Steam Carpet Cleaning

Steam cleaning (or hot water extraction) is considered to be one of the best methods for carpet cleaning. The process consists of spraying a mixture of water and detergent under pressure into the pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum that puts it into a holding tank. The water penetrates the fibre all the way down to the backing, loosening embedded dirt and removing oil and grease deposits, thus making your carpet cleaner than it has ever been. Most carpet manufacturers, fibre producers, and professional cleaners endorse this process for achieving soil removal efficiency.

There are many types and makes of steam carpet cleaners available on the market, ranging from small portables to the large and very powerful vehicle mounted units. The vehicle mounted models are designed so that only the hose and the wand are taken into the location being cleaned. These units are very powerful, delivering hot water and generating a high vacuum recovery that can be powered by diesel fuel, petrol, propane, or even by the motor of the truck.

Professional Cleaners

The only disadvantages to steam carpet cleaning are the problems that are associated with over wetting and longer drying times. These can be eliminated however, by a skilled operator who uses equipment that is well maintained and in good overall operating condition.

Renting a Steam Cleaner

If you have decided to rent a steam cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you should check on a number of systems before you make a selection. Some units available for rent don't clean well enough and may in fact end up damaging your carpet. The equipment should have enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours of cleaning; those that don't can actually damage the carpet due to over wetting.

Method

1. Prepare the equipment and supplies. Mix the free rinsing pre-spray in a pump or power sprayer, and mix the rinsing agent in the solution tank of the extractor.
2. If the area being cleaned has furniture, you should remove as much as possible.
3. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet. If the pile is crushed or matted, use a pile brush to loosen the soils which will make vacuuming more effective.
4. Apply a generous amount of the pre-spray.
5. Using a grooming tool, agitate the pre spray deep into the fibres then let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes, making sure that it doesn't dry out.
6. Clean the area using a portable, truck mounted, or automatic carpet cleaner
7. Make certain you avoid over wetting the carpet. Any prolonged dampness can lead to mildew growth and bacteria in the carpet, or cause a separation of the backing. A wet carpet that stays this way for longer than 24 hours can develop problems. You can help to reduce the drying time by using several fans to move the air roughly the carpet. You can use a dehumidifier as well, as it will pull moisture from the air.
8. Groom the cleaned area, replace all furniture that was removed, then clean all equipment that you used.