Here’s a note I read on Nextdoor.com

I used XXXXXXX (name omitted) Steam Clean. Will NOT use them again. They left our carpet waaaaay too wet. They came on a Monday, it was still damp on Friday morning. We also had a strange smell from our master bedroom. The owner came out Thursday that week (I called Wednesday afternoon to report wet floor) and proceeded to tell me this was “dormant odor” that he was happy to clean it again but didnt think it would resolve anything. When I pointed out the dampness still, he just said it felt like “residue” to him. A worker came the next morning, Friday, and checked for moisture with a tool. Sure enough, moisture!!!! Grrrrr! The worker cleaned it using special treatment that they used in houses during the Mendocino Fire. This was week before last. There is still a faint smell in our bedroom. I’m beyond irritated. I have had carpets cleaned 1x to 2x a year.. This is the FIRST time I have ever had an issue. The owner told me I must have spilled milk as he was saying he could smell the odor. I have a non-verbal 10yr old. I am VERY cautious about food and drink. We do not drink milk. The worker that came out told me his superviors TOLD HIM to clean it again and go over it for dryness/leave fans/etc because the last time it was too wet!!! Couldn’t believe it! The worker told me knew what the odor was. NOT dormant odor. He said “it is the same musty smell you get when you leave clothes in the washer too long. This happened because the carpets had too much moisture.” I have not had this experience but he DID tell me it was NOT dormant odor. Would NOT recommend them. I told the owner I regret calling them for service as now I have this issue and may have to REPLACE carpet.

My Response

Before you replace the carpet, I recommend pulling up the carpet and pad and letting it dry underneath. If there is mold it can be treated there. A restoration service can do this for you. The carpet cleaner should pay for it. That’s why they carry insurance.

I’ve heard many horror stories like this.This is one of the risks of the traditional truck-mount steam cleaning system. Over-wetting can happen, especially when the cleaning tech in inexperienced.

For future reference, there is a better way to clean carpet. A very low moisture (VLM) system such as the one I use keeps the cleaning solution on the carpet where the soil is. Instead of jetting more water into the carpet to agitate the soil loose, we use a terry-towel pad and an oscillating machine to agitate and extract the solution and soil. The carpet backing and pad remains dry throughout the process. Carpet is dry in 2 hours and spots don’t return (another problem with the traditional method). No fans are needed even in wet weather.
You can see demonstration videos on my website. https://www.advanceddry.com/how-we-clean-your-carpet/