Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction is a popular carpet cleaning method for a number of different reasons. From the carpet cleaners point of view it is usually a quick method compared to others enabling them to clean many homes in a single day. From the consumers view it is a very thorough cleaning method since it has the best flushing capability of any of the cleaning methods on the market today. When a steam cleaner comes to your home they will use either a self contained portable carpet cleaning machine or a truck mounted carpet cleaning machine. The portable extractor will normally have one or two high powered electric vacuums and a pressure pump. It will also have a heater or they might depend on hot water from your home. The benefit to portable extractors is that they can go places that truck mounts can not like high rises. The other type of equipment is a truck mounted system where the vacuum, pump and heater are located in the van and powered by the vans engine or a separate engine system. The advantage of truck mounts is that the cleaner only has two bring two hoses into your home and it is capable of much greater vacuum and heat. With either type of equipment the cleaner will first spray a cleaning solution on your carpet and allow it to dwell to absorb soil. They will then extract it using the cleaning machine. They will then groom the carpet with a carpet rake and let the carpet dry. Dry times are usually in the four to eight hour range.
That is all there is to it. As you can see it is a simple process. When looking for a steam cleaner be cautious to choose one that has a good reputation and a good guarantee. After all the most important thing in a good carpet cleaning is a good operator. Good luck.
The water will then penetrate the fiber all the way down to the backing. This action will loosen any embedded soil, remove oil and grease deposits, and get your carpet cleaner than it has ever been. There are many types and makes of steam carpet cleaners available on the market, ranging from small portables to the large and very powerful truck mounted units. The principle is the same no matter what model you pick.
The models that are truck mounted are designed so that only the hose and the wand are taken into the area being cleaned. These units are very powerful, delivering hot water and generating a high vacuum recovery that can be powered by diesel fuel, gas, propane, or even by the motor of the truck.
Most carpet manufacturers, fiber producers, and professional cleaners endorse this process for achieving soil removal efficiency. With the present state of art equipment and technology, we are more than capable of high production and cleaning of carpet.
The real disadvantage 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.
Currently, there are two methods being used with steam carpet cleaning.
1. This method involves a traffic lane cleaner being sprayed onto the traffic lanes and then agitated into the fibers. The entire area is then cleaned by using a hot water extractor that has a cleaning solution being injected into the fibers through the wand.
2. The second method involves a free rinse emulsifying pre-spray being sprayed onto the entire carpet, then agitated into the fibers. Steam cleaning procedures
1. Prepare the equipment and supplies. In a pump or power sprayer you should mix the free rinsing pre-spray. In the solution tank of the extractor, mix the rinsing agent.
2. If you have a lot of furniture to move, make yourself a floor plan.
3. If the area being cleaned has furniture, you should remove as much as possible.
4. 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.
5. Pre-spray a good amount of the pre-spray.
6. Using a grooming tool, agitate the pre spray deep into the fibers then let it sit for 10 - 15 minutes, making sure that it doesn't dry out.
7. Extract the area using a portable, truck mounted, or automatic carpet cleaner.
8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 until the entire area has been cleaned.
9. Groom the cleaned area, replace all furniture that was removed, then clean all equipment that you used.
Both James Carlson & Juliet Sadler are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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