carpet cleaning equipment
Carpet Cleaning
Equipment to Protect
your Carpet Investment
Carpet
cleaning equipment like the common vacuum can
remove most of the dry soil, but it is also necessary to clean
your carpet on a regular basis to remove the oily, sticky
soil that builds up in the pile as a result of cooking
vapors, air pollution, and tracked-in dirt from outside.
The particles of oily soil deposited on carpet fibers can
cause gradual but significant dulling of delicate pastel
colors; the color isn't lost but is hidden under the film.
If this type of soil is allowed to accumulate, it begins
to attract and hold the dry soil.
If carpet is cleaned
before it becomes too unsightly, the cleaning chore will
be easier and more successful. It is a myth that cleaning
the carpet before it is absolutely necessary will cause it
to get dirty faster. Carpet in a typical household should
be cleaned every 12 to 18 months depending upon the number
of residents and amount and type of activity.
Choice of the proper
carpet cleaning equipment and system is important. Some systems may leave
residues which promote re-soiling and defeat the whole
purpose of cleaning. The recommendations below represent
the best current knowledge and should help prolong the
time between cleanings.
Cleaning
Tips
Hot
Water Extraction System
(steam cleaning)
We recommend the hot water extraction
system, which research indicates provides the best
capability for cleaning. This carpet cleaning system is commonly referred
to as "steam cleaning," although no steam is
actually generated. The process consists of spraying a
solution of water and detergent into the carpet pile and
recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into
a holding tank. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit
outside the home with only the hose and wand brought
inside or, where a truck-mounted unit cannot reach, by a
portable, self-contained system brought into the home.
Professional
Carpet Cleaners
It is to your advantage to use professional cleaners
because their experience enables them to do a better job
than you can do yourself. Their equipment has more
extraction power than the rental units available to you,
and the carpet should dry more quickly. True professionals
have also made the investment in training to understand
the equipment, to know the proper cleaning agents for the
situation at hand, and to recognize the differences in
fibers and carpet construction.
How
to Locate Professional Cleaners
One way to
locate a professional cleaner is to contact the Institute
of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
at 1-800-835-4624. This organization maintains a national
directory of independent professional cleaners who are
trained and certified in a variety of cleaning
specialties. Call and explain that you have purchased carpet, and be sure to ask for a cleaner
near you who uses the hot water extraction system.
Do-It-Yourself
Systems
If you decide
to rent a steam cleaning machine and do it yourself, check
several cleaning systems before making a selection. Most
rental units available do not adequately clean and may
actually damage the carpet. Consider the following:
-
Some rental companies
have cleaning equipment that is similar to what the
professionals use. The cleaning equipment should have
enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry within
6 to 12 hours after cleaning. Avoid rental units found
in many retail and grocery stores that do not have
enough power to extract the cleaning solution from the
carpet adequately and which may actually damage the
carpet due to overwetting.
-
Avoid overwetting the
carpet. Prolonged dampness may promote growth of
mildew and bacteria in the carpet or cause separation
of the backing. A carpet that is wet for more than 24
hours could develop a growth of mold and mildew. Most problems in do-it-yourself
cleaning are due to overwetting and use of excessive
detergent.
-
Use a cleaning
solution with a pH less than 10, preferably near 9,
and with a minimum of non-sticky residue. For wool and
wool-blend carpets, use a cleaning solution that has
been formulated for wool and other natural fibers and
has a mild pH range of 5 to 8. We recommend a clear
water rinse after cleaning.
-
Carpet with stain
resistant treatments must be cleaned with products
formulated for this purpose, or the stain resistance
will be impaired and the warranty voided. Do not use
cleaning or spotting solutions that contain bleaches
or optical brighteners because they can discolor the
carpet.
-
Do not use any
silicone-based anti-soil treatments on carpets. The only anti-soil
products approved for use as needed are either DuPont
Teflon or 3M Scotchgard.
-
Reduce drying time by
using several fans to move air across the carpet in
combination with a dehumidifier or air conditioner to
pull moisture out of the air. Carpet should be dry
within 12 hours; even less is better.
© 2008 FloorBiz, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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