bel Air, Fallston, Forest Hill, Abingdon, Havre De Grace, Churchville, and the surrounding areas.
Chem-Dry of Northern Maryland
Carpet, Upholstery, Rug, & Tile Cleaning in Baltimore
Call for A Free Estimate:
(410) 661-2560
(Baltimore County)
(410) 838-9400
(Harford County)
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Sat 9am-12pm

*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.