There’s no better way to welcome the New Year than by waking up each day in a clean, great looking (not to mention smelling) home.
But what happens when every part of your home looks great – except for your carpeting?
Unfortunately, carpets are the first areas of our homes to get dirty. People walk all over them, and they tend to be prone to plenty of spills too.
Cleaning out the mess is difficult when dirt and stains are absorbed deep within the carpet fibres.
How Often Do You Need To Clean Your Carpets
The formula is pretty simple. You should vacuum your carpets at least once per week (even once a day if you can swing it!), spot clean as needed, and deep clean them once every couple of months (depending on usage).
The Most Common Carpet Cleaning Methods
While there are plenty of ways to clean a carpet, a few are tried and tested and never fail to get carpets clean as can be, and here they are!
Hot Water Extraction Or Steam Cleaning
Carpet steam cleaning is a popular choice for those who’d prefer using the least chemicals as possible – for their health, environment, or other reasons. This method relies on steam to loosen dirt and debris from carpet fibres. The combination of high pressure and temperature makes this method effective.
A specialised steam cleaning machine injects hot water (under high pressure) into the carpet fibres. This machine extracts moisture and dirt through a powerful suction. Depending on the ventilation and temperature, a steam-cleaned carpet may take 2 to 4 hours to dry.
Pros:
- Since this method uses steam, the carpet remains pretty dry.
- A method that kills bacteria and removes grime safely (especially around children, pets, and people with allergies).
- This process removes dust mites, allergens, mould, pet scents, etc.
- Doesn’t leave any residue or use any harsh chemicals.
Cons:
- It is a time-intensive process.
- Moisture can cause a stale smell if not properly removed.
- This method is not the most effective in removing stubborn stains.
Encapsulation
The encapsulation carpet cleaning method is great when you’re wondering how to clean a carpet that’s in a high-traffic area.
A unique cleaning solution is applied on the entire surface of the carpets. The solution turns into foam and is left to dry. This foam encapsulates dirt and dust and turns into solid granules.
Finally, a vacuum is used to remove all granules from the carpet.
Pros:
- Very low water consumption.
- Quick drying time.
Cons:
- Does not work very well on very heavily soiled or greasy carpets.
- Use of chemical cleaning solutions, so not good for people with sensitivities.
Carpet Dry Cleaning
The dry-cleaning method uses almost no water, so there’s practically no drying time. While this method is simple to execute, it usually results in a very surface-level cleaning.
This method uses powder chemicals and a minimal amount of water. Specialised equipment is used to ensure that all traces of the cleaning products are removed.
The cleaners will use a vacuum to remove dirt, dust, or loose debris. In case of very tough stains, your carpet may need a pre-treatment first.
Then a powder mixture is applied on the carpet (These chemicals break down the greasy residue that binds dirt to carpet fibres). Then rotary brushes buff the carpet releasing all this remaining debris.
Finally, the cleaners will vacuum your carpet again to remove all traces of chemicals and moisture.
Pros:
- This method has a very short drying time, which is the best option for the busiest areas of your home.
- You can use this method to spot-clean your carpet.
- Dry cleaning leaves your carpet free of bacteria and dust.
Cons:
- These compounds are hard to clean, so hire a reputable company to perform this service.
- Any amount of the compound left behind could cause allergic reactions & discolouration.
- It uses chemicals and perfumes that may not be safe for children, pets and people with allergies.
- It may not provide a truly deep clean for carpets requiring intensive cleaning.
Carpet Shampooing
Shampoo cleaning is a method that uses detergents and high foam levels to clean a carpet.
This method uses water and cleaning solutions to remove dirt and grime from your carpet. This way of cleaning a carpet requires heavy machinery that injects the carpet with foam cleaner. Once scrubbed, hot water and a powerful vacuum rinse and dry the carpet.
Pros:
- This method removes a lot of dirt build-up on the carpet, making it the deepest cleaning method available.
- The components in carpet shampoos will make your carpet appear cleaner and brighter.
- This method applies a low amount of moisture and shows results very quickly.
Cons:
- If left in the carpet fibres, moisture and sticky detergent residue can leave a stale odour and cause re-soiling soon after the cleaning.
- The brushes used during cleaning could easily damage the carpet.
- The components of the shampoo could build up over time and leave a yellow cast on the carpet that is practically impossible to remove.
- Carpet shampooing uses a lot of water (compared to other methods).
Bonnet Cleaning
Bonnet carpet cleaning is a professional method where a scrubbing pad saturated with a soap solution spins on the carpet at high speed to dislodge and absorb dirt and dust from the top layer of the carpet.
The carpet is first vacuumed, and then a mist of cleaning product mixed with carbonated water is sprayed over the carpet’s surface with a hand pump or electric sprayer.
A circular rotating buffer or “bonnet” with an absorbent covering is rubbed over the carpet until it is fully used up. Then this action is repeated with a clean covering. This method is usually only performed by professional carpet cleaners since a variety of machines and tools are required.
Pros:
- Bonnet cleaning is fast and inexpensive.
- Produces excellent results for carpets that are only slightly dirty.
Cons:
- It is a lighter clean because only the top third of the carpet is cleaned.
- This can lead to an accumulation of chemical residue on the carpet.
