Carpet Cleaning Companies El Dorado Hills keeps rugs looking their best and extends their life. It also improves indoor air quality and can help to reduce allergies and asthma symptoms.
But what makes for a truly effective carpet cleaning? A few simple steps can make all the difference. Here are six things you should know before hiring a carpet cleaner.
Carpet is a real treat underfoot, adding a warm, cozy feeling to rooms. But it’s also a lot more high maintenance than hard floors. Hair, skin, pet hair, dust, dirt, and bacteria all gather in our homes and get trapped in carpet fibers. Vacuuming regularly removes much of this, but to deal with stains and embedded dirt a more thorough cleaning is required.
Choosing a professional to do the job can be beneficial and will ensure that the process is done correctly. However, there are also a number of things that you can do to keep your carpet clean in between professional cleanings. These basic steps will help to extend the life of your carpet as well as maintain its freshness.
The first step is to vacuum regularly, preferably on a daily basis in areas of high traffic. By doing this you are removing the accumulated dirt before it has the chance to become embedded in your carpet fibers.
Another important step is to place doormats near all entrances. These mats, especially those made of coconut coir, will stop dirt from becoming trapped in your home and settling on your carpeting. Placing these mats will also help to reduce the amount of pollens, chemicals and other particles that are brought into your home.
Next, if you have a stain, be sure to blot the area immediately. This will help to eliminate the majority of the liquid and prevent it from penetrating the pad and causing permanent damage. Then you should use an effective spot cleaner or stain remover which will break down the residue and make it easier to remove without leaving behind any soapy or sticky residue.
If you notice a foul smell, this can usually be traced to an odor-causing bacteria living in the carpet fibres. These little critters eat the staining material and then product that horrible odor. If you can eliminate the bacteria, then the odor will disappear as well.
When you are ready to have your carpets professionally cleaned, it is best not to re-arrange any furniture for up to two days following the cleaning. This will minimize marks and varnish stains on your freshly cleaned carpet.
Preventative Maintenance
Carpeting is a great way to add warmth and color to interior spaces, but it can also trap soils that damage the appearance and the life of the fibers. The best ways to prevent soil penetration into carpet is by developing and implementing an effective preventative maintenance program. This includes stopping soils from entering the facility through sweeping and entry matting, removing the soils that have made it past the mats on a daily basis through vacuuming, and performing interim low-moisture cleaning and restorative cleaning processes to reduce resoiling and extend the life of your carpet.
Typical abrasive soil particles (dirt, sand, and dust) cut and scratch the surface of carpet fibers. These scratches and cuts cause the fibers to break down, resulting in a dingy appearance and shorter carpet life. The most effective way to prevent these abrasive soils is by placing walk-off mats outside all entrances and regularly vacuuming them. The mats should be large enough to catch the majority of dirt that would otherwise be tracked into carpet.
Spot treatment is another important element of a good preventative maintenance program. It is recommended that all spots and spills be treated right away with a general spot remover, such as one that has earned the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval, to help avoid permanent staining. The spot removal process should include scrubbing with a twin cylindrical, counter-rotating pile lifter to work the chemical deep into the carpet. Once the chemical has been properly worked in, it should be rinsed with a plain water extraction system to prevent any residual sticky residue that can attract soils back to the surface.
A comprehensive preventative maintenance program also involves establishing an ideal maintenance schedule for the facility. High traffic areas need to be maintained on a daily basis while moderate traffic areas can be cleaned on two or three times a week. Low traffic areas can be vacuumed every other day.
The frequency of maintenance will vary depending on the amount of traffic in each area, but it is important that all areas are maintained as frequently as possible to prevent excessive soil buildup. Other preventative practices include closing blinds or shades to block out sun rays that can cause the colors in the carpet to fade.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming is an important practice that should be done regularly. It not only extends carpet’s life, but it helps maintain indoor air quality by reducing the amount of allergens and pollutants trapped in the fibers of carpet. In order to vacuum properly, it is important to make sure that all objects and furniture are out of the way. It is also a good idea to remove any loose dirt from the surface of carpet before beginning. Using the right attachments (like Crevice and brush tools) can help to get into tight areas and under furniture. Vacuuming in multiple directions helps to ensure that all surfaces are covered and that the deepest layer of dust is being removed.
Regularly vacuuming can prevent dirt from breaking down carpet fibers and matting them, as well as preventing the growth of mold and bacteria. Vacuuming can even reduce odors in your home by removing spores and organisms that cause them.
To vacuum effectively, it is important to use a commercial grade wide area vacuum cleaner. Residential vacuum cleaners are fine for spills and spot cleaning, but commercial equipment provides more power to effectively loosen the deepest layer of dirt and debris. It is a good idea to replace or clean the filter, beater bar and vacuum bag on your equipment regularly.
Additionally, it is a good idea to pre-vacuum all floors before applying any type of cleaning solution or product. This will remove any layer of unseen dirt that could block the cleaning agent from soaking in and reaching the carpet fibers. It may seem like a extra step, but pre-vacuuming can greatly improve the effectiveness of your home’s cleaning solutions and prevent clumps of dirt from building up.
Hot Water Extraction
Hot water extraction practices are one of the most favored cleaning methods for carpets and rugs. Hot water is combined with a chemical solution and is sprayed deep into the carpet fibers, loosening dirt, grime and other debris materials. A powerful vacuum is then used to suck up the water and chemicals, leaving your carpets clean. Hot water extraction is the best way to remove stubborn stains, ingrained debris and odours from your carpets.
Unlike other cleaning methods, hot water extraction uses significant amounts of heat and moisture to break down the soil particles that are trapped in your carpet’s fibres. This allows for more thorough cleaning of the carpet, resulting in less residue material and shorter dry times. It is also one of the few cleaning techniques that can actually lift odours from the carpet, as opposed to simply masking them.
The downside to using this method, however, is that it can leave a lingering chemical residue on the surface of your carpets. This is because it is impossible to rinse every trace of the strong pre-spray detergent that is normally applied as part of the HWE process. This can cause your carpets to re-soil faster, especially if it is a dark color.
A good solution for this is the use of an encapsulation HWE detergent, which is balanced with a crystallizing polymer that won’t attract additional soiling. This can eliminate the need to re-spray and rinse the carpet, as well as prevent excessive residue that can cause re-soiling and potential mold growth in your home or office.
Another great benefit of hot water extraction is that it can help to prolong the lifespan of your carpets and rugs. As a result, it is a cost-effective and safe method to maintain the appearance and integrity of your carpets. When it is performed properly by a trained and certified technician, your carpets will stay cleaner and look better for longer, providing a healthier living or working space for you, your family or your clients.