What are the different methods of carpet cleaning?

There are many different ways to have your carpets cleaned, and many different companies
to choose from.  Regardless of which method or service provider you choose, we recommend
first familiarizing yourself with some of the basics.  

Before learning about the various ways to  clean a carpet take a look at some important factors in choosing the right company.

1. Stay away from the ultra cheap ($19.95 per room) pricing scams .  Companies that offer teaser prices often itemize each step of the cleaning process, ending up costing you much more than the advertised price. Additionally these companies often use outdated equipment, low budget harsh chemicals, and untrained technicians. Click her for the Action News Carpet Cleaning Scam Alert

2. Stay away from the ultra expensive .  Often the better known franchises, who are trained in slick sales techniques and gorilla marketing techniques will bill you 2-3  times as much as you should pay.  Their technicians are often not IICRC certified, but trained be the corporate headquarters, who know more about making money than cleaning carpets.

3.  If the company you choose is not IICRC certified you are taking a chance.  Many carpet manufactures require consumers to use IICRC Certified Cleaners on order to keep their carpet warranties in effect.  Additionally only IICRC Certified cleaners are educated in the many intricacies of fiber types and how best to clean carpets, without damaging them or voiding your warranties.

4.  If a company claims their method or products are ALL NATURAL.. Ask to see them! With the growing popularity of green cleaning comes the scamers.  Many companies claim to be green, however to be sure ask them to see their products.  Make sure you read the lable and look for certification logos, such as EPA or Green Seal.  Along with the products check out their equipment.  Do they use water purifiers, green glides, truck mount powed vacuums, and most importantly can they promise to leave no chmical residue.

5. Ask for the basics:  IICRC Certification, better business bureau membership, training, insurance certificates, references, prior work experience, and physical address 

There are 6 different methods of carpet cleaning.  

Absorbent Compound 

Dry Foam 

Shampoo 

Encapsulation 

Absorbent Bonnet 

Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning)

1. Absorbent Compound 

An organic or synthetic compound that is spread into the carpet, absorbs soils, and is removed by dry vacuuming. 

Advantage                                             Disadvantage
Low Moisture                                         Low Cleaning Power
Allows Blending                                     Carpet Fiber Distortion
Quick Return to Service                         Leaves Some Residue - No Rinse

Uses 

Used as an interim or spot cleaning for commercial carpet cleaning applications. 

2.  Dry Foam 

A preconditioner may or may not be used prior to application of a foam detergent.  Once the foam is distributed suspended soils and the foam are extracted by a wet vacuum. 

Advantage                                             Disadvantage
Low Moisture                                         Low Cleaning Power - Surface Only
Surface Cleaning                                   Increased Resoling - Low Extraction
Easy Application                                     Leaves Dry Dirt Residue - No Rinse 

Uses 

Not recommended. 

Out dated technology, sometimes used in quick carpet cleaning for automobile interiors. 

3. Shampoo 

A preconditioner may or may not be used prior to shampooing.  A foaming detergent is showered into the carpet surface followed by a nylon rotating brush that creates a foam suspends soil. Either a wet vacuum or dry vacuum is used to extract soils.   

Advantage                                             Disadvantage
Aggressive Cleaning Power                    Surface Only
Surface Cleaning                                   Very High Resoling - Little Soil Extraction
Easy Application                                    High Soapy Residue - No Rinse 

Uses 

Not recommended.  

Out dated technology.

4. Encapsulation 

 A cleaning agent is brushed into the carpet using a cylindrical or rotary brush machine. 

Encapsulation chemistry surrounds each soil particle and crystallizes so it can attract other soils. The encapsulated soil particles are removed through dry vacuuming or pile lifters.   

Advantage                                             Disadvantage 

Excellent Cleaning Power                        No Health Benefits 

Mid Surface Cleaning                             May Cause Delaminating 

Improved Vacuuming                            Chemical Residue 

Uses 

Recommended for commercial use only.  Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning is technologically advanced, providing excellent low moisture mid surface carpet cleaning. Carpet surface continues to improve over time with regular vacuuming.  At this time residential applications are not considered a professional carpet cleaners best practice.  

5.  Absorbent Pad (Bonnet / Oscillating Pad) 

A carbonated preconditioner may be used prior to application.  Once the precondidtioner is distributed suspended soils are agitated and extracted via rotary bonnet absorbsution. 

Bonnets must be turned over or replace frequently to ensure good absorption rates. 

Advantage                                             Disadvantage
Low Moisture                                         Moderate Cleaning Power
Mid-Surface Cleaning                             Professional Use Only
Easy Application                                     Residue - No Rinse 

Uses 

Interim or Combined Carpet Cleaning Only. 

Often used by franchise carpet cleaners for commercial and residential applications for its easy application.  Bonnet Carpet Cleaning produces good visual results but does not clean deep down,  reducing the ability to remove stains and offering little health benefits. Excellent Carpet Cleaning results can be achieved when combined with Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning. 

6.  Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning) 

 Although there are many different carpet cleaning methods Hot Water Extraction is the safest and most effective method for deep down carpet cleaning. Often called Steam Cleaning this proven technology is a favorite among professional carpet cleaners, and customers. Our method of Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning involves an organic or synthetic preconditioner that breaks down and suspends soils so that they may be flushed out from the carpet using a hot water rinse.  Even heavily soiled carpets will look and feel like new. The rinsing process is completed by powerful vacuums that extract the suspended soils and any remaining water. The result is a healthy deep down carpet clean. Under normal circumstances your carpets will be dry to the touch with in 2 to 3 hours. Drying times vary according to humidity, and soil levels. The use of high speed air movers will drastically increase your carpets drying time. For heavily soiled carpets complete drying should be accomplished with in 6 to 8 hours. Included in our process we provide you with shoe covers or “booties” that allow you immediate access to the cleaned carpets.   

Advantage                                                         Disadvantage
Excellent Cleaning Power                                    2 to 24 Hour Drying Time
Deep Down & Surface Cleaning                          IICRC Professional Use Only
Safe, Healthy and No Chemical Residue              Susstable To Over Wetting / Operator Error 

Uses 

Commercial / Residential Carpet Cleaning. Heavy Duty Carpet Restoration, Disaster Recovery, Organic / Natural Carpet Cleaing or Interim Carpet Cleaning. Considered the Gold Standard, Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning is the most popular choice among professional and consumers alike. Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning not only produces excellent visual and textural results, it also is the only carpet cleaning method that has added health benefits to indoor air quality.  When properly applied by a certified Carpet Cleaning Technician and without harsh chemicals you can expect clean, soft, healthy and longer lasting carpets. 

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