Having your carpets cleaned is a chore that usually falls into the same category as spring cleaning: not quite enjoyable to do but necessary, and should occur at roughly the same level of frequency. Most carpeting owners, though, will just have their carpets cleaned once every few years (and a few perhaps not even that). Carpet cleaning isn’t just vital for eliminating stains. Getting your carpet cleaned will enhance and extend your carpet’s performance.
To keep your carpet looking and performing well for as long as you can, manufacturers recommend having your carpet cleaned at minimum every 12–18 months, depending on the amount of traffic in your home. In fact, such frequent cleaning is a condition of many warranties–be sure to thoroughly read your warranty details.
Nylon Carpet
While regular cleaning is essential for all types of carpeting, it is particularly true in the case of nylon carpets . Nylon includes a hydrogen molecule. This is the principal source of nylon resiliency. When the fibers are flattened down because of foot traffic, cleanup reactivates the hydrogen molecule, causing the fibers to rebound back. The cleaning will actually revive the carpet and improve performance.
Hot Water Extraction and So-Called “Steam Cleaning”
The system of carpet cleaning recommended by most carpet manufacturers is hot water extraction, and it is much more commonly (though marginally incorrectly) called steam cleaning. From the warm water extraction method, hot water is essentially sprayed on the carpet then squeezed back into the system, along with any dirt which was on the carpeting.
This is different from the procedure for true steam cleaning. But today it’s widely accepted that the term steam cleaning actually refers to hot water extraction, the most frequent carpet cleaning process.
Professional Carpet Steam Cleaning
Professional cleaners may use either a truck-mounted device or a mobile machine. The mobile machine has obvious advantages, such as having the capability to be utilised in apartment and condo buildings in components which could otherwise be beyond the range of a truck-mounted unit’s hose. However, truck-mounted components are more effective than portable units and must be used whenever possible for maximum efficiency.
DIY Carpet Steam Cleaning
There’s an abundance of do-it-yourself (DIY) steam cleaning machines available for either rent or purchase. With so many different machines in the marketplace , it may lead one to wonder if you need to skip calling from the professionals and just tackle the task yourself.
If your family is prone to accidents or spills that are difficult to clean, a small cleaner may be a worthwhile purchase to have available. However, for more general cleaning of your entire carpet surface, it is highly recommended to have a professional come to take action.
Risks of DIY
Normally, DIY machines do not heat the water to the same high temperature as specialist machines, which results in less effective cleaning. In addition, these machines are not as successful as those professionals use, which means that they are unable to extract up to the water (and therefore grime ) in the carpeting.
When properly done, the carpet should be just slightly moist after it’s been thoroughly cleaned. Wet carpet signals that the machine wasn’t strong enough to do the work efficiently. If your carpet is very wet after cleaning, use fans to hasten the drying, and make sure you keep off it until it is dry. Don’t replace the furniture until the carpet is completely dry. Click here for walnut creek carpet cleaning
Other variables–like the amount of carpet shampoo inserted into the machine and the method for utilizing the machine i.e. how fast/slow to move upon the carpeting –present several chances for things to go wrong with DIY machines or at least not as well as with professional cleaners.
Cost-Saving Concerns
If you are concerned about the cost of having a professional come to clean your carpets, consider having only the “traffic places” cleaned. It follows your large pieces of furniture, like the sofa, mattress, etc., are left in position and the cleaner goes round them. Not only do you not see the carpet under these large parts of furniture, but it is not exposed to the air, light, and foot traffic the way in which the remainder of your carpeting is so it makes sense that it does not require cleaning as frequently.
Of course, if you frequently move your furniture around, it’d probably be best to have the entire surface cleaned. Having just the traffic places done should save you some money versus cleaning the whole location.