Soiled carpet can be an eyesore in any room of the house. Unfortunately this can’t be helped as a result of children’s muddy shoes; pet paw prints and the usual accidents like spilled drinks or food. The carpet cleaners come to the rescue with different methods of removing dirt and grime. There are commercially designed machines and smaller systems that can be used at home. Do it yourself or DIY carpet cleaning can be done by buying your own machine, renting out one or by using the good old vacuum cleaner. Commercially designed systems use two methods, hot water extraction and dry cleaning. These rely on application of pre-cleaning solutions to loosen the dirt and grime on the fibers, primary cleaning mixtures, brushing off and rinsing or vacuuming off. These cleaning materials contain detergents and anti-allergens to kill dust mites.
Hot water extraction, also known as steam cleaning starts with a preconditioning agent. This is commonly a soap mixture with an alkaline base. It is brushed on the carpet to penetrate the fibers. It is left to set in before washing with hot water several times. These carpet cleaners systems use hot water from 120 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The last rinse includes an acetic acid base that will neutralize the alkaline still present on the carpet threads before final drying. Drying time is crucial to ensure that the original form of the threads. Use of air conditioners, fans or natural ventilation is required.
Dry carpet cleaners use specialized machines that use VLM or very low moisture process. These rely more on dry compounds along with cleaning mixtures. These are faster and require less manpower than steam cleaning. Apply spray cleaning mix to remove the film of oil or grease that ties the dirt particles to the carpet threads. After which the primary cleaning solution is applied, once the oil or grease is dissolved the rest of the dirt and grime are removed with the use of a vacuum.
Dry compound carpet cleaners can be used at home. This requires a 98% biodegradable cleaning mixture. Apply directly and evenly on carpet surface. Scrub in using a house hold soft bristled brush for the compound to get on and in between the fibers. This acts like a magnet attracting all dirt and grime particles. Then vacuum the whole area. Commercial carpet cleaners use specialized equipment that rotates the brush to penetrate and clean the whole surface without vacuuming.
Home items such as white vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can also be used as cleaning compounds. White vinegar and baking soda are mixed into a paste and applied on soiled areas of the carpet. Brush with a soft bristled house brush or tooth brush and then vacuum off the vinegar-baking soda paste bringing with it the stain and dirt on the carpet. Hydrogen peroxide and soap are used in portable hot water extraction carpet cleaners. Mix in 35% peroxide and soap into the hot water, then rinse off. No matter what method is used, make sure to apply solutions that are biodegradable or eco-friendly.
