What is the best carpet cleaning method?
We put our carpets to the test daily! We walk on them, we roll on them, we dance on them, and we might even eat on them. This all explains why they are possibly one of the biggest traps for allergens, germs, mites, dirt, dust, mildew and mould and let’s not forget that all those nasties create strong odours too. It is therefore essential to clean them thoroughly on a regular basis. But what is the best method to ensure that your carpets have now parted ways with their unhealthy inhabitants and are now hygienic and fresh?
Taking care of your carpets
Carpets should be vacuumed at least once a week or more depending on your lifestyle and to complement this routine, they should be deep cleaned at least once a year. The dry-cleaning method, also known as the encapsulation method, is often favoured as there will only be a short wait before you can enjoy your carpets again. You can buy powder cleaners in most stores, they often contain ingredients to absorb smells and to clean the fibres of the carpet. Once sprinkled and allowed to work for a short period of time, the powder can then be vacuumed up. Take extreme caution when using such powders as they can be harmful to pets and sensitive children’s skin and can result in burns and breathing difficulties. If you prefer a more natural approach to dry-cleaning your carpets, you can make your own powder cleaner by mixing baking soda, cornstarch and adding a bit of cinnamon for a pleasant scent. The disadvantages of this cleaning method are that only the top third of your carpet will be cleaned and also that the powder will leave some kind of residue behind that can build up over time.
The shampoo cleaning method
The shampoo cleaning method can be performed by hand or with a store-bought machine. This method involves a considerable amount of time and hard work especially if you are doing it by hand. It can also be expensive as shampooers cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars and good quality shampoos can also be costly. Before embarking on your carpet cleaning project, it is important to keep in mind that if it is not done properly, this method can actually ruin your carpet. Some very common mistakes are over-shampooing, which can result in soapy residues being impossible to rinse out, over-wetting, which can cause the carpet to discolour, shrink and even grow mould, and finally, reusing your carpet too quickly which leaves marks and can result in dye stains from your wood or metal furniture.
Cleaning your carpet by a professionnal
The carpet cleaning industry recommends having your carpets cleaned by professionals using the steam extraction cleaning method. Pressurized hot water, using high quality deep cleaning technology such as powerful truck mount units, teamed up with biodegradable products are used to dislodge all dirt, particles, allergens and germs from your carpets leaving them thoroughly cleaned and refreshed. As this is a high-temperature treatment, your carpets will be dried in record times. A professional carpet cleaning service not only sanitizes your carpets for yours and your family’s peace of mind but also ensures that your carpets will last for years to come.
