subject: How to Clean a Carpet (or sofa) thoroughly [print this page] How to Clean a Carpet (or sofa) thoroughly
Carpets harbour dust, dirt - and worse! Pets can drop fleas, bring in mice, mites and bugs that could make nests, lay eggs, etc. Pets have been known to wipe parts of their bodies clean on carpets and furniture. Babies and young children can be messy too.
Using a vacuum cleaner keeps the dust and dirt down but eventually all carpets need a deep-down thorough clean which will help to preserve the look of the carpet and therefore prolong its life. Options are to engage a professional carpet cleaning company or hire the equipment and do it yourself.
Recommended procedures for cleaning carpets, rugs and upholstery cleaning are, typically:
First, clear the surface. For carpets, this means removing furniture items to access all areas.
Next, prepare the surface. Use a powerful vacuum to remove all dry soil from surfaces, with special attention to edges, corners and crevices.
Test the solutions to be used on an inconspicuous area.
If there are persistent spot stains, treat these first. Purchase special reagents, as recommended by the equipment hire company and cleaning instructions for the type of carpet/upholstery you are cleaning.
If possible, apply specifically formulated surfactants to increase soil suspension and minimise moisture retention where the carpet/rug is heavily soiled.
Using the correct solution for the equipment and carpet/upholstery to be cleaned, apply to all areas then thoroughly rinse out the cleaning solution with the soil. Distilled water should be used, especially in hard-water areas. Be careful not too get the carpet too wet.
A final, gentle grooming will help to restore the look and set of carpet fibres for maximum resilience. Setting aids faster drying and gives your carpet a 'newer' finish.
The carpet/upholstery will dry and back to normal use within a few hours after cleaning. The time depends on the amount of air flow and ventilation in the room.If necessary, open windows or switch on the heating system when carpet cleaning has finished.
If possible, leave the carpet to dry thoroughly before replacing furniture. Otherwise, upon careful re-positioning, use moisture resistant tabs or blocks to protect both the carpet and furniture from moisture damage.
This carpet cleaning guide was supplied from Homecare Cleaning Services Ltd, a professional carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning company that prescribes to the following industry standards: PAS 86: 2008 from NCCA (National Carpet Cleaners Association) to offer the best carpet cleaning results.
