subject: How To Choose The Best Carpet Cleaning [print this page] How To Choose The Best Carpet Cleaning How To Choose The Best Carpet Cleaning
Hot Water Extraction. Carpets are very expensive, so when choosing a Carpet Cleaner, it's important you choose the right one who uses the method you want. Hot water extraction is the main cleaning method recommended by most of the large carpet manufacturers, including the worlds largest, Shaw Industries.This carpet cleaning method is also known as Steam Cleaning, though steam is never used, as it would be far too hot. This term comes from the very fine droplets of water injected at highpressure, giving the appearance of steam. A hot water solution containing a cleaning agent is injected into the carpet under pressure, and is immediately followed by a vacuum that extracts the solution and dirt particles from deep in the carpet.
Drying time varies depending on a number of factors. Room temperature, weather conditions, and most importantly, air flow. Expect drying time to be a couple of hours.
There is a risk when using DIY machines, of leaving the carpet wet and causing shrinkage or mold.
Dry Cleaning.
This method uses an absorbent particulate product that contains solvents and cleaning agents.
The powder is spread on the carpet either by hand or special spreading machine, then worked into the carpet by counter rotating cylinder brushes.
The powder is left for 15 - 20 minutes while it releases the chemical cleaner onto the dirt particles, which is the emulsified and suspended, then vacuumed up.The main advantage of this method is the fast drying time. The disadvantage is, some powder will be left behind, and is not as deep cleaning as hot water extraction.
Absorbent Pad.
Also known as Bonnet Cleaning and Dry Cleaning. The system uses a rotary machine with an absorbent pad or towel. After the carpet is vacuumed the cleaning will begin with the spray of a special chemical solution onto the carpet.
The chemical is usually a water based formula with certain solvents added as an aid in the cleaning and drying process.
The chemical solution is left for a while after it has been applied, to give it time to work. Then the carpet is cleaned with a slightly damp bonnet, buffing the carpet using overlapping strokes.
The absorbent pad will pick up suspended dirt particles and cleaning solution. The pad must be changed when it becomes saturated and no longer picks up
