Debunking Common Carpet Cleaning Myths
Carpet care is a highly competitive business, and comes with its fair share of myths and misconceptions. Social media posts spreading misinformation, blogs with inaccurate data, all through to curated videos where misrepresentation of facts easily causes those taking advice from them to ruin their installations – it’s everywhere. From residential to commercial carpet cleaning, they are all susceptible to this kind of information being put out there. Unfortunately, some of this information has been used to discourage people from getting the carpets thoroughly cleaned, and in the end, it costs them far much more by having expensive repairs, or requiring the carpet to be replaced. Let’s go over six common myths and debunk them – and give you a better understanding on caring for the carpet in your premises.
- Newly washed carpets build up dirt faster
This notion has spread far and wide because, in some instances, it actually turns out to be true. However, as they say, “the devil is in the details“.
It all boils down to the effectiveness of the carpet cleaning processes used. For instance, when excessive shampoo is used for the task, residue gets left behind, causing there to be a faster build-up of the dirt and grime, since the residue contributes to trapping more soiling within the fibres of the carpet.
The solution here is clear: ensure the carpet cleaning gets done right in the first place. This calls for those cleaning measures that flush out the grime that is buried within the carpet, and ensure no residue is left behind. You will find methods like hot water extraction being used by the professionals, though the selection of the process is also determined by the carpet material. In these processes, thorough rinsing is done after the carpet cleaning, to ensure that there is no residue of the cleaning agent remaining within the material.
- Liquid cleaners cause fungi growth
It’s not technically the fault of the cleaning formulations themselves. Mould and mildew growing in the carpet is definitely caused by the carpet remaining wet for too long – but why does this happen in the first place? One common reason is overwetting, which occurs when the carpet is drenched with too much solution during the cleaning process. This can be in an attempt to soak a stain, or get to the deeply ingrained soiling. These are common blunders made during DIY carpet cleaning processes, and also when rookie contractors are hired for the task.
Extra note: Overwetting also comes with risks such as delamination – in which case the carpet separates from its primary backing, and colour bleeding – which is where the dyes that the carpet has been treated with get leached out.
Another reason is when low-capacity machinery is being used, such that it is unable to extract sufficient water from the carpet material after the cleaning has been carried out. This is also seen during spot cleaning, where the treated section when dealing with stains is left with the liquid cleaner, and the area takes too long to dry – allowing the fungi to pitch root.
This means that wet cleaning in itself is not the problem – but rather the approach used, including the capacity of the drying systems that are incorporated. For instance, during hot water extraction cleaning, suction systems are also used to remove the bulk of the moisture. As such, you will notice that after professional carpet cleaning jobs, the carpet is left just slightly damp to the touch. This allows it to dry within the same afternoon in which it has been cleaned, avoiding the risks of mould and mildew growth.
- Stain removers work the same for carpets and other surfaces
Getting rid of a tea stain on the countertop or floor is different to removing a tea stain on the carpet. The products that work on tables, hard surfaces, clothes and other materials are not automatically suitable for use on the carpet.
Here the focus is on the kind of materials that carpet is made of. Natural and synthetic fibre carpets each have their own cleaning requirements, and the range of products that can be safely applied on them. As such getting a conventional store-bought stain remover and using it on the carpet does not make it ideal for the situation. Getting in touch with the carpet manufacturer about the right products to use for your particular installation is important. Professional carpet cleaning teams have the experience in dealing with stain problems on a wide range of materials, enabling them to effectively get rid of the stains without posing a risk to the carpet.
The formulations needed for getting rid of the different stains also matter due to the chemical properties involved. From tea and coffee stains, wine, oil and grease residue on the carpet, nail polish that drips on the material, ink stains, all through to pet urine for those with cats or dogs that have ‘accidents’ on the carpet – they each call for their unique stain removal agents. The goal is finding a balance – getting a product that is powerful enough to break down those stubborn stains, while being gentle on the underlying carpet.
In case your carpet is already riddled with stains that have set into the material, not all hope is lost. Having a professional on board to inspect the particular kind of stain and offer the recommended solution for addressing the situation will enable you to restore the glamour to your installation.
- Vacuuming carpets is enough
Vacuuming is important – but not enough. When vacuuming, the loose dirt and debris from the top layers of the carpet are removed, but it still leaves behind the deeply ingrained soiling. As such the vacuuming should not be neglected since it is vital in reducing the levels of dirt building up, and protecting the material from the abrasive effect of gritty soiling that is in the structure. The particulate matter is grinded against the carpet material as people walk up and about the premises – and this is one of the main factors that contribute to the wear and tear of the flooring material, causing it to age quickly. Vacuuming comes in to get rid of the particles and reduce the wear effects. Speaking of which, working with vacuums that have a HEPA filter is beneficial in preventing the particular matter from being recirculated back into the air space. However, quality carpet care calls for more to be done.
The vacuuming should be complemented with regular deep cleaning to get rid of the dirt that has adhered to the material. When left unchecked, this soiling creates a snowball effect, hardening in the carpet, trapping more dirt, weakening the structure, and reducing the lifespan of the unit. You end up being forced to replace the carpet earlier. The deep cleaning is not just about the particulate matter. Stains and odours are also problems that need to be addressed. Those unsightly patches that ruin the aesthetic of the carpet and deteriorate the décor of the premises, as well as the odours from the organic matter decomposing within the fibres of the material are a threat to the comfort and health of persons on the premises. They are got rid of as part of the professional carpet cleaning, leaving the unit all fresh and vibrant.
The choice of cleaning company that you hire will be a make-or-break factor in the process. Companies are not equal. They adopt different processes when working on the carpet, from encapsulation cleaning, dry-power methods and bonnet cleaning to hot water extraction. When discussing the company representative, go into details about the methods they employ, as well as the formulations they will be used as part of the process – together with their impact on the household occupants. For instance, will there be any fumes that you need to be concerned about? How eco-friendly are the different formulations, and what safety measures does the company put in place when working on the carpet?
You’ll need to conduct a background check on the different carpet cleaning contractors whose services you could hire. Fortunately, this isn’t difficult. You can start online, going through the ratings and reviews of the local carpet cleaning companies in order to narrow down your search. Check social media platforms and business directory listings to see the feedback that has been left behind by other clients who had hired them. The more positive the reviews, the more trust you can have in the company. Even factors such as the length of time the carpet cleaning contractor has been in business matters. Sure, start-ups too are a key part in the industry, since everyone has to start from somewhere. However, you can’t refute the confidence that comes with having a more established company that is been around for years. This will come down to your personal preference.
Next is the pricing. When going over quotations from different companies, you will be able to form an average of how much the service is supposed to cost for your particular situation. On one hand, you don’t want to overpay by hiring a company that is too expensive compared to similar businesses. On the other hand, going for businesses that are too cheap will mean that there has been a compromise made along the way – which usually ends up coming back to bite you. For instance, the company in question may have hired low-skilled personnel, which compromises the quality of the results. The carpet cleaning will require to be repeated much earlier than anticipated – which costs you more in the process. The contractor may also be using low-capacity machinery, and the effects of this can range anywhere from the task taking too long, to dirt and grime being left behind in the carpet. There can be plenty of moisture left behind too, opening you up to the risks of fungal growths in the unit. Other companies avoid taking up insurance in order to lower the costs of their services. However, should an accident occur during the cleaning, you end up being exposed to costly liabilities which you foot out of your own pocket. The goal with pricing is to get value for your money. You want to deal with a company whose costs are justifiable, protect your carpet, and get peace of mind that you’ve hired a professional to deliver on the task.
Is the business licensed? At the bare minimum, you want to ensure that the contractor you’re hiring to come into your home or business to carry out the carpet cleaning is a legitimate company – not a ‘mysterious contractor’ whose records cannot be tracked. Do they have a guarantee for their services, and what measures are taken in case you won’t be satisfied with the results that they deliver? All these factors weigh in on your decision of the company to hire, and there is no harm in taking your time to ensure that you land on the ideal contractor. After all, once they provide satisfactory services, you will be more likely to keep them on call or book regular carpet cleaning sessions to keep your unit in top condition throughout the year.
- First wait for the carpet to look dirty before you clean it
With carpets, looks can be deceiving. All those fibres and air spaces in the material make it an item that can easily camouflage dirt – such that it ends up accumulating multiple times its own weight in dirt and grime. In fact, by the time the carpet starts looking dull and visibly soiled, there will already have been loads of material in the structure, and the carpet will be overdue for a thorough cleaning.
The frequency of the carpet cleaning will be dependent on the levels of traffic that are handled in the premises. For instance, carpet cleaning manufacturers recommended that the task is carried out professionally at least once or twice a year. For households with kids and pets, this will need to be more frequently. For businesses, the commercial carpet cleaning services will also be required at a much faster rate.