FAQ
Questions?We've got answers.
The things customers ask us most, about how we clean, what to expect, and how we keep pricing fair. Don't see yours? Call or text us at (937) 956-1885.
Booking, Pricing & Policies
Are estimates free, and how do I get one?
Every quote is free and no-obligation. Request one online and we'll get right back to you, or just call or text us at (937) 956-1885. During business hours, most quotes come back within minutes.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Dayton and the surrounding communities across Montgomery, Greene, Miami, and Clark counties. You can see the full list on our service areas page, or call to confirm we cover your town.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, on both counts. SteamBrite is licensed and insured, so you and your home are covered while we work.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
No. We do like to do a quick walkthrough with you before we start so we're on the same page, but we clean empty homes and vacant units all the time. We're happy to arrange access and work around your schedule.
How long will it take to clean my carpets?
On average, about 5 to 20 minutes per room. It depends on how much furniture needs moving and how soiled the carpet is.
Do you offer commercial cleaning?
Yes. We clean both homes and commercial spaces, including offices and retail. For larger commercial jobs we usually prefer a quick on-site visit so the quote is accurate.
What payment methods do you accept?
Just about everything: cash, check, and all major credit and debit cards. We don't tack on a surcharge or extra fee for paying by card.
Should I tip my technician?
Only if you want to. We will never flip a tip screen around or ask you for one. Tips are completely welcome and our technicians are always grateful, but there is zero expectation. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Why are your prices so affordable?
We're a locally owned, owner-operated business serving the Dayton area. Our pricing stays fair because we don't pay franchise fees or carry heavy overhead, and we never subcontract. Every technician is a background-checked, properly trained SteamBrite employee.
Do you use any harmful chemicals?
No. Our products are biodegradable and non-hazardous, and safe around kids and pets.
What is your cancellation policy?
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations inside 24 hours, missed appointments, and no-shows may be subject to a $50 fee. You can read the full details on our cancellation policy page.
Carpet Cleaning
How often should I have my carpets professionally cleaned?
Most carpet manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months to keep carpet looking its best, and more often, every 6 to 12 months, with pets, kids, or heavy foot traffic.
What method do you use for carpet cleaning?
We use truck-mounted hot water extraction, often called steam cleaning, the method most carpet manufacturers recommend. We pre-treat the carpet, flush it with 200-plus-degree water, then a powerful truck-mounted vacuum pulls out the deep-down dirt and allergens.
What do you consider to be an "area"?
A carpeted "area" is a space like a living room, bedroom, hallway, set of stairs, area rug, runner, or walk-in closet. Combo rooms count as two areas, and any area larger than 250 square feet also counts as two.
Should I vacuum before carpet cleaning?
It helps to lightly vacuum the traffic areas if it's been a while since you last did, but it isn't required.
Do you move furniture?
Yes, at no extra charge. Please remove electronics, plants, and lamps from the furniture and carpet beforehand. We'll move most furniture that can be safely moved, but there are a few things we don't move: pianos, electronics, china cabinets, beds, dressers with mirrors, pool tables, and some sectionals.
Do you guarantee removal of all spots and stains?
No, and we'll always be straight with you about it. Some substances permanently stain carpet fibers, and the age and type of carpet matter too. Our technicians give you their honest assessment before cleaning, though it isn't always possible to know for certain until we try.
My carpet was cleaned and the spots reappeared. What should I do?
Most spots we remove stay gone, but some substances in the carpet backing can wick back up to the surface after cleaning. If that happens, call us at (937) 956-1885 within 10 days of your service and we'll take care of it.
How long will my carpet take to dry?
Dry time depends on humidity, temperature, and airflow, and usually runs 8 to 24 hours. Running fans and your heat or AC speeds it up. You can walk on the carpet right away, but skip street shoes since they can re-soil it; clean rubber-soled shoes or socks are best. Take care stepping from damp carpet onto hard floors, it can be slippery.
Why should I have a protector (stain guard) applied?
A protector coats each fiber so carpet and upholstery resist dry dirt and water- and oil-based spills. That barrier buys you time to clean up spills before they soak in, makes vacuuming and spot cleaning easier, and helps everything look better between professional cleanings.
Does carpet come with a protector?
Yes, but it wears off with everyday traffic. Manufacturers recommend reapplying it about once a year, and more often in heavy-traffic areas.
How does your pet enzyme deodorizer work?
Our enzyme treatment targets odor at the source, vomit, feces, urine, milk, blood, and the like, while a neutralizer gives immediate relief as the enzyme keeps working. If the source has soaked through the backing and into the padding, we can't guarantee complete removal, but we eliminate odor from most carpet.
Air Ducts
How often should air ducts be cleaned?
There is no fixed schedule. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends an inspection every couple of years and a cleaning when it is actually needed. For most homes that lands around every three to five years, sooner if you have pets, smokers, allergy or asthma concerns, recent remodeling, or you can see dust at the vents.
How do I know if my ducts need cleaning?
Common signs are visible mold in the ducts or on the vents, dust puffing out of the registers when the system runs, a musty smell you cannot trace, or signs of rodents or insects. Recent remodeling that kicked up a lot of dust is another common reason. If none of that is going on and your ducts were cleaned a few years ago, you may be fine to wait, and we will tell you straight.
Can duct cleaning help with allergies and dust?
It can make a real difference in some homes. Your ducts collect dust, pet dander, and pollen, and every time the system runs it pushes some of that back into the air you breathe. Clearing that buildup out means less of it circulating through the house. Many customers who were overdue for a cleaning tell us the air feels fresher and they notice less dust and easier breathing afterward. We will be straight with you though: your ducts are one source of allergens, not the only one, so the honest goal is a genuinely clean system, not a cure for allergies.
Why do you use a positive-pressure system?
A positive-pressure system uses your HVAC system's own airflow to carry dust and debris out of the ducts, in the direction the air already moves. The big advantage for you is that we do not cut into your ductwork. We clean through each register and return vent, so there are no access holes to patch, and it is gentle on the flexible ductwork most newer homes have.
What does your air duct cleaning service include?
The standard clean covers your supply and return ducts, registers, and returns. Pricing is by package, sized to your number of vents, where each register and return counts as one vent, and we right-size it if your home falls between common counts. Deodorizing, sanitizing, and dryer vent cleaning are optional add-ons.
How long does air duct cleaning take?
Most homes take a few hours, depending on the number of vents and how much buildup is in the system. Larger homes or heavily clogged ducts take longer. We give you a time window when you book so you can plan your day.
How should I prepare for the appointment?
Clear a path to your vents and to the furnace or air handler so we can reach everything. One note: we clean the duct system, not the inside of the furnace. We do not open or service the furnace itself, since that is HVAC work and outside what we do. If you have pets, you may want to keep them in a separate room while we work.
Do you clean the registers and returns too?
Yes. Registers and returns are part of the standard clean, and each one counts as a vent when we size your package.
Do you offer deodorizing or sanitizing?
Yes. We offer a deodorizer fogger for lingering odors from smoke, pets, or mustiness, and an EPA-registered SaniJet treatment that sanitizes the inside of the ducts. Each is available per vent or for the whole house, and your tech can tell you what fits.
How is this different from the $99 duct cleaning specials?
Most $99 specials are not the same service. In many cases the tech vacuums the vent covers and runs a shop vac a short way into each opening, then calls it done. That does not break up the dust packed further down the line or move through the full duct run. We clean the full run with a positive-pressure system that drives the debris out to where we capture it, we count your vents and match you to a package, and we quote it up front. The price you are told is the work you get.
Tile & Grout
How do you clean tile and grout?
We use high-pressure cleaning connected to our truck-mounted unit to extract the dirt and grime embedded in your grout lines.
Why should I have my grout lines sealed?
Grout is porous and absorbs soil and spills, just like carpet. A sealant adds a protective barrier that gives you more time to wipe up dirt and spills before they soak into the grout.
What is ColorSeal?
ColorSeal is our premium restoration treatment: a durable, non-porous barrier over your grout that seals out stains and restores a like-new, uniform look. More than 50 specialty colors are available on request to match or change your grout's color.
Hardwood Floors
Can you clean hardwood floors with a wax coat?
Wax and other buildup make hardwood very hard to deep clean, and floors treated with certain products may not come fully clean. That includes oil soap, furniture polish, and acrylic or paste wax. If your real hardwood has a wax or oil finish, we'll tell you straight whether cleaning makes sense, and in many cases the honest answer is that it's better left alone.
How do you clean hardwood floors?
Regular mopping never reaches the dirt deep in the pores of your hardwood. Our process does, using an auto-scrubbing and extraction machine to break up and lift out tough, ground-in grime.
Upholstery & Furniture
How does SteamBrite clean upholstery?
We use powerful truck-mounted hot water extraction, which gives the deepest clean of any upholstery method.
How long will my furniture take to dry?
Typically 2 to 6 hours.
How often should upholstery be professionally cleaned?
Manufacturers generally recommend professional upholstery cleaning every 6 to 24 months, depending on use.
Area Rugs & Other Services
How do you clean area rugs?
We clean area rugs with the same truck-mounted hot water extraction we use on carpet, pulling dirt and allergens from deep in the fibers and out of your home.
My basement is flooded. What do I do?
We handle water extraction. Call us at (937) 956-1885 for a free estimate and we'll get to you quickly.
How do you clean vehicles?
We use hot water extraction on vehicle seats, floorboards, mats, and trunks. We clean interiors, but we don't do full detailing.
Still have a question?
Call or text our team, or request a free quote online. You'll reach a real person, no endless phone trees.