Which Carpet Cleaning method is the best for your home or office?
There are several approaches to cleaning carpets for soil removal, sanitisation, stain removal or reduction.
Modern Carpet cleaning methods
Dry Cleaning or Wet Cleaning. All carpet cleaning and maintenance styles can be divided into one of two groups. Wet cleaning such as Hot water extraction, Steam extraction, carpet shampooing. Then there is Dry cleaning methods such as Bonnet cleaning and Micro Encapsulation cleaning. Although some methods overlap the two divisions such as shampooing, this may be applied in a drier fashion or with more water to encourage extra soil removal.
The Australian / New Zealand joint industry standard supervised by the two Governments [AS/NZS 3733:2018] is a comprehensive reference and guide to acceptable maintenance of residential and commercial floor coverings.
The AS/NZS 3733:2018 standard separates all carpet cleaning method into these two categories…
Surface cleaning
Surface cleaning methods include, The Foam aerosol spray system, Bonnet cleaning system, Absorbent compound system , Liquid shampoo [followed by wet vacuum] and finally the Dry Foam [followed by wet vacuum]
Corrective or restorative cleaning
Restorative cleaning methods include, Liquid shampoo and dry foam systems [followed by hot water extraction] and The Hot water injection and extraction systems [commonly referred to as Steam Cleaning]
Frequently Asked Questions
The Encapsulation Carpet Cleaning Method
Encapsulation cleaning is dryer. Faster drying times mean less inconvenience. The area treated can be used quickly after cleaning. It looks great. The deep and persistent agitation of the rotary machine which gently scrubs the carpet pile with its soft brushes and slow action works in the foam which is imbibed with highly active soil dispersing emulsifiers and solvents. These pull soils adhered to the carpet fibres and suspend them in space for easy removal by vacuum or extraction. The result is the carpets appears cleaner, brighter and dry quickly.
How does it work?
Micro encapsulate shampoo is a purpose built light, foam which will become crystallised when dry and is easily vacuumed. It is laced with several active components which are not evident to the naked eye. Encapsulate resin with ionic charge this formulation clings to soils, surrounds it and isolates it in suspension away from the carpets fibres. Additional resin also adheres to the fibres on your carpets protecting them from abrasive and discolouring activity of foreign soils. Embedded stain resistance qualities in the resin now coating the fibres provides a stain and soil shield. This continues to protect the flooring between cleans. The carpets look cleaner longer and next interval cleaning will respond better.
The Steam Extraction Carpet Cleaning method
Steam injection and extraction increased hugely in the early eighties in New Zealand. It became and has remained the staple of carpets maintenance in New Zealand and across Australia. Steam extraction cleaning has been proven to be unsurpassed in its ability to remove the majority of foreign soils hosted in carpets and fabrics. Stain removal is much more efficient with this method as the extraction process facilitates the use of a wider range of chemical formulations.
New Zealand carpets are unique in the sense we have a much larger proportion of wool carpets in residential and executive offices. Although many new synthetic carpets with attractive easy maintenance qualities have entered the market, many kiwis prefer the higher quality resilient natural woolen flooring at home.
Woolen carpets often have a dense pile which can host a lot of soils. The Steam extraction method is very well suited to emulsifying and flushing the soils out very effectively.
This is a key reason Hot water extraction is still the dominant method here in New Zealand.
Drying time
Drying time after a steam clean can vary depending on the fibre cleaned and the drying conditions in the building. Many synthetic fibres absorb very little water where as a wool can hold the dominant percentage of its weight in water.
Some buildings and homes have excellent drying conditions due to air conditioning and other factors even in wet weather or high humidity, carpets will dry quickly. Drying times are however a concern of yesteryear when steam cleaning technology was in its early stages. Modern vehicle mounted and portable extraction machines are now much more efficient with new technology and better understanding of physics it is not unusual to have a carpet which has been steam cleaned to dry faster than one which has been dry cleaned.
How is it done?
According to the AS/NZS 3733:2018 the Steam injection and extraction method should comprise of four stages.
Vacuuming
The flooring should be pre vacuumed to remove dry particulate soils. Although these can also be removed via the steam extraction, some soil types are removed more easily when dry.
Agitation
Agitation is a very important factor in cleaning carpets. Many soils have been adhered to the fibres for many months and their adhesion is strong. An application of chemical is not sufficient to disperse soils alone and some form of agitation should be employed. This may be applied manually or with a scrubbing machine.
Preconditioning
A chemical agent of some type should be applied pre clean to soften, emulsify and disperse soils. These treatments greatly increase the efficacy of the clean. The chemical choice will be made according to the fibre type and the content of the soils as these two variables interact differently.
Steam extraction
This final part of the process, the steam extraction flushes out all the soils suspended in the preconditioner and the hot steam extraction is the only method which rinses the carpets leaving them clean and free of residual chemical.
Steam-extraction-carpet-cleaning-vs-dry-cleaning
Steam cleaning involves the injection of hot water and steam into the fibers of your carpets, followed by the vacuuming up of the hot water and moisture. This process is not only efficient but also versatile, offering various approaches to meet your specific needs.
Dry cleaning involves several different methods.
All dry cleaning methods are generally intended to use less water resulting in faster drying and all dry cleaning methods are generally faster, more quiet operating machines. Dry cleaning methods are universal and can be used in all Carpet cleaning sectors including commercial offices, gyms and residential properties.
Check out the Steam Extraction VS Dry Cleaning of Carpets
Cleaning Nylon Carpets
First and foremost, nylon is a robust and resilient fiber that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. However, even with its durable qualities, regular cleaning and maintenance are still necessary to keep it looking and feeling its best Professional carpet cleaning services are also essential for nylon carpets to remove deep-seated dirt and stubborn stains that cannot be removed with regular vacuuming.
Learn More about Nylon carpet Cleaning
Woolen Carpets
Hot water extraction is considered the best cleaning method for wool carpets because it is a deep-cleaning process that effectively removes dirt, dust, and other debris from the carpet fibers without causing damage. Wool is a delicate fiber that requires gentle cleaning methods, and hot water extraction provides a thorough clean without using harsh chemicals or abrasive techniques. Additionally, this method uses hot water to extract dirt and stains from the carpet, which is then immediately vacuumed up, leaving the carpet clean and dry. This technique is also known to improve the overall appearance of wool carpets and extend their lifespan.
Check out our article here on the Woolen carpet Cleaning method
Triexta Carpet Cleaning Method
Triexta is a new synthetic fiber used in carpeting that has gained popularity in recent years. Triexta is a modified polyester that has been designed to offer improved durability and stain resistance. In the past, polyester was marketed as an inexpensive substitute for more expensive nylons and wools. However, early carpets made with polyester fibers were problematic due to their high static attraction, which would attract pill and fluff from other fabrics and adhere to the fibers.
Check out our info on the triexta carpet Cleaning method
