Low-moisture encapsulation is how we clean carpet, and we stand behind it.
Faster dry times, no sticky residue, and carpet that stays cleaner longer.
- Dry in hours
- No sticky residue
- Stays cleaner longer
How Encapsulation Cleaning Works
Encapsulation uses a cleaning solution with polymers that surround the dirt in your carpet fibers. As the machine works, the cleaning bonnet absorbs the dirt. Any dirt that remains dries into microscopic crystals, and a vacuum removes them.
Dirt sits in the carpet fibers
Solution surrounds the dirt
The cleaning bonnet absorbs the dirt
Leftover dirt crystallizes, then is vacuumed up
Illustrations show how the process works.
Carpet is clean, dry, and back in use in 4 to 6 hours.
Where Steam Cleaning Can Go Wrong
Steam cleaning works well when the wand recovers all the water it sprays. When it can't, the extra moisture sinks into the pad and backing.
Long dry times
12 to 24 hours, and two days or more in a basement. Low-moisture carpet is back in use in 4 to 6 hours.
Wicking
Stains and odors in the pad rise back up as the carpet dries. Low-moisture cleaning doesn't soak the pad, so nothing comes back up.
We still use hot water extraction for Deep Restoration jobs and stairs, where flushing matters more than dry time.
Transparent Pricing
We assess your carpet first and tell you which service fits, no upselling.
Standard Cleaning
$0.50 per sq. ft.
Best for well-maintained carpets with regular soiling. Low-moisture encapsulation with the Orbot Vibe. Dries in 4 to 6 hours, no residue.
- True HEPA pre-vacuuming
- Professional pre-spray treatment
- Specialty stain spot treatment
- CRB mechanical agitation
- Orbot Vibe low-moisture encapsulation
- Carpet grooming & final walkthrough
Deep Restoration Cleaning
$0.75 per sq. ft.
For carpets with heavy soiling, pet urine, embedded odor, or long-term neglect. Hot water extraction combined with Orbot Vibe moisture removal.
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Full pre-inspection with UV light assessment
- Enzyme pre-treatment for pet urine & odor
- Hot water extraction flush pass
- Orbot Vibe moisture extraction (reduces dry time & prevents wicking)
- Post-clean spot treatment on any areas needing extra attention
Not sure which to choose? Standard is for regular upkeep. Deep Restoration is for pet urine, heavy soil, or years of neglect. If your carpet needs something different when we arrive, we'll tell you before we start.
Add-Ons
- Stair Cleaning, $95/set: Up to 13 steps plus a landing. Pre-spray, CRB agitation, and hot water extraction, the right process for tight stair geometry.
- Fiber Protector, $0.20/sq. ft., $50 minimum: Applied after cleaning, while the carpet is freshly cleaned, the only time it bonds properly. Creates a barrier that repels spills and slows resoiling. Available at your appointment, not booked online.
- Gum, Wax or Slime Removal, $30 each: Priced per stain. Offered when you book online.
- Edge Cleaning, $50 each: Priced per edge cleaning. Offered when you book online.
- Red Stain Removal, $30 each: Priced per stain. Offered when you book online.
- Coffee, Rust or Furniture Stain Removal, $30 each: Priced per stain. Offered when you book online.
- Ink Stain Removal, $30 each: Priced per stain. Offered when you book online.
- Enzyme Pre-Treatment, $0.25/sq. ft., $50 minimum: Light, general pet odor treated as part of your carpet cleaning. Applied before your cleaning begins. Available at your appointment, not booked online. For pet accidents or odor that has reached the padding, see Pet Stain & Odor Removal.
Homes: $300 minimum, which covers up to 600 sq. ft. of Standard cleaning.
Apartments and condos: $500 minimum for any service, because getting into a building, checking in, and moving equipment takes extra time and effort.
Pricing may vary based on condition and soiling level.
Example prices
| Carpet size | Standard | Deep Restoration |
|---|---|---|
| 600 sq. ft. | $300 | $450 |
| 1,000 sq. ft. | $500 | $750 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | $750 | $1,125 |
Carpet only. Stairs and add-ons are priced separately.
Total Precision Guarantee
If a spot comes back, we come back.
If the result isn't right, call, text, or email us within 7 days and we'll return to re-clean or correct it at no charge. No paperwork, no argument.
Doesn't cover stains that were already permanent before we arrived. We tell you during inspection, before any work begins.
Doesn't cover new spots or damage after our visit.
We document your carpet's condition before we start, so we both know where we're starting from.
Read the full guaranteeBook Your Carpet Cleaning
Book online in a few minutes. Choose your service, pick a date and time, and add a card on file to hold your appointment. You are not charged until the service is complete.
What to Expect on Service Day
True HEPA Vacuuming
We start with a true HEPA vacuum to remove loose soil, pet hair, and fine allergens before any solution goes down.
Pre-Spray and Spot Treatment
Traffic lanes and high use areas get a professional pre-spray, and stains get targeted spot treatment.
Mechanical Agitation
A counter-rotating brush machine works the solution into the fibers and loosens embedded soil and pet hair.
Low-Moisture Cleaning
Our orbital machine works the encapsulation solution through the carpet while the cleaning bonnet absorbs the dirt. Anything left behind dries into microscopic crystals that a vacuum removes. Deep Restoration jobs get a hot water extraction pass first.
Grooming and Final Inspection
We groom the pile for even drying and do a final walkthrough with you. If something doesn't look right, we fix it before we leave.
Added pet odor treatment? We apply the enzyme before the cleaning begins.
How to Prepare for Your Cleaning
- Make sure someone 18 or older is home to let us in, unless you've given us a key or door code.
- Pick up small items from the floor, like toys, cords, and clothes.
- Clear fragile or heavy furniture from the areas you want cleaned. We can move small and medium pieces, or clean the open areas around furniture if you prefer.
- Keep pets out of the way while we work.
- Point out pet accidents and stains when we arrive.
No need to vacuum first. That's included.
After We Finish
- Carpet is dry in 4 to 6 hours. Keep pets off it until then, and wear clean, non-slip socks if you need to walk on it.
- If you moved furniture off the carpet, wait until it's dry before putting it back.
- If we move a piece of furniture, we put plastic tabs or blocks under the legs.
See Carpet Cleaning Results
This spot had been in the carpet for years, since before the homeowners moved in. Other cleanings made it look better for a while, but it kept coming back. Low-moisture cleaning removed it without disturbing whatever was sitting in the backing and padding, so there was nothing left to wick back up. Why spots come back
What Customers Are Saying
"The carpets look great and the smell is so refreshing as well, thank you very much! Quality, value, and professionalism throughout the entire process"
Paul P.
Thumbtack ·
"Excellent carpet cleaning work from Michael and our carpets look brand new!"
Dorcas B.
Thumbtack ·
"Carpet looks great. Thank you!"
Alyssa V.
Thumbtack ·
"Matthew does an exceptional job! He is pleasant to be around and the carpets always look amazing! He is definitely our person. :) Give him a call!"
Tara Sanders
Google ·
"Matthew was amazing, very kind and understanding of my sense of urgency and did a stellar job at cleaning our apartment carpet that was in really bad condition with lots of fur and pet stains. Absolutely recommended!!"
Yevheniia Cardiel
Google ·
"He was great! He came out right on time and made the carpet look absolutely amazing. We had no extra carpet so he used carpet in the closet and filled it with a very similar color. He didn't have the correct size for the closet space so he even came back a second day to ensure the job was done perfectly. Highly recommend!"
Lauren N.
Thumbtack ·
Frequently Asked Questions
Is encapsulation as good as steam cleaning?
For most carpets, it's better. The main risk with steam cleaning is pushing more moisture into the pad than the wand can recover, which causes long dry times and stains or odors coming back. Encapsulation avoids that by cleaning at the fiber level. We still use hot water extraction for Deep Restoration jobs and stairs, where flushing matters more than dry time. See "How Encapsulation Cleaning Works" above for the full explanation.
How does booking work, and do I pay a deposit?
Tap Book Now, enter your information, choose Standard or Deep Restoration, and pick a date and time. There is no deposit. Online booking needs a card on file to hold your appointment time, and your card is not charged for the service. Payment is due after the service is complete: you can pay with the card on file, another card, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, check, or cash. Your card is charged automatically only for a late cancellation or a no-show. Cancel or reschedule with at least 48 hours notice by calling 703-232-6027. The earliest online appointment is 1 day ahead. For same-day or urgent requests, call us. If you're not sure which service you need, call us.
How long does it take, and when can I walk on the carpet?
Most homes take 1 to 3 hours to clean, depending on rooms and soil level. Carpet, including stairs, is dry in 4 to 6 hours. Keep pets off it until then, and wear clean, non-slip socks if you need to walk on it before it's dry.
Do you move furniture?
We can move small and medium pieces, or clean the open areas around furniture. Please clear fragile or heavy items ahead of time. If we move a piece, we put plastic tabs or blocks under the legs. If you moved furniture off the carpet yourself, wait until it's dry to put it back.
Is it safe for kids and pets?
Yes. Our cleaning solutions are designed for homes with kids and pets, and carpet is ready to walk on in 4 to 6 hours. Keep pets off the carpet until it's dry.
Can you remove pet stains and odors?
Yes. Light odor can be treated as part of your carpet cleaning (see pricing above). For pet urine, accidents, or odor that has reached the padding, see our Pet Stain & Odor Removal page for the full treatment options and guarantee.
How often should I clean?
Every 6 to 12 months depending on traffic, pets, and warranties.
Do I need to be home?
Someone 18 or older needs to be there to let us in, unless you've given us a key or door code.
Are you insured?
Yes. We are fully insured, and a certificate of insurance is available on request.
Is protector worth it?
Yes. Fiber protector helps repel spills and keeps carpets cleaner longer.
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Carpet Cleaning Across Northern Virginia
We provide carpet cleaning throughout Springfield, Burke, Fairfax, Alexandria, Lorton, Woodbridge, and surrounding areas.