Carpet Cleaning is done mainly to remove dirt, stains, and allergens in carpets to ensure that indoor air quality is good. One of the major causes of poor indoor air quality is dirty carpets. A dirty rug also makes a house look worn and older. Therefore it is advisable to clean the carpet to maintain indoor air quality regularly. Carpet cleaning requires specialized equipment and chemicals. Here are some tips for people who would like to learn how to clean carpet.
The most critical component in the carpet cleaning process is the detergent. You should use a good quality detergent that will help remove the dirt thoroughly. Standard methods of carpet cleaning include wet-ampoo extraction, dry cleaning, and steam cleaning. The detergent acts as a solvent to break down the dirt particles and lint present on the carpet.
Vacuuming is also an important aspect in carpet cleaning. Vacuuming removes loose soil and loose-fitting drapes. However, vacuuming should be done after the stain has dried so that it will be easier to lift the loose dirt from the carpet. Vacuuming is usually done once every week or every other week if the carpet is cleaned regularly.
Spot removal is another aspect of carpet cleaning services. Spots usually develop on freshly cleaned carpets because of detergents that leave residues on the carpets. You can remove these spots by spot cleaning them. For removing stubborn stains, spot cleaning services are best.
Lastly, you need to hire a professional carpet cleaner to get rid of deep-seated dirt on your carpets or rugs. Common examples of such deep-seated dirt are cigarette ashes, fertilizer, grease, pet odors and food spills. A dry carpet cleaner can help remove these items. However, you can also perform dry cleaning yourself by using vacuum cleaners with wet/dry extraction or vacuuming the item on your own. Dry cleaning is usually recommended for areas with high traffic of traffic because the suction power of dry cleaning equipment is not as powerful as that of a vacuum cleaner with wet extraction.
Usually, carpet cleaning companies recommend two drying times: wet and dry. Most rental carpet cleaner machines have a dry drying time of about 15 minutes. If you need the machine to dry faster, ask the company if you can set a drying time ahead of time.
Depending on how soiled your carpets are, you can use a variety of cleaning detergents to remove dirt and soil. Most soiled carpets can be washed with most mild, commercial cleaning detergent. Do note that mild cleaners are only effective at removing dirt and soil from soiled areas; they are not capable of removing stains and oil. It is also not advisable to use concentrated cleaning detergents for cleaning your soiled rugs; these can cause serious damage to the fabric of your carpet.
Vacuum extraction is considered the best method of getting rid of soil and stains from your carpet. The most recommended extraction technique is the “hot water extraction”. In this method, hot water is extracted from the carpet with the help of powerful vacuum. Hot water extraction is the most expensive technique but it is considered to be the most effective.
Encapsulation or heavy-duty encapsulation is another technique which is used to get rid of dirt and soil from carpets. Encapsulation does not allow dust and soil to pass through the rugs; it traps the dirt and grime inside it, making it impossible for them to come out. This in turn makes extraction much easier. However, some dirt can be trapped by heavy-duty encapsulation and will require more scrubbing and more time. Encapsulation can also result in a shrinking of the carpet, which can make it more wearable; it is advised to ask for professional advice before going for encapsulation.
Rinsing with vinegar or bleach is another technique which is often recommended for removing stubborn stains left behind on carpets. These cleaners are very effective as long as you follow the correct procedure. You should rinse with warm water and detergent, leaving out the soapy residue. Then, blot the stains with a soft cloth or a paper towel. You can use more detergent if the stain requires more effort to be removed.
Cleaning of carpets doesn’t mean that all dirt is removed; there will always be some dirt particles which will be trapped between the fibres. The best solution to remove the trapped dirt is vacuuming thoroughly and frequently. In order to prevent the build up of dirt on floors, foot traffic should be kept to a bare minimum, with the possible exception of occasions when you are hiring carpet cleaning services. Vacuuming thoroughly after every visit to the house also helps in removing dirt from deep within carpet fibres without disturbing the innermost layer. You should keep your house free from allergens, as even very small amounts of dust from allergens can induce asthma attacks in susceptible individuals.