 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Many consumers think one carpet cleaning method is as good as another. We will explore the advantages and disadvantages of the two primary methods:
From these two methods you can choose which one suits your needs.
First, let's examine dry cleaning. Many people believe that dry cleaning your carpet is like dry cleaning your clothing. This is not true. All carpet cleaning methods use water in one form or another.
The most common dry cleaning method used is the chemical method. This process involves applying a cleaning chemical to the carpet, usually with a sprayer of some sort. Once the chemical has been applied a machine that spins a large cotton pad is used to absorb both the chemical and soil that has been loosened by it. The major advantage to this method is that it dries very quickly since very little moisture is applied to the carpet.
However, there is at least one major disadvantage that should not be overlooked. Since chemicals are applied, and only absorbed from the carpet instead of being rinsed out, a residue is left behind. This residue still has an attraction to soil and can cause your carpet to re-soil far more quickly. While this cleaning method has a place in the industry, it should not be used or classified as a restorative or “deep cleaning” cleaning method.
Another disadvantage is it can void your carpet manufacturer's warranty. Recently Shaw Industries, world's largest carpet manufacturer, changed their warranty to require only Hot Water Extraction be used to clean their carpeting (section 3, par.2) and excluded methods with use of rotary brush cleaning (par. "What These Warranties Do Not Cover).
This method is also referred to as steam cleaning even though steam is not used.
Shaw Industries recommends hot water extraction first, with a truck mounted unit and then - only if it can’t be reached by a truck mount, portable extraction which is done with a small machine.
Not surprisingly, a truck mounted machine cleans much better because it heats the water to a higher temperature — and shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at a higher pressure — which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, and pollens. Then the machine uses high suction to draw the dirt out of the carpet.
The only disadvantage to hot water extraction is that the process takes between four and six hours to dry. Drying can be reduced if high volume fans are used during the process.
No question, the most effective way to clean carpeting is with a hot-water unit mounted in a truck or van. It’s the most powerful cleaning machine on the market because it's the only machine that thoroughly cleans your carpet by ridding it of dirt, harmful bacteria, fungi, chemicals, pollen, dust mites, and dust mite feces.
CLICK HERE to find a local carpet cleaning company that uses your preferred method for carpet cleaning.