Important of carpet hot water extraction

 Carpets are most often cleaned by carpet hot water extraction (CHWE).   The word "extraction" in carpet-cleaning ads and truck decals means the process of taking dirt and stains out of carpet and carpet backing with a hot solution.

     This carpet-cleaning method is frequently used on area rugs, but it can be adapted to whole house cleaning projects.    Not all carpet cleaners use this technique, however.   Some carpet cleaners use dry methods such as steam cleaning or spray-on foams.   Steam Carpet Cleaning Perth cleaning uses only heat and moisture; it does not include detergents or other chemicals in its process -- making it environmentally friendly.

The procedure for carpet hot water extraction:

         Remove furniture and loosen carpet fibers by beating carpet, especially along the carpet seams.

         Prepare a carpet hot water extraction perth solution following directions on the label of carpet cleaner.    The carpet-cleaning product you choose should be safe for use on your carpet type and manufactured according to safety standards set out by an independent testing lab.

     A typical carpet cleaning formula will contain surfactant (detergent) cleaners, which adhere to dirt particles, as well as chelating agents that help dissolve mineral deposits left behind from tap water through hard water areas.   Some CHWE solutions are based on organic solvents with emulsifiers to break up certain types of soils.

         Fill the machine's tank with hot water up to recommended level for specified carpet type.

         Pour carpet cleaner solution into carpet machine reservoir, and agitate carpet with a brush to distribute solution throughout carpet-cleaning machine.

         Keep the carpet-cleaning machine moving over carpet and do not allow it to dry out before you have finished cleaning.   Avoid leaving standing water in carpet as this may cause mildew or mold growth that discolors carpet fibers.     Finish cleaning by extracting all remaining chemicals and rinse water from carpet using hot tap water and extract again if necessary.

     Do not brush the carpet while it is still wet -- this will spread liquids further into the pile of carpet fiber instead of removing them.  If you find an area too soiled for your cleaning machine, let vacuum or hand rinse carpet.  For heavily soiled carpet, it may be necessary to hand-rinse carpet before machine extraction to remove heavy soil buildup.

         Shake carpet after carpet cleaning is completed and let carpet dry thoroughly before replacing furniture or allowing people to walk on it.    The carpet must be dry throughout before reconditioning the carpet pile with a brush or beating the carpet again during installation because excess moisture can damage carpet fibers.

     While some professional cleaning companies use truck-mounted equipment called "extractors", there are an increasing number of portable carpet cleaners that do not require connection to a water line.   Both types clean carpets by injecting hot tap water into carpet pile, followed by chemicals, allowing the solution to sit for about 5 minutes.   Water is then extracted from carpet pile and carpet backing with a vacuum or powered air blower, removing most of the soil.     Some carpet cleaners also use "bonnet cleaning" or hand-rolling carpet to remove soil.

         The carpet-cleaning chemicals are now more environmentally friendly than they were in the past because manufacturers now attach biodegradable compounds to synthetic surfactants that allow them to decompose into harmless byproducts when washed away with water.    At least 75 percent of carpet cleaning wastes are now collected for recycling into other products rather than being sent to landfills.

     Even with this progress, however, carpet cleaners still produce wastewater containing cleaning solutions and soils along with used water from wet extraction processes.     Carpet manufacturers recommend that carpet cleaning wastewater be disposed of by either recycling or disposing at an approved site because carpet cleaners can contain low levels of contaminants, such as salt and bacteria.

         Disposing carpet cleaning waste down drains is discouraged because it contains soap residues that can cause plumbing problems in the home.   When washing carpet in a carpet washer, make sure to use waste water only for exterior house drainage and never pour carpet chemicals onto lawns, gardens, driveways or sidewalks where they may harm vegetation.