ECO’s Carpet Cleaning Systems
Note: Every system of cleaning should be proceeded by vacuuming. It is said that up to 89% of the soil in your carpet can be removed dry.
Dry cleaning products are usually pure solvents or combination’s of water, detergents and solvents. Many fine fabrics require pure solvent dry cleaning because water may adversely effect the fabric. Dry compound cleaning agents are typically natural or synthetic compounds with detergent carriers. These products usually use less moisture and can be most effective when performing interim (appearance) cleaning or spot cleaning in high traffic, 24 hr use facilities. Correct frequency must be adhered to. Dry compound cleaning products also can assist in reducing slip fall insidences where 24 hr facilities/residences have carpet adjacent to hard surfaces. Note: The only “true” dry soil extraction cleaning method available is your vacuum. It is also the most ECO friendly!!!
***It is important to note that The Carpet and Rug Institute (Seal of Approval) testing of dry compounds reveal that these products remove less soil than SOA Gold rated wet cleaning methods. By increasing time, mechanical intensity and frequency results can improve effectiveness. Vacuuming or pile lifting vacuuming is necessary to remove the product after product absorbs/adsorbs spills/soil.
Wet cleaning products usually are associated with higher levels of water. Water is used as a rinsing agent. Combined with heat and properly specified cleaning products hot water extraction is quicker and more effective. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute SOA approved truck mounted and portable water extraction units remove more soil than the many other currently tested products. Hot water is the most naturally effective restorative cleaning product available. Professionals often will use air movers that reduce down time and enhance drying. Hot water extraction is the most popular cleaning system used for both residential and commercial restorative cleaning.
Minimum (Low) Moisture cleaning products usually use a reduced amount of moisture. They are usually associated with appearance management. Cleaning products are usually topically applied and then mechanically distributed using a variety of different systems. Low moisture systems can include dry compounds,foams and encapsulants.
Interim Cleaning
Interim cleaning is defined as surface/appearance cleaning. It is a highly productive and quick drying process often used between restorative cleaning processes. The frequency of interim cleaning depends on the carpet location, use and exposure to soiling.
Restorative Cleaning
Restorative cleaning is a process of extracting or removing entrapped soils and residues. Restorative processes typically have higher moisture levels, lower production rates and slower drying. Frequency depends on the daily maintenance and effectiveness of interim cleaning processes. The frequencies are also determined by the carpet’s location, use, and exposure to traffic and soil.
Absorbent/Adsorbent Compound System
Used in interim & restorative cleaning, this minimum moisture system uses absorbent/adsorbent compounds (cellulosic or polymer based) that are disbursed and agitated into carpets. Product and soil is removed by vacuuming or pile lifting.
Dry Foam Cleaning System
This is a minimum-moisture system used for restorative cleaning. After vacuuming, dense foam is produced through mechanical aeration and distributed via a mechanical brush. The excess foam and suspended soil are extracted by a wet vacuum typically incorporated into the same machine.
Shampoo Cleaning System
Used in interim and restorative cleaning. After vacuuming, this cleaning system uses detergent that is agitated with a mechanical brush, after which both the shampoo and suspended soil are extracted by either a wet vacuum or dry vacuuming process.
Hot Water Extraction System
This system is used in restorative cleaning. After vacuuming, a cleaning product is applied to the carpet and agitated. The cleaning product and suspended soil are extracted by rinsing with hot water from a portable or truck-mounted extraction unit, which may contain rinsing agents or emulsifiers.
Encapsulation System
Used in interim cleaning. After vacuuming, this low moisture, low residue cleaning system applies a detergent followed typically by a counter rotational brush. These machines lift the pile which helps to free soil from entangled fibers. Vacuuming is recommended after carpet is dry.
Combination Cleaning System
Used in restorative cleaning, After vacuuming these systems combine procedures from different cleaning methods to achieve optimum results.
Bonnet Cleaning System
Used in interim cleaning, this minimum moisture method is also called the absorbent pad method. After vacuuming, a detergent solution is applied to the carpet then extracted with an absorbent pad/bonnet attached to a drive block on a low r.p.m. rotary floor machine.
Note: Many manufacturers do not recommend bonnet cleaning.
