CARE AND CLEANING
Facts About Carpet Care, Methods of
Cleaning
Deep Cleaning
Daily vacuuming is the most important cleaning activity,
but deep extraction cleaning must be performed to remove
stubborn or embedded soil. The Carpet and Rug Institute
recommends that carpet be dry- or wet-extraction cleaned a
minimum of every 12 or 18 months before it shows soiling.
Use a cleaning method recommended by the carpet manufacturer
to maintain their warranty.
Carpet should receive regular deep cleaning to maintain its
good looks. A carpet cleaning professional may be hired or
carpet cleaning equipment may be purchased or rented for
do-it-yourself cleaning.
The fiber system used should be the primary factor in
selecting a cleaning method. The majority of carpet
manufactured today is constructed with synthetic fibers such
as nylon, polyester, or olefin, and may be cleaned with most
cleaning methods.
Natural fibers may require specialized care. Following are
general guidelines for these fiber systems:
Wool - Wool fibers may be cleaned using all cleaning
methods, although excessive agitation and excessive heat
should be avoided. Wool is easily damaged by bleaches and
alkalies. Wool should be cleaned with neutral detergents (pH
5.0-8.0) and dried quickly to limit yellowing or browning.
Cotton/Rayon - Cotton and rayon are cellulosic
fibers and may be cleaned using all cleaning methods. Most
cellulosic fibers are subject to browning if prolonged drying
occurs or if alkaline solutions are used. Shrinking may occur
if these fibers are over wet. Avoid excessive agitation.
Silk - Silk should be cleaned using a dry cleaning
process. These fibers may be damaged by high temperatures,
high pH (>9), sunlight, and will lose strength when wet. The
cleaning of silk fibers is best left to the carpet cleaning
professional.
Sisal and Other Plant Fibers - Plant fibers used in
carpet construction, including sisal, cotton, jute, coconut
(coir), pineapple, ramie, and hemp, have characteristics
similar to cotton. These fibers may be cleaned with all
cleaning methods, but dry extraction and dry foam extraction
are most often recommended. To limit color change or odor
transfer, a pH of less than 7.5 should be used and precautions
should be taken to expedite rapid drying. It is best to use a
carpet cleaning professional.
There are five accepted methods for cleaning carpet make
from synthetic fibers. Rely on the carpet manufacturer's
recommendations. When choosing any cleaning method, select
cleaning agents sold especially for stain resistant carpet
cleaning, and follow the directions for dilution and
application. Never use soap, laundry detergent, automatic
dishwasher detergent, or any of the strong household cleaning
agents intended for use on hard surfaces such as woodwork,
linoleum, or tile. For best cleaning results, always pre-vacuum
the area to be cleaned and apply a preconditioning solution
prior to cleaning. A precondition solution is a detergent
solution applied to the carpet prior to cleaning to begin
loosening soil. These solutions typically require 8-10 minutes
to begin the soil loosening process.
Absorbent Pad (Bonnet) Method
The absorbent pad method should be used only by a properly
trained cleaning professional. The rotary bonnet method uses a
machine similar to a floor buffer with an absorbent spin pad
attached to remove the soil. The spin pad absorbs soil onto
the pad, and soil is removed when the pad is rinsed. To reduce
pile distortion, keep the absorbent pad well lubricated with
cleaning solution. Replace pad often to prevent transfer of
soil back to the carpet face.
Dry Extraction (Polymer Compound)
Method
An absorbent compound saturated with detergents and solvents
is brushed in and around the fibers with especially-designed
machines or brushes. The compound attaches to the soil
particles, and both the soil and compound are then removed by
vacuuming.
Dry Foam Extraction Method
In dry foam cleaning a detergent solution is whipped into a
foam and applied to the carpet. The foam is worked into the
carpet by a especially-designed machine with reel-type
brushes, followed by wet vacuuming. Some machines have their
own extraction capabilities while others need thorough
vacuuming after the carpet is dry.
Hot Water Extraction Method
This method is sometimes called "steam cleaning." Areas of
heavy use are preconditioned to suspend ground-in soil, then a
pressurized cleaning solution is injected into the pile.
Suspended soil and solution are immediately extracted. Follow
directions carefully and avoid over wetting. Ensure speedy
drying by using fans, operating the building air conditioning
system (HVAC) in the "on" position, and by performing
additional drying strokes.
Rotary Shampoo
The rotary shampoo method uses equipment similar to the rotary
bonnet method, except that a cleaning solution is injected
onto the carpet before cleaning or through especially-designed
brushes. Never use a do-it-yourself machine designed for hard
surface floor covering with counter rotating (rotary) brushes.
Pile distortion or untwisting of the fiber can occur.
Do-It-Yourself Cleaning
Do-it-yourself cleaning may be an economical choice between
professional cleanings. For any do-it-yourself cleaning
method, the following points are critical.
- Always pre-vacuum to remove as much dry soil as
possible.
- Follow instructions carefully!
Consider the following precautions when selecting a wet
cleaning method.
- Remove furniture from the room before cleaning or, if
impractical, place plastic film under and around the legs of
chairs, tables and other furniture to prevent rust or
furniture stains from developing on the carpet.
- Use only the recommended cleaning solution strength.
Stronger than recommended solutions may cause accelerated
re-soiling. Rinse all detergent from the carpet to prevent
accelerated re-soiling.
- Do not over wet the carpet. Over wetting may cause
separation of the backing, separation of the seams,
shrinkage, discoloration, and odor.
- The carpet should be dry within 12 hours. Provide proper
ventilation or use fans to quickly dry the carpet and
exhaust any existing solution-related fragrances.
- Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it.
Professional Cleaning Services
Consider the services of a carpet cleaning professional
before your carpet and rugs begin to show soil. Allowing
carpet and rugs to become excessively soiled will make
cleaning more difficult and will shorten its useful life.
Recommendations can be obtained from satisfied friends,
carpet retailers, the Better Business Bureau, and local
business groups for reliable, certified cleaning professionals
in your area. Choose a carpet cleaning professional who is
properly trained for the following services. Prior to using
these services, you may wish to contact the carpet
manufacturer to prevent voiding warranties.
- Carpet Re-dyeing (color repair)
- Fire and Water Damage Restoration (For water damage
follow guidelines in the IICRC Standard and Reference Guide
for Professional Water Damage Restoration S500-94)
- In-plant Cleaning (for rugs)
- Odor Control (nuisance odors such as: mildew, tobacco,
and pet)
- Repairs, Re-stretching, Reinstalling
- Spot Removal
- Topical Treatments (soil-removal and stain-resist
treatments)
- Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it.
In order to determine the amount and type of cleaning
services needed, have a representative of the cleaning firm
come to your home to make a visual inspection. The cleaning
professional can inspect the carpet for problem stains or
excessively soiled areas that may require additional
attention. Obtain a written agreement for all work to be
performed. Under normal circumstances there should be no extra
charge for activities, such as moving furniture,
preconditioning, and routine spot and stain removal.
Beware of pricing that is "too good to be true."
Professionals charge only for services that are authorized in
writing before cleaning begins. Most cleaning is based on the
total number of square feet to be cleaned. Many firms do have
cleaning specials; however, pricing by the room or low prices
quoted over the phone may have hidden restrictions or
mandatory add-ons. A reliable firm will tell you the steps
that they are going to use to clean your carpet and provide a
written agreement before the work is started. Should you
question the need for any required add-ons, contact the carpet
manufacturer for assistance.
While your carpeting may not require
the regular cleaning that other types of flooring demand, your carpet should be
professionally cleaned once every year to 18 months, even if you vacuum
regularly. Professional carpet cleaning extends the life of the carpeting and
contributes to better air quality, reducing allergies and illness.
Do-It-Yourself Carpet-Cleaning
Damage
Ideally, your carpet should be
professionally cleaned. However, to save money, many people alternate between
the do-it-yourself cleaning and professional cleaning. While the do-it-yourself
approaches are far less expensive, they are almost never as effective as
professional cleaning and involve a considerable amount of time and hard work.
Depending on the method used, it is also easy for the novice to damage the
carpet.
Beware of the three most common
ways do-it-yourselfers (and inexperienced pros) damage carpets:
- Over-shampooing
- Over-wetting
- Failing to protect the wet carpet from furniture
Over-shampooing occurs when
either too much shampoo is used or the carpet is not adequately rinsed. Both are
practically inevitable with some wet do-it-yourself approaches. This is the
biggest reason why even hard-core do-it-yourselfers should occasionally use a
professional. If they don't, the build-up of soapy residue can be impossible to
clean out, leaving a carpet that is a virtual dirt magnet.
Over-wetting occurs when too much
water soaks into the bottom of the carpet. Some backing materials cause the
carpet to discolor if they get too wet. Some carpets will shrink, literally
tearing themselves up from the floor. If the backing and pad get wet, it is very
difficult to dry them, and you run the additional risk of mold and mildew
problems.
The final carpet-cleaning hazard
is stains caused by furniture coming into contact with wet carpeting. Many kinds
of wood furniture will release some of the dyes in their stain if left in
contact with a wet surface. Many pieces of furniture have feet that are at least
partially metal. The metal can rust, leaving a stain in the carpet.
Do-it-yourselfers are more likely
to encounter these problems because they often don't remove all the furniture
from the room when cleaning, and they often don't have ready access to the foam
blocks and foil-backed cardboard squares that the pros use to keep the furniture
off the carpet until it is dry.
Professional Carpet-Cleaning
Methods
One carpet-cleaning method, dry
extraction, isn't technically a "dry" procedure; it's more a
"moisture-controlled" process. That is, it applies a controlled amount of
moisture to clean the carpet and still leave it dry. This process is similar to
the do-it-yourself "dry" method, but the equipment is larger and much more
thorough.
Though it uses the same cleaning
chemicals, the dry process alters the amount of chemicals used and how they're
applied. A machine with two counter-revolving brushes moves the cleaning agents
through the carpet's material. The cleaner supplies enough liquid to dissolve
the dirt, then re-absorbs the soil and liquid, which leaves the carpet dry for
vacuuming and immediate use.
Some carpet-cleaning
professionals spray a carbonated cleaning solution onto the carpet. The
carbonation allows the cleaning agents to get to the carpet fibers with minimal
wetting. The solution doesn't contain the oil or detergents that typically leave
a dirt-attracting residue. Dissolved dirt is removed with a machine that rubs
soft cotton pads over the carpet.
When compared to wet systems,
this method may not get as much of the deeper dirt out, but is very effective at
cleaning the visible portion of the carpet. It does this without the risks of
residue or over-wetting. Many businesses use this system because the carpet is
usually dry and ready for traffic within an hour.
Otherwise, professionals use
methods similar to do-it-yourself approaches, with two important differences.
First, pros do this all day every day, and that experience helps them realize
the maximum cleaning potential of each system and avoid the hazards of each.
Second, pros usually use much
more powerful and sophisticated equipment and cleaning agents. Because they know
what they're doing, they can use all that extra power without succumbing to the
risks that power entails.
For example, on heavily soiled
carpet a professional might first use a power shampoo system and then follow it
with hot water extraction. There is equipment that does both in one pass. Often,
the vacuums used in hot water extraction systems are extremely powerful and are
mounted on a truck that is parked in front of the home.
Professionals have two other
advantages as well. First, they're accustomed to moving the heavy furniture.
Second, they usually know a lot more about how to handle specific challenges
like heavily soiled areas and stains.
Carpet Stains and
Carpet-Cleaning Extras
Carpet stain removal: Some
firms include stain removal in the base price. Other firms charge extra for
highly soiled areas or for individual stains. Ask about this up front.
Carpet pretreatment: Most
wet-cleaning results can be improved by spraying a cleaning agent on the carpet
a few minutes before cleaning. The chemicals help dissolve grease and oils so
that the final cleaning extracts even more dirt. For some firms this is standard
procedure; others may charge extra by the square foot or room. Be sure to ask.
Soil retardants: Most
carpets are now factory-treated with a coating that helps the carpet fibers shed
water and spills. The key is cleaning up the spills quickly. Once a carpet is
five years old or so, you may need to have it retreated, at least in the high
traffic areas.
The easiest way to check whether
carpet re-treatment is necessary is to place a few drops of water on the carpet
in the questionable areas and see whether the drops bead up or are absorbed
quickly into the fibers. If they are absorbed, it's time to retreat the carpet.
The best re-treatment chemicals
(and usually the only ones recommended by the manufacturers) are fluorochemical
based. Scotchgard or any treatment containing Dupont's Teflon are made from this
material. The treatment should take place after cleaning and, for best results,
should be gently brushed into the carpet while it is still damp.
Deodorizing and pet odor
treatments: Most of the possible carpet odor reduction that can be
accomplished will be accomplished by the cleaning itself. Many odors come from
mold, mildew, or urine that has penetrated the carpet backing and pad. There is
no practical way to get at the source without damaging the carpet through
over-wetting.
Applying an anti-microbial agent
(see below) will help slow the return of mildew and mold. Other than that,
"deodorizing" is really nothing more than masking the odor with some stronger
and more pleasing scent. Carpet perfumes have only a temporary effect and may be
irritating to some people.
Anti-microbial treatment:
The cleaning itself will kill most mold, mildew, yeast and other microbes, but
it is practically impossible to kill all of them. The anti-microbial treatment
creates a hostile environment for these microbes to reproduce and spread and
will help control odor problems, extend the carpet's useful life, and provide
considerable relief to allergy sufferers.
Anti-static treatment:
Static electricity often becomes annoying in the winter, when heating systems
dry out the air in our homes. Carpet manufacturers have responded by developing
new finishes, fibers, and backings that prevent the build-up of static
electricity. If you are having a problem with your carpet, the easiest, best,
and healthiest remedy is to increase humidity with a humidifier.
Once the relative humidity gets
above about 40 percent, the static problem disappears. There are several
treatments and finishes that can be applied that reduce static electricity, but
nearly all act as soil magnets, greatly speeding up the rate at which your
carpet gets soiled.
Call
Cleenx Carpet and Tile Care Today, To Schedule An Appointment.
LICENSE # 000037976 | 
Cleenx Carpet and Tile Care, Cathedral City,
CA 92234----Telephone: 760-328-2923
