Does steam cleaning remove pet fur and loose dirt?

Question

I was told my new apartment carpets had been steam cleaned, yet when I used a vacuum cleaner on them afterwards, I had two entire canisters full of loose dirt and what looks like cat fur.

I would like to know if the real estate agent really did send a cleaner through and that is a normal outcome, or whether they are trying to pull the wool over my eyes and they didn't likely send cleaners through the apartment.

Answer 1

If it was a truck mounted system, it has a high powered suction which removes water, and in theory would remove pet hair and dirt... If the carpets looked clean, but still had stuff in them, it may be that a Chem dry method was used... All that entails is a guy coming in with a pre treatment spray, a buffer and a "bonnet" that scrubs the top surface of the carpet.  It will look nice, but is not steam cleaned.   They could have used a portable unit (like a rug doctor), but those do not have the suction, NOR THE HEAT, that a professional carpet cleaner would use!  I would ask them to send the company back in... you have the right to ask for that.  Set it up, so that you can be there and see what they really do.  If they won't send some one in, write a letter to the real estate company and ask to ammend your check in sheet for your lease.  Go in and say you should not have to pay for a service that was not provided for you before you moved in to the home.  If they are unwilling to ammend it, look up the Landlord/Tennant laws for your state.  You can also turn the realtor in to the BBB in the end if they do not satisfy your requests.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

Yes it should have removed most of the cat hair. If it was a self extractor cleaner. It is always a good idea to vacuum after steam cleaning carpet. Sound like someone did not do a good job.

Answer 3

a steam cleaner would have removed stains etc BUT a vacuum cleaner would be needed to remove the loose dirt and pet hair

none of these two machines will do the job of the other

from your question info they obviously didn't vacuum well if at all