When spring rolls around, everyone knows it’s time to give your house a good clean. Carpet cleaning service at Clinton Hill is not just a process of removing stains, but a way to keep your home clean while extending and improving the life and performance of your carpets.

 

Most people think that carpets only need to be cleaned when they see a very visible stain. This is not true. Carpets need to be cleaned every 12-18 months. In addition, depending on your carpets warranty information, more frequent cleaning may be required.

 

What is the best way to clean my carpet?

There are several different methods of cleaning carpets, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. So how do you decide which method is best for your carpets? Below is a review of each method and its pros and cons to help you decide which method to use before your next cleaning.

 

There are two methods of cleaning carpets, dry cleaning and wet cleaning. Dry carpet cleaning uses the no moisture or ‘very low moisture’ (VLM) method. Wet carpet cleaning uses water and is known as the hot water extraction method. Wet cleaning is often referred to as carpet steam cleaning.

 

Dry Cleaning

Although it does use a little water, dry cleaning a carpet is what is commonly referred to as surface cleaning. It is a convenient cleaning method for those high traffic areas that need to dry quickly. It is not the best option for a full clean, but works well for maintenance cleaning.

 

Dry cleaning with absorbent is carried out by spreading a powder mixture containing a special detergent and solvent over the carpet and then driving it into the carpet fibers using a machine fitted with a reversing brush. The soil on the carpet is absorbed by the powder and after a setting time of about 10 to 15 minutes the powder mixture is wicked away.

 

Advantages

1. Simple cleaning system, no special technical training required
2. Fast drying time, the whole process takes about 20 minutes and then you can use your carpet again
3. Cheap and fast, easy to apply and use

Disadvantages

1. Powder may not be vacuumed up and left on the carpet to build up over the years
2. Powder may cause a build-up of dust in your home
3. Cannot be cleaned deep inside the carpet

Wet cleaning

Wet cleaning uses hot water extraction (HWE), which is also known as steam cleaning. The first step is to apply a pre-treated shampoo to the carpet. This helps to liquefy soil and oil-based stains. The machine sprays the cleaning solvent onto the carpet and then vacuums it away with all the dirt and allergens. This solution helps to remove the soil from deep within the carpet fibers.

 

Steam cleaners can be vehicle-mounted or portable. There are benefits to both methods. Using a portable machine has the distinct advantage of being able to be used in smaller spaces, such as flats or apartment buildings, where the reach of a truck-mounted hose is limited. Although, the power of a truck mounted unit is an overall better method of cleaning and should be used whenever possible for the best cleaning experience.

 

For those who are concerned about the cost of hiring a professional to clean their carpets, you may want to consider cleaning only those areas that get a lot of foot traffic. This means you won’t have to move your large pieces of furniture, such as your bed or sofa, as the cleaners will just be cleaning around them. Since you can’t see the carpet underneath these large pieces of furniture, it makes sense that you don’t need to clean this area as often. However, if you move your furniture around a lot then it is best to clean the entire surface of the carpet.

 

Advantages

1. Ability to remove soil from deep within the carpet
2. Uses high pressure, heat and chemical concentrates
3. Allows cleaning solvents to react over a longer period of time
4. Extraction wand or combing tool facilitates the stirring of the chemical reaction
5. The most common method of carpet cleaning
6. Carpet manufacturers, professionals and cleaning experts recommend annual maintenance of carpets

Disadvantages

1. Takes a while to dry, although some competent technicians can reduce this time by using powerful equipment.
2. Usually only available with expensive equipment for maximum efficiency
3. More expensive than other methods

 

DIY carpet cleaning

You may have noticed that you can rent carpet cleaning machines at your local grocery and hardware shops, or that there are many steam cleaners at your local department store. There are tons of machines on the market that may make you reconsider calling a carpet cleaning company every year.

 

The risks of DIY carpet cleaning

When using a DIY machine, you will find that the water is not as hot as a professional machine, which is one of the requirements for effective cleaning. In addition, this type of machine will not have the power that a professional machine has, so it will not be able to pull as much dirt and water out of the carpet.

When hiring a carpet washing machine, the rental cost will be included.

 

Carpet cleaning machine rental costs

Heavy duty cleaning agent

Optional upholstery cleaning attachments or other cleaning agents such as spot sprays

After cleaning your carpet, it should be only slightly damp. If your carpet is still very wet, then you know you are not using a machine powerful enough to do the job effectively. If your carpet is still very wet after cleaning, you can use a fan to help speed up the drying process and don’t walk on it or change furniture until it is completely dry.

 

Other things to consider before cleaning your carpet yourself are how much detergent you need to add to the machine and what type of technique you will use to move the machine around the carpet, i.e. fast or slow, all of which will give you the opportunity to make mistakes when cleaning your carpet yourself.

 

Pros

1. Save on upfront costs
2. You have full control over the cleaning job and which areas are cleaned
3. No need to make appointments, you can schedule the job to suit your own time
4. Stain and spot removal products are quite cheap

Disadvantages

1. You can’t deep clean as much as you can with a professional because you don’t have the same abilities
2. You have to do the work yourself
3. It can take a long time to dry
4. Stained areas that you have treated yourself tend to come back

 

Carpet cleaning problems

Whether you hire a professional to clean your carpet or do it yourself, problems can arise. These problems may include

 

Musty smells or mold growth

1. Water stains or brown stains on the carpet subfloor
2. Cracks or shrinkage, which is an extreme case and can damage the carpet

 

If your carpet looks too wet, you can ask your carpet cleaner to bring out more water, lend you an industrial-strength blower to help your carpet dry faster, or lift the carpet up so they can dry the underlay.

 

Are the chemicals used in carpet cleaning safe?

When deciding to have your carpets cleaned, ask the carpet cleaning professional what chemicals they intend to use. Some chemicals can cause harm to you and your family, so it is important to know which chemicals to avoid.

 

Chemicals that are not safe for you and your family include.

 

1. Butane
2. Glycol ethers
3. Hydrofluoric acid
4. Sodium dithionite
5. Nitric acid triacetate
6. Isobutane or propanal
7. Tetrachloroethylene and tributyltin
8. Quaternary ammonium chloride
9. Sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide

You can ask your carpet cleaning professional if they have alternatives to these harsh chemicals. There are also eco-friendly carpet cleaners that use green certified products that are safe for you and your family. If you choose to do your own cleaning, make sure you read the labels and avoid exposure.

 

Extending the life of your carpet

When it comes to extending the life of your carpet, you’ll want to make sure you follow these steps.

 

1. Maintain a proper system to remove most of the soil brought into your home or facility and pay special attention to entry points and high traffic areas.
2. Vacuum daily to remove debris that could damage carpet fibres.
3. Perform regular spot removal and interim cleaning.
4. Occasionally perform restorative cleaning, which may mean dry cleaning or wet cleaning, depending on your foot traffic.

Most professionals believe that wet cleaning is necessary at some point in the life of your carpet. In addition to poor maintenance, the use of overly harsh chemicals is a common way to damage your carpet. Make sure you follow the correct steps to maintain and clean your carpet to ensure that your carpet lasts a long time.

Pressure washing

Pressure washing Sugar Land is both a science and an art, both on and off your business, using careful water temperature monitoring and the right cleaning solvents to remove even the most stubborn stains. . From hospital and hotel cleaning to polishing your drive-through, pressure washing is an effective and efficient way to improve the condition of your property.

Conclusion

Your carpet is the first impression many people get when they first walk into your home or office, so it’s important to make sure it stays clean. Whether you use a professional dry or wet cleaner or end up cleaning your carpets yourself is a personal choice, but always make sure you do your research on the company you choose. When you find the best carpet cleaning method for you and your home, you can sit back and enjoy a clean carpet while helping to maintain and extend the life of your carpet.