Everything About All Carpet Cleaning Methods Available

Carpet cleaning is not rocket science. As long as you have the equipment and have invested the time to learn the methods you can conduct general cleaning activities yourself.

But not all carpet cleaning methods are the same. Thus, the results will be different. Here’s the cleaning difference, related by the professional carpet cleaners from Gold Coast.

There are four popular methods of cleaning carpets:

1. Carpet Shampoo Method

Don’t you feel cleaner after you use soap that creates a large amount of foam? The theory behind foam is the thicker it is the more capacity it has to lift dirt and oil from our skin.

The same holds true when you shampoo your carpet. When looking for a carpet shampoo, the brand must ensure the following qualities:

• High levels of foaming
• Stable quality to the type of foam generated
• High lubrication levels to reduce the incidence of fiber damage from brushing
• Should produce a dry, non- sticky residue

The best type of shampoo to use is one that contains the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate which produces a high level of foam that has very stable qualities. The only problem with sodium lauryl sulfate is that when it dries, its residue is soft and sticky which may cause re- soiling.

Before shampooing, clear the room of all furniture. Stretch out the carpet and look for stains and damage. Spray the stains with a standard stain- remover solution.

When shampooing, work from one corner of the room and move forward slowly. A carpet cleaner machine has rotary brushes which move to agitate the trapped dirt and grime.

Give the carpet ample time to dry. It may take as little as two hours for a small room to one day for larger ones. Once the carpet is dry, vacuum the loosened particles before returning the furniture.

2. Dry Cleaning Method

Sometimes this is referred to as the “Carpet Absorbent Cleaning” method. Basically, no water is used during the entire cleaning process.

The Dry Cleaning method uses a dry absorbent compound which is sprinkled judiciously over the carpet and driven through the fibers by a special machine.

The dry absorbent compound is designed to attract and absorb soil. The compound itself is made of small amounts of liquids, solvent and detergent. The theory is the liquids dissolve the dirt and it is absorbed by the detergent and solvent mixture.

The particles then become easier to vacuum. Thus, you will need to vacuum the carpet thoroughly. The advantage of this method is there is virtually no drying time involved.

3. The Bonnet Method

Think of how you would clean your hardwood floors except that the process is applied to your carpet.

You may either spray the carpet with the cleansing solution or soak the pads into the cleansing solution before connecting the pads into the driving brush.

The Bonnet Method uses an oscillating brush with a stiff brush or drive block connection that forces the cleansing solution into the carpet fibers. The oscillating motion agitates the fibers, loosens and draws out dirt and grime. Sometimes carbonated water is used to improve soil suspension and lower the pH level.

Generally however, most professional carpet cleaning companies will not recommend this method of cleaning your carpet. Majority of reputable professional service providers believe the approach is too abrasive and can severely damage the carpet fibers.

It also does not have an extraction method which leaves the detergent accumulating within the fibers.

4. Steam Cleaning or Hot Water Extraction Method

This method is highly recommended by the majority of professional carpet cleaners as the best and most effective way of cleaning your carpet.

The methods described previously are collectively categorized as “light cleaning methods”. Steam cleaning or the hot water extraction method is the only one that truly promotes “deep cleansing”.

Steam cleaning works by driving a mixture of hot water and cleansing solution into the carpet’s fibers by using high- velocity water jet nozzles. The pressure loosens up deep rooted dirt and built up grime while the hot water helps sanitize the carpet.

Once the dirt and grime are loosened up, these are extracted and collected into designated water bins and disposed of properly.

While a portable, home- use steam cleaner can be purchased commercially, it is highly recommended to contract the services of a professional carpet cleaning company.

Professional carpet cleaners use a truck mounted steam cleaner. Only the hose and the floor tool are brought inside the home. Fumes and odors are kept outside the residence and because the professionals use their own power and water sources, there is no consumption of utilities.

Because of the steam cleaning process, drying is comparatively faster. Once the carpet is thoroughly dry, vacuum it to make sure all dirt and grime are removed once and for all.

The best way to maintain your carpets and to keep them clean is through regular vacuuming. The recommended frequency is three to four times a week.

Then schedule a professional carpet cleaner to conduct general cleaning services every three to six months. The frequency of general carpet cleaning will depend on the number of people in the house and if you own pets. The rule is, the busier the house the more frequent the cleaning.