What to do the night before your cleaning

Most of the list is small, and the technician handles the heavy lifting. It follows the order of the visit: before the truck arrives, at the door, while the work is under way and once it is done. It is written for a carpet cleaning visit. Upholstery cleaning and area rug pick-ups have their own pages.

The night before

Pick up what is on the floor
Small items and anything loose in the rooms being cleaned, so the technician can see the carpet from wall to wall.
Leave the heavy pieces where they are
Do not move china cabinets, large furniture or electronics yourself. Anything that has to shift is set back on styrofoam blocks or plastic tabs, so nothing marks the damp carpet.
Line up where the pets will be
Pets need to be away from the rooms while the work is going on, so decide ahead of time where they will spend the visit.
Think about the extra areas
Hallways, stairs and basements over 200 square feet are confirmed with you at the walkthrough before any cleaning starts, so know which ones you want included.
Glance at the forecast
Temperatures below 32 degrees F or bad weather can affect your booking, so a rough forecast is worth a look the night before.
Watch your inbox
An email reminder arrives ahead of the visit, and a photo of your technician is sent ahead too, so you know who is coming to the door.

When the technician arrives

Look for the “On my way!” text
It tells you the technician is heading to your address, which is your cue to open the front door and settle the pets.
Walk the rooms together
The walkthrough comes first and ends in a work order. The technician looks over the carpet and the problem spots with you before anything is set up.
Expect shoe covers and floor protection
Technicians cover their shoes and roll protection across the entry, so the floors between the door and the work stay clean.
Pre-vacuum, then drapery
The carpet is pre-vacuumed before any solution goes down, and draperies are pinned up 6 inches off the carpet so the hems stay dry.

While the work is under way

Keep the pets clear
Wet carpet, hoses and a hot-water wand are no place for a curious animal, so they stay out of the working rooms until the work is done.
Know what goes on the carpet
Spectrum cleans with Procyon Plus Powder, which it describes as environmentally friendly.
Text if something comes up
You can text the office during the visit, and technicians work from mobile apps in the field.

After the last pass

Pay where you stand
The truck carries card readers. Spectrum takes all major credit and debit cards, checks and cash. Tips are not expected and are appreciated.
Check your email for the invoice
It arrives by email with the before-and-after photos attached, so you can compare the same stretch of carpet.
Take the spotting bottle
A complimentary spotting bottle is yours after the service, for whatever lands on the carpet next.
Ask about protector
Protector can be re-applied on request, so mention it at the walkthrough or when the invoice comes.
Give it 12 to 24 hours to dry
Run the HVAC fan or a ceiling fan, and keep heavy traffic off the wet areas until they are dry to the touch.

Shoe covers on, floor protection down

Spectrum technician in shoe covers rolling blue floor protection across a front entry

Two Spectrum technicians in shoe covers lifting a brown leather sofa above hardwood floor, an area rug in the foreground

Spectrum technician in a blue polo vacuuming a patterned cushion in a bright living room with a fireplace

Not sure how your own rooms fit this list

Every house has its own stairs, pets and furniture. Book a cleaning and the technician will walk through yours with you first, or send a question through the contact page and the office at (301) 662-8200 will get back to you.

Call (301) 662-8200