Frequently Asked Questions

No, Chem-Dry of Charleston is not a steam cleaner. Instead of relying on gallons of water like a typical steam cleaner, we use carbonated bubbles to remove dirt and grime from your carpets and upholstery. Read below to see what else sets Chem-Dry apart from a traditional steam carpet cleaner in Charleston, SC.

Chem-Dry uses up to 80% less water than traditional steam cleaning thanks to our carbonated cleaning solution, The Natural®. This unique formula releases millions of tiny bubbles that lift dirt and grime from deep within your carpet fibers, bringing them to the surface for easy removal. Our low-water, low-pressure approach is not only gentler on your carpets—it also allows them to dry in just 1–2 hours.

Chem-Dry of Charleston doesn’t use any harsh chemicals, soaps, or detergents. We rely on our signature cleaner, The Natural, to produce an effective, healthier clean. This solution uses ingredients inspired by nature, so you can feel more confident about paying for a cleaning that contributes to a healthier home. 

This is not necessary. Chem-Dry’s professionally trained carpet and upholstery cleaners will vacuum your carpets with our commercial, HEPA-filtered vacuum when they arrive as a standard part of our service.

Industry experts suggest that homeowners clean their carpets every 6-12 months especially in homes with kids, pets, or if someone in your home has respiratory illnesses. Regular cleaning will not only improve your home’s appearance, but it will help remove non-living allergens*, which improves your home’s indoor air quality and extends the life of your carpeting.

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 Chem-Dry professional cleaning, it typically takes 1-2 hours for the carpet to dry. Sometimes carpets can take longer to dry for various reasons.

Pet odors can linger for months if not treated properly. As urine dries in the carpet and padding, millions of concentrated urine crystals become even more pungent. Unlike other companies that just mask the odor, Chem-Dry uses a patented system called P.U.R.T.® (Pet Urine Removal Treatment) to explode the urine crystals and break down the enzymes to remove pet urine odor*. Click to learn more about our pet stain removal in Mount Pleasant, SC.

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.

Chem-Dry’s cleaning process is a great approach compared to other methods for your carpet and upholstery cleaning. Chem-Dry’s unique hot carbonating extraction carpet cleaning method uses the power of carbonation to extract more dirt and grime from your carpets, giving them a deeper and longer lasting clean. Our carbonated cleaning solution only requires us to use a fraction of the moisture other methods such as steam cleaning require. This allows your carpets to dry faster, typically in 1-2 hours rather than 1-2 days. Chem-Dry’s signature cleaning solution, The Natural®, is a cleaning mixture that—through the power of carbonation—lifts dirt to the surface where it is whisked away.

Traditional steam cleaning saturates your carpet with an excessive amount of water filled with soaps and detergents. So you’re left with wet carpets for 1-2 days, which can cause future issues.

Chem-Dry’s process is different. We employ millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibers, which is why we only need to use a fraction of the water that typical steam cleaning uses. After the carbonation releases and lifts the dirt, our high powered equipment extracts the dirt and moisture from the carpet.

Many store-bought products give the appearance of cleanliness, but only cover up the dog urine. To fully remove old dog urine stains, the Chem-Dry process breaks down the source of the contamination and tackles even the parts of the stain that you can’t see.

In homes that have carpet, up to 80% of the dust and dirt brought into the home can end up in your furniture and upholstered fabrics.

Our exclusive Hot Carbonating Extraction process, powered by our signature cleaner, The Natural, is used for both carpet and upholstery cleaning. Tiny carbonated bubbles work to lift dirt, soil, and non-living allergens* from your upholstery fibers. Then, our advanced extraction equipment removes the loosened grime and cleaning solution, delivering a deeper, healthier clean compared to traditional methods.

Yes, after the upholstery cleaning, you can have the furniture stain guarded with Chem-Dry’s Protectant.

Most upholstery dries within just a few hours, depending on fabric type, humidity, and ventilation. Our low-moisture method helps speed up the drying process, so you’ll be back to using your furniture in no time.

Yes, we specialize in restoring even the most heavily soiled or stained upholstery. While results may vary based on the material and age, our carpet cleaners in Mount Pleasant aim to deliver the best possible outcome.

Just like carpet, dirt builds up over time that dulls your tile or stone’s appearance and discolors your grout. A thorough, professional stone, tile and 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.

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.

Our tile cleaners can clean a wide variety of tile surfaces, including ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, and other natural stones. Each type is treated with the appropriate method to protect its finish. Give us a call if you have specific questions about your type of flooring!

Regular sweeping, mopping with a gentle cleaner, and promptly wiping up spills can help keep your tile and grout in excellent condition. Avoid harsh cleaners, as they can damage surfaces and ruin grout sealant.

No. Our rug cleaning process is designed to preserve the vibrancy of your rug’s colors while removing dirt and stains. We test for colorfastness before cleaning to ensure thorough results, so rest assured your rug will look as good as the day you bought it when we’re finished.