The questions we hear most about carpet, area rug & upholstery cleaning — plus how OFE specifically handles them.
Most homes should have carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned every 12 months. If you have kids, pets, allergies, or high foot traffic, every 6 months is a better target. Area rugs in entryways or high-traffic spots benefit from cleaning twice a year; lower-traffic rugs can go 12–18 months between cleanings.
We use hot water extraction (deep steam cleaning), the method recommended by most major carpet manufacturers and considered the industry gold standard by the IICRC. Unlike carpet shampooing, it doesn't leave sticky detergent residue behind that attracts dirt faster. It also flushes dirt, allergens, and bacteria out of the fibers rather than just masking them on the surface.
We successfully remove the vast majority of stains with our pre-treatment and hot water extraction process. That said, no honest cleaner can guarantee 100% stain removal every time — old, deeply set stains (like red wine, ink, or pet urine that's been there for months) can permanently alter carpet fibers. We'll always let you know upfront if a stain looks unlikely to fully release before we start.
Most carpets dry within 2 to 6 hours using our hot water extraction method, depending on carpet thickness, humidity, and airflow in the room. Running fans or opening windows after your appointment can speed up drying time. We recommend staying off the carpet until it's fully dry to avoid flattening the fibers or resoiling them.
No advance prep is required. We pre-vacuum every area before deep cleaning and can work around light furniture. For heavy items like beds, dressers, or entertainment centers, just let us know when booking — we're happy to work around them, and can move lighter furniture upon request.
Yes. Carpets and upholstery trap dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens that regular vacuuming can't fully remove. Hot water extraction flushes these out along with the dirt, which can meaningfully improve indoor air quality for people with allergies or asthma.
Yes. We identify your rug's fiber type before treatment and use the appropriate method for it, since natural fibers like wool and silk need gentler care than synthetic rugs. We do not recommend steam cleaning delicate rugs directly on hardwood floors, since trapped moisture can damage the wood underneath — we'll advise you on the safest approach for your specific rug.
In most cases, yes. Our enzyme-based pet odor treatment breaks down the bacteria causing the smell at the source rather than masking it, for an additional +$29/area added onto any carpet cleaning service. Very old or deeply set pet stains that have penetrated the carpet backing and padding can be harder to fully resolve, and we'll always be upfront if that's the case for your carpet.
Yes. We use 100% eco-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable products on every job, safe for children, pets, and the environment.
Carpet cleaning starts at $159 for up to two areas, with each additional area at $39. Area rugs are priced from $5.50/sqft, tile & grout and hardwood/LVP are $2.50/sqft, and upholstery starts at $175 for a 3-seat sofa. East Bay and North Bay cities include a flat $35 bridge fee, always disclosed upfront in your quote.
A flat $35 travel fee applies to East Bay and North Bay cities to cover bridge tolls (for example Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont, Vallejo, and San Rafael). San Francisco and Peninsula/South Bay cities such as San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto, and San Jose have no bridge fee. The fee is always disclosed upfront in your quote — never a surprise.
Yes, all of our technicians are IICRC certified — the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, the industry's highest professional standard. We're also background-checked, fully insured, and Google Guaranteed.
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with the results, we'll come back and redo the job at no additional charge.
Call or text (415) 602-3666, or email info@ofeinc.us with your city, the services you need, and the number of rooms — we typically respond with an exact price within minutes, even after hours. We serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area — San Francisco, the Peninsula, the South Bay, the East Bay, and the North Bay — 50+ cities in total. See our Service Areas page for the full list.