Carpet Cleaning, Rug Cleaning, Metods Carpet Cleaning, A1 Sparkles

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 getting into 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 and end up costing you
much more than the advertised price. Additionally these companies often use outdated
equipment, low budget chemicals, and untrained technicians.

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 equipment is better than others....run! Only
the Carpet and Rug Institute tests and recommends which method or equipment is best.
Additionally, there is no one method or equipment type that is best for all carpets. Fiber
identification, installation type, and manufacturer's warranty description all come into play
when choosing the right method or equipment.

5. Ask for the basics: IICRC Certification and Training, Insurance certificates, References,
and prior work experience.

There are 6 different methods of carpet cleaning.

Absorbent Compound
Dry Foam
Shampoo
Encapsulation
Absorbent Bonnet (Dry Carpet Cleaning)
Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning)

A1 Sparkles Natural Carpet Cleaning utilizes Hot Water Extraction (Steam) and Oscillating
Bonnet (Dry) Carpet Cleaning.

1. Absorbent Compound        3 Stars        Yes A1 Sparkles If Its Got to be Totally Dry

Description

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

Not recommended. Used as an interim or spot cleaning for commercial carpet cleaning
applications.

2. Dry Foam- 3 Stars        Yes A1 Sparkles - Upholstery Cleaning Only

Description

A pre-conditioner 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 cleaning carpet cleaning for hospitality
industry.

3. Shampoo- 2.5 Stars        No A1 Sparkles

Description

A pre-conditioner 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, sometimes used in hospitality industry.

4. Encapsulation-   4 Stars             YES A1 SPARKLES!

Description

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                   Low IAQ Health Benefits
Mid Surface Cleaning                         Professional Use Only
Improved Vacuuming                          Crystal Remnants

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) -4 Stars         YES A1 SPARKLES!

Description

A carbonated preconditioned may be used prior to application. Once the preconditioner and
or encapsulation is distributed suspended soils are agitated and extracted via rotary bonnet
absorption. 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                                Little 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)- 5 Stars YES A1 SPARKLES!

Description

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 pre-
conditioner 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                            4 - 6 Hour Drying Time
Deep Down & Surface Cleaning High IAQ   Professional Use Only
Safe, Healthy and No Chemical Residue     Costly Equipment

Uses

Commercial And Residential Carpet Cleaning. Heavy Duty Carpet Restoration, Disaster
Recovery or Interim Carpet Cleaning.

Considered the Gold Standard, Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning is the most popular
choice among professional and consumers alike. Steam 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 (CCT) you can expect clean, soft, healthy and longer lasting carpets.

A1 SPARKLES, LLC
MAID SERVICE, HOUSE CLEANING CARPET CLEANING,
JANITOR SERVICE AND MORE
MAIN LINE PA PHILADELPHIA PA
KING OF PRUSSIA PA 610-292-9069 ELKINS PARK PA 215-782-3995
Some services are limited to specific geographic areas. Please call to see if we serve your area.

2001 All Writes Reserved
A1 Sparkles Cleaning Service, LLC