Carpet Cleaning Lehi is a necessary part of maintaining your home’s overall cleanliness. It removes embedded dirt, dust, pet dander and allergens and improves the air quality in your home, which can help prevent respiratory problems and allergies.
Professional cleaners use a variety of methods to deep clean wall-to-wall carpeting. Choosing the right one for your needs depends on the type of carpet, its condition and what sort of furniture you have in the room.
There are many ways to clean carpets, each with its pros and cons. The methods are often divided into two categories — dry cleaning and wet cleaning. Dry cleaning uses no water in the process, while wet cleaning involves using a cleaning solution that is applied to your carpets and then rinsed with special equipment.
The shampoo cleaning method is great for removing oil-based stains. It is a low-moisture cleaning method that also works well for a quick refresh between extraction cleanings. This is ideal for busy homes and commercial spaces that need to be put back into use quickly.
Before beginning the shampoo cleaning process, the technician evalutates your carpet to see what type of fiber it is made from and what kind of soiling is present. This helps determine the best course of action for your carpet. Next, the technician preps the area to be cleaned by moving furniture and pinning drapes up to prevent them from getting wet.
After prepping the area, the shampoo is applied with a rotary machine and allowed to soak in for a short time. Then, the carpet is rinsed with a heated rinsing solution. This helps to loosen and dissolve the dirt from your carpet fibers, which is then sucked away by the vacuuming equipment.
A final vacuuming may be required to suck up any remaining dirt particles from the carpet. This is an excellent choice for preventing the buildup of moisture and mold in your carpets. It is especially effective for jute and coir carpets that can suffer from fiber damage, color loss and shrinkage if exposed to liquid.
Cleaning Products
Carpet cleaning products are used to help eliminate tough stains and deodorize the fibers of the carpet. There are several different types of carpet cleaners available on the market, including hot water extraction machines and dry-cleaning systems. Regular vacuuming is also an important part of maintaining clean and healthy carpets.
The most common carpet cleaning products are detergent based. These solutions work through a chemical mixture to break down and dissolve dirt, oil, and other substances. They can be used in conjunction with hot or cold water and are often combined with a brush or other tool to help loosen the dirt and debris in the carpet before it is suctioned away.
There are also several different specialized cleaners for more specific needs. For example, there are stain removers for organic stains, such as wine or coffee, and odor eliminators that are perfect for pet owners. Some of these cleaners even use enzymes to break down and deodorize odors at the source, rather than masking them with perfumes and chemicals.
Lastly, there are a variety of carpet extractors designed to tackle the deepest dirt and grime in high traffic areas. These solutions can be used in conjunction with a powerful heated or non-heated vacuum machine to provide an intense clean that will revitalize the carpet and leave it looking like new.
All of these cleaning products must be carefully selected to ensure they are safe for the environment and human users, as well as effective at removing stubborn stains. It is also important to consider how much money each one will cost, as this can often be the determining factor for many customers. In addition to price, customers should look for a balance between the size, concentration, and performance of each product in order to find the best fit for their needs.
Preparation
It is a good idea to remove breakable items from the area that will be cleaned. This includes tables and cabinets with glass tops, fine china or porcelain, electronics, and anything else that could easily get scratched or broken. It is also a good idea to put away valuables such as jewelry and cash, which may be vulnerable to theft. It is generally best to keep pets and children out of the cleaning area as well. They may disturb the process and be a distraction.
It is recommended that you vacuum the carpeted areas before having them cleaned, especially if there are stains or pet odors. This will help loosen up dirt particles and make the job go more quickly and smoothly. Vacuuming will also prevent dirt from settling in the fibers of the carpet and causing spots when it dries.
If you have a carpet stain from oil-based paint, you can try to remove it before the cleaner arrives by blotting with paper towels until the liquid is dry. If the stain persists, you can try to remove it with rubbing alcohol or even paint thinner. Be sure to test the solution on a small section of your carpet before using it.
If you are having your carpets bonnet cleaned, it is important that you empty all of the furniture from the room and remove any large pieces of movable furniture. You should also prepare for the time that it will take for the carpet to dry. It is a good idea to open windows and use fans during this time to help it dry faster. You can also put wood blocks or aluminum foil squares under and around heavy furniture legs to protect them from rust or stains that may be transferred to the damp floor.
Cleaning Process
Professionals have access to heavy-duty equipment you may not be able to rent at your local hardware store, including UV lights for spotting pet stains and the powerful machinery required for hot-water extraction cleaning. Also known as steam cleaning, this process involves saturating carpet with very hot water (often 200deg or higher), which loosens dirt and other ground-in residue that ordinary vacuuming can’t reach. It’s also effective at removing odors and killing bacteria, which can help people with allergies.
Before the carpet cleaners arrive, they’ll walk through the rooms in which they’ll be working to get a feel for how much dirt is trapped beneath each area’s surface. Next, a pretreatment designed specifically for your carpet is applied wall to wall and agitated with either a hand or power brush. This loosens soil that has become bonded to the fibers, making it easier to remove during the cleaning process.
Then, the carpet is shampooed with a special detergent, just like you would wash your hair. It’s then rinsed with clean water, and the cleaned carpet is vacuumed to suck up the remaining soapy residue. Shampoo cleaning, which is sometimes confused with encapsulation cleaning, was widely used until it was superseded by hot-water extraction methods in the 1970s.
As with other cleaning methods that use water, steam cleaning can leave behind moisture that encourages the growth of mildew and mold. To minimize the risk of these problems, it’s important for the carpet to dry quickly after cleaning. This can be accomplished by using fans and limiting traffic on the carpet while it’s drying. It’s also a good idea to vacuum frequently, ideally several times per week, and to use doormats at each entrance to your home to help prevent dirt from becoming deeply lodged in your carpet in the first place.
Post-Cleaning Care
Our tried and true hot water extraction method is the best way to thoroughly clean carpet, removing dirt, allergens, cleaning solution and the majority of the moisture. This leaves your carpets soft, fresh and hygienic.
Keep people and pets off the newly cleaned carpet until it is completely dry. Walking on damp carpet flattens the pile, increases drying time and may leave permanent marks. If a pet soils the carpet, immediately wash it with a clean spotter (such as an old white towel) to avoid color transfer and staining.
If you need to move furniture back into place, wait until the carpet is dry. Moving furniture before the carpet is completely dry can dent or transfer stains from furniture finishes.
Vacuum carpeting regularly after cleaning. This removes loose dirt particles and prevents resoiling. We recommend a vacuuming regimen of at least once per week, and more often for high-traffic areas.
Always use a carpet cleaner recommended and certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). Pretest any cleaner in an inconspicuous area to ensure that it doesn’t cause any color or texture change to your carpets.
A carpet that is regularly maintained will last longer and look better. A regular maintenance routine includes regular professional cleaning, rotating furniture to reduce the amount of wear in one spot and implementing a “no shoes in the house” policy to minimize tracking in dirt. By following these tips, your carpets will look and smell great year-round. For more information about caring for your carpet, contact a CRI-certified carpet cleaning specialist. They will provide the cleaning methods that are appropriate for your carpet and answer any questions you might have.