Do you use scotchguards or recommend them?  Did you know, a scotch- guard is already applied to most carpet fibers when it is manufactured;  If you use steam cleaning processes, hot/steam water, the heat will cause the protectant to let go each time it is cleaned.  This makes carpets more vulnerable to staining, and to what is called "ugly out".  s

Steam  professionals usually recommend a protectant to make extra money.  Especially if they just did a cheap coupon promotional job, they want to make up their profits with protectant charges. Protectant can be slightly sticky and leaves a layer on top of carpet so the next time they come the dirt will have stuck to the protectant. This will cause carpet to get dirtier faster.  Protectant also makes it easier for the steam cleaning company to clean your carpets next time, then charge more money for the protectant again, and continue the cycle of coming back more often. ***Importantly: scotch-guard can be toxic and harmful to children and pets.  Host professionals do not recommend protectants as we do not take the stain resistant out, but if you prefer a protectant there are some non-toxic protectants out there.   See disease page under the heading "Why choose wisely...." for more info on scotchguard toxins

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 and feel the steam cleaning results. (Water left behind can cause a number of problems: water may have forced through the carpet below and into the pad leaving water to foster odors, bacterial,or mold.  Truck mount systems can be needing of repair and do not suck up the water effectively, or their tanks that hold water may have dirty water left in it from previous customer and then introducted into your home, So either method is going to leave behind something.)    So I say, I prefer to have some natural tiny sponges left behind, that can be vacuumed later, rather than water/chemicals and leave carpet damaged and toxic.

Host cleaning method does leave very small amounts of the cellouse natural cleaner behind, but this is not sticky residue.  (Sticky residue is considered soap/chemicals that cause rapid resoiling of carpet)  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.  Host method has continued to evolve and adapt to carpet  conditions throughout these many years.     

Is the HOST products made in America?

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

5.

You say you are a dry process, but you use water. 

We use a teaspoon of water per sq. foot on carpet that is normally soiled.  Water is needed to break down dirt. (If you don't use water, then chemicals are needed to break down dirt.)  But to much water can cause waste-water and steam professionals often can lose control of their wastewater.  Carpet that is wet underneath the carpet and takes more than four hours to dry can cause mold, odors, bacteria to foster; water stains wick up fibers and reappear later.  

We are officially called HOST, the dry extraction carpet cleaning system.  The moist HOST sponges are extracted out dry after they have done there job cleaning and absorbing dirt with a powerful HEPA commerical vacuum.  Areas that are more soiled, or are treated for pet stains may take a few applications of host cleaning treatments resulting in 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 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 host cleaning professional. The right stiffness or softness of the host machine brushes must be used for proper cleaning to not cause texture change.  If carpeting is matted, a stiffer brush may be used to fluff up carpet fibers to make the carpet plush and renewed.         

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.  All types of steam extraction methods has been flooding the market with advertisements and franchises for many years, with cheap promotional coupons and ads. 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 to protect their warrenty. 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.     

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, it is very durable but it can have its problems--- dirt can scratch fibers and this makes the carpeting look dull or fibers become so matted they bind or meld together.  Frequent vacuuming  and routine cleaning of both types of carpeting is recommended for keeping these types of carpet from wearing out prematurely.  see maintenance instructions

What about pet stains?

We have good success if the urine is mainly on top of the carpeting.   Pet stains can be very problematic, however, if the animal has visited that same area repeatedly.  We cannot clean urine if it has penetrated down in the pad, floor board, or wallboard, neither can a other methods including steam cleaning--this condition needs a different approach to fixing the problem.  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.  Sometimes we will recommend replacing pad, cleaning stained floor boards, painting them the floor, and cleaning the back of carpeting.  Steam cleaning may be advised, but adding water can cause the urine odor to be activated, to resurface and to be spread more throughout the carpet area--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. 

 see martha Stewarts comments on Host cleaning on pet stains

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 so customer can continue to work on the area if needed.       

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 greasy busy restaurants, car/truck carpeting, ---The reason is that it will not be cost effective for the customer. water extraction works well on these types of carpeting and conditions.  Deep down mud or urine below the carpeting cannot be pulled out with a dry method, so we may resort to the wet extraction method. 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.  So we do have our limits as well as steam cleaning.  

Host is superior over steam, rotary methods for residential carpeting that usually has a thick pad and dense delicate carpeting; or for businesses as it is dry immediately, eliminating downtime, and improves indoor air quality.  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.  Check out our testimonials to see our happy customers.