Overall cleaning of the carpet should be considered every 12 to 18 months, depending on

1. the lifestyle in the household

2. frequency of vacuuming

3. whether the carpet is a light or dark color.

   Overall cleaning should be often enough that the carpet is not allowed to become excessively soiled. Professional carpet cleaners can not only keep your carpet fresher, brighter and newer looking longer, they can replace missing tufts, repair cigarette burns-even take up, rotate and reinstall your carpet. Many professional carpet cleaners are attending classes and passing written examinations to become certified to clean stain resistant carpets. It is best to choose one with this certification.

Deep Cleaning

• Hot water (also known as steam) extraction method.

  • Techniques

    • Detergent solution is sprayed on the carpet followed by a clear water rinse

    • Detergent solution is sprayed on the carpet followed by a thorough extraction with a rinse surfactant

    • Detergent applied initially through the dispensing tank. This type method must be followed by a clear-water extraction rinse to ensure that all of the residual detergent is rinsed from the carpet to prevent a rapid resoiling situation.

  • The alkalinity (pH) of the detergent solution should be 9.0 to 10.0. The pH should never by any higher than 10.0; it may be lower than 9.0, but cleaning will usually be less effective.

  • You may with to express your concerns to the cleaning company you are considering using, about over wetting your carpet. A situation of this nature can be avoided with equipment in good working order with a strong vacuum system. Plan to stay off carpet for 8 to 12 hours after the cleaning to allow the carpet to dry free of foot traffic.

1. Dry compound cleaning utilizing semi-moist powders, that are worked into the carpet and extracted with a strong vacuum system. Examples of these compounds are Capture and Host.

2. Bonnet cleaning which utilizes a carbonated solution. An example of this type of cleaning is the ChemDry system.

3. Foam cleaning. The detergent is turned into a foam, brushed into the carpet and then extracted with a strong vacuum system. An example of this system is the Von Schrader cleaning method. (Avoid aerosol foam carpet cleaners such as those available in grocery stores.)

The three methods reflected above are adequate for light surface soil, however, once the carpet has become appreciably soiled and has been in use for an extended period of time, a deep cleaning should be utilized. It should be understood that with the dry compound, bonnet and foam methods, traces of the cleaning agent remain in the carpet. It should also be understood that after employing these methods a few times, a switch should be made to the hot water or steam extraction method. This is not to say that the hot water or steam extraction method cannot be used initially.

General Information
Avoid any cleaning system that utilizes rotary brushes, unless a cover or bonnet is utilized, as these may untwist the tufts of your carpet and cause an accelerated wear/appearance change. Soft cylindrical brushes used in the moist powder systems are not as apt to cause a problem but should be tried on an inconspicuous area of the carpet first.

Any cleaning system is only as good as the person operating the equipment. After discussing the type cleaning you have chosen for your carpet with the cleaning company, you may wish to ask for name, phone number and date of his/her last three cleaning jobs for references concerning quality of work performed. The Better Business Bureau is another source for references. Please by aware that the cheapest cleaners may not necessarily be offering the best service.

We cannot recommend a specific cleaning company, however, we do offer this basic information about cleanings to assist you in locating a reputable carpet cleaner in your area.

PLEASE NOTE: To protect the stain efficacy of the carpet, no cationic materials should be used on the carpet such as disinfectants (Lysol), insecticides, biocides or fungicides (Sylguard), without first checking with the carpet manufacturer.