There are several carpet cleaning methods that are used today by various professional carpet cleaning companies and households. Each type of cleaning has its own advantages and disadvantages. This article will help you choose among them as we contribute to the most popular methods and describe their perceived pros and cons.
In principle, carpet cleaning methods can be placed in one of two categories: wet cleaning or dry cleaning. Wet cleaning involves extraction with hot water as well as cleaning with an absorbent pad. Cleaning dry carpets includes the use of chemical powders or foams applied by special machines with counters of rotating brushes, pads or cylinders.
Wet cleaning
(a) Extraction of hot water or deep steam cleaning
The carpet is first pre-conditioned with a chemical reagent for saponification or liquefaction of soils and oil-based substances that may be present. Water at a temperature near its boiling point and pressure from 50 to 500 pounds per square inch then injected into the carpet and after a suitable time (usually 10 to 15 minutes), the resulting solution is extracted with a vacuum of 5 to 14 inches Hg.
PROFI
- Gets pollution from the depths in the carpet.
- Allows the use of high temperatures, pressures and chemical concentrates.
- Allows you to increase the exposure time for the reaction of cleansing solvents.
- The chemical reaction is facilitated by mixing with a hair care tool or a wand.
- This is the method that is most widely recommended by carpet manufacturers and the cleaning industry.
MINUSES
- Relatively long drying time. This can be reduced by the use of powerful equipment by competent professionals.
- Usually requires expensive equipment for maximum efficiency.
- Relatively high cost factors
(b) Cleaning with an absorbent pad
This method, which is commonly known as hood cleaning, is most often used for routine maintenance, but it is also used for regular carpet cleaning. First, the carpet was vacuumed, and then the chemical solution was sprayed into it with a manual pump or an electric spray gun. The solution is allowed to remain on the carpet for a suitable stay or reaction time. An absorbent pad or hood that looks like a towel is placed on the drive unit of a rotary floor machine and rotates above the surface of the carpet at a speed of 100-300 rpm. This action serves to impregnate the fibers of the carpet with a chemical solution, and then after that pick it up with soils.
PROFI
- Fast. Just. Inexpensive.
- Excellent results with slightly soiled carpets.
MINUSES
- It only cleans the upper third of the carpet fibers. It is impossible to reach deeper.
- It removes dirt and chemicals that accumulate at the bottom of carpet fibers near the base.
Dry clean
(a) Cleaning with an Absorbent Compound
The powder mixed with special solvents and cleaning agents is applied to the carpet and processed in the fibers with a special machine equipped with counter-rotating brushes. The powder absorbs the soil and is allowed to set on the carpet for 10-15 minutes and then vacuumed.
PROFI
- Very simple system. No special technical training is required.
- Very fast drying. About 20 minutes is required before the carpet is returned to service.
MINUSES
- The powder can be caught in plush carpets and left to build up over time.
- Usually causes an excess of dust in the internal environment.
- Unable to peel deep in the carpet
(b) Dry Foam or Rotary Shampoo Method
The foaming surfactant is applied to the carpet to cause a solution or suspension of the soil, and then whipped into the foam and treated with carpet fibers with rotating brushes of a special machine. After a short time, the foam is extracted with vacuum.
PROFI
- Fast. Ease of use. Inexpensive.
- Excellent mixing with these rotating brushes.
- A small amount of moisture allows you to quickly dry the carpet.
MINUSES
- Failed to extract the soil under the surface of the carpet.
- High temperatures are usually not achieved.
- Excessive wetting is possible with equipment malfunction.
- Brushes can damage carpet fibers, especially when they appear.
You will be advised to consider these pros and cons before deciding which method you want to use to clean your carpet.
