Frequently Asked Questions

Carpet Cleaning

How long has Althouse Cleaning been in business?

Althouse Cleaning has served El Paso and Las Cruces since 1987.

Does Althouse cleaning carry workers' compensation insurance?

Yes, although unfortunately many carpet cleaners in the area do not. This means that if one of their employees is injured in your home or business you may be at risk for a law suit.

Althouse Cleaning carries all insurances and licenses required for the tasks we perform. We want to protect our clients and make every contact with them a great experience.

Is Althouse Cleaning Inc. part of a national franchise?

No, Althouse Cleaning is an independent carpet cleaning and restoration company. 

The problem with franchises are that some offices may offer exceptional work while other local offices do poor work; yet they all are promoted in national advertising campaigns as being the same. We are proud of the reputation and trust we have personally built in this community through many years of service.

Do you give estimates for carpet cleaning?

Absolutely, we are happy to give you a FREE estimate! Just call for an appointment and one of our friendly technicians will come by. You and he will look at your carpet together and he will give you a firm price right on the spot. We even schedule enough time for him to clean your carpet then if you wish. Or you have the option of setting an appointment at another time.

We also give free estimate for cleaning tile & grout, ducts & vents, and upholstery. And remember, you get our guarantee for "the most thorough carpet cleaning ever or its free".

Can you remove pet odor?

Yes. We use special solutions that will totally elinimate pet odor in most cases. In extreme cases such as sofa cushions have been repeatedly abused, it may also require for you, the owner, to replace the foam inside. However this is rarely neccessary.

How do you screen your employees so I know they are safe in my home?

We understand your concern for your family and home. The Althouse employees visiting your home were given police background checks, drug tests, credit checks and even personality profiles before they were hired. Althouse employees arrive at your home in a well marked vehicle and in company uniform.

What is the best method of carpet cleaning?

The top carpet manufacturers in the world recommend using the hot water extraction process (sometimes clled "steam cleaning"). Althouse cleaning uses hot water extraction exclusively to achieve a "deep down" clean.

How long will my carpet take to dry?

Normally just a few hours since most of the water is vaccuumed away during the extraction process. You can walk on your damp carpet but usually its better to remove your shoes to prevent resoiling it while it is wet. Usually the technician has disposable booties for you.

Can spots and stains be removed?

Many discolorations on your carpet can be removed including spots from rust, food, beverages, blood, pet urine, etc. There are other options such as re-dying or replacing a small area with a similar piece cut from a closet or scrap. An Althouse technician can help you understand your option best option.

Is there a difference between a spot and a stain?

By simple cleaning industry definitions, a spot is something that can be removed and a stain is something that can't. One way of understanding this is orange juice or Kool-Aid spilled on your kitchen table can be easily wiped clean but the furniture's color finish, the furniture's stain, will remain.

Why does my carpet wrinkle when I walk on it?

Carpet stretches after years of use and is no longer tight on your floor. Althouse Cleaning technicians can restretch your undamaged carpet so it will lie flat on your floor again. Carpet stretching can make your carpet look newer and last longer. Call for a free estimate!

Water Damage Restoration

What are your business hours for emergencies?

Althouse Cleaning is available for emergency water extraction in El Paso, Las Cruces and surrounding areas 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. "After hour" calls are answered by an emergency call center which will connect you with someone (usually the owner of the company). Just tell the operator that you have an emergency.

A technician will immediately be dispatched to your home or business at any time day or night, even on week-ends and holidays.

Does Althouse Cleaning bill my insurance company?

Yes. Althouse Cleaning is on the direct repair program for all major insurance companies, and are the only company in El Paso/Las Cruces who can make that claim. We are linked to their computers for billing purposes using special software.This simplifies everything  for simplified. Each insurance company has its own policy regarding how your deductible is handled.

Why is carpet soaked with clean water an emergency?

The water may be clean when it entered your carpet but would you drink off the floor? But even worse, the longer the carpet is wet the more bacteria, mold and other organic matter can multiply and cause serious health risks.

Most insurance policies require owners to take immediate action to prevent (mitigate) any secondary damage from occuring, such as mold growth. When you or your insurance agent calls us, we respond quickly to remove the water from your floor and dry out additional moisture that may have been soaked into walls, furniture and cabinets.

Why is there so much equipment set up after the water is extracted?

After extracting the water from the carpet there is still extra moisture left behind in the carpet, sheet rock, building frame, furniture, cabinets, draperies, etc. Often time this moisture  is equal to tens of gallons of water. The two main types of equipment left behind are air movers (often referred to as blowers) and dehumidifiers.

Air blowers remove moisture from materials and suspend these water molecules in the air. The dehumidifiers suck in the moist air, separate the water, and blow out warm dry air. The water removed is sent to a sink or other drain through a clear hose.

What is Applied Structura Drying (ASD)?

Applied Structural Drying is the method of drying out a building using scientific principles instead of guesswork. Insurance companies prefer this approach because they know that your home will be properly dried out and no secondary damage from mold will occur.

Applied Structural Drying takes into account the size of your home, building materials, and how much of the area is affected, to determine how much and what kinds of equipment is needed. In addition, technicians return to the site daily to document the drying process.

Althouse Cleaning has six IICRC certified ASD technicians. An ASD class lasts for four days and students must pass a long thourough test to pass.

What is wicking?

Wicking is the occurance of moisture rising through a material. Imagine an oil lamp with blue oil in a clear base. The oil is at the bottom and the fire is a few inches above it. How does the oil get to the flame? It climbs up the wick!

Another example is water being drawn from the ground by tree roots, going up the trunk, through the limbs, and delivered to the leaves.

In the same way, water in a carpet pad and carpet will eventually wick up the carpet fibers and evaporate into the air. However this may take weeks or months. Aplied Structural Drying techniques accelerate wicking so that the carpet will dry in just a few days--giving mold no time to take a foot hold.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Why do I need professionals to clean smoke residue after a fire?

Smoke contains many toxins, including acids strong enough to etch metal and glass. Special techniques and cleaning solutions are needed to return your home and possessions to the condition they were in before the fire. Many household cleaners, even water, can actually make matters worse. None of them will remove the lingering smoke smell.

What can be saved?

The soot from most household items can be cleaned after a fire including furniture, clothing, dishes, etc. Food is often unsafe to eat, so it is thrown away after documnetation. Electronics and appliances that experienced extreme heat are also discarded because the heat may have damage insulation on their internal wiring.

The goal for restoration is to return an object to the condition it was in before the fire. If an item can not be restored you can ask your insurance adjuster about replacing it.

Upholstery

What kinds of upholstery can you clean?

Althouse technicians can expertly clean cotton, silk, leather, velour, synthetic fabrics, etc. We clean sofas, love seats, dining room chairs, mattresses, even fabrics used as wall covering. Differnt materials require different cleaning methods. Call us for a free estimate.

Other

Does Althouse cleaning sell carpet and tile?

No, although we did sell carpet, tile and wood flooring several years ago.

What is IICRC certification?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning,and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a non-profit organization that certifies individuals and firms that have demonstrated expertise and a commitment to ethical business practices in the cleaning and restoration industry. The IICRC also sets standards in the industry and publishes manuals that are used by industry professionals, by goverment agencies and to help decide law suits.

Individuals wishing to be certified must take approved courses from IICRC accretited schools and pass rigorous written tests.

Althouse Cleaning is proud to have more certifications than all other cleaning/restoration companies, with most technicians having multiple certifications. 

Your Question

If you have a question regarding our services, information about Althouse Cleaning, or regarding cleaning and restoration, just click this link to send an email.