Carpeting adds warmth and comfort to a room, but it also traps dirt, dust mites, bacteria and germs. Cleaning on a regular basis helps to eliminate these unhealthy contaminants.
Vacuuming and spot stain treatment are necessary for day-to-day maintenance, but to keep wall-to-wall carpet looking good it requires periodic deep cleaning. This process removes embedded dirt, pet dander and allergens that can cause respiratory distress. Contact Carpet Cleaning Orem now!
A carpet cleaner is a must-have for anyone who has floors covered in carpet. It can remove simple dirt that is embedded in the fibers, and it can also eliminate odors and freshen up a room’s appearance. But it’s important to select the right type of cleaner for your needs and know how to properly use it. There are a number of different types of cleaners, including spray and foam cleaners, that can be used to clean both synthetic and natural fibres.
Some of these cleaners may be used with a dry cleaning process, which only uses low moisture to loosen soil and dirt from the carpet. This method is ideal for delicate carpets that need a deep clean. Another option is bonnet cleaning, where self-neutralising detergent is sprayed onto the carpet and then agitated with a circular rotating machine that has a cotton bonnet attached. The dirty pad is then replaced with a clean one, and the carpet usually dries within 30 minutes.
The most popular carpet cleaner is steam cleaning, which is effective at removing deep-seated dirt and stains. It involves the use of hot water injected into the carpet, then agitated and extracted. It can be expensive to rent a steam cleaner, but it’s a good investment for those who have frequent spills or other carpet-related messes that require a deeper clean than a vacuum cleaner can provide.
For those who prefer a greener alternative, there are a number of foam-based carpet cleaners. These cleaners include a hose and power cord, but they’re much smaller than other options. They typically use an app to dispense the ideal amount of cleaner and heat up the water, making it more effective at dissolving stains. They can even be used in place of a vacuum cleaner if you only need to remove surface-level dirt and debris.
Other options for cleaning your carpets are encapsulation and hot carbonating extraction (HCE). Encapsulation involves applying a liquid or foam detergent to the carpet that crystallizes into a dust-like powder as it dries. This makes it easy to vacuum up, and it doesn’t leave the chemical residue that some other methods can leave behind. HCE is also eco-friendly and causes less damage to carpeting, reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Chemicals
A professional carpet cleaner needs a wide range of specialized chemicals to tackle various carpet concerns. There are concentrated solutions to address spots and odors, and traffic lane treatments that loosen embedded dirt and grease, ensuring carpets look fresh and inviting. There are also pre-sprays that break up oil and soil before cleaning, and deodorizers that help freshen carpeting without leaving any residue behind.
The most common and effective chemical for general carpet cleaning is a high quality alkali cleaner, which typically needs to be misted or lightly sprayed on the carpet. Most carpet cleaners use a couple of different alkali cleaning products with pH levels ranging from 8 to 12. The most important thing to remember is that a good cleaning solution needs to be able to dissolve and break down soil. The more solvent a cleaner has, the more effective it will be.
Other types of carpet cleaners can be dangerous, especially when they contain high concentrations of harsh chemicals. Dry carpet cleaners, for example, often use chemicals like perchloroethylene and naphthalene to help dissolve dirt, which can cause dizziness, nausea, fatigue and respiratory problems when they are used in large amounts. Other hazardous chemicals include lye (sodium hydroxide), pesticides, disinfectants and fragrances.
Most of these chemicals are absorbed into the lungs when inhaled or sprayed on skin, and they can also be ingested when eaten. They may also cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Children, elderly people and those with sensitive skin may be particularly vulnerable to these chemicals, which are usually irritants and can cause skin irritations, breathing difficulties and eye damage.
It is advisable to always choose a non-toxic carpet cleaning service that uses only chemicals listed on the FDA’s “Generally Recognized As Safe” list. It is also wise to read local reviews and find out what other people in the area are saying about a particular carpet cleaner before hiring them. The best way to know what kind of chemicals a carpet cleaner is using is to ask them for the Safety Data Sheets and Ingredient List for their cleaning solutions.
Preparation
A professional carpet cleaner has expensive equipment that can get dirt and stains deep down where your vacuum or broom can’t reach. They also use specialized detergents and hot water to loosen stubborn particles that you can’t get out with regular household cleaning products. They may offer add-on treatments to remove odors or soil retardants that can increase the longevity of your carpet. Prices vary among carpet cleaners, and you should compare quotes before choosing one. Many companies charge by the room or area, while others quote a flat rate for your entire home.
Vacuuming frequently is the best way to reduce the amount of dirt that sinks into your carpet. It’s a good idea to do this several times a week, or whenever you notice a lot of dirt. You can also help keep your carpets clean by placing doormats at entrances to your home, and wiping your shoes on them before entering.
Before the cleaners arrive, you should move any furniture that can be easily moved, so they can access all areas of your carpet. This will also make it easier for them to concentrate on removing tough stains and dirt.
If you have small children or pets, they should stay off the floor while the carpet is cleaned. This will prevent them from accidentally getting sucked into the carpet cleaner’s equipment and injured.
Some professional cleaners use a process called “hot carbonating extraction,” which uses the power of carbonation to loosen dirt and debris from your carpet fibers without the need for sudsy detergents that can leave behind a sticky residue. This method can be quicker than other methods, and it offers a high level of sanitation for your carpets.
Another low-moisture cleaning method is foam encapsulation, which applies a layer of chemical-free foam over the carpet and then grooms it with a brush or rotating cylindrical brush. This type of cleaning is suitable for commercial and residential carpeting, and it’s often used in high-traffic areas to reduce bacterial build-up and keep carpeting looking fresh. If you choose to use this type of carpet cleaning, look for a professional with CRI certification, which means they’re using only the best products and techniques.
Cleaning
Carpets require regular cleaning to maintain their appearance and prevent dirt from settling deeply into the fibers where it can cause damage. On a day-to-day basis, this involves vacuuming to remove surface debris and spot stain treatments with commercially available products. The occasional deep clean of the whole area is also necessary to remove embedded dirt, dust and other debris that can lead to matting, discoloration and reduced performance.
Vacuuming removes the majority of daily dirt and grime from carpet, especially if it is done several times each week. However, deeper soiling still occurs and requires specialized cleaners and equipment. Carpet cleaning products come in a range of forms, from portable machines and canisters to professional-style machines similar to those used by many hardware stores. These include powder cleaners for spot stain treatment, liquid cleaners that can be used with or without a machine and spray cleaners for targeted treatments on more persistent stains.
All of these cleaners work by dispensing a solution onto the carpet, allowing it to dissolve stubborn stains and loosen dirt, then extracting both the solution and the dirt with a vacuum or suction device. Most have two tanks — one for the clean water and detergent, and the other for the dirty water. Some machines also have a rotating brush to help work the solution and dirt into the fibers.
The cleaning process takes different lengths of time depending on the method being used. For instance, dry cleaning can be relatively quick. However, hot-water extraction or steam cleaning (also known as rotary cleaning) methods may take longer because they involve soaking and then extracting the carpet. Other factors that affect cleaning time include the size of the area being cleaned, the type of carpet and its degree of soiling.
Once the carpet has been cleaned, it’s important to rake or brush it thoroughly to distribute the residues and allow the carpet to dry completely. Some carpet cleaners will apply a protector or deodorizer after the cleaning to help protect against future stains and reduce odors. These products are not essential, but they can improve the quality of the finished job.