Steam cleaning a carpet can help remove pet odors.
The proper carpet cleaning methods for a home depend on the amount of traffic the carpet or rugs can handle, whether there are children and pets living in the home, and whether anyone in the home has allergies. It is also very important for the life of the carpet to choose a cleaning method that is compatible with the materials from which it is made. That’s why it’s often better for people to hire a professionally staffed service than to try to deep clean carpets. These services generally offer five cleaning methods: shampooing, dry cleaning, foam cleaning, hood cleaning, and steam cleaning. Regardless of the method used, all rugs to be deep cleaned will first be thoroughly vacuumed.
It is important to remove all furniture from the room in preparation for carpet cleaning.
Carpet cleaning that involves the use of shampoo is probably the least effective method. Special detergents are applied to the carpet or rug and agitated with a machine. The shampoo is then extracted from the carpet by vacuuming. Used detergents contain brighteners and deodorizers that leave the carpet looking and smelling good, but much of the dirt and microbes remain on the carpet and reappear later.
Detergent can be used to brighten and deodorize carpets.
The dry cleaning method is generally considered preferable because there is no need to wait for the rugs to dry. This method is done by coating the carpet with a special cleaning powder designed to attract dirt like a magnet. Once the dust is introduced into the carpet, it is completely vacuumed.
The foam carpet cleaning method is a cross between shampooing and dry cleaning. Uses a minimal amount of water and foaming detergent that attracts and adheres to dirt. Once the foam is applied to the carpet, it is fully vacuumed, extracting most of the water, detergent and dirt.
The hood method is normally done only in commercial buildings. It doesn’t work as well in homes because it’s primarily designed to maintain or restore the appearance of industrial carpeting, rather than providing a deep clean. This method also has the potential to damage the fibers that make up most household rugs. Hood cleaning is accomplished by applying a chemical detergent to the carpet and using an absorbent sponge in a rotating shampoo machine to extract dirt.
Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction, is the most effective method of cleaning carpets. Professional services use a powerful machine that injects a solution of hot water and detergent into the carpet or rug. The machine then powerfully extracts the mixture, leaving carpets looking and smelling like new, but more importantly, removing as much dirt and microbes as possible.
