How Are Carpets Cleaned

Carpet cleaning is a method that removes dirt or stains from your carpet. Carpet cleaning machines generally function on heated water or steam. Carpet cleaning might also involve the spraying of a protective barrier that is meant to repel dirt or soils in the future.

What may be the correct carpet cleaning procedure for you? If you own a carpet, carpet cleaning will subsequently be a worry you will have to address. The following suggestions will help you obtain the best results from hiring a specialist carpet cleaning company:

•  Show the cleaning specialist any trouble locations and spots or pet stains that require special attention

•  You should not have to move your own furniture in the initial carpet cleaning visit.

•  If you are unsure of the warranty requirements for your carpet, contact a carpet cleaning professional who can answer your inquiries and schedule the right service you need to maintain your warranty as well as the vibrancy of your carpeting.

Dry carpet cleaning

Heavily soiled places require the application of pretreatments, preconditioners, or “traffic-lane cleaners”, which are detergents or emulsifiers that break the binding of soils to carpet fibers throughout a short period of time, are commonly sprayed on to carpet prior to the primary use of the dry-cleaning process.

Many dry carpet cleaning systems rely on specialized machines; Dry carpet cleaning equipment include those manufactured by Brush and Clean, Host Dry, and Whittaker System. Dry carpet cleaning techniques are mostly technically “very low moisture” (VLM) methods, relying on dry compounds complemented by application cleaning solutions, and are growing significantly in market share due in part to their rather rapid drying time, a significant factor for 24-hour commercial installations.

Carpet Shampooing

SHAMPOOING is the use of a motorized circular brush in which foaming cleaning products are introduced on the surface of the carpet and are next scrubbed into the carpet. Wet shampoo cleaning with rotary machines, followed by complete wet vacuuming, was widespread until about the 1970s, but industry perception of shampoo cleaning changed with the advent of encapsulation.

Hot Water Extraction

Hot Water Extraction is sometimes referred to as ‘Steam Cleaning’. In this procedure, hot cleaning solution is sprayed under pressure onto the carpet and is quickly extracted with a vacuum source. Since this technique removes much more contaminants than the other carpet cleaning methods, hot water extraction is favored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is the preferred procedure of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). However, the hot water extraction technique uses much more water than other methods like bonnet or shampoo cleaning, correct post extraction is critical to avoid over saturation. When carpet is saturated there may be a risk that soils and residue from deep inside the carpet fiber and backing will wick up towards the surface resulting in browning.

Bonnet cleaning

Bonnet cleaning often referred to as ‘Dry Cleaning’, the cleaning product (sometimes mixed with carbonated water) is misted onto the carpet in the form of a spray. It usually does a good job of cleaning the top l/3 of the carpet pile that’s visible to the eye. Since there is no flushing action or extraction, there is very little deep cleaning. This method may be considered as an interim cleaning between more effective deep cleanings.

Here are some golden rules and guidelines for carpet cleaning

•  Always deal with stains as quickly as possible for a greater chance of cleaning success.

•  Never over-wet the carpet when cleaning, always keep the carpet as dry as possible.

•  Never use inappropriate household detergents on carpets i.e. (wash powders, bleach etc.)

•  Never apply the cleaning fluid directly onto the carpet, always apply on the absorbent  spotting material.

•  Always test any detergent on an inconspicuous area of carpet prior to treating a stain.

•  When making use of detergents always use the recommended dilution ratios.

•  Always mop, scrape or blot up any excess prior to treatment.

•  Never rub or scrub, always operate from the outside of the stain inward to prevent spreading it.

•  Try and encourage quick drying by leaving windows doors open etc.