Tap to Call Tap to Mail
Everything You Need to Know About Professional Carpet Cleaning Techniques
Sep 06,2021

Everything You Need to Know About Professional Carpet Cleaning Techniques

Often, as professional carpet cleaners, we get lots of questions regarding carpet cleaning. The most common questions we get are associated with the different techniques used in carpet cleaning. When you hand over your carpets to any professional carpet cleaning company in London, you should know that there are various techniques they can use to clean your carpets.

Steam carpet cleaning is one of the common and widely known carpet cleaning methods; however, it is not the only one. There are other techniques employed for professional carpet cleaning, and each method comes with its benefits and disadvantages. Here, we would be exploring five professional carpet cleaning techniques.

Why so many carpet cleaning techniques?

All professional carpet cleaning companies are meant to clean carpets, upholstery and other household textiles. Other companies can go the extra mile to clean air ducts, tile and even leather. These materials are different, so they require different techniques and methods to ensure they are not damaged while cleaning.

On that note, the five most common professional carpet cleaning techniques include;

  1. Absorbent compound ( dry cleaning)
  2. Hot water extraction (steam cleaning)
  3. Carpet shampooing
  4. Bonnet cleaning
  5. Encapsulation

Absorbent compound (dry cleaning)

This is more commonly known as dry carpet cleaning and involves cleaning the carpet without water use.  This method uses an absorbent compound that binds the dirt and other substances in the carpet. In some cases, a mechanical brush can be used to distribute the absorbent compound and disrupt the dirty fibres. The carpet is left to settle, giving the compound enough time to separate dirt from the carpet fibres. Afterwards, the carpet is vacuumed with the use of a professional-strength dry vacuum.

Since this method is a dry cleaning method, it is suitable for those who want a deep clean but do not want to get their carpets wet.

Hot water extraction ( steam cleaning )

This is the most common professional carpet cleaning method and is also known as steam cleaning. Unlike the dry cleaning method, this method involves not just the use of water but also steaming hot water. This method employs using hot water at high pressure to penetrate the carpet fibres. This technique breaks down the dirt, dust and bacteria that are deep-seated in the carpet fibres.

After cleaning, the hot water is extracted with a vacuum, which gives rise to the name ‘hot water extraction method’.

A cleaning agent is applied to the target area to begin this cleaning process and spreads through a brush to break up the dirt. The hot water extraction method comes into play when the cleaning agent has been given time to do its work. Cleaning with this method usually takes about an hour, but it takes twice that amount of time for the carpet to dry – this is for cleaning in average homes. For commercial and office cleaning, it takes much longer. Some carpet cleaning companies perform professional carpet cleaning later in the day so that the carpets can dry overnight.

Carpet shampooing

Although this method is one of the oldest professional carpet cleaning method, it is still very much in use today. This used to be the go-to method for heavy carpet cleaning for a very long time – it has evolved in terms of the technology used.

Presently, the carpet shampooing method involves using a foaming substance applied and worked into the carpet with a brush machine. Wet-vacuuming is performed to remove the shampoo as well as the dirt attached to it.

After cleaning, the carpet would require some time to dry, after which it would be vacuumed again to get rid of any leftover residue.

Bonnet cleaning

Unlike other carpet cleaning techniques that are a form of deep cleaning, this method mainly focuses on cleaning the carpet’s surface.

With bonnet machines having a spinning pad soaked in a cleaning solution, the carpet’s surface is polished to remove all forms of dirt and grime. This cleaning technique is common in hotels and commercial businesses that only need a spruce-up. Because it only cleans the surface, it is one of the fastest professional carpet cleaning techniques. Nonetheless, it can still make a difference in the appearance of a carpet.

Note that the bonnet cleaning is only a temporary fix and not a lasting solution. Eventually, the dirt in the carpet will rise to the surface, which would mean repeated treatment in shorter periods. Besides, this method can end up leaving a chemical residue on your carpet.

Encapsulation

This is one of the fanciful carpet cleaning methods. It uses synthetic foam detergents that are worked into the carpet fibres through a brush machine. The foam crystallises into powder, and by so doing, encapsulates dirt present in the carpet. Afterwards, the powder and dirt are vacuumed up.

Although this method is not very effective for deeply soiled carpets, it is often favoured over carpet shampooing. This is because it takes less time to dry, uses less water and leaves behind no residue.

Finally, it takes both experience and education to know the best cleaning technique for your carpet. This is why you need the services of a top-notch carpet cleaning company near you like Carpet Cleaner London. Get in touch with us today for professional carpet cleaning and upholstery in London.