Intensive cleaning

Carpet restoration cleaning is an intensive process of dirt extraction whilst restoring the carpet pile to its original state, this can involve the use of various cleaning systems to achieve the desired result. With any carpet restoration clean the removal of dry soilage and dust is the first step towards a successful result, the dust, grit and other dry soilage will typically make up 85% which needs removing before any further cleaning should take place. The use of a suitable pile lifting machine with a good 3 stage vacuum motor is the right type of equipment to carry out this important task, it will need several passes to ensure as much as possible is removed. The amount of dirt that a carpet can hold whilst it still looks good is astonishing, take an average carpet weight of 30oz per square yard, it can hold its own weight in dirt per square yard – that’s 30oz or nearly 2lb in dust and dirt alone. If it is not removed, then water or cleaning fluid is introduced it will turn into a dirty or mud like liquid which spreads throughout the fibres and is more difficult to remove. Carpets will localise dirt where it is walked over and trap it in the traffic lanes, doorways, entrance areas, where hard floors meet carpets and other high footfall areas. These are the areas that will require more intensive cleaning to revive the appearance.

The remaining 15% is oil based or sticky residues from drink and food spillages, these will need extraction systems to remove them. Wet extraction is a good method for deep cleaning if it is carried out correctly with the right machinery by trained operatives, the domestic machines like Bissell, Vax, Rug doctor, that do not have enough suction to vacuum the water from the carpet will create more problems in the long term as they will leave carpets wet with detergent residues still in the fibres. This will lead to rapid re-soiling where sticky detergent residues cling to the dry dirt that is walked over them, it also creates an environment for bacteria and allergens to thrive. The ideal portable machine will have twin 3 stage motors to produce superior extraction when removing diluted chemicals that have been injected into the carpet, this should be repeated where necessary and then fully rinsed and extracted. If the carpet needs further cleaning there are other systems that can be utilised after the wet extraction stage such as encapsulation, low moisture foam and bonnet cleaning, be careful not to use high foam chemicals and try to use crystallising agents or non-detergent based carpet cleaners.

The carpet should have significant signs of improvement at this stage and will benefit greatly from air movers being placed to gently dry the carpets, once this has been in operation for over 1 hour the carpets will be dry enough to carry out a dry extraction clean on the cleaned carpet. Firstly check to see that the spots, stains or marks have been removed with the wet extraction clean, if not carry out correct spot removal techniques, if chewing gum removal if required use the freeze method and gently break from the carpet pile, the using HOST dry extraction or similar dry clean the carpet thoroughly, this will help the carpet fibres in the restoration process. If carpets are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis, the appearance and cleanliness of the carpet will be higher for a much longer length of time, install a carpet maintenance programme to ensure you maximize your carpets lifecycle.

If you require any further information, advice or would like to book a FREE site survey please contact us – 01564 742 095