Carpet Cleaning

What should i consider when choosing a carpet cleaning product?

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Cleaning Resources, What should I consider when choosing a carpet cleaning product?

There are several contributing factors when it comes to choosing a carpet cleaning service or product the most common being the type of carpet, the type of stain and carpet cleaning prices. There are many carpet cleaning products on the market today, however instead of naming the common brand names I’d thought id detail the main type of carpet cleaning products and their different effects:

Carpet Detergents:
Detergents often come in two formats, liquid based or powder based which are both easily dissolved in hot water and applied to the carpet area. A detergent is probably the most common cleaning product and will often form a lather or soap suds on the carpet area which can then be wiped of with warm or hot water. Never over wet the carpet when using a detergent based cleaning product and always use the correct ratio of detergent to water, otherwise you could end up with a soapy nightmare. This type of product would be recommended for a shorter pile of carpet.

Soap Free Carpet Cleaning Products:
Soap free carpet cleaning products are increasingly popular as there is no soapy by product which would normally, in the case of a detergent, require excess water to clean off. Soap free cleaning products can be odor free and non-toxic, but are all chemical based which prevents a soapy sticky residue from being left behind on the carpet from traditional detergent carpet cleaning products, reducing rapid re-soiling so carpets stay clean longer. This type of product would be recommended for a longer pile of carpet.

Carpet Spot and Stain Removers:
Carpet spot and stain removers for carpets are generally used on specific stains and come through a variety of different products depending on what the stain is. Normally they come with a soft water conditioner which leaves the carpet looking brighter and feeling softer. They are commonly used for the removal of stubborn stains like oil, grease and ink and applied through either spraying or blotting the product on the stain and waiting for a specified amount of time before being wiped clean. Spot and stain removers can often works as a carpet pre-stain remover prior to using a detergent or soap free cleaning product.

Carpet Protectors:
Carpet protectors can be effectively used to provide a protective finish that can be applied, to virtually any type of carpet to protect against dirt, spots, and stains. On application it forms an invisible protective shield around each individual carpet fibre which normally then repel both water and oil-based spots and spills.

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Cleaning Products, Carpet Cleaning Tips | Comments Off

How do you identify the different types of carpet ?

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Cleaning Resources, How do you identify the different types of carpet ?

There are several different types of Carpet which can be normally identified by the type of pile as indicated below. Different types of carpet might require cleaning with a different cleaning method, a different carpet cleaning product and different carpet cleaning equipment. So it is important that before you take on the task of cleaning the carpet that you are aware of the different carpet types:

Below is a guide providing detailed descriptions of the most common types of carpet, which will hopefully enable you to easily identify your type before cleaning:

Cut Pile often has a smooth finish and is often known as a “velour” or “velvet” pile. It brings a classic look to a room giving it a luxurious and sensual feel to it. It can be easily identified as the tops of the loops of wool are cut and the yarn slightly twisted to produce tufts of yarn that stand upright to produce a smooth and even surface.

Hard Twist is a variant of Cut Pile which features yarn twisted to high degree and then set. This ensures a hardwearing texture which will minimise tracking i.e. footprints, shading i.e. irregular light and dark areas in the pile and shedding i.e. yarn becoming loose and broken. All in all this makes the Hard Twist Pile a popular and practical choice when it comes to choosing a carpet type.

Shag Pile is another variation on the traditional cut pile style. The difference comes in the Shag Pile’s tufts of yarn which are longer and give a carpet a thicker more luxurious look and feel. Although the Shag Pile is probably the most luxurious type of carpet it comes at a cost being generally more expensive than other carpet types.

Level loop pile is formed with continuous loops of yarn of uniform length creating a very hard wearing durable carpet pile. This particular carpet pile has been designed to minimise tracking (i.e. footprint marks).

Textured loop pile is formed with continuous loops of yarn of differing pile length creating a different more sculptured look to the level loop pile. Like its level loop pile counterpart, it is a very hard wearing durable carpet pile which has been designed to minimise tracking (i.e. footprint marks).

Wool or Sisal pile carpets and rugs are now becoming very popular. This stylish raw looking, woven texture of wool or Sisal (coir and seagrass) provides a durable surface that is easily cleaned and generally hard wearing. The raw look and feel, make it a popular choice within the eco friendly minded people.

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Types | Leave a Comment

What are the most effective carpet cleaning methods?

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Cleaning Resources, What are the most effective carpet cleaning methods?

This question can only be answered by examining the carpet to determine which method is required.

I would say the main methods of carpet cleaning present themselves in a particular order which pretty much dictates the severity of the carpet stain. let me explain further:

  1. Vacuum Cleaning:
    To be used to remove day to day dust, dry spillages and food crumbs. This method without a doubt the most commonly used method to initially clean a carpet throughout the world and works through brushes effectively beating the carpet pile causing the dirt and dust to rise up wheer it is then sucked in to the vacuum cleaner.
  2. Wet Vacuum Cleaning:
    Water and detergent is pumped down a hose and through the carpet fibres to loosen dirt which is then sucked back up in to the cleaner. With the water being sucked back up the hose it ensures that the carpet will be less wet than traditional methods of washing a carpet. Please note that this method will only brighten up a carpet and will not remove tougher ground in dirt.
  3. Rotational Vacuum Cleaner (Roto-Vac):
    Water and detergent is pumped down a hose and through the carpet fibres a series of brushes are then rotated on the carpet loosening more persistent dirt which is then diluted in the water which is then sucked back up in to the cleaner. This method is alot more effective than using a wet vac alone and is ideal for stubborn stained patches of carpet.
  4. Spot Stain Removal:
    A carpet stain remover product is applied to a sponge or cloth and then dabbed on the stain allowing the carpet cleaning product to soak in. The area can then be wet vacuumed to ensure that it dries quickly. This method should be used for specific stains i.e. oil, grease or ink using the appropriate carpet cleaning product to remove or dissolve the stain.
  5. Foam Carpet Stain Remover:
    A foam carpet stain remover product normally comes in an aerosol can which is then sprayed on to the affected area. The area is then rubbed with a sponge and then left to dry. Once dry, any residue containg dirt is then vacuumed away. The advantage of this is that the carpet does not become over-wet as the foam uses little water. Although this method is effective it does not produce the same results as using the wetter carpet cleaning methods.
  6. Absorbant Dry Compound Carpet Cleaning:
    This is similar to using the foam method where a dry compound is sprinkled on and worked in to the carpet which then attaches itself to the soil or dirt particles. The area is then vacuumed away removing the dirt or soil particles. The advantage of this is that the carpet does not become wet as there is no water involved, however this method is not as effective wetter carpet cleaning methods.
  7. Bonnet Carpet Cleaning:
    This method is similar to using the rotational vacuum cleaner where a detergent solution is poured on to the carpet and the Bonnet machine uses its rotational buffer pads to work the carpet area. The dirt becomes suspended in the solution which is then removed with the pads. The advantage of this is that the pads are reversible so once one side of the pad gets soiled, it can be reversed and the other side can be used. The pads are also re-usable. Disadvantages of this method is that Bonnet machines are quite cumbersome to use.

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Cleaning Methods | Leave a Comment

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