Over time, some soil settles so firmly into the carpet that it cannot be removed by sweeping or vacuuming, and more rigorous cleaning then becomes necessary. Addressing these soil buildups as soon as they become visible is vital to the appearance of any carpet.
Several ³do-it-yourself² carpet cleaning methods serve as alternatives to professional cleaning.
ALWAYS read and follow the directions for your cleaner and machine. Mix all solutions according to the directions, and remember that "more" does not mean "better." Remove all furniture or use plastic protectors under furniture legs to prevent staining.
Shampoo should have an alkalinity of 9.5 or lower. pH test paper can be found at swimming pool, aquarium, or janitorial supply stores. A too-alkaline shampoo can cause colorfastness problems both immediate and delayed. Be sure to test your shampoo on an out-of-sight spot of carpet - look for any color change, color bleeding, or sticky residue, which typically suggests fast resoiling.
Choose your professional cleaning service carefully. Truly professional carpet cleaners will give references that you should check immediately. They will also inspect your carpet before offering a quote and will advise you of any possible complications.
Dry Powder
- Cleaning Material: Cleaners with absorbent particles
- Equipment: Power brush to spread, vacuum to pick up
- Advantages: Involves no water; doesn't cause shrinkage; is safe for most dyes, requires little training; dries quickly; is ideal for traffic lanes
- Disadvantages: Particles are difficult to remove from deep piles; brush may flare tips of cut-pile carpet
Mist Pad
- Cleaning Material: Fine mist cleaners
- Equipment: Aerosol can or sprayer for mist; absorbent pads
- Advantages: Requires very little water; doesn't cause shrinkage; is safe for most dyes; causes little wear; dries quickly; works well in traffic lanes
- Disadvantages: Takes some practice to get right amount of mist; can miss embedded soil
Wet Shampoo
- Cleaning Material: Sudsing detergent
- Equipment: Shampoo applicator (may be on brush); rotary brush; wet vacuum (optional)
- Advantages: Strong brushing loosens heavy soil; is especially effective on loop pile ³commercial²-style carpet.
- Disadvantages: Is not recommended for residential carpets; brushing action can damage cut pile and shag carpet; can leave a sticky residue; takes longer to dry
Dry Foam
- Cleaning Material: Super foaming detergent
- Equipment: Aerosol can with hand bush, or brush-foam machine with vacuum; standard vacuum to complete process
- Advantages: Dries faster than shampoo; requires less practice than shampoo method; more resistant to resoiling than shampoo
- Disadvantages: Brushing action can damage cut pile (saxony, cut and loop) or shag carpets; selection of foam mixture is limited
Hot Water Extraction
- Cleaning Material: Non-foaming detergents; water (usually hot)
- Equipment: Combination spray/vacuum unit
- Advantages: Comes closest to "in-plant" cleaning; offers wide range of chemicals that can match a variety of soils and carpets
- Disadvantages: Requires skill and caution as misuse can result in excessive water, which in turn causes browning and dye bleeding.
Spills should be cleaned up immediately; otherwise, they can leave unsightly, stubborn stains. The following items make up a "carpet first-aid kit" that can address most household accidents:
- A diluted solution of mild hand-dishwashing detergent without oily skin conditioners
- Undiluted household ammonia (containing detergent)
- Undiluted white vinegar
- Dry cleaning solvent (spot remover)
- White cloth or paper towels to be used for blotting
Keep these materials close at hand, but be sure to keep them out of the reach of children. Medicine droppers and plastic condiment squeeze bottles are convenient means of application.
Take these steps to test cleaning agents on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-sight area:
- Apply the cleaner to a small spot and allow it to stand for 30 minutes.
- Blot the spot with white towels. If the colors run or bleed, the agent should be rejected.
- Let the spot dry under the same light the carpet gets. Changing or bleeding of colors should rule the agent out. If the test area feels oily or gummy, the agent is likely to accelerate resoiling and should be rejected. A dry, crumbly residue is acceptable if it can be vacuumed out of the pile.
Always clean-up spills immediately by taking the following steps:
- Blot the stain with a clean white cloth or paper towel, or scoop up as much of the spill as possible. Do not scrub the stain.
- Take appropriate steps listed in the Stain Removal Chart below.
- Apply any cleaning solution sparingly to avoid wetting the carpet backing. Use a clean white cloth or apply the solution directly to spot as directed in the Stain Removal Chart.
- Blot from the outer edge of the spot inward to keep the spill from spreading.
- Blot up cleaning solution.
- Rinse sparingly with clear water on a damp sponge.
- Blot thoroughly to remove cleaning solution. Rinse with water again if carpet feels sticky or soapy.
- Place a 1/2" thick pad of clean white towel or white cloth over the spot. Rest a heavy weight on the cloth overnight or for at least two hours. Be sure to dry up all moisture to prevent resoiling and bacteria growth.
Immediately Visible Spills have obvious results that are detectable right away.
Latent Acting Spills are not obvious and may not cause a color change for months. Heat and moisture, which result from steam cleaning, often triggers discoloration.
Latent Materials Causing a Loss of Color:
- BENZOYL PEROXIDE - in skin creams, lotions, acne treatment products, and several foot care products
- BLEACHES - in dry laundry bleach, hair bleach, and bleaching dry cleaners
- POOL CHEMICALS - contain chlorine, copper sulfate, and other bacteria and alga killers
- DISINFECTANTS - phenol-based household chemicals can extract and destroy dyes
- FADE CRERAMS - have reducing agents that destroy dyes
Latent Materials Causing a Change of Color:
- PESTICIDES - Some flea, tick, spider, and cockroach pesticides cause red dyes to turn blue or green
- DANDRUFF SHAMPOO - sulfur compounds develop a dark brown stain, often with a blue fringe
- LIQUID PLANT FOOD - can cause give a dark brown or blue stain beginning at the carpet back and working up
- TILE CLEANERS AND TOILET BOWL CLEANERS - acidic scum removers can stain, remove dyes, or dissolve fibers
- MILDEW STOPPERS - chlorine-based compounds can bleach, stain, and destroy dyes
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