Common carpet cleaning questions answered

We have been asked many different questions over the years. Following are some of the more common carpet cleaning questions we are asked.

Cleaning Method

Q: How do you clean carpet? (What sort of cleaning method do you use?)

A: Firstly , we use the Hot water Extraction (HWE) method. This is often called ‘Steam Cleaning’. However, it isn’t really ‘steam’ but instead very hot water. This hot water is used in a rinse cycle to remove soil and stains after a soil emulsifier (such as a carpet cleaning detergent) is applied. The carpet cleaning detergent releases the soil away from the carpet fiber and holds it in suspension. Following the application of the detergent and some dwell time, the rinse cycle removes the soiling. Think of a rinse cycle of a washing machine. It is very similar to this process.

Wikipedia Description

This explanation from the Wikipedia page sums it up nicely. It also explains a little more about the entire cleaning process that we use.

Though commonly called “Steam Cleaning”, no actual steam is involved in the HWE cleaning process, apart from steam that may escape incidentally from hot water. When the cleaning solution comes in contact with the carpet/rug, it is anywhere between 50-120 degrees Celsius, according to the heat available from the cleaning unit. For instance, in a modern truck-mounted carpet cleaning machine, water can be heated under pressure to 150+ degrees Celsius, but after passing through high pressure steel braided hose and several manifolds, the water loses much of its heat.

The typical cleaning method involves a preconditioning of the soiled surface with an alkaline (7 or above on the pH Scale) agent, followed by light agitation with a grooming brush and appropriate dwell time. Next, the surface is passed over several times with a cleaning tool (either manual or automatic) to thoroughly rinse out the preconditioner and, using an acetic acid solution, lower the pH of the fibres to a neutral state. Finally, the surface is dried sufficiently to avoid any possibility of saturation.

Drying

Q: Because you are using water, does the carpet get very wet? (How long does the carpet take to dry?)

A: Interestingly, HWE does not use as much water as you would think. As the water is hot and under some pressure when applied, less water is needed. The carpet is not left very wet at all. This is also because our Truck-Mounted machine has considerable vacuum. On a good day in Brisbane and depending on the carpet fiber, we are able to get a carpet dry in under 5 hours. And even quicker with ceiling fans and if the carpet is not very soiled.

Q: Am I able to walk on the carpet straight away?

A: The short answer is yes, with some conditions. The carpet will be damp for a few hours. Care needs to be taken with regards moving from the carpet onto any hard floors such as tiles, wooden floors or stairs due to the chance of slipping. Secondly, if any soil is on a shoe, this will transfer much more easily if the carpet is damp. Taking due care is really important.

Stains

Q: How easy is it to remove stains? (Do all the stains come out with cleaning?)

A: This is a little bit like asking ”How long is a piece of string’? Some stains could indeed be permanent. Bleach stains of course cannot be ‘cleaned’ out as there is no colour there to restore. Some stains can be easy to remove when attended to quickly but be difficult to remove if left for a length of time. Blood stains are in this category. Others are often easy to remove. Oil stains may look unsightly but are also not normally any problem.

It is important to attend to stains as soon as possible. This makes removing the stain much easier. Stains left for too long may well ‘set’ in the carpet. If you have any questions regarding stain removal, please give us a call. We are happy to offer advice over the phone. Also, our stain removal chart is well worth a look for general stain removal and techniques.

This massive spaghetti stain was successfully removed.

Furniture

Q: Do I need to move all the furniture?

A: No, you really don’t. Some furniture will need to be removed from the carpet to allow the carpet to dry completely. Furniture that has a base directly on the carpet is in this category. However for the most part, the furniture can be simply moved around in the room. Removing small items is a big help such as dining chairs and small tables but all big items can normally stay in the room.

We use plastic for any item we feel needs to be protected.

Time

Q: How long will it take to clean our carpet?

A: Another one of the more common carpet cleaning questions. It depends on the size of the area involved. Also the degree of soiling. Though commonly a 15 to 20 square home of around 100 square meters will take about an hour and a half.

Any further carpet cleaning questions, please contact us.

Finally, if you have any further carpet cleaning questions please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to offer advice with regards any issues you may be having with the carpet in your home.