There are many methods for carpet cleaning

Over the years we have come across so many clients that are confused about what method to choose for their cleaning needs. Before we get into the methods let me make this clear….the most important thing is NOT the machine…it is the cleaner.

You can have the best equipment in the world but if you do not know what you are doing you are not going to get good results. Having said that there are some things you should know about carpet cleaning methods.

Contrary to what so many of the “dry cleaning” companies want you to believe, the most recommended method is hot water extraction, commonly referred to as “steam cleaning”. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends only one method for DEEP cleaning and that is HOT WATER EXTRACTION.  Mohawk Carpets, the largers retailer of carpets in the United States, recommends only one method for DEEP cleaning and that is HOT WATER EXTRACTION. So when you here these “dry cleaning” companies spout off about how hot water extraction ruins carpets and leads to all sorts of problems….ignore them!

By the way, most of the “dry cleaning” companies that have bashed HOT WATER EXTRACTION for years and years now use a form of hot water extraction. Hmmmm. Wonder why? You’ll have to ask them why they bashed a method for years and years that they now use. You might want to record their explanation so you can have a good laugh or two for years to come.

The most common methods:

1. Hot water extraction. This is the most common method used for most commercial and residential cleaning. When performed properly it leads to excellent cleaning and large amounts of soil removal. It is by FAR the best method when dealing with pet urine issues. Most dry times are between 8-12 hours, although high quality HWE (hot water extraction) companies can have most carpets dry in less than two hours.

2. Bonnet cleaning. This is a method that uses cotton bonnets to get the soil out of your carpet. A cotton pad is placed on the carpet and a floor machine is put onto the pad. The rotary action of the pad absorbs soil. This is considered a low moisture method, although plenty of moisture is used.

3. Dry compound cleaning. Host is the most recognized name for this type of cleaning. A dry type of “powder compound” is put into the carpet and scrubbed in. Then the carpet is typical vacuumed. The moisture level is very low.

4. Encapsulation cleaning. This is a method that has become really popular in the last few years but a LOT of caution should be taken when using this method. Why? Because the word “cleaning” should not even be used with this method. A cleaner is put into the carpet, scrubbed in, and basically left in the carpet. The idea is for the cleaner to encapsulate the soil, let the cleaner dry, and then the encapsulated soil is vacuumed out.

Well, there is plenty of debate to how much soil actually comes out. We don’t think much comes out. When you have your carpet encapsulation “cleaned” you are basically paying for someone to just scrub a cleaner into your carpet and leave it there! God, you could almost do that yourself!

Encapsulation “cleaning” does have a place in appearance cleaning…meaning that it will help with the appearance of your carpet but NOTHING is removed at the time of “cleaning”. And we mean NOTHING is removed. Do you really want to pay to have absolutely NO soil removed from your carpet! If you do I have a little bridge in Brooklyn that you might be interested in buying.

Encapsulation cleaning is terrific for fast drying and fast appearance enhancement but don’t be fooled into thinking it is real cleaning…because REAL cleaning means contaminants are being removed from your carpet.

So those are the basic four methods…and they all have some variations. Any method with a good cleaner can give you good appearance results but appearance is not the only issue. We want to again stress that the most important issue with carpet cleaning is the PERSON doing the cleaning.

You could have given my grandma a Formula One car but that doesn’t mean should would be a good race car driver. You could give plenty of people the tools to build houses but if they do not know what they are doing they are not going to deliver a good product…the same goes for carpet cleaning.

For most carpets HOT WATER EXTRACTION is the preferred method that gives (with the right technician) the best overall results when it comes to appearance and maximum soil removal. And don’t be fooled by the “dry cleaning” companies, they have made a living out of misleading people for many years. Again, just ask them if hot water extraction is so bad for carpets…why do they use it!

If you are looking for high quality cleaning from a company that KNOWS how to clean, contact us at 360.608.5441 or visit us at LintonCarpetCleaning.com.

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