Carpet Cleaning Equipment

Although the general popularity of carpet comes and goes, there will always be carpet around. And just like the clothes you wear, the comes a time when carpet must be cleaned. Dirt acts like an abrasive to carpet. By just walking on your carpet, you are grinding any dirt there may be into the carpet fibers. So when the time arrives to clean your carpet, you need to have some understanding of the different types of carpet cleaning machines that can be used.

Types of Carpet Cleanings

There are three basic types of carpet cleaning are:

• Low-moisture encapsulation
• Truck-mounted
• Rotary

Here’s a brief look at each one:

Low Moisture Encapsulation – these carpet cleaning machines encapsulate, or surround dirt, that can then be vacuumed out of the carpet. The chemical used is a polymer that acts like small sponges, absorbing the soil. These machines leave no residue behind and will provide a deep clean. Encapsulation has become a popular method for both residential and commercial carpet cleaning. The of the major benefits of using an encapsulation machine is faster drying time. This is because very little moisture is used in the cleaning process. These machines use a rotary action to scrub the cleaning agent into the carpet. They can use pads or brushes for their scrubbing in of the encapsulating agent.

Truck Mounted Cleaning – this type of cleaning usually involves hot water (steam) extraction. The hot water comes in through a solution hose and is vacuumed back out using a carpet wand with a vacuum hose attached to it. Other types of cleaning attachments besides a wand may be used with this process, a rotary brush is just one example. Many carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction for cleaning carpets as the hot temperature will help carpet fibers by re-setting the twist of the fibers, improving the overall appearance of the carpet.

The downside of truck-mounted systems is when they need to be used in buildings with several stories. Each section of vacuum hose that is added to the system causes a decrease in the suction power of the vacuum. This situation is addressed by using a portable carpet cleaning machine. These are larger than the machines that can be rented by homeowners at a local store. They can produce hotter water and have a stronger vacuum for extracting the cleaning solution.

Rotary Floor or Bonnet Cleaning – this type of cleaning isn’t as popular as it used to be. One reason is that using a bonnet method only may not clean as deep into the carpet as other methods. This cleaning tends to only change the appearance of the top of the carpet fibers. In some cases, misuse of a bonnet machine may cause undue wear on the carpet and in some case, may void the carpet manufacturer’s warranty. In no way are we saying a bonnet should not be used as if used properly a bonnet can aid in drying the carpet faster.

Carpet Cleaning Machines

There are many actual carpet cleaning tools used by professionals and homeowners alike. Way too many to get into all the specifics in this article. So we will concentrate on some of the more popular ones.

Carpet Wands – If you are a do-it-yourself individual you have probably gone down to the hardware or grocery store at one time or another and rented a carpet cleaning machine. These come equipped with a carpet wand. A wand is also the choice of many professional carpet cleaners. The wand has a number of water jets on the bottom for applying a cleaning solution and then the solution is vacuumed back up through the wand and into a recovery tank. Carpet on stairs is cleaned with a wand, just a smaller version of one.

Rotary Extractors – these machines operate just like they are named. They have a series of brushes that rotate as the cleaner is operated. They will perform a deep cleaning and, like a carpet wand, use hot water combined with a cleaning solution. The used solution is then vacuumed up by the machine as it works.

Encapsulation Machines – with encapsulation cleaning, a polymer solution is worked into the carpet with an agitation machine. The polymers adhere to soil in the carpet and lift it to the surface. Once dry, the soil can be vacuumed up leaving no sticky residue behind. This process is misnamed “dry cleaning” but it does not use hot water so the carpet does dry much quicker that other cleaning methods.

Residential Vacuum/Carpet Cleaning Machines – there are several manufacturers of machines that people can purchase that will clean carpet. For the most part these machines operate with low water pressure and have weak vacuums. Because of this, it can be quite difficult to remove the cleaning solutions and may leave your carpets overly wet and damp. Most carpets have latex backing materials that if left wet for long periods of time can lead to all sorts of problems, including odors and mold growth. These can be a great option for “touching up” carpets in between professional cleaning, but should not be the only choice for regularly scheduled cleanings by professional cleaners.

Water Mold Fire Restoration, 800-905-0277, prides ourselves on assisting people in any type of situation. Our technicians are nationally certified and are available 24/7. We will respond to your call within an hour. You can also contact us at help@watermoldfire.net.