You know its time. Even though you have been religious about vacuuming your carpets, quickly attending to spots and spills, 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; a thorough cleaning not only revitalizes the look of your carpeting, 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.
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 attempting the 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. 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.
There are several ways to find the best professional for your job. You may 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 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.
Dry extraction cleaning uses an absorbent compound containing special detergents and solvents that is infused in and around the carpet fibres with specially-designed machines and brushes. The compound acts as a tiny magnet, attracting dirt, oils and soil in the carpet fibres, and then both the soil and the compound are removed by vacuuming. This method is recommended for sturdy fibres, including most synthetics, and is especially appropriate for natural fibres like wool and cotton that should not be exposed to excessive moisture.
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.
The hot water extraction method, or “steam cleaning,” as it is sometimes called, is the most common method for do-it-yourselves and mobile professional cleaners. After preconditioning carpet areas that have experienced heavy use, the carpet cleaner uses hot water extraction equipment to infuse a pressurized cleaning solution into the carpet. Suspended soil and the cleaning solution are immediately extracted. Use caution with the hot water extraction system so that carpets do not become saturated, and accelerate drying in any way possible – using fans, air conditioners, dehumidifiers or additional drying strokes – to avoid possible damage and discoloration resulting from the moisture.
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 fibres can occur, causing permanent damage to your carpet.
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 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 choosing a deep cleaning method for your carpets, always check the recommendations of the carpet manufacturer, 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.
Everyone knows that it is regular vacuuming and quick attention to the inevitable spots and stains that keep a carpet looking its best. But even with the most diligent attention to regular carpet care, all carpets will need a deep extraction cleaning every 12 to 18 months to remove stubborn and embedded soil, it may also be required for warranty purposes. These deep cleaning systems will keep carpets looking, feeling and smelling fresh and new. The cleaning – either by wet or dry extraction -- may be done by professional carpet cleaners, or do-it-yourselves may tackle the job with purchased or rented equipment. Professional carpet cleaners may be found through referrals from friends and family members or even a carpet store. The do-it-yourselves will be able to rent the correct equipment from any local rental store. The essential key to determining what is the best method for cleaning your carpeting is the construction of the carpet itself.
Most carpets manufactured today incorporate synthetic fibres, such as nylon, polyester, or olefin, and most deep cleaning methods are appropriate for them. In all cases, follow the manufacturers’ cleaning recommendations. Natural fibres, however, may require special care.
Wool carpets can withstand most cleaning methods. Caution should be taken with wool however, to avoid excessive agitation and excessive heat. Do not use cleaning equipment with heavy brushes or beaters on wool carpet. Wool is also easily damaged by bleaches and or detergents that are highly alkaline, so be sure to use a pH neutral cleaning solution on wool. Quick drying is important to avoid yellowing.
Silk carpets should be cleaned using a dry cleaning process. The beautiful silks in antique and contemporary area rugs and room sized carpets can be damaged by high temperatures, sunlight, and high pH solutions, and the fibres will lose strength when wet. Except for light spot removal, deep cleaning of silk carpets should be assigned to carpet cleaning professionals.
Cotton and rayon, popular both as pure carpet fibres as well as blended with other fibres, are made of cellulose, a plant fibres, and can withstand cleaning by almost all methods. All plant fibres are subject to yellowing if they remain wet too long, and too much moisture may cause the fibres to shrink. Be careful not to over-saturate cotton and rayon carpets, and if they do become too wet, dry the carpet as quickly as possible. As with all but the sturdiest synthetic fibres, avoid heavy agitation by the cleaning equipment, which can weaken and damage the fibres.
Sisal, jute and other plant fibres, including coconut, ramie, and hemp, have characteristics very similar to cotton and rayon. Most cleaning methods are appropriate for these plant fibres, but dry extraction or dry foam methods are usually recommended. As with cotton, too much moisture may cause these natural fibres to shrink, and cause discoloration. To reduce the chance of colour transfer, only use a mild detergent, and dry the carpet quickly. For these specialized carpets, it is probably best to use a professional carpet cleaner.
Everyone knows that a deep cleaning of carpets done every year or so will keep carpets looking fresh and prolong their useful life. And many people find that doing the carpet cleaning themselves better suits their schedules and budgets than hiring professional carpet cleaners. If you decided to take on the challenge of steam cleaning your carpets, consider the following tips to make sure your end results will meet your expectations.
First, before beginning the deep cleaning process, remove as much furniture as possible from the room, and do a thorough vacuuming. The more soil you remove before cleaning your carpet, the better your results will be.
Check the several cleaning systems that are available for rent before making your selection. Some rental companies have cleaning equipment that is similar to what the professionals use; however, the equipment that is often available for rent in retail or grocery stores may not have enough power to extract all the cleaning solution from the carpet. The equipment should have enough vacuum capacity to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours after cleaning. If you are uncertain about the ability of any equipment to do a top quality job, consult with your carpet manufacturer or retailer for their recommendations.
Avoid over-wetting the carpet. Too much moisture can cause damage to the carpet or its backing, and prolonged dampness may encourage the development of mildew and bacterial. Most problems resulting from do-it-yourself cleaning stem from using too much water or detergent.
Your carpet manufacturer or retailer can recommend which products are best suited for your specific carpeting, but double check to make certain it has a pH less than 10, and proclaims to have no sticky residue. If your carpet contains wool or other natural fibres, chose a cleaning solution specially formulated for them. A clear water rinse after the cleaning will should remove any remnants of the cleaning solution.
If your carpet is “stain resistant,” it must be cleaned with products formulated for that purpose, or the stain resistance will be impaired and the carpet’s warranty may be voided. Also note: the warranty may be voided if not professionally cleaned regardless of the stain protection. Do not use any cleaning solutions that contain bleaches or brighteners, since they may discolour the carpet. Avoid using any silicone-based anti-soil treatments -- their long term benefits are minimal, and can cause real damage to your carpeting.
Help your carpet dry as quickly and completely as possible. You can use fans to move air across the carpeting, and a dehumidifier or air conditioner to pull moisture out of the air. The quicker the carpet dries, the better. 12 hours is a reasonable time to expect drying to complete; 24 hours is too long.
In most cases, when performing a "sectional replacement", it is best to keep the insert as small as possible to minimize the chances that it will be noticed. The end-user should be made aware that any time a piece of fabric is replaced, there is a very good chance that it will not match perfectly in either texture or colour. This is true even if a piece of the original product is utilized for the repair and is compounded if a piece from a different lot or run is used. All textile products are effected by environmental conditions. UV light, atmospheric gas, wear patterns and maintenance procedures have a tendency to alter colour and texture. As long as the floor "ages" and responds to the local conditions as a single unit, these changes are not normally noticeable. It is only when a "new" piece of carpet is introduced to the equation do these changes become evident. Bearing this fact in mind, it is usually in the best interest of the installer to attempt to find a replacement piece that has been under the same conditions as the area surrounding the problem. This might necessitate two different "repairs". For instance, a carpet in a hallway needs to be replaced due to staining. The installer may decide to utilize a piece of goods from the Living Room that more closely matches the carpet in the hallway, then take a piece of goods from a closet to repair the Living Room. If the installer elects to use the closet piece for the hallway repair, the chances of the carpet matching are not good unless the installation is fairly new.
