Some of the Best Carpet Cleaning Methods
If you have children or pets, you understand the importance of having the right equipment to help clean your carpets.
Dirty carpets not only detract from the look of a home, but they can also be a health hazard.
Yet using the wrong product can lead to damage of a carpet, so the first item in order is to investigate what material the carpet is woven from and what products are allowed for use to clean it.
Each material has specific properties, which require certain cleaning solutions.
Knowing this will enable you to find the cleaning method that is best suited.
Wool carpets for example do not take kindly to alkalis or from being cleaned in extreme heat situations.
In order to clean a carpet correctly it takes more than just a wash.
It entails removing deeply embedded dirt from the fibers, in a gentle and nonabrasive way in order to avoid damage.
Hot Water Extraction One method of carpet cleaning entails hot water extraction.
This method should however never be used on wool carpets.
Also known as steam cleaning this method of cleaning involves the use of heat that suspends the embedded dirt.
The next step in the cleaning process uses pressure injected into the fiber, which removes the suspended dirt.
The carpet must be dried very quickly and effectively and most hot water extraction systems include a final phase that will vacuum up any residual moisture from deep within the carpet pile.
It is recommended that nobody walk on the carpet for at least 24 - 48 hours.
If this is unavoidable it is recommend that you lay down a clean area rug and restrict movement to only one section of the carpet.
If possible open some windows to encourage air flow throughout the house and encourage a faster drying process.
Dry Extraction Cleaning Alternately a dry extraction cleaning method exits which involves absolutely no water.
Instead this method relies on detergents, which are designed to attach themselves to dirt particles.
Once the dirt has been entrapped a simple vacuum will remove both the detergent and the dirt at the same time.
Carpet cleaning machines are easy to find and it is a simple process of renting or purchasing one for DIY cleaning.
Along with the machine a special carpet cleaning solution is required that is specifically formulated for a particular carpet and problem.
For example food stains, pet stains or high traffic stains.
The machine should also be suited to high or low pile carpets and if possible come with a spot treatment attachment in order to deal with the more stubborn stains.
First ensure that the machine is on the right setting and start pretreating high traffic areas and stains.
Move onto the rest of the carpet before moving back again to the high traffic or stained areas.
It may take two or more treatments to get your carpet looking new and fresh again.
Hand Cleaning It is perfectly permissible to clean your carpets by hand.
Many supermarkets carry a range of carpet cleaning solutions that will help minimize your time.
Opt for solutions that work with very little water unless you are able to leave your carpet outside for at least two days to dry.
These solutions require that you work up good foam, which you then spread onto the carpet with a light hand movement.
The foam is designed to trap and lift dirt out of the pile.
Once the surface foam has dried the carpet can be vacuumed.
However there is the possibility that moisture trapped deep in the pile will be sucked up into the vacuum.
In order to avoid this let the carpet dry for at least 24 hours before vacuuming.
Alternatively dry cleaning solutions are available that you simply sprinkle over the carpet or stained area.
A light rubbing will work the solution in to the pile where it will embed and lift the dirt.
The carpet can be vacuumed almost immediately with no concern to entrapped moisture.
Whatever your preferred method of carpet cleaning, make sure that before starting you protect your carpet from damage by using the right equipment and the right solutions.
Dirty carpets not only detract from the look of a home, but they can also be a health hazard.
Yet using the wrong product can lead to damage of a carpet, so the first item in order is to investigate what material the carpet is woven from and what products are allowed for use to clean it.
Each material has specific properties, which require certain cleaning solutions.
Knowing this will enable you to find the cleaning method that is best suited.
Wool carpets for example do not take kindly to alkalis or from being cleaned in extreme heat situations.
In order to clean a carpet correctly it takes more than just a wash.
It entails removing deeply embedded dirt from the fibers, in a gentle and nonabrasive way in order to avoid damage.
Hot Water Extraction One method of carpet cleaning entails hot water extraction.
This method should however never be used on wool carpets.
Also known as steam cleaning this method of cleaning involves the use of heat that suspends the embedded dirt.
The next step in the cleaning process uses pressure injected into the fiber, which removes the suspended dirt.
The carpet must be dried very quickly and effectively and most hot water extraction systems include a final phase that will vacuum up any residual moisture from deep within the carpet pile.
It is recommended that nobody walk on the carpet for at least 24 - 48 hours.
If this is unavoidable it is recommend that you lay down a clean area rug and restrict movement to only one section of the carpet.
If possible open some windows to encourage air flow throughout the house and encourage a faster drying process.
Dry Extraction Cleaning Alternately a dry extraction cleaning method exits which involves absolutely no water.
Instead this method relies on detergents, which are designed to attach themselves to dirt particles.
Once the dirt has been entrapped a simple vacuum will remove both the detergent and the dirt at the same time.
Carpet cleaning machines are easy to find and it is a simple process of renting or purchasing one for DIY cleaning.
Along with the machine a special carpet cleaning solution is required that is specifically formulated for a particular carpet and problem.
For example food stains, pet stains or high traffic stains.
The machine should also be suited to high or low pile carpets and if possible come with a spot treatment attachment in order to deal with the more stubborn stains.
First ensure that the machine is on the right setting and start pretreating high traffic areas and stains.
Move onto the rest of the carpet before moving back again to the high traffic or stained areas.
It may take two or more treatments to get your carpet looking new and fresh again.
Hand Cleaning It is perfectly permissible to clean your carpets by hand.
Many supermarkets carry a range of carpet cleaning solutions that will help minimize your time.
Opt for solutions that work with very little water unless you are able to leave your carpet outside for at least two days to dry.
These solutions require that you work up good foam, which you then spread onto the carpet with a light hand movement.
The foam is designed to trap and lift dirt out of the pile.
Once the surface foam has dried the carpet can be vacuumed.
However there is the possibility that moisture trapped deep in the pile will be sucked up into the vacuum.
In order to avoid this let the carpet dry for at least 24 hours before vacuuming.
Alternatively dry cleaning solutions are available that you simply sprinkle over the carpet or stained area.
A light rubbing will work the solution in to the pile where it will embed and lift the dirt.
The carpet can be vacuumed almost immediately with no concern to entrapped moisture.
Whatever your preferred method of carpet cleaning, make sure that before starting you protect your carpet from damage by using the right equipment and the right solutions.