Basic Procedures Carpet Cleaning

Discover  how AJS Carpet Cleaning uses powerful truck-mounted equipment and hypoallergenic reagents to get your carpet and upholstery super clean. Carpet maintenance can be quite simple once you understand and apply basic carpet cleaning procedures and avoid some basic things.

The principles underlying effective carpet cleaning are similar to those which may be applied to any other form of cleaning. Cleaning is a chemical reaction between soils and other contaminants and the cleaning reagent. This reaction is made efficient with the application of the following four basic fundamental principles:

1. Heat

Chemical reactions are accelerated by heat. Above a temperature of 120°F, the speed of the reaction is doubled for each successive 18°F increase in temperature. By raising the temperature we can speed up the chemical reaction and get the carpet cleaned with less reagents and less effort.

2. Agitation

Agitation serves to lift the carpet pile and loosen the carpet fibers. During this process the chemical reagent is brought into closer contact with the carpet fibers. This facilitates easier penetration of encrusted soils and is similar to what happens in a clothes washing machine.

Agitation can be accomplished by raking or grooming the carpet with a groomer or pile brush, or by the action of the high-pressure water jets that is sprayed onto the carpet when using truck mounted equipment. The movement of a carpet cleaning wand over the carpet also generates agitation of the carpet fibers as they move against one another.

3. Chemical Concentration.

Water alone is not sufficient to remove soils that are fixed or suspended on the carpet fibers. No matter how activated the water is, all that can be accomplished with water alone is minimal rinsing of some of the soil from the carpet. Chemicals will provide the reaction that transforms soil into a suspended state, so that they can be removed from the carpet.

Application of an appropriate chemical solvent for preconditioning the carpet before extraction is a critical step in any carpet cleaning procedure. The concentration of the chemicals used is extremely important. There is an optimal concentration that is ideal. Resist the temptation to believe that more is better. Follow closely the chemical suppliers’ instructions for mixing or dilution.

4. Dwell time

Time is necessary to allow the chemicals to react completely. Usually, a dwell time of 5 to 15 minutes is sufficient. Never neglect this step as it could result in a waste of chemicals and inefficient cleaning.

The final steps in basic carpet cleaning procedures, are rinsing and drying. Make sure to rinse thoroughly in order to remove as much of the chemical cleaning reagents as possible. If this is not done properly, the residual chemicals may cause the carpets to attract dirt and be re-soiled rapidly.

The carpet should be left as dry as possible. Drying is accomplished by first removing most of the water with a powerful vacuum and leaving the carpet to get dry at ambient temperatures. It is helpful to leave windows and doors open, if possible, and to turn up heaters or air conditioners. It is also advisable to use a carpet protector after complete carpet cleaning.

If necessary, a Turbo dryer or fan may be used to accelerate the drying. Call AJS Carpet Cleaning, Inc. today for premium carpet and upholstery cleaning care.  We are experts in residential and commercial carpet cleaning procedures.