Carpets add warmth and beauty to a room, but they can also trap dirt and allergens. Regular cleaning with a good vacuum cleaner, followed by hot-water extraction, keeps carpets looking and smelling their best.
Full-size carpet cleaners have rotating brushes, hoses and heaters, and attachments for upholstery and pet messes. They usually have two tanks: one for dispensed cleaning solution and one to hold the dirty water extractor. Contact Carpet Cleaning Companies El Dorado Hills now!
Carpets trap dirt, dust, bacteria and other elements that can cause health problems if allowed to build up. Dirty carpets are also less able to support proper airflow, making rooms feel stuffy and unpleasant. Vacuuming helps remove some of this debris, but regular cleaning is needed to keep the rugs in good condition and prevent permanent damage.
The material from which the carpet is made can affect how quickly it gets dirty, and how easily it’s cleaned. Nylon, for example, tends to repel water and dirt, while cotton absorbs it more readily. Some stains are more difficult to remove than others, and professional carpet cleaners have the knowledge, equipment and products needed to eliminate even the most stubborn deposits.
Before beginning a deep clean, professionals vacuum the rug to remove loose dirt and soil. They will then spot-treat any areas that were pointed out during the pre-inspection and use a special solution to break down stains. They may then use an emulsifier to help the solution penetrate deeper into the fibers, before using high-powered equipment to suck up the soil and the dissolved stain.
Once the stains and dirt have been removed, the carpet is rinsed to get rid of any soapy residue and left to dry. If the carpet isn’t properly rinsed, it can become sticky or stiff and resoil rapidly, especially in areas that receive heavy traffic. To avoid this, professionals use specialized equipment that is able to dispense and extract large amounts of water very quickly.
Besides preventing sticky residue, the rinsing step also helps to ensure that the entire cleaning process was effective. Without it, the carpet could remain soiled beneath the surface or develop mildew or mold from retained moisture. When hiring a carpet cleaning company, look for one that is CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) certified to make sure they have the best equipment and are familiar with the methods used to remove all types of deposits.
For most households, regular carpet cleaning should be done once or twice a year. This will keep the rugs looking and smelling fresh, as well as extending their lifespan by removing any harmful deposits that can cause damage and by reducing the wear caused by friction between the fibers. Vacuuming and spot-treating stains as soon as they occur will also reduce the need for professional cleaning. However, if your carpeting is particularly thick and dense or has a low, closed loop, you may need to have it cleaned more frequently to prevent it from becoming worn down by foot traffic. In this case, you should ask a carpet cleaning service to recommend a schedule. They may be able to provide this information in their promotional materials or on their website. They can also offer suggestions on how to maintain a healthy, beautiful carpet between professional cleanings, such as by using doormats and vacuuming regularly.
Preparation
If you want the best possible results from your carpet cleaners, there are a few things you should do before they arrive. First, make sure there are no pets or small children in the rooms that will be cleaned. If there are, make arrangements to take them out of the house for the duration of the cleaning. If they are in the home during cleaning, they could become very upset or even injured by the equipment used. They also might run into or knock over furniture, which could result in broken items and/or stains.
Next, remove any loose items from the floors, including toys, books, magazines, and other household items. This will prevent them from being swept or vacuumed up by the cleaning equipment and may help the carpet to dry faster. It is also a good idea to vacuum the carpets before they are cleaned, especially in traffic areas. Use a rotating brush and/or a suction attachment to get as much dirt out of the fibers as possible.
Be sure to follow any special instructions that are provided with the spot removal products you have purchased. If you do not, you could make the stain worse or damage the fabric of your carpet. Always test any new product on an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using it on a stain to ensure that it will not discolor or damage it.
You should also consider having a stain protection treatment applied after the cleaning. This is an inexpensive way to maintain the beauty and longevity of your carpet. It is especially important to have this done when your carpet reaches the end of its warranty period, and it can help with resale value as well.
It is also a good idea to have a professional groom the carpets after they are clean. This will help them lay flat and prevent matting, which can cause the carpet to look dull and lifeless. It is recommended that this be done once or twice per year, depending on how heavily the carpet is used.
It is also a good idea to ask your carpet cleaners about any warranties or guarantees they offer. It is also a good idea to find out if they are CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) certified, as this indicates that the company uses the latest and most effective equipment and cleaning methods. Many carpet manufacturers’ residential warranties require the use of products that are certified by CRI. You can find a list of approved professionals at www.cricertifiedcarpet.com. Also, be sure to check your local Better Business Bureau for complaints against the carpet cleaners you are considering using.
Cleaning
Carpets trap household dirt, including hair, skin, pet dander and dust mites. Vacuuming helps remove some of this dirt, but other particles are embedded deep in the fibers. If allowed to remain, these particles can damage the carpet and contribute to indoor air pollution. Regular cleaning can remove these particles and prevent them from damaging the fibers.
Professionals have a variety of cleaning methods they use to clean your carpet. One common method, steam cleaning, involves preconditioning the carpet with a chemical that liquefies the soils. A machine then sprays hot water over the carpet and simultaneously extracts it, removing both the liquid and the liquefied soils. The carpet is then left to dry.
Other cleaning methods are less invasive. For instance, dry cleaning, also known as very low moisture (VLM) cleaning, uses specialized machines and compounds to clean your carpet without using much liquid at all. This allows your carpet to quickly dry, and most pros can complete a large area of carpet in about 60-90 minutes.
Another option is encapsulation cleaning. In this process, the encapsulating chemical surrounds each dirt particle and crystallizes it, making it easier for vacuuming to remove it. This is a great interim maintenance procedure to reduce the time between deeper carpet cleanings.
Before starting the actual cleaning, a professional will do a walk-through of your home with you and point out any furniture that needs to be moved. This can include sofas, chairs, tables and other larger items. Most pro cleaners include moving small furniture in their pricing, but will charge more for bigger pieces like beds and dressers.
After the carpet is cleaned, a protector can be applied to help repel stains and make future cleanings faster and easier. A deodorizer may also be added at this time. If you’re interested in purchasing these products, ask your technician about them before the cleaning begins.
To extend the life of your carpet, it’s important to address stains as soon as they occur. Many can be removed with a clean cloth or sponge if they’re treated immediately. This can also save you the expense of a more thorough, expensive cleaning later on. Vacuum regularly, at least once or twice per week, and make sure to use door mats at every entrance to catch most of the dirt that would otherwise be tracked into the house and onto the carpet.
