Typical supermarket carpet-cleaning products include powders, foam shampoos that come in a pressurized can, and liquids sprayed straight from the container. A few concentrated products--powder or liquid-must be mixed with water.
Most manufacturers recommend that you gently work the cleaner into the carpet with a brush and remove the residue with a regular vacuum cleaner (liquids, of course, need time to dry first).
Manual carpet cleaning isn't as unpleasant as it might sound. The powers minimize the mess, and the job goes quickly. The powders are almost dry, so the room can be used immediately afterward.(Actually, "dry" powders are slightly moist.) Stains are likely to be a problem for supermarket carpet-cleaning products. None of the ones tested in the past were better than fair in treating any of Consumers Union's test stains.
CLEANING WITH A MACHINE
Wet-cleaning machines (also known as "steamers" or hot-water extraction equipment) are usually sold or rented with a recommended cleaning product. The majority of machines use a hot detergent solution, which the machine sprays on the rug. They not only apply the solution but also use suction to remove it. The need for water complicates matters. Some machines get their water supply via a long hose that you attach to a hot-water faucet. As you clean, the hose is dragged along. In other models, you fill a reservoir with hot water. With both kinds, you will eventually need to pour out the dirty water, which is collected either in the base of the machine or in a removable container. When full, the part you empty can weigh almost 50 pounds.
With any machine that uses water, or with any wet cleaner you scrub yourself, you must wait for the carpet to dry before walking on it, which can take at least overnight. There's also a risk of wetting the carpet too much. Water can seep through and damage a hardwood floor or the latex backing of an old carpet (it shouldn't hurt the polyolefin backing of most new carpets but can delimit-hate adhesives).
Rented wet-cleaning machines are likely to be larger than those sold to homeowners. This can pose transportation problems if you don't have access to a vehicle with adequate cargo space.
Instead of water and detergent, some machines use powder. They may apply the powder, work it in, and use suction to remove it, or they may merely apply the powder and provide agitation. You then use your own vacuum cleaner to clean it up. It is important to vacuum thoroughly to prevent powder buildup. Residual powder may cause problems if you wet-clean your carpet at a later date. If your household vacuum will not do an adequate job, consider renting a commercial vacuum. (Before using a powder rug cleaner, be sure to read your vacuum cleaner owner's manual for possible precautions regarding these materials.) Follow
the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the length of time to leave the powder on the carpet.
GUIDELINES FOR DO-IT-YOURSELF CARPET CLEANING
Be sure to give your carpet a thorough vacuuming before you start the wet cleaning process. Whether you use a rented "steamer" or one purchased for regular use, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before attempting to shampoo your carpet.
Use an extra "dry stroke." A carpet's cleanliness can be optimized by ensuring that your machine provides good extraction. Make an extraction pass with the water spray on, then make a second pass with the water spray off. This increases the amount of water removed from the carpeting. Check your work by wiping your hand across the top of the carpeting. If you get drops of water, extract the carpeting again with the spray off. If your hand
is damp and the carpet feels like a wrung-out sponge, you are extracting correctly.
Use the correct chemicals. Use only chemicals designed to clean carpeting, and use them according to the manufacturer's recommended concentrations. If the package says to use one ounce, measure it out. Be sure you do not use too much. Do not use laundry soap, shampoo, dish soap, etc., to clean your carpet. Never put any kind of bleach through the extraction equipment. Bleach can ruin your carpet and void a manufacturer's warranty. You can
usually find carpet-cleaning chemicals close to carpet-cleaning rental equipment or in the cleaning section of a grocery store. Some of the major brands of carpet-cleaning chemicals have been tested by major fiber producers and approved for use on stain-
resistant carpeting.
Pre-spray where necessary. If your carpeting is "really dirty," increase the amount of pre-spray (often called traffic lane cleaner) that you use. Do not increase the amount of carpet detergent.
Neutralize. A final vinegar-water rinse (1 cup of white vinegar in 1 gallon of plain water) and a thorough extraction are helpful to remove and neutralize any detergent residue in the carpet.
Dry properly. Allow the carpet to dry completely. Open windows and move air through the house with fans. Keep family members and pets off the carpet until it is dry.
PROFESSIONAL CLEANING
Carpets. Ideally, a professional cleaning service should visit your home to carefully evaluate the carpet's condition before rendering an estimate, but often this does not happen. Some cleaning services will provide a preliminary price pending closer inspection in the home. This is perfectly acceptable if the cleaners do a careful inspection and requite (if necessary) before cleaning begins.
The cleaning service should discuss its procedures in detail. Depending on the carpet's condition, it may not be possible to clean the carpet completely. The company should inform the customer if its cleaners will not be able to remove a stain without damage. There shouldn't be any surprises.
Ask the company what it will do if its cleaners damage the carpet, and ascertain how they will protect adjacent furniture. Be sure to check references to determine if the cleaning service adheres to these precautions during the job.
Rugs. Loose rugs, especially handmade ones, should be removed and cleaned professionally "in-plant" rather than in your home. Rug cleaners offer extra services such as repairing the fringe, reweaving, and moth-resistant treatment.
You can take any size rug to a professional cleaner or, for an extra fee, some cleaning companies will pick up and drop off a rug. If you call a service that comes to your home, try to arrange a definite appointment, or you might have to wait at home all day.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Carpet manufacturers recommend cleaning household carpet every 6 to 18 months, depending on the level of traffic. To maximize the time between cleanings, keep dirt outside with mats at
each entry.
Whether you do the work yourself or hire professionals, be sure to clean your carpet regularly to prevent buildup of soil. Many do-it-yourself products should be able to handle a lightly soiled carpet. Ground-in dirt and stains from spills are much more difficult to remove. In general, when a rug has been soiled by garden-variety dirt, it's better to send it out to professionals or to call in a
professional cleaning service.
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