Frequently Asked Questions

We'll make our best effort, but it really depends on how the discolouration was created. Our technicians have faced a countless number of marks and they usually get them out. However, some chemicals, such as lacquer paints, bleaches and the like, may physically alter the carpet fibre's chemical structure, which cannot be reversed.

Typically only one technician will be required. If we are picking up a large area rug, or if this is heavy furniture on your area rug, two technicians may be required.

If you live in a home or town home (basically a home with parking beside your door) then our technician will often use his truck mount, which means a flexible tube is run from his van to the wand. In all other cases (condos, apartments, etc.) the tech will bring his portable machine, and run it in the hallway or the entranceway. He or she may also bring some commonly used cleaning solutions if required.

Yes. Our hot water extraction system is not like a normal vacuum. It is specially designed to draw out dirt, and other matter that is embedded deep within the carpet fibers, which normal vacuums cannot reach. While our vacuums can suck up "normal" dirt, this diminishes their ability to remove the deeply ingrained dirt.

Generally no, though smaller pieces like ottomans or small tables can be set aside. We also request that any breakable items (such as lamps) are moved from areas we will be cleaning in. Our cleaning focuses on high traffic areas, where dirt, spots and discolourations accumulate. Those are unlikely to be present underneath heavy furniture.

It depends on the method. For a truck mount, the sound will be outdoors and no louder than the car on idle. For the portable unit, the noise would be comparable to a vacuum.

If you already have an appointment booked but can't make the appointed time, please give us 24-hours notice, otherwise you may be charged for a call. However, you don't need to be at home for our service. In reality over half of our customers are not at home while we finish our service. You can leave keys with a neighbor, property manager or concierge who can let us in. Your payment can also be left with them, or on a table inside your home.

We do work on Saturday and off hours on a case-by-case basis. It is best to call the office at 250-384-3225 to see if arrangements can be made.

ServiceMaster Clean has developed a green cleaning product line called Green For®. We do not use any volatile organic chemicals or other products that may be harmful to humans or animals. Rather these are formulated to have low environmental impact, and non-toxic to humans and pets.

Our Green For® cleaning products have no fragrances or solvents, so you don't have to worry about a strong "detergent" smell being left behind. If you do have pet odours etc... we can use a special deodorizer if requested.

Wool is one of the only animal fibres in carpets, and can retain a strong smell when wet. This odour will dissipate once the carpet dries.

Generally payment is required when our technician completes his work, unless other arrangements have been made prior to the appointment.

We accept three major payment methods including cash, cheque and credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express). You can also pay by e transfer as well.

Generally we can accommodate people at their requested time two to three days in advance. We normally have very limited availability for next day appointments.

We generally try to give a two-hour window for appointments. It is difficult to estimate precisely when a technician will arrive because the amount of time he or she needs to spend on each job varies, as well as traffic and other issues can affect arrival time. If you are concerned about time, morning bookings tend to be closer to a designated time.

Most appointments require a minimum of an hour for apartments, and a little longer for houses. Whether or not the unit is furnished has little effect on the time it takes. Much of the time spent is in the set up of the equipment for the cleaning process.

Drying time can vary on a number of factors: ambient temperature, humidity, airflow and the fibre material. We typically advise that carpets will take on average 12 to 24 hours. However under the right conditions it can be much less. For example a warm day with low humidity and strong airflow can see a carpet dry in thirty minutes or less. A cool, dark room with no airflow may take a day or longer.

In reality there is no reason why you can't walk on the carpet right after it has been cleaned, it is just damp and can be uncomfortable. Walking on it at this stage may leave footprints, which can be easily removed if you vacuum the carpet as you would normally. If you do choose to walk on the carpet when it is still damp, we recommend wearing clean socks or slippers to prevent oils from your feet entering the carpet.

In these situations a variety of things may have occurred. A common one is that the affected area may have dried slightly slower, and therefore was left in a different position. Sometimes, if a stronger cleaner was required, there is some crystallized residue that may be extruded as the fibre dries. Another reason could be that the hot water extraction might have pulled up a pre-existing discolouration in the underlying mat that was not visible before. The first remedy is to vacuum the area and see the result. If the marks still remain then contact us and we will see what can be done.

Scotchgard is a brand of carpet protection manufactured by the 3M Corporation. It is a stain and water repellant treatment that prevents potentially harmful solutions from damaging the carpet. It beads liquids and prevents them from being absorbed by the fibres, where they may have otherwise cause permanent damage.

The biggest advantage of choosing ServiceMaster Clean is the quality of our services. Our technicians are highly trained, and for the most part have had a long tenure with our company. Professional, certified, and knowledgeable, you can be assured that you will receive the industry best in services, at reasonable cost. Moreover our technicians have access to exclusive ServiceMaster Clean products and equipment, which enables them to provide the highest levels of quality and effectiveness.