My carpet was really stained and dirty, I didn't think it would come clean, just not have as many layers of dirt - and at first after it was cleaned it didn't look much better, but the more it dried the cleaner it looked and by the birthday party two days later it looked wonderful, bright and clean! Very nice young man who did the cleaning also. And I have allergies and wasn't bothered by the smell either. Thanks Chem-Dry!