Things That You Need to Know About Carpet Cleaning
1) All carpet cleaners should do a pre-vacuum at the start of the job. This is because dry soils (dust and dirt) turn to mud when they combine with moisture in the cleaning process. Mud is heavier than dry dirt and is harder to remove, so a thorough pre-vacuum will get the best possible result.
2) Most stains should be removed in the general cleaning process. Some stains that contain tannins, dyes, acids or caustics may not come out in the general cleaning process and may require specialised stain removal treatment. Unfortunately, some stains cannot be removed from carpet no matter what chemicals or cleaning processes are used.
3) An acidic conditioning rinse should be used in the cleaning process. This is because almost all cleaning chemicals are alkaline in nature and an acid balances out the cleaning products.
4) Not all carpet cleaning services are the same. The results of a carpet cleaning service depend on the skill of the technician, the time taken, and the chemicals and equipment used.
5) Carpet cleaning is not a regulated industry. Look for firms certified by the IICRC (International Institute for Cleaning and Restoration Certification), the primary training and accreditation body in the carpet cleaning industry.
6) The ‘wet-dog’ smell that occurs when cleaning wool carpet is primarily caused by an off gas from the natural sulphur in wool when wool gets wet. This is natural and dissipates when the carpet dries.
7) Carpet cleaning does not remove the stain protection applied to carpets by the manufacturer or your carpet cleaner. Wear and tear is the primary reason stain protection coatings break down. It is sometimes best to have a carpet protector such as e-Gard applied to the traffic areas on your carpet before your stain protector reaches the end of the warranty period to maintain stain protection.
8) Carpets should be groomed after cleaning to ensure that they dry quickly and that the pile sits in the same direction (not falling to the side).
9) Carpet cleaners are legally required to warrant their workmanship. If you are not happy with the carpet cleaning service provided, call the carpet cleaning company and they should offer to return to re-clean the carpet free of charge. If your carpet cleaner does not return to re-clean your carpet, call the Office of Fair Trading or equivalent in your state.
10) Regularly cleaned carpets last longer and look better than carpets that are rarely cleaned. Cleaning helps remove the abrasive soils in your carpet pile that wear away at the carpet fibres when the carpet is walked on.
Hot Water Extraction (HWE) Carpet Cleaning
Most people refer to this as “steam cleaning,” but that term refers to an altogether different industrial process. Real steam would be way too hot for most carpet fibers and could damage the carpet very badly. Just as a wool sweater or velvety fabric can shrink or get fuzzy in the wash, so steam can hurt carpets with these materials and textures. Also, artificial fibers could simply melt because the steam is too hot for them.
Thus, so-called steam cleaning of carpets is really hot water extraction cleaning. The machines that we use for hot water extraction cleaning spray heated water onto the carpet while simultaneously sucking it up. In the process, the dirt in the carpet gets dislodged and sucked away.
Adding cleaning chemicals to the equation can produce better results, but once again, you must take the type of carpet fiber into account when selecting chemical agents.
How to Know if the Carpet is Clean?
Your carpet is clean when the fibers of the carpet looks fresh and feel softer. You can also see that there are no stains on the carpet. It will look and feel much lighter and fluffier once it is all dried. But to ensure that the carpet remains clean for a longer time, it is important to vacuum the carpet on a daily basis. You need to know that professional cleaning can also help you to clean the carpet stains and debris thoroughly.
Make a carpet cleaner and conditioner.
This carpet cleaner and conditioner is the most similar to a commercial cleaner, and it will leave your carpet clean, fresh, soft, and smelling great. To make this cleaner, combine in a bucket:[1]
2 tablespoons (30 ml) of liquid laundry detergent
¼ cup (59 ml) of liquid all-purpose cleaner
1 scoop of OxiClean
1 teaspoon (5 ml) of fabric softener
1 gallon (3.8 L) of hot water
What to Do Before a Carpet Cleaner Arrives
While part of the joy of hiring a professional includes having someone else do the dirty work, taking these pro-active steps can help make sure you get the cleanest carpet possible and the biggest bang for your buck.
Vacuum, if needed
Removing as much debris and dirt from the carpet fiber prior to a cleaning can help ensure your carpet cleaner focuses on the deep down soiled-in dirt. Some carpet cleaning services vacuum the carpet prior to beginning their work. Others rely on you, the homeowner, to do so. Ask your carpet cleaning professional whether or not you need to vacuum before they arrive.
Dust and clean baseboards and HVAC registers
While not dusting or cleaning your baseboards of HVAC registers prior to the carpet cleaner’s arrival won’t inhibit their job in any way, you should still complete these tasks. Clearing these areas of dirt and debris can help ensure the carpet doesn’t become dirty quickly following a cleaning.
Remove fragile and valuable items
Porcelain knick-knacks, fine china, collectibles and any other potentially fragile or breakable items should be removed from the cleaning area and placed in a safe area.
While many carpet cleaning companies thoroughly screen and vet their employees, it’s also a good idea to remove any items of value from rooms with carpeting you hire them to clean. Store your valuables behind a locked door or in your car’s trunk.
Remove fragile and valuable items
Porcelain knick-knacks, fine china, collectibles and any other potentially fragile or breakable items should be removed from the cleaning area and placed in a safe area.
While many carpet cleaning companies thoroughly screen and vet their employees, it’s also a good idea to remove any items of value from rooms with carpeting you hire them to clean. Store your valuables behind a locked door or in your car’s trunk.
Remove smaller items from the floor
Floor lamps, waste baskets, toys and clothing or shoes should all be moved out of the area that requires cleaning. It’s also a good idea to lift up and secure things like bedspreads, drapes or dust ruffles with a clothespin to prevent them from getting in the way of a carpet cleaner’s tools.