How to Clean Your Carpets – Different Tips for Different Types of Carpets
Carpet cleaning is done in order to remove dirt, stains, and mold from carpets. Common methods used include dry-clean, hot water extraction, steam cleaning, and vacuum cleaning. If you are planning to clean your carpets, you should be aware that there is a basic process that should be followed. These processes are essential in preserving the life of your carpet as well as in having it looking as good as new.
Prior to cleaning the carpet, most carpet cleaning companies do a pre-treatement of the carpet to ensure that it is free from dust mites, mold, mildew, and bacteria. The pre-treatment is usually done by spraying the carpet with disinfectants or using equipment to spray the carpet with disinfectants. After this process, cleaning companies will shampoo the carpet.
Many carpet cleaning services employ the use of hot water extraction. Hot water extraction (also known as hydro cleaning) uses warm water that is poured onto the carpet in a concentrated amount. This method helps remove soil particles that may have sunk deep into the carpets. It also helps remove any stubborn stains that were not able to be cleaned with traditional methods.
Once the carpet has been cleansed, the carpet cleaning process begins by removing all of the soil that remained on the fibers. This process is referred to as sifting. Most cleaners will use a large, solid material such as an auger in order to sift the fibers to help remove the remaining soil particles.
After sifting, cleaners will then apply a strong cleaning solution to the pile carpet. Many cleaners will also apply a powder to help absorb soil particles. This process is called spot cleaning. After the spot cleaning is complete, cleaners will then rinse the carpet to remove any remaining soil particles.
Dry extraction involves the extraction of water from the carpet without wetting it. This method does not require the use of a cleaning solution. The extraction method allows for very good moisture removal and greatly improves drying time. Dry carpet cleaning can be used by professional cleaning services to help remove dirt and debris from carpets without the use of moisture extraction.
Drying agents are sometimes included in the dry cleaning process. These agents help get rid of soil particles and allow for the carpet to dry faster. Professional carpet cleaning service cleaners will often use drying agents that are specially formulated for use on carpets. The drying agents do not contain any water or bleach, and are usually a mixture of petroleum based chemicals.
Steam cleaning involves the use of hot water extraction. A detergent solution is added to the hot water. Then a carpet cleaning machine is inserted into the hot water extraction unit and a stiff brush is placed on top of the detergent solution. Dirt and stains are gently scrubbed away with the brush.
Vacuum extraction machines are another type of carpet cleaning machine. These vacuum units are equipped with a rotating brush that spins at a high speed. With this style of cleaning solution, the dirt and soils are sucked up from deep within the carpet fibres. Professional carpet cleaning machines are not only expensive, but they are also very noisy. For this reason it may be better to clean your carpets yourself.
