Frequently Asked Questions

At North Coast Carpet Care, we believe peace of mind starts with knowing what to expect. Whether you’re scheduling routine carpet cleaning, looking for help with a tough stain, or preparing your floors for guests or clients, we’re here to answer your questions with transparency and care. We're sharing insights for our services, as outlined below - or you can contact our team for support anytime. 

Where can I find contact information?
North Coast Carpet Care proudly serves homes and businesses across Marin County, Sonoma County, Napa County, and the City of San Francisco—with dedicated phone numbers by region to ensure fast, local support. Need help deciding which number to call or have questions about service availability in your area? Visit our Contact Page or give our team a call on our main number (800) 573-3555

What areas do you serve?
Our team works throughout Sonoma, Marin, and Napa Counties, and the city of San Francisco. Our central office is located in Cotati, CA, which allows us to conveniently support clients across the greater North Bay region.

RESIDENTIAL CARPET CLEANING

Why does my carpet still smell even after vacuuming? 
Vacuuming removes dirt, but not odors, bacteria, or deep-set residue. Our cleaning targets the source to truly refresh your carpet. 

How often should I have my carpet professionally cleaned? 
Most homeowners benefit from cleaning every 6–12 months. Homes with kids or pets may need more frequent service to maintain air quality and appearance. 

Can you get old pet stains out of carpet? 
Yes! We offer specialized treatments to break down the odor and staining caused by pet accidents—even if it’s been there a while. 

Is carpet cleaning safe for babies or small children? 
Absolutely. We use non-toxic, eco-certified cleaning solutions that are completely safe for crawling infants and toddlers. 

Will cleaning my carpets help with allergies? 
Yes—removing trapped allergens like dust mites, dander, and pollen can significantly improve indoor air quality for allergy-sensitive households. 

What’s the drying time after carpet cleaning? 
Dry times vary, but most carpets dry within a few hours thanks to our high-performance extraction equipment and proper airflow guidance. 

COMMERCIAL CARPET CLEANING

Why do the carpets in our office always look dirty even after vacuuming? 
Vacuuming only removes surface-level dirt. Our deep cleaning method extracts embedded soil, allergens, and oils that regular vacuuming can't touch. 

How often should we schedule commercial carpet cleaning? 
It depends on foot traffic, flooring material, and your industry. Offices may need cleaning every 3–6 months, while high-traffic areas may benefit from monthly service. 

Can you remove stains from food spills or foot traffic patterns? 
Yes—our certified technicians specialize in stain removal and high-traffic restoration using commercial-grade, eco-friendly products. 

Do you offer after-hours or weekend appointments? 
Absolutely. We understand the importance of keeping your business running. We’ll work with you to schedule service during off-hours or low-traffic times. 

Will carpet cleaning leave strong chemical smells? 
No—our biodegradable products are non-toxic, low-odor, and safe for enclosed environments like offices and classrooms. 

Can you clean other flooring types too? 
Yes. In addition to carpet, we clean tile, grout, hardwood, vinyl, and area rugs for commercial properties. 

Why does my area rug still look dusty even after vacuuming? 
Rugs are tightly woven and trap dust and allergens below the surface. Our deep cleaning process removes what vacuums can’t reach. 

Is it safe to clean delicate or antique rugs? 
Yes! We test dye stability, use fabric-safe solutions, and follow a customized process to gently clean even heirloom pieces. 

Can you remove pet stains or musty odors from my rug? 
Absolutely. We offer targeted treatments to lift pet stains and permanently neutralize odors caused by pets, smoke, or moisture. 

How often should I get my area rug professionally cleaned? 
Once every 12–18 months is ideal for most homes—more often if the rug is in a high-traffic area or shared with pets and kids. 

Can you clean rugs in my home? 
Yes! We offer in-home cleaning for convenience, though off-site service allows for deeper, more thorough restoration. 

Will cleaning shrink or damage my rug? 
No. We use moisture-controlled methods and drying systems designed to preserve size, shape, and softness. 

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Why does my couch still look dirty even after vacuuming? 
Vacuuming only lifts surface dirt. Our cleaning penetrates deep into the fabric to remove oils, allergens, and embedded grime that regular vacuums can’t reach. 

Can you remove pet smells from my furniture? 
Yes! We offer targeted odor treatments that neutralize pet smells at the source—so your upholstery smells fresh again, not just masked. 

How often should I get my upholstery professionally cleaned? 
Most homes benefit from a professional cleaning every 12–18 months, especially with pets, kids, or allergy concerns. 

Is your cleaning safe for delicate fabrics? 
Absolutely. We assess the fabric type and apply the safest, most effective method—whether it’s cotton, linen, microfiber, or something more delicate. 

Can you get old stains out of my furniture? 
In many cases, yes. We have multiple stain removal techniques and solutions that work on even older or stubborn stains. 

Will my furniture be wet for hours after cleaning? 
Nope! Most pieces dry within a few hours, thanks to our high-performance extraction equipment and proper airflow tips we’ll share with you. 

DRAPERY CLEANING

Why do my drapes smell musty even though my home is clean? 
Drapes trap moisture, dust, and airborne particles over time. That musty smell is often a sign that it’s time for a deep clean. 

How often should I have my drapes professionally cleaned? 
We recommend cleaning your drapes every 1–2 years depending on exposure to sunlight, dust, and pets. 

Can you clean delicate or lined drapes? 
Yes. We carefully assess fabric type and construction to choose the safest and most effective cleaning method. 

Will the cleaning process cause my drapes to shrink or fade? 
No. We use fabric-safe methods and professional care to preserve the size, color, and finish of your window treatments. 

Can professional cleaning really help with allergies? 
Absolutely. Drapes act like air filters, and cleaning them helps remove allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander from your home. 

Is it better to clean drapes on-site or off-site? 
We offer both options depending on the fabric type and condition. We’ll recommend the best solution during your quote. 

Why do my grout lines stay dirty even after mopping? 
Grout is porous and absorbs dirt, oils, and moisture that mopping can’t remove. Professional extraction lifts deep-set soil for truly clean grout. 

How often should tile and grout be professionally cleaned? 
We recommend once every 12–18 months for most homes. Businesses or high-traffic areas may need service more frequently. 

Can you remove mildew or discoloration in my shower tile? 
Yes! We use specialized solutions to safely eliminate mold, mildew, and soap scum from tile and grout in bathrooms and showers. 

Is tile cleaning safe for natural stone floors? 
Absolutely. We assess the material and tailor the cleaning process to ensure your stone or ceramic tiles are safely and effectively cleaned. 

Can you clean commercial tile in offices or restaurants? 
Yes! We serve a wide range of commercial clients, including offices, schools, gyms, and restaurants with flexible scheduling to avoid disruptions. 

Will your products leave behind residue? 
No—our eco-safe solutions rinse clean and leave no sticky residue behind, helping your floors stay cleaner, longer. 

Why do my hardwood floors look dull even after mopping? 
Regular mopping often leaves behind residue or doesn’t remove embedded dirt. Our deep cleaning system removes buildup and restores shine without damaging the finish. 

Do I need to refinish my floors, or will cleaning be enough? 
In many cases, professional cleaning is all that’s needed. We often restore the look of hardwood and vinyl without the cost or inconvenience of refinishing. 

Is your floor cleaning safe for pets and children? 
Yes—our entire process uses biodegradable, eco-friendly products that are completely safe for children and pets. 

Can you clean vinyl or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring? 
Absolutely. We safely clean all vinyl flooring types, including LVP and sheet vinyl, without causing damage or stripping the surface. 

How often should I get my hardwood floors professionally cleaned? 
Most homes benefit from a deep clean once a year. Homes with high foot traffic, pets, or young children may want to schedule more often. 

Will my floors be slippery after cleaning? 
No—our cleaning products rinse clean, leaving no slippery residue. Your floors will be safe and ready to walk on shortly after we’re done. 

Why does my car still smell even after vacuuming? 
Vacuuming helps with surface dirt but doesn’t remove odors from upholstery or carpet padding. Our professional deodorizers neutralize smells at the source. 

Can you remove pet hair and stains from car seats? 
Yes! We specialize in pet stain and odor removal for all types of automotive upholstery. 

Do I have to bring my car or RV to a shop? 
No—we offer mobile service and can come to your home or office for convenient on-site cleaning. 

Is your process safe for leather or synthetic seats? 
We tailor our cleaning methods based on material and condition, so your leather, cloth, or vinyl surfaces are treated gently and effectively. 

How long does the cleaning process take? 
Most vehicles take 1–2 hours, depending on the size and condition. RVs may take longer, and we’ll give you a time estimate during your quote. 

Will you clean an RV that’s been sitting for a while or used for travel? 
Absolutely. We clean RV interiors before or after trips, during off-season storage, or anytime you want to refresh your living space on wheels. 

Can pet stains be completely removed from carpet or upholstery?
In most cases, yes. Our certified technicians use specialized enzyme treatments that break down pet waste at the source, effectively removing stains and odors.

What makes your pet odor treatment different from store-bought solutions?
We go deeper. Store-bought products often mask smells, but we use professional-grade decontamination methods to eliminate them from carpet fibers and padding.

Is your treatment safe for pets and children?
Absolutely. We only use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning solutions that are safe for all family members—including the four-legged ones.

Can you treat multiple pet stains in one visit?
Yes. We assess the severity of each stain and tailor our process accordingly, whether it’s a few accidents or long-term buildup.

Will the odor come back after cleaning?
Not if treated properly. Our process neutralizes odors rather than covering them up, so you’re left with lasting freshness.

What does Green Guard do?
Green Guard is a fiber protector that creates an invisible barrier on your carpets, upholstery, and area rugs, helping repel spills and resist soiling.

Is this treatment safe for families and the environment?
Yes—our Green Guard solution is biodegradable, non-toxic, and one of the safest green-certified products available on the market.

When should I reapply fiber protection?
We recommend reapplying every 12–18 months, or sooner in high-traffic or high-use areas like family rooms or homes with pets and kids.

Can you apply Green Guard to all fabrics?
Most fabrics respond well to Green Guard, but we’ll always assess the material first to make sure it’s a good fit.

Does Green Guard make cleaning easier?
Definitely. Protected fibers release stains more easily and stay cleaner longer, extending the life and appearance of your carpets and furniture.

What types of stains can you remove with this service?
We specialize in treating tough stains like wine, coffee, ink, grease, makeup, and more. Even older stains stand a chance with our advanced techniques.

Can you remove stains from both carpet and rugs?
Yes, we treat wall-to-wall carpet as well as area and oriental rugs with care, using methods tailored to the fabric type and stain source.

Will spot treatments damage the carpet fibers?
No. Our certified technicians use safe, fiber-conscious products designed to lift stains without harming your carpet or rug.

Do you treat synthetic and natural fibers differently?
We do. Every fabric responds differently, so we match our products and methods based on material, stain type, and condition.

How soon should I call after a stain happens?
The sooner, the better. Fresh stains are much easier to lift—but even older ones can often be improved or fully removed with our help.

What kinds of odors can you eliminate?
We remove smoke, pet dander, mildew, food smells, and more. If it’s lingering in your carpet or upholstery, we can help clear the air.

How is professional deodorizing different from air fresheners or sprays?
Our deodorizers don’t just mask smells—they break them down at the molecular level to eliminate them at the source.

Is deodorizing included with carpet cleaning?
It can be! We offer deodorizing as an add-on to our carpet or upholstery cleaning services and recommend it for homes with persistent odors.

Will deodorizing leave a strong scent?
No. We use low-fragrance, fabric-safe formulas that neutralize smells without overwhelming your space.

Can you deodorize area rugs and furniture too?
Yes. Our odor removal service works on rugs, upholstery, drapery, and even automotive interiors.