Your carpets are one of the most expensive investments in your
home, and they deserve to be looked after for long life and great
appearance.
Even though you have been religious about vacuuming your carpets, You
know its time. Quickly attending to spots and spills and mishaps, and
varying traffic patterns to reduce soiling and wear, your carpets are
ready for a freshening, and you have decided to hire a professional to
give your carpets a deep cleaning. All carpets should be deep cleaned
every twelve to eighteen months (more often if you have pets) a thorough
cleaning not only revitalizes the look of your carpeting, reduces odor
and making your home smell fresh, it also reduces wear, extends its life
and may be required in the terms of your warranty. But just how should
your carpet be cleaned? There are five accepted methods for cleaning
carpets, and one is right for you.
There are several ways to find the best professional for your
job. The best way is to simply ask for referrals from friends, family or
even carpet stores or you may use the Internet to do your own search.
No matter which means you use, be aware of the five basic methods
professionals use to deep clean carpets. Each has its advantages and
disadvantages; discuss with a professional which is best for your
carpets before you begin deep cleaning your carpets.
In most new carpets, your carpet manufacturer or retailer will
recommend the best cleaning procedure for deep cleaning your carpets.
Always follow these recommendations. If you are going to try deep
cleaning yourself, chose a carpet shampoo or cleaning and follow the
directions for application and dilution to the letter. Never use soap,
laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent or other household cleaners
intended for use on other flooring surfaces as this may do more harm
than good. For the best results, be certain to vacuum the carpet
thoroughly before cleaning, and apply a preconditioning solution before
the deep cleaning process. These pre-cleaning solutions are mild
detergents that begin loosening soil before the actual cleaning begins.
The dry foam extraction method applies a special detergent
solution that has been fluffed into a foam, and then applied to the
carpet. This foam, which is less dense and much drier than a wet
solution, is worked into the carpet by specially designed machines, and
then removed by wet vacuuming. Some dry foam machines have their own
extraction capabilities, while others need a thorough vacuuming after
the carpet is dry.
Dry extraction cleaning uses an absorbent compound containing
special detergents and solvents that is infused in and around the carpet
fibers with specially-designed machines and brushes. The compound acts
as a tiny magnet, attracting dirt, oils and soil in the carpet fibers,
and then both the soil and the compound are removed by vacuuming. This
method is recommended for sturdy fibers, including most synthetics, and
is especially appropriate for natural fibers like wool and cotton that
should not be exposed to excessive moisture.
The hot water extraction method, or “steam cleaning,” as it is
sometimes called, is the most common method for do-it-yourselfers and
mobile professional cleaners. DIY machines can however, leave your
carpet over wet, and risks shrinkage or mold. After preconditioning
carpet areas that have experienced heavy use, the carpet cleaner uses
hot water extraction equipment to inject a pressurized hot water
cleaning solution into the carpet. Suspended soil and the cleaning
solution are immediately extracted with a powerful vacuum. Use caution
with the hot water extraction system so that carpets do not become
saturated, and accelerate drying in any way possible – opening windows,
using fans, air conditioners, dehumidifiers or additional drying strokes
– to avoid possible damage and discoloration resulting from the
moisture.
The absorbent pad method should be used only by a trained
cleaning professional. In the absorbent pad method, a special machine
similar to a floor buffer with an absorbent spin pad is used to remove
the soil. The pad absorbs soil on the carpet, and the soil is then
rinsed off of the pad. The pad must remain damp, until saturated with
the cleaning solution or damage to the carpet pile may occur. And
regularly change the pad to prevent returning the soil back to the
carpet face when it no longer lifts the soil.
The rotary shampoo method is the classic home carpet cleaning
technique. A machine with rotary brushes injects a cleaning solution
into the carpet, and then removes the loosened soil and cleaning
solution. And as with steam cleaning, be certain you carpet dries as
quickly as possible. Never use a machine intended for hard surface
flooring to shampoo your carpets – pile distortion and untwisting of
fibers can occur, causing permanent damage to your carpet.
When you choose a deep
carpet cleaning method for your carpets, always
check what method the carpet manufacturer recommends, the equipment
manufacturer, and your carpet cleaning professional. The match between
your carpet and the right deep cleaning method will give your carpets
added years of beauty and wear.
The method recommended by most manufacturers, including Shaw
Industries, the worlds largest, is Hot Water Extraction, or Steam
Cleaning.