STEAM CLEANING vs OTHER METHODS

The six carpet cleaning methods are:

• Hot water extraction (steam cleaning)
• Rotary DriMaster
• Bonnet (dry cleaning)
• Dry powder
• Shampooing
• Dry foam

HOT WATER EXTRACTION METHOD

Hot water extraction is sometimes referred to as "steam cleaning". Actually, this is a misapplied term, as real steam is too dry and too hot to clean carpet properly. In this method, a hot cleaning solution is sprayed under pressure onto the carpet and is immediately extracted with a vacuum source. The dirty solution is collected in a recovery tank and is usually poured into the sanitary waste system. The advantage of this process is that it has the ability to flush out large amounts of soil and contaminants in carpet. It is the most preferred method by all of the major fiber producers such as DuPont, Monsanto and Allied Signal, as well as the carpet manufacturers like Shaw, Mohawk, World and Queen. Because this method removes more contaminants than the other carpet cleaning methods, hot water extraction is favored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is the preferred method of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Most higher quality carpets that have extended appearance and texture retention warranties require this type of cleaning every 12-18 months in order to retain the warranty coverage.

ROTARY DRIMASTER METHOD

DriMaster's patented process replaces the ordinary steam cleaning spray jet with a dynamic, high-flow, high-recovery cleaning head. The cleaning solution is applied as a "sheet" rather than a jet spray, allowing controlled penetration of the carpet fiber without wetting the carpet backing. This new technology cleans faster, better and leaves the carpet 6 times drier than the same carpet cleaned with standard hot water extraction. On a typical 1,200 square foot home, the DriMaster will leave about 1/6th of the water left by the standard hot water extraction method. The low profile cleaning head fits beneath furniture and beds, where other tools can't reach. The durable polycarbonate cover makes "soft" contact with walls and furniture, preventing scratches and marks. Soft-bumpered cleaning heads can pass right over heat registers, drapery cords or electric cords without damage or tangling. This method maximizes the heat and vacuum performance of the truck-mounted cleaning system - it is revolutionary!

BONNET (Dry Cleaning)

In this type of cleaning, sometimes referred to as "dry cleaning", the cleaning product (sometimes mixed with carbonated water) is misted onto the carpet in the form of a spray. Next, a circular rotating buffer with an absorbent pad attached is run over the carpet. The soil attaches itself to the pad and the pad is changed for a clean one when it becomes soiled. This method has the advantage of drying very quickly because of the small amount of moisture used. It generally does a good job of cleaning the top 1/3 of the carpet pile that is visible to the eye. But it does little to remove the heavier grit and sand that damages carpet over time. Because there is no flushing action or extraction, there is very little deep cleaning. This method may be considered as an interim cleaning between more effective deep cleanings.

DRY POWDER

With this method, a dry product (powder or ground corn cobs that have been soaked with a solvent chemical) is broadcast over the area to be cleaned. Then, either a circular brush or cylindrical rotatiing brush is used to force the dry cleaning product in contact with the soil. After the carpet dries, which is surprisingly fast, a thorough vacuuming is required to remove the product and loosened soil. This method has the fastest drying time of all carpet cleaning methods and has the advantage of being able to be walked upon almost immediately after cleaning. Similar to the bonnet method, dry powder cleaning does a fairly good job of cleaning the top 1/3 of the fiber that is visible, if it is not heavily soiled. Again, it does very little to remove the heavier soils in the base of the fibers. Its weakness is the extraction cycle. If not vacuumed with a powerful commercial vacuum, large amounts of the cleaning product can remain, and over time the product build-up can cause considerable problems.

SHAMPOOING

Shampooing is the use of a motorized circular brush in which foaming cleaning products are introduced to the surface of the carpet and are then scrubbed into the carpet. This method has very good agitation and is best suited for low pile commercial carpet or low cut pile carpet that is highly soiled. This method, unless it is used with some other type of carpet cleaning, has no extraction in the cleaning process but, rather, must rely upon the truck-mounted steam cleaning machine's ability to extract.

DRY FOAM

This method is very similar to shampooing in that it relies on the aggressiveness of the brushing action, which is usually counter-rotating cylindrical brushes. The difference is that the solution is whipped into a foam and applied right before the brushes instead of a liquid, as in shampooing. This does allow for faster drying times. Although some dry foam machines have a built-in vacuum, they still rely on the cleaning product drying to a flaky residue that the dirt adheres to and being sucked away by a vacuum cleaner. This method has the same principles as shampooing, and is not effective for deep cleaning.