Carpet Cleaning

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.

What carpet cleaning equipment should I use?

By: Ben | Filed Under Carpet Cleaning Resources, What carpet cleaning equipment should I use?

carpet cleaning equipmentThere are many different types of carpet cleaning equipment from a simple dust pan and brush to a complex carpet cleaning machine. Choosing the correct equipment depends on the severity of the job or in most of our cases the severity of the carpet stain. Always think carefully when choosing your equipment as it could prove crucial to the carpet cleaning result ..!!

I have detailed below the most commonly used equipment that will guarantee a clean carpet after use:

Vacuum Cleaners:
The vacuum cleaner comes in a variety of different sizes and shapes which all work in a similar fashion. The vacuum cleaner is best used to remove day to day dust, dry spillages and food crumbs. This is without a doubt the most commonly used type of carpet cleaning equipment throughout the world and works through brushes effectively beating the carpet pile causing the dirt and dust to rise up where it is then sucked up through a hose in to a cylinder.

Vacuum cleaners also vary in suction power, the more expensive having a greater or a variable suction power control. However the highest power is not necessarily the best as a cheaper pile of carpet can often be damaged by a powerful vacuum cleaner.

Wet Vacuum Cleaners:
The wet vacuum cleaner (wet-vac) also comes in a variety of different sizes and shapes and works in the same way as a standard vacuum cleaner. The main difference is that a wet vacuum cleaner uses water and detergent which is pumped down a hose and through the carpet fibres to loosen dirt, which is then sucked up through a hose in to a cylinder. 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.

Rotational Vacuum Cleaners:
The rotational vacuum cleaner (roto-vac) like the wet-vac uses a water based solution to clean the carpet. The detergent solution is pumped down a hose and through the carpet fibres where 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 up through a hose in to a cylinder. This method is a lot more effective than using a wet vac alone and is ideal for stubborn stained patches of carpet.

Dry Vacuum Cleaners:
A dry vacuum cleaner as you can probably guess does not use water or any solution based detergents. A dry carpet cleaning product is sprinkled on the carpet area which is then worked on by the dry vacuum cleaner which contains a series of sponges which works the dirt or soil in to the product. The end residue is then vacuumed away separately leaving the carpet stain free and more importantly DRY…!!

Carpet Cleaning Sprayers:
Another type of carpet cleaning equipment commonly used is the carpet sprayer. This type of equipment comes in a variety of different sizes and shapes which all work in a similar fashion in that they pump out a detergent or pre-stain remover with a varying level of pressure. The pressure applied is the key as it will determine how deep the penetration of solution will be of the carpet or affected area.