The Best Way to Clean Your Carpets

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Carpet

Carpets and upholstery are two things that are considered a staple in every home. There is hardly any house that does not have either one of these mainly because they are both functional and serve as a great decorative piece.

But part of home maintenance is keeping everything germ-free and safe for the people (and animals) living in it, which includes cleaning carpets and upholstery.

Any person who has had to deal with this, however, knows how challenging it can be to clean chairs, sofas, and carpets. For one, they are not machine washable and secondly, the materials often require special care.

So, what’s a homeowner to do but to get professional cleaning services, right? But how do you know which type of service to get and what is the most effective way to clean your carpets and upholstery? Read along for the answer.

Hot water extraction

Also known as HWE, hot water extraction refers to the process of cleaning carpets and upholstery using a combination of hot water and detergent. It is most recommended by professional cleaning companies because it does not use actual steam that could ruin the material of your carpet and furniture.

The process begins with preconditioning. Depending on the material of your carpet or upholstery, the cleaners may either spray alkaline or an acidic solution into the fabric. It is followed by agitation using a grooming brush or an automatic scrubbing machine to soften and dislodge dirt, then the rinsing and restoration of fiber pH.

Hot water extraction is considered the safest and most effective way to clean carpets and upholstery because it uses more water and very little amounts of detergent. Not only does hot water help sanitize the material. It also does not leave residue on your items and reduces exposure to allergens from chemicals.

The only challenge with hot water extraction is that you will need specialized equipment to spray hot water on the fabric to ensure safety. And since the process uses a lot of water, drying time takes longer and may require the use of dehumidifiers and extra fans to prevent moisture that could cause the formation of molds and mildew.

This is exactly how professional cleaning services can help you because they have the right equipment and know-how to get the job done.

Is dry-cleaning also effective?

Carpet

Dry-cleaning is arguably the most common option for cleaning carpets and upholstery because it has a faster drying time and is less strenuous compared to hot water extraction. The process is done using machines with a “very low moisture” system and dry chemical compounds or cleaning solvents.

Professional dry-cleaning services usually begin by applying pretreatments, preconditioners, or manual spotting before using the system. This is recommended for carpets and upholstery that are heavily soiled or those with stains that are harder to remove.

As previously mentioned, dry-cleaning has a rapid drying time, which means homeowners can re-install their carpets and use their sofas again in less time.

But while dry-cleaning is also effective in removing dirt and stains just like water extraction is, it involves the use of chemicals that may be harsh. It would be better if you can talk to the company about products they use just to be sure.

When should you clean your carpets and upholstery?

In general, carpets and upholstery should be cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months. But if you have children and pets at home, it should be more frequent.

Having your carpets and upholstery cleaned on a regular basis prevents germs and bacteria from forming and potentially harming everyone at home. You might not notice it, but there is a horde of harmful elements that could stick on the material and plant itself there for a long time.

Among the most common things found on carpets and upholstery are pollen, dust mites, mould spores, dirt, soil, grease, bacteria, and dead insects. Some of these can’t be removed completely by vacuuming, light washing, and scrubbing.

Sure, you can reduce the amount of dirt. But that’s likely only going to be on the surface. If you don’t have the right equipment, you won’t be able to go deep into the crevices of your living room couch or in between layers of your carpet.

For the best results, you should take the time to schedule professional cleaning services like Ellenbrook carpet cleaning for a thorough cleanse. You can be sure that your rugs, carpets, and upholstery are cleaned from top to bottom, inside and out, corner to corner, and using just the right amount of detergent to keep the process effective without causing damage to your items.

Most professional services also include proper drying tools to remove moisture which can be a good breeding ground for more bacteria and keep drying time to a minimum so there’s no disruption at home or the office.