Best Carpet Cleaning Method?
Carpet Cleaning December 4th, 2008
Shampooing. This is the oldest way to clean carpets.
The selection of the best carpet cleaning method can be confusing. Each retailer, carpet cleaner, and salesperson may have a different recommendation regarding the best carpet cleaning method available.
Because of great difference of carpets there are many “best cleaning methods”. We will review some of the best carpet cleaning methods:
Carpet Shampooing Cleaning Method
This is the oldest way to clean carpets. Using a buffer, the solution is poured on to the brush of the buffer, which then is worked into the carpet.
You must clean a small area at a time, going over it two or three times, just like buffing a floor. Edges and corners must be done by hand. This method can damage carpet, especially if there is a tear, so be careful. You finish the job, just as above, by vacuuming. The vacuuming may be the only way the carpet is actually cleaned. With this method, also known as the rotary method, you are actually spreading the dirt around.
The solution used to clean the carpet has brighteners in it, which make the carpet look nice, hopefully until your customer pays you! But eventually, the dirt will reappear and, just as with the foam method, the shampoo residue will attract dirt itself.
Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning Method
A solution of hot water and detergent is applied to the carpet and then immediately removed using a wet vacuum. Dirt and soil become suspended by the detergent molecules in the same way as washing-up liquid lifts the dirt of your dishes and is then carried away as dirty water by the vacuum.
This is a very popular method as it is suitable for most carpets and excellent at removing allergens, however if the dye in your carpet bleeds on testing a dry method might be more suitable. A professional will often achieve the better results with this method by first spot treating small areas of stain with specialist solutions.
The DIY cleaner – or inexperienced scam professional can hire portable machines at many DIY stores. The main disadvantages and risks associated with this method are the amount of time it takes the carpet to dry afterwards, which should be hours not days, and the risk of shrinkage and colour bleed.
Dry Powder Method Carpet Cleaning Method
This method is suitable when it is not possible to allow time for the carpet to dry. A dry powder containing a mixture of solvents and detergents is spread evenly over the carpet. It acts by preferentially absorbing the soil and dirt from the fibres of the carpet.
When the carpet is later vacuumed the powder carries the soil and dirt with it (as Julie made). A professional will use a special machine to work the powder into the pile of the carpet to achieve the best results. The amateur may be forced to try and achieve similar results by using a clean brush. In any case it is important that a good quality vacuum is used to remove all of the powder from the carpet.
Bonnet Carpet Cleaning Method
Instead of using the shampoo method, using a bonnet is actually a much better way to go. This is a professional technique used to improve the surface appearance of a carpet. It is most commonly used in commercial settings.
Detergent solution is sprayed onto the carpet and then removed by an absorbent rotating pad which is applied to the carpet by machine. Surface soil carried by the detergent is removed as it is absorbed onto the pad, which is replaced as it becomes soiled, but no deep cleaning of the carpet is performed.
The carpet manufacturer should be consulted to determine the preferred method.
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