Daily carpeting requires routine vacuuming and the occasional treatment of stains. But for the most thorough cleaning, Carpet Cleaning Northern Suburbs Perth is essential.
Carpet cleaners come in various shapes and sizes, from portable models and canisters to upright machines that mimic those you rent at supermarkets and big-box stores. Most have two tanks — one for clean water and detergent solution and another for the dirty water they pull from your carpets.
Carpets trap and collect dirt and debris that can cause the home to feel stuffy, especially in high traffic areas. Vacuuming often isn’t enough to remove all the dust, dirt and debris from a carpet, so it needs regular professional cleaning.
A professional uses a powerful, high-powered machine to loosen the dirt and debris from the carpet and then rinses it with hot water. They also use special tools to remove the most stubborn stains and debris, such as a rake with long scrubbing blades or a power brush with metal bristles.
Once the cleaning process is complete, technicians vacuum the carpet again to get rid of the remaining dirt and debris. They also look for and remove any items that could damage the professional vacuuming equipment, such as coins or nails. They also rake the carpet to loosen and remove any dirt in the top layer of the carpet fibers.
One of the best ways to prevent a clean carpet from becoming dirty again quickly is by stopping dirt at the door. Place mats outside and inside all doors to help trap soil, and ask family members and guests to take their shoes off before entering the house. Also, be sure to regularly change the air filters in your home to reduce the amount of dust and dirt that settles on carpeting.
Another way to avoid dirty carpet is by using a spray bottle with cold water and a teaspoon of detergent. Liberally sprinkle the carpet with the mixture and spritz with a little cold water. Then, blot the area with a cloth that has been soaked in cold water to remove any soapy residue.
A professional deep clean every 12 to 18 months is another great way to keep the carpet looking its best. They will use a pre-conditioner that helps to loosen the dirt and stains from the carpet before they use a truck-mounted hot-water extraction machine. This method uses extremely hot water, sometimes up to 200°F, to rinse the carpet and remove the ground-in dirt and debris. They will also have access to specialized equipment that you may not be able to find at a hardware store, such as UV lights for stains and a rotary power brush for agitating the carpet.
Stains that do not respond to home treatments are a common reason for professional carpet cleaning. The key to getting them out is treating them as soon as they happen. This prevents the stain from soaking deep into the fibers, which can cause it to reappearance later. Reappearing stains are often the result of a process known as wicking, in which the spill soaks through the carpet fibers and into the carpet backing and underpad. The liquid then travels up the fiber strands like a candle’s wick, resurfacing on the surface of the carpet after it dries. To avoid this, treat the spot as quickly as possible and blot — never rub — the area with paper towels or clean white cloths.
For liquid stains, use a cloth or paper towel dipped in any homemade cleaning solution to absorb as much of the stain as possible. Do not rub; this can force the stain into the fibers of the carpet, making it more difficult to remove. Blot the affected area with fresh paper towels or cloths frequently, using color-fast cloths to make sure the carpet and the cloth do not react together and transfer dye. After the stain is soaked up, spray the area with cold water from a bottle and then blot again with a clean section of cloth. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed.
If a stubborn stain persists, try a different cleaning method. Hydrogen peroxide is a great option, although it should be tested on an inconspicuous section of the carpet to be certain it will not bleach the color. Start by vacuuming the area to get as much of the wine out as possible and then blot, not rub, the affected area with paper towels or clean cloths.
If you can’t lift the stain, use a putty knife and a dustpan to scrape it up and remove it from the carpet. After the area is dry, you can reseal the carpet with a deodorizing spray. Baking soda will also deodorize and can be sprinkled on the carpet to deodorize it after cleaning. If the stain is still not gone after several attempts, it may be time to call in a professional. Professionals can use detergents and steam to get even the most stubborn stains from your wall-to-wall carpeting.
Like most things in a home, carpeting requires regular upkeep. For most people, this includes regular vacuuming to remove loose dirt and debris, and spot stain removal using commercially available products. It also involves periodic professional cleaning with hot water extraction or steam cleaning, to remove a wider range of stains and deeper dirt, and to fluff up matted fibers.
The first step in most methods is to precondition the carpet, which is often done with an alkaline solution (ammonia for synthetics or dilute acetic acid for woollens) that is spread evenly over the entire surface and agitated with a grooming brush or an automatic scrubbing machine. This helps dissolve thick dirt and grime that has accumulated and makes the removal process much easier. A pressurized manual or automatic cleaning tool, known as a wand, then goes over the carpet to thoroughly rinse out the preconditioning agent and residue, as well as the dirt and debris.
Once all the rinsing is complete and the pH of the fiber has been properly lowered, the drying process can begin. During this time it’s important to keep kids, pets, and soiled shoes off the carpet until it’s completely dry, so as not to crush the fibers or create any new spots. It’s also a good idea to open windows and run fans so that the process can go more quickly and the carpet and pad are completely dry by the end of it.
Some old-fashioned cleaning techniques still work very effectively, such as using a cloth or towel saturated with lemon juice to treat wine stains; ink was traditionally removed with lime or hartshorn; grease fats were cleaned with turpentine or pipe clay; and candle wax was removed by placing a damp cloth over the stain, then ironing it until the wax absorbed into the fabric. However, today’s technology has brought us cleaners that are far more effective, safer, and quicker than these old methods.
One of the most common reasons that carpet smells bad after cleaning is because of residual cleaning solutions. This can happen when the carpet cleaner uses too much detergent or doesn’t rinse the carpet enough. When this happens, the odors can linger until they are completely dry.
Sometimes the odor can also be caused by bacteria and mold growth in the carpet fibres or underlay. This can cause a musty smell that is almost impossible to get rid of. Another problem is that some chemicals used in traditional carpet cleaning can react with the fibers, leaving behind an unpleasant odor that takes a long time to dissipate.
Finally, some carpets start to smell a little bit musty simply because they are old and haven’t been cleaned very often. This can happen even if the carpet has been professionally cleaned.
Fortunately, there are several ways that you can deal with smelly carpets after cleaning them. One way is to simply use ventilation, opening windows and using fans to help the odors to dissipate. You can also try using a dehumidifier to soak up the moisture in the air and speed up the drying process. Baking soda can also be used to deodorize the carpet by absorbing and neutralizing the odors.
If you have tried these methods and the odor is still there, it may be time to call a professional carpet cleaner. They have the equipment and expertise necessary to fully clean your carpet and eliminate any odors that are left behind. Make sure to clean your carpets regularly, keep them free of stains, and take steps to prevent dirt and moisture from penetrating the fibres and underlay. This can reduce the need for professional cleaning and extend the life of your carpet. Also, remember to vacuum on a regular basis and use doormats outside the doors to stop dirt from tracking in. This will help your carpets look better and smell fresher for a longer period of time.
