Carpet steam cleaning involves a pump vacuum power unit to which is coupled with a spray extraction tool or wand into which cleaning solution is fed. This cleaning solution is then forced onto the carpet through water jet nozzles which then penetrates the fibers. This removes oil and grease deposits and causes the embedded soils to loosen as these are immediately extracted by extremely powerful vacuum systems. Steam cleaning is the most recommended method of carpet cleaning. However, one of the major disadvantages with this method is the problems associated with over saturating and longer drying times.

Carpet steam cleaning can be done through two methods. In the first method, you would be required to spray a traffic lane cleaner onto the traffic lanes so that it penetrates into the fibers. Then clean the entire area using a hot water extractor which forces the cleaning solution onto the fibers through a wand. This method leaves more cleaning solutions residue behind and does not rinse the fiber.

In the second method, you would need to spray a free rinsing emulsifying pre-spray onto the entire carpet which then penetrates into the fibers. Then using a specially formulated rinsing agent which is forced into the fibers through the wand, the entire area is then extracted. It is a better method than the first as the thorough rinsing of the fiber and the improved pre-sprays reduces the amount of residue cleaning solution left in the carpet. Using a rinsing agent neutralizes the alkalinity contained in the pre-spray, locks migrant dyes back into the fibers and prevents soils from depositing back onto the fibers by the use of sequestering agents.

You need to follow the following procedure to steam clean the carpet. First mix a free rinsing emulsifying pre-spray in a pump or a power sprayer. Then mix the rinsing agent in the solution tank of the hot water extractor. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly. In order to make the vacuuming process more effective, use a pile brush, if the pile is crushed, to loosen the soils. Then pre-spray sufficient quantity of the emulsifying pre-spray and use a grooming tool to agitate the pre-spray into the fibers and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then extract the area using an automatic carpet machine or a portable truck mounted extractor. After this groom clean the area. Grooming will help in achieving full fiber contact, will start soil suspension and help in lifting crushed or matted fibers.

Always ensure that you rinse the carpet fiber using a rinsing agent and not with plain water. Rinsing carpet fiber using plain water causes the detergent molecules to drop the soils they have emulsified as plain water contains calcium / magnesium particles. This causes the soils to redeposit back into the carpet fiber which causes resoiling. However, when you use a rinsing agent, the sequestering agents present in the rinsing agent hide the calcium/magnesium particles from the detergent molecules which enable them to thoroughly rinse the carpet fiber.

Interested in carpeting for your home? Get your project started by submitting a free BuyerZone request for carpet price quotes.