Carpet cleaning is performed to remove stains, dirt, and allergens from carpets. Common methods include hot water extraction, dry-cleaning, and vacuuming. Hot water extraction, sometimes mistakenly called “diy carpet cleaning solution cleaning”, uses equipment that sprays hot water and detergent into the carpet and extracts it along with any dislodged and dissolved dirt. Many experts recommend hot water extraction as the most effective carpet cleaning method.
Hot water extraction equipment may be a portable electrical units, or for large jobs truck mount carpet cleaner with long hoses may be used as this may be faster and more effective than portable equipment. A common process of hot water extraction begins with preconditioning. Alkaline agents such as ammonia solution for synthetic carpets, or mild acidic solutions such as dilute acetic acid for woollen carpets, are sprayed into the carpet, then agitated with a grooming brush or an automatic scrubbing machine. Thorough extraction is important to avoid problems such as mold growth and browning of wool.
Drying time may also be decreased by fans, de-humidifiers or simply opening windows. Many dry carpet-cleaning systems rely on specialized machines. Dry-cleaning and “very low moisture” systems are also often faster and less labor-intensive than wet-extraction systems. For example, one chemical may dissolve the greasy films that bind soils to the carpet, and thus prevent effective soil removal through vacuuming.
