The Chem-Dry story started in the USA in 1977 and came to Canada in 1978. Robert Harris, a young man who worked for a small carpet cleaning company while he attended Brigham Young University in Utah, wasn’t very impressed with the cleaning products the company and its competitors were using. They left chemical residues that attracted more dirt and took a long time to dry. Harris began looking for a better way to clean carpets and found his inspiration in an unexpected place.
While on a flight home during a school break, he spilled some salad dressing on his silk tie. A flight attendant had a trick to remove the stain – club soda. The flight attendant knew carbonation in the soda would help break down the stain and allow her to remove it without damaging the silk. Harris thought, if carbonated water could work on a tie, why not on carpet?
A Carpet Cleaning Company That Leverages Nature's Chemistry
Great things often come from small moments. Harris realized that this small trick had great potential. At the molecular level, it was a simple concept. Carbonation is powerful and can separate dirt and other particles from carpet fibers without the need for harsh chemicals. The Chem-Dry carbonating method is based on this concept and is so effective that it works with a fraction of the water needed for steam cleaning, resulting in faster drying times.
At a time when steam cleaning with large amounts of soapy water was the industry standing, Harris’s discovery was a breakthrough. He realized that this could start a revolution in the carpet cleaning industry. In the 45 years since Robert Harris’s discovery, Chem-Dry has grown to become the number one carpet and rug cleaning company in the world, with over 1,500 locations worldwide.
Our Canadian network of franchises provides:
Your local Chem-Dry technician will tailor a package to meet your requirements to ensure you get the best results.
