Steam cleaning (hot water extraction) It's done with a truck-mounted or portable machine. The truck-mounted option is more powerful and will do a more thorough job. Carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction as the preferred method of carpet cleaning to invigorate and prolong the life of the carpet.
Hot Water Extraction
Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.
Getting your carpets professionally cleaned is the only way to tackle certain kinds of stains; and while many people believe that steam cleaning is the only solution for deep cleaning, Chem-Dry provides a much more effective, efficient, and safer carpet cleaning solution.
The short answer to this question is yes. In most cases, it is always worth it to get your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year though in some cases, it may not be the best idea to get your carpet professionally cleaned.
Spring. Spring is typically one of the most popular seasons for a professional carpet cleaning. You're finally starting to let fresh air into your home, and want to remove the salt, dirt, and debris that gets tracked in all winter to kick off your spring cleaning.
Vacuum. Vacuuming high-traffic areas before your carpet cleaners arrive helps them get right down to business. Removing dirt and debris from the carpet allows the carpet cleaner to focus on the dirt that is embedded in your carpet fibers.
Baking soda is an excellent choice for cleaning heavily soiled carpet, as it absorbs mud, grease, and other unsightly residues. To use baking soda over your entire carpet, sprinkle it heavily along the surface and then grind or push it into the fibers using a fresh, dry sponge mop.
Steam cleaning is a really effective and efficient way to lift build up from the carpet fibers, including mold and pet scents. It also is effective at improving the appearance of carpets that have been neglected over time.
Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax, and 1/4 cup vinegar, then apply this paste to deep stains or heavily soiled sections of carpet. Allow the paste to sit on the carpet for several hours until it dries completely, then vacuum it away.
It is in the best of your interest to hire a professional carpet cleaning service merely because of their experience. This helps them to do a much better job than you can do it yourself. Further, their equipment has more extraction power than anything available to you.
Fluff it up
Matted carpet can easily be brought back to life. Spritz a little warm water onto the matted area then gently blow-dry with a hairdryer as you fluff the carpet fibres back into place with your fingers, the edge of a spoon or a hairpin. Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it.
Steam cleaning often uses high-pressure that causes a messy, ineffective carpet clean. High water pressure can also break down your carpet and after multiple cleans start to destroy the carpet fibers.
Your carpet will be only slightly damp to the touch after your cleaning. Most carpets typically need 6-10 hours to dry completely. However, it could take up to 24 hours to dry depending on the time of year your carpets are cleaned, and the air circulation, humidity and temperature in your home.
Carpets that still look dirty or have stains reappear after cleaning is a result of something called wicking. This is due to over wetting the carpet, the backing, and pad which causes them to return back to the surface once dry.
TLDR: Baking soda can be used to clean carpet because it is a powerful alkaline solution that when combined with acid produces dioxide gases. These oxidized gases are highly effective at removing stains from carpet and other materials with ease.
In a bowl or small bucket, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the solution and rub them into the carpet. Massage them into the fibers well (without fully saturating the carpet) and follow up with a cloth to help blot excess moisture.
After you get out your carpet cleaner, fill the clean tank to the line with hot (not boiling) tap water. Hot water does a better job cleaning than cold but, if you boil it, you run the risk of melting parts of your carpet cleaner.
For routine cleanings, a vacuum cleaner is the fastest and easiest way to get your carpets soft and cleaned. But vacuuming only removes dirt and dust. For a deeper cleaning or carpets with stains, you might want to use a carpet cleaner and brush after vacuuming to wash the carpet.
To keep your carpet looking and performing at its best, The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends having your carpet professionally deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Bear in mind that this recommended frequency is a general guideline only and can vary based on your particular circumstances.
Some companies will tell you that you need to have the rooms empty. Other companies might tell you that leave everything in place and they'll clean around it. Our advice is that you should be removing smaller items. Your breakables and your valuables really need to be moved.
It is recommended that you try to stay off the freshly cleaned carpets until they are dry – about 6 hours. If you MUST walk over your damp carpet before it is dry use EXTREME caution. Where you transition from carpet to another hard surface, like tile or hardwood, can be very slippery.
Cleaning can loft the pile; but when traffic resumes the pile will lay down again almost immediately. Oil, grease and stains on carpet can be removed with the right stain removal technique but if not done right they can cause more damage to the carpet.
Clean With a Steam Cleaner
Removing the soil that weighs down fibers will make the carpet look fluffier.