5 Carpet Cleaning Methods Used by the Pros
Keyword(s): carpet cleaning methods
A busy household means that there's plenty of foot traffic, which can leave your beautiful carpet looking dull and dirty.
When it comes to keeping your floors clean and hygienic, an occasional professional carpet cleaning can make a huge difference.
Before you choose the best carpet cleaning methods for your home, read on to learn about five of the most common ways your flooring can be cleaned so you can decide which is right for you.
1. Hot Water Extraction (AKA Steam Cleaning)
This method is one of the most commonly known ways to clean carpets. Hot water at high pressure is used to agitate carpet fibers, dissolving girt and grime that can get deep down into the floors.
This method also involves applying a cleaning agent to any stains or soiled areas. Then, a brush agitates the carpet and the stain is rinsed way. Once the cleaning agent sits on the carpet, it's washed using special carpet cleaning equipment.
The carpet is rinsed thoroughly and left to dry, ideally in a ventilated or air-conditioned room. This process typically takes around two hours on average, but it also takes at least four hours (sometimes more) to ensure that the carpet is completely dry.
2. Shampooing
Shampooing your carpets was once the most popular way to keep them clean. Many homeowners would rent a carpet shampooer to use on a temporary basis.
This process is still effective at getting out serious stains and other problems, but it also comes with its disadvantages. The shampooing process uses a thick, wet foam to get your carpets clean.
The problem lies in the ingredients of the shampoo, which can be quite sticky and can also take a very long time to dry. No rinsing is performed after carpet shampooing, so you could end up with sticky, wet floors.
3. Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Methods
One of the most popular carpet cleaning methods is called foam encapsulation. This process uses a synthetic detergent that eventually crystallizes into a powder.
After the detergent turns into a powder, it encapsulates any loose dirt particles which are then vacuumed up. This process has become quite popular over the years, mainly because it's fast and requires no drying time.
Carpet encapsulation cleaning techniques have surpassed shampooing and steam cleaning to become the most preferred method by many homeowners. Since there's a significantly less amount of water required, the drying time is little to none.
The encapsulation method is also commonly referred to as "dry chemical" carpet cleaning. It's an effective way to get out stubborn stains, but some people claim that it's not the best at getting carpets deep cleaned.
4. Bonneting
You've probably never heard of the bonnet method, but that's because this carpet cleaning process is usually used in businesses like hotels. This method involves cleaning the top of the carpet fibers with a heavy-duty machine.
The large machine uses a spinning pad that's soaked in a carpet cleaning solution. The pad is designed to apply the cleaner while it absorbs and picks up surface dirt.
The bonneting method offers a fast solution to clean large areas, which explains why it's so popular for use in hotels and commercial buildings. The process doesn't require much moisture, which means the carpet dries very quickly.
You won't get a super-deep cleaning if you choose the bonneting method, so it's best to use this only if you have to clean a large area in a short amount of time. The cleaning agent also tends to leave residue behind, so it's not ideal for most households.
5. The Dry Carpet Cleaning Method
This method is another popular choice that has become more popular in recent years. A combination of effective cleaning and fast drying time has made dry carpet cleaning a good option for many homeowners.
The technology for dry carpet cleaning emerged in the 80s and since then, there have been plenty of powders and other cleaning compounds invented. A special cleaning compound or powder is applied to the bottom part of the carpet using a motorized counter-spinning brush attached to a machine.
This rotating brush helps to open up the carpet fibers while the cleaning compound settles deep within the carpet and reaches the bottom. This results in a deep cleaning that reaches all the way to the floor.
Most cleaning compounds today are made of safe, biodegradable ingredients that work as a sponge to absorb any dissolved dirt. After the process is finished, the remaining cleaning compound is removed. This carpet cleaning method is safe for all carpet types and can be used by businesses and homes thanks to its quick and easy method and no drying time.
Some carpet cleaning companies may use a different formula than others, and they may also use various cleaning tools and machinery. The bottom line is that dry carpet cleaning is an effective, safe option that can be done quickly.
Choose Your Carpet Cleaning Wisely
Now that you know more about the different ways professionals use their chosen carpet cleaning methods, you can decide which one will suit your needs. If time is of the essence, choose a cleaning service that has little to no drying time required.
You may only need to have stubborn stains removed, or you could be in desperate need of a real deep cleaning. Whichever you choose, just remember that each method is effective at getting your floors clean and sanitary.
For all your cleaning needs, be sure to visit our website today to learn more and contact us for more information.
