what method of carpet cleaning is best?

What is carpet?

Most of us walk on the carpet beneath our feet without giving it much notice. Little do we appreciate the technological marvel of backing, binding, tufts and weaving which we expect to put up with continuous use and abuse on a daily basis. Carpet enhances the appearance of our homes, softens the harsh sounds of our environment, adds insulation and can actually reduce the number of allergens in the air.

Often the only time we give our carpets any serious thought is when it comes time to replace them because they have either become worn or stained to the point that their condition demands action. At this point we realise what a large and valuable investment carpet is in our homes. To fully carpet the average family home will cost many thousands of pounds.

Considering the expense of replacing carpet it makes sense to take a few simple precautions to protect your investment. A schedule of regular maintenance can significantly prolong the beauty and useful life expectancy of your carpet. When buying a new carpet you should always ask for the manufacturers care instructions if they are not offered to you automatically.

Maintain your carpets appearance by vacuuming.

The simplest and most important job is regular vacuuming. This should be done with a good quality vacuum cleaner once or twice a week depending the level of traffic the carpet experiences. In less frequently used rooms once every two weeks may be enough. It is important to brush or vacuum up any small patches of visible dirt (soil) from earth or food etc. as soon they occur to avoid it being treaded into the carpet. The small hand held vacuums are useful tool for this job, but a dustpan and brush is better than nothing.

Following a few basic guidelines will ensure you get the most out of your vacuum cleaner. Before you begin vacuuming you should check that the area is clear of any objects that could clog or damage the vacuum cleaner. Check that the bag or container does not need to be emptied. Vacuums with brushes work best going forward so that the brushes can loosen the dirt from the carpet prior to it being sucked up. Work in a methodical pattern with slightly overlapping strokes to ensure that the entire carpet is covered. Use the attachment tools to reach into corners and under furniture to remove the last of the dust and dirt.

Not all Vacuum cleaners are equal. The purpose of vacuuming is to remove solid soil. A good vacuum cleaner will have a mechanism designed to loosen dirt from the fibres of the carpet so that they can be sucked up into the cleaner. Cyclone vacuums have the advantage of needing to be emptied less frequently whilst still maintaining excellent performance. The most important thing to consider when buying a vacuum however is usability there is no point buying an all singing all dancing machine, if the very idea of lugging it around puts you off vacuuming on a regular basis.

Why is regular carpet cleaning necessary?

Carpets get dirty just like any other textile in your home including your clothes. Vacuuming will remove the loose dirt, but does nothing to remove soil that has been absorbed or adhered to the fabric of the carpet. If this soil is not removed not only will the carpet begin to look dull and aged, it will also attract a build up of dust mites and bacteria that will eat away at the carpet significantly reducing its life.

So although hiring a professional cleaner or renting carpet cleaning equipment might seem expensive. It is in fact a very economical way to maintain the appearance of your carpet, extend its life and keep it hygienic.

How frequently your carpet should experience this deeper cleaning is dependent on the level of traffic and type of soil it is exposed to. You can imagine that the carpet in a family dining room will require more frequent cleaning than that of the occasional guest bedroom. Some experts recommend that the average family home should have its carpets cleaned as often as every six months and others that every one and half to two years is reasonable. Some carpet manufacturers even require a specific schedule of cleaning in order to maintain a valid warranty.

What carpet cleaning methods are available?

The purpose of deep cleaning is to remove the soil, dust and dirt that vacuuming leaves behind. There are many different techniques that are employed to achieve this aim. The one chosen could depend on factors such as the main type of soil present, the age of the carpet or even just the amount of time that is available to complete the scheduled work. All methods have their risks and advantages. The risks involved are of course mitigated by the use of a qualified professional and increased in the hands of the inexperienced or the amateur.

Hot Water Extraction - carpet cleaning machines

This method is sometimes inaccurately described as “Steam Cleaning”. A solution of hot water and detergent is applied to the carpet and then immediately removed using a wet vacuum. Dirt and soil become suspended by the detergent molecules in the same way as washing-up liquid lifts the dirt of your dishes and is then carried away as dirty water by the vacuum. This is a very popular method as it is suitable for most carpets and excellent at removing allergens, however if the dye in your carpet bleeds on testing a dry method might be more suitable. A professional will often achieve the better results with this method by first spot treating small areas of stain with specialist solutions. The DIY cleaner – or inexperienced scam professional can hire portable machines at many DIY stores. The main disadvantages and risks associated with this method are the amount of time it takes the carpet to dry afterwards, which should be hours not days, and the risk of shrinkage and colour bleed.

Shampooing

This is another wet method in which a circular brush is used to apply cold detergent solution to the carpet. The brush provides agitation in the pile of the carpet to help get the soil into solution so that it can be removed during the wet vacuuming process. Some people consider this a less effective method at removing soil, but it might be the one most suitable for your type of carpet. Again you have to wait for the carpet to dry before it can be walked on.

Dry Cleaning

This method is suitable when it is not possible to allow time for the carpet to dry. A dry powder containing a mixture of solvents and detergents is spread evenly over the carpet. It acts by preferentially absorbing the soil and dirt from the fibres of the carpet. When the carpet is later vacuumed the powder carries the soil and dirt with it. A professional will use a special machine to work the powder into the pile of the carpet to achieve the best results. The amateur may be forced to try and achieve similar results by using a clean brush. In any case it is important that a good quality vacuum is used to remove all of the powder from the carpet.

Foam Cleaning

This method is often seen as a hybrid of shampooing and dry cleaning. A wet solution of detergent is applied to the carpet in the form of foam, which requires much less water and therefore leads to shorter drying times. Professional machines will have brushes to work the foam into the carpet before it is removed by a wet vacuum. It is possible to buy Carpet cleaning foam in spray cans, but these are only suitable for spot cleaning small areas, and not entire carpets.

Bonnet Cleaning

This is a professional technique used to improve the surface appearance of a carpet. It is most commonly used in commercial settings. Detergent solution is sprayed onto the carpet and then removed by an absorbent rotating pad which is applied to the carpet by machine. Surface soil carried by the detergent is removed as it is absorbed onto the pad, which is replaced as it becomes soiled, but no deep cleaning of the carpet is performed.

How to choose a professional carpet cleaner

It is very important that you find a professional cleaner who has been properly trained and is fully insured. If you do not you may have saved yourself a few pounds on the cleaning, but end up having to fork out thousands of pounds to replace carpets that have been left shrunken, dishevelled, discoloured or even destroyed by the wrong cleaning methods, inexpertly applied.

There are several things you can do to avoid these problems. First check that the cleaner is affiliated with a professional body such as the National Carpet Cleaner Association (NCCA) and that they are happy to offer you a money back guarantee. Then ask them lots of questions including;

How long they have been cleaning carpets?
Who were they trained by?
Is their work insured including treatment risk insurance?
Are they happy to produce evidence of accreditations and insurance policy on demand?
Do they charge by the number of rooms or the size of the area to be cleaned?
Can they provide a written fixed quote or just estimation?
What items would they charge extra for? This list should be very short and not include normal spot cleaning treatments or furniture moving.
What cleaning chemicals do they use? They should tell you it depends on the carpet.
How long will it take the carpets to dry? This should be hours not days.
When will it be safe for my children to walk on the carpet?

If you are happy with the answers you receive to all these questions then you have probably found yourself a reputable cleaner. In addition the professional should also be asking you lots of questions about your carpets. He will want to know the history of their previous cleaning and surface treatments. What type of traffic conditions they experience and if you know what they are made from.

Warning signs that should convince you to avoid using a cleaner’s service include;

They don’t readily offer a landline telephone number and contact address.
They appear to charge much less than their competitors. They are more likely to hit you with hidden charges employ inexperienced operators or be uninsured.
They are reluctant to produce written references or supply the numbers of a few satisfied customers. (Note to the professional always ask first.)

For a profesional carpet cleaning service in the Southern Counties, Click here or use our Big Directory to find a carpet cleaner in your local area.

© Article written by The Big Clean Ltd all copyright reserved 2007

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