How soon after cleaning can I walk on the carpet?
Ideally you should wait for it to dry. However, in the real world we may have to walk on the damp carpet immediately. As long as you do not track dirt on the newly cleaned carpet and are extremely careful stepping from damp carpet to any hard surface that could be slippery, it should not be a problem.

How often should I have my carpets cleaned?
Many of the major carpet manufacturers recommend professional cleaning at least once each year. The buildup of soil in your carpet combined with foot traffic is very abrasive, wearing down your carpet's fibers. The more traffic in a given area, the more frequently the carpet will need cleaning. Professional cleaning does not replace the weekly vacuuming that should occur, but it is essential for the weekly maintenance to remain effective.

Can all stains be removed?
There is a difference between a spot and a stain. A spot is typically caused by either a water or solvent soluble substance. Many food and drink spills are of this nature. Of course there are permanent stains that can never be removed. Some pet urine stains, any type of artificially colored stains like food dyes and many others are nearly impossible to remove but can be lightened. Factors such as longevity of the stain, volume and carpet color can affect the ability to remove the stain as well.

What is the normal dry time after the carpets are cleaned?
Typically, if there is good ventilation in the room, anywhere from 3-6 hrs depending on the type of carpet. Low cut piles and berbers dry more quickly.

What is the best way to prepare my carpet for a professional cleaning?
Make sure the carpet has been vacuumed recently and frequently. Also, remove furniture if possible and have the areas to be cleaned picked up of toys, etc. You want to pay for a thorough cleaning, not a thorough moving.

Is a truck Mount or portable unit best for cleaning carpets?
Many of the self-contained units work great compared to the truck mount units. The major difference that I have seen is the setup and use of portables are slightly more time consuming, but the results usually are the same. Also, someone with a portable could be more economical since there overhead and repair costs are less as well.

What's the best way to clean a stain myself?
Get to it as quickly as possible. Use a clean, damp, hot white cloth to blot the spot, absorbing as much of the spot as possible. Don't rub it as this could cause spreading of the spot. If the spot remains and there is no more transfer of the spot to the cloth you may want use a store bought spot remover. Use it sparingly. Saturating your carpet with any type of detergent or cleaner will result in attraction of soil to the residue. Finally, use a clean damp cloth to remove the rest of the spot and cleaning product residue.