1. You say you are a dry process, but you use water. So why the contradiction?  We use a teaspoon of water per sq. foot on carpet that is normally soiled.  Water is needed to break down dirt; to much water can cause waste-water and steam professionals can lose control of the water. Carpet that is wet underneath takes more than four hours to dry.  More than four hour drying time can begin to cause mold, odors, bacteria to foster, and water stains to reappear later.  

We are officially called a HOST, the dry extraction carpet cleaning system.  Moist HOST sponges are extracted out dry after they have been brushed into the carpeting and finished absorbing the dirt.  With a powerful HEPA commerical vacuum after the carpet has been cleaned, these tiny sponges are then vacuumed out when dry.  Areas that are more soiled, or are treated for pet stains may take a few applications of cleaning treatments resulting in having a little longer drying time to extract the host sponges.  When we leave, carpets are usually dry within 15 minutes to a half an hour.

I love this cleaning process but sometimes, when I vacuum, I notice tiny host particles--  Is that safe for my animals? 

This is confusing for people who are new to the host process. I totally understand this question as that was my first question  when I first looked into using this carpet method.  What is important to remember first, is when you have your carpets steamed cleaned, you have lots of water left behind, and chemicals/soap that you cannot see are invisible but you can smell them. Water left behind may have leaked through the carpet below and leave water to foster odors, bacterial, mold. So either method is going to leave behind something.  I preferred to have little sponges left behind rather than water/chemicals.

Host cleaning method does leave very small amounts of the cellouse natural cleaner behind, but this is not residue.  (Residue is considered soap/chemicals)  The Host compound is totally non-toxic, organic and will not harm your children, animals, or other hard surfaces if comes in contact with it.  The next few times you vacuum the sponges will continue to come up.  As long as it is in the carpeting it is still cleaning/absorbing allergens, conditioning fibers, and absorbing dirt from carpet fibers.  

***Host does not become airborne, due to the weight of it.  Tiny amounts left in carpet is safe for infants, animals, and people with lung problems due to it not being able to become airborne.  However, when putting an infant on a carpet, a blanket is always important to protecting the infant FROM BREATHING INTO Carpeting.  Carpet fibers can be irritating to babies' sensitive skin.   

Is Host a new carpet cleaning method?

Our cleaning process HOST has been around since the 1950's.      

Is the HOST product made in America?

Yes, the headquarters that makes HOST products is located in Racine, Wiscounsin. 

5.

Do you apply scotch guard or carpet protectants?

WE do not use scotch guards.  Did you know, a scotch- guard is already applied to most carpet fibers when it is manufactured;  If you use steam cleaning processes, hot water-- that is over 180 degrees-- the heat will cause the protectant to let go.  This makes  carpets more vulnerable to staining, and to what is called "ugly out".  So when steam cleaning, professionals recommend a protectant.  Protectant can be slightly sticky and leaves a layer on top of carpet. This could cause carpet to get dirtier faster.  But protectant makes it easier for the steam cleaning company to clean your carpets, then charge more money for the protectant and coming back more often. Importantly scotch-guard can be toxic and harmful to children and pets.  Host professionals do not recommend it.   

I heard that using this cleaning method wears out the carpet faster than water extraction, is that true?

All carpet cleaning can have some friction on carpets when cleaning.  That is way proper maintenance is first in keeping your carpets looking new.  HOST triples the life span of your carpeting if applied correctly by the cleaning professional. The right stiffness of the host machine brushes must be used for proper cleaning with texture change.  If carpeting is matted, a stiffer brush may be used to fluff up carpet fibers to make the carpet look plush and renewed. Some inexperienced people cleaning carpets, may use a wet method to clean up the stains and dirt first; then use the HOST method on top of the wet carpeting.  This is not the proper way to clean with the HOST method and may cause a change in texture.        

This is such as excellent cleaning process for carpets, why haven't I heard about this cleaning process before?   

I believe that due to our dry climate in CO, steam cleaners can be more successful as to not fostering mold by the water evaporating more quickly.  In humid areas, such as in Florida, black mold is notorious due to moisture left in carpeting and taking weeks to dry.  Host carpet cleaning is more popular in those areas.   All types of steam extraction methods has been flooding the market with advertisements and franchises for many years. Many steam professionals are trained to think only water extraction is best. 

Another reason for lack of knowing about HOST, is carpet distributors tend to recommend carpet steam cleaners; whereas, carpet manufactures recommend our Host cleaning method or other more drier type carpet cleaning methods.

Why the difference?  The carpet distributors are more interested in selling carpet; the carpet manufactures need to proclaim how to not damage the carpet, if cleaned, for their warranty. 

Does this process work on recycled carpeting or wool carpeting?

As our website home page states, it works well on all types of carpeting, area rugs, orientals, and stone tile  Wool carpeting however, needs to be cleaned more often, needs to be cleaned with softer brushes(due to fuzzing), and it takes longer for spots that are cleaned to dry. Host is certified with the Wool Seal of Approval.  Recycled carpeting is made from plastic pop bottles, very durable but it can have its problems from dirt that can scratch fibers and this makes the carpeting look dull.  Frequent vacuuming of both types of carpeting is recommended for keeping these types of carpeting from wearing out faster.

What about pet stains?

Pet stains can be very problematic if the animal has visited an area repeatedly.  We may not be able to clean urine if it has penetrated down in the pad, floor board, or wallboard. Often when cleaning, we may find more is needed to eliminate urine. We may need to inject enzymes below carpet into pad to help eliminate odors if the urine spot is small.  Sometimes we will recommend replacing pad, cleaning stained floor boards and painting them.  Steam cleaning also may be advised, but ***always adding water causes the urine odor to resurface--being sometimes worse than before. (Often the operator of steam cleaning method is the most important factor, as it takes experience to deal with pet problems) 100% satisfaction is always questionable when dealing with pet problems. 

 Each job is unique, however, we do have good success if the urine is on mainly on top of the carpet and not in the pad.  Often we will leave a small package of Host Sponges along with our LadyBug D-Molish Pet Stain.       

All you carpet cleaners say your the best, tell me why your method of cleaning is preferable?

I have to agree that all carpet cleaners are proud and boast about their way of cleaning.  First of all, our dry cleaning method is not for dirty busy restaurants, car/truck carpeting, urine saturated pad and very cheap area rugs.  Deep down mud or urine below the carpeting cannot be pulled out with a dry method.  So we do have our limits as well as steam cleaners.  Read a test done with five different carpet cleaners in a Florida school district. Host came out as most preferred, least expensive per sq. ft. per year, etc... 

Host is superior over steam, rotary methods for residential carpeting that usually has a thick pad and dense delicate carpeting.  Water extractions can over-wet and cause indoor air problems, mold, and wicking back of brown stains/spots when applied to these residential thick carpets.  Expensive area/oriental rugs can also have problems with colors running, rotting, distorting in shape if water extraction is used.   

Sometimes steam cleaning is the way to go if you own a: busy resturant that has alot of stains; garages or other areas that have cheaper very dirty indoor/outdoor carpeting. Keep in mind though, hot steam cleaning can cause glued down carpet to let go, and cause stretching and warping of carpet. Water can leak down into cement causing mold problems.  Check out our testimonials to see our happy customers.  If you have any further questions, feel free to bug us.