Steam Cleaning your Carpet: Tips and Recommendations 

Steam Carpet Cleaning

The process of steam cleaning your carpet involves hot water being fed to a spray extraction tool or wand, coupled to a pump vacuum power unit.  The cleaning solution is injected under pressure deep into the carpet through water jet nozzles. 

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.

Carpet Steam Cleaning

Just as carpet manufacturing has evolved, so has carpet cleaning. Most manufacturers recommend 'carpet steam cleaning' for cleaning modern-day carpets. We should, however, use the steam cleaning method after verifying that the carpet fibers will not be damaged by steam. Sometimes, if a carpet is made from a very tender thread, steam cleaning could harm it. For most other carpet types, steam cleaning is considered an effective cleaning method.

The process of 'carpet steam cleaning' uses a simple scientific phenomenon for 'deep cleaning' the toughest dirt by drawing dirt to the surface and wiping it off before it has a chance to stain. To steam clean a carpet, use a liquid-based cleaning agent, which can be vaporized or turned, into steam, a 'steam cleaning machine' that is also referred to as a 'carpet extractor' and a vacuum cleaner. It is always a good idea to choose a mild solution as it is safe for the carpet as well as the individual using it. As far as the machines or extractors are concerned, use self-contained ones that have in-built vacuum cleaners. Alternatively, use the extractor first and then a vacuum cleaner.

After selecting a cleaning solution, follow the instructions provided in the user's manual. Then, move the extractor over the carpet surface (as directed in the user's manual), gradually covering all areas of the carpet surface. The extractor injects the cleaning solution into the carpet in the form of steam or vapors that compel dirt to come to the surface. This process is completed in a few minutes, and with some machines, even a few seconds. Then, the extractor extracts the dirt using air at a very high pressure. After extraction, the carpet is vacuumed to ensure complete removal of dirt.

Carpet steam cleaning, which is also referred to as extraction, is considered very effective in deep cleaning. It not only helps in cleaning the carpet surface, but also cleans the carpet base and carpet fibers. Depending on budget and requirement, choose extractors with powerful motors or those with less powerful motors. Also choose the accessories that will prove most helpful, like brushes and cords.

Carpet Cleaning provides detailed information about carpet cleaning, carpet cleaning supplies, carpet cleaning machines, carpet cleaning equipment and more. Carpet Cleaning is the sister site of Master Bedrooms.