Carpet Cleaning Methods

Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning)

“Steam Cleaning” is just a nickname for a method of carpet cleaning called “hot-water extraction.” This method is the preferred method of cleaning by many major carpet manufacturers. In fact, some require you to use this service at least once every 12-18 moths otherwise the warranty on your carpet can be voided. This type of cleaning  is widely considered the best method of removing embedded soils and contaminants in your carpet. Steam cleaning works by injected a high pressurized solution into the carpet pile, then immediately extracts it with the powerful vacuum system. Most companies will apply a pre-treatment to break down soils, loosen oil deposits and remove spots. After the cleaning a protective coating can be applied to your carpet, most of the time for an additional cost. This coating is commonly reffered to as “scotchguarding.” This phrase is also just a nickname. What is applied is actually a teflon.  It’s a good idea to have this re applied, as the scotchguarding applied during the manufacturing process will only last so long.

So what makes it so great:

1. High Heat

If a truck-mount system is used, the water can reach over 230 degrees! Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot water is a key component in any cleaning.

2. Powerful Vacuum System

Truck-mount systems are basically an engine with a very powerful blower built-in. The horsepower ranges from 15 to 50, depending on the size of the machine. This engine powers this vacuum so it can create a very powerful suction. This vacuum is so powerful it can have your carpets dry within a couple hours. There is a misconception that steam cleaning will over-saturate your carpet, soak your padding and take days to dry. This is simply not true.

3. Safe for the enviroment

There is another misconception that steam cleaning is not environmentally friendly. Even though the process isnt entirely “green” because the machine runs on gasoline, the chemicals that are available to professionals are. Carpet cleaning manufacturers make several products for professionals that are Eco-friendly, and affective.

Rotary/Dry Foam

This type of cleaning has been around for a while. Even though it’s lost its popularity, it’s still used as a first step in a 2 step process. In recent years there have been many advancements in synthetic detergents, preventing re soiling, a problem previously associated with this method.

How it works:

The rotary floor machine used with this process has a feed line that injects a chemical into the carpet. This chemical, combined with the agitation from the rotating brush, begins to foam, giving it proper lubrication. As the brush rotates, it agitates the soils and suspends them. Some floor machines have a vacuum system attached, enabling it to extract some of the loose contaminants and soils. Other machines simply rely on the agitation.

Pros:
1. The process does not take long and extensive training is not needed.
2. Dries fast. In most cases just a couple hours.
3. The agitation is a great way to suspend soils.

Cons:
1. Even with a vacuum system, thorough removal of soils is not achieved.
2. No hot water. Which is of course a key component in cleaning anything
3. Potentially damaging to carpets. Make sure the tech is trained, otherwise stiff brushes can damage carpet fibers.

Overall, this is a good maintenance cleaning. But it is not the best restoration cleaning method.

Bonnet Cleaning - Absorbent Pad

Also referred to as absorbent pad cleaning, this system is primarily used for maintenance cleaning, although some comapanies use it as a primary cleaning.

This method consists of using a rotary floor machine with an absorben pad or towel, called a bonnet, placed underneath the spinning drive block of the machine. A special treatment is applied to the carpet before the bonnet is used. The cleaning agent is usually a water-based formula with solvents added to ain in the cleaning and drying process. After the pre-treatment is applied the bonnet, slightly damp, is used to buff over the carpet using overlapping strokes. The absorbent pad will pick up suspended soil and excess cleaning solution. The pad must be replaced before it becomes too saturate and no longer picks up soil.

Pros:
Simple
Fast Drying
High Production Rate

Cons:
Poor Deep Cleaning Capabilities
Buildup

Absorbent Compound

This method is growing in popularity in commercial office buildings such as high rises. It's easy to operate and requires very little in chemicals and equipment.

The treatment used in this method is very unique and scientifically advanced. It is a powder that is impregnated with cleaning agents and solvents. This power is spread over the carpet either by hand or spreading machines, then agitated into the carpet with a counter rotating cylinder brush machine. The powder is designed to release and suspend the soil and absorb into the powder product. After 15-30 minutes of dwell time the powder is then vacummed up.

Pros:
Easy to Learn
Requires little equipment
Covers a large area in short amount of time

Cons:
Build-Up of powder
Expensive (no water is used, only chemicals)
Not always effective

Encapsulation Cleaning

The newest cleaning method, encapsulation cleaning, is not really a “method,” it’s more of a system that can be used with several different cleaning methods.

Encapsulation chemicals use emulsifiers to dissolve oils and grease. The encapsulation chemistry, combined with strong agitation loosen and suspend particle soil. During the cleaning process, covalent chemical bonds, called polymers, coat the carpet fibers and soiling. Over time the polymers will crystallize with the suspended soil. After the carpet is dry, the crystallized soil can easily be removed by simply vacuuming.

Encapsulation provides a good appearance, fast production rates and high resistance to wicking. This is a great option for general maintenance cleaning in commercial carpet cleaning. However, for deep cleaning, hot-water extraction is still the preferred method.