~ Scottsdale Carpet Cleaning ~ What Is The Best Method?

It depends on the type of carpet, of course. As in most endeavors, the devil is in the details. Carpet cleaning, however boring of a subject, does have its share of controversy. Wet versus dry, Chemical versus plant based. Finish Sealer/Protector or not. It appears to go on an on depending on where you invested your money and time prior to calling me.

It appears, that just a few woman own carpet and air duct cleaning companies. As a consequence, many men call me on the phone, and tell me what's what. Almost everyday. These guys are accountants, doctors, mechanics, postal workers, but carpet cleaners....they are not. I am asked frequently - "Do you how to clean a carpet?" Well yes, as a matter of fact, I do. During the first 18 months of this business I went on every single service call. Every single service call. Yes, I know how to clean carpets, area rugs, upholstery, air ducts, dryer vents, air conditioning motors, seal stone, polish stone floors, hone stone floors, clean tile & grout, mend and/or install new grout, hand wash Oriental Rugs the old school way, stretch carpeting, patch carpeting, dye carpeting, clean mattresses, clean draperies, power wash with the correct psi, and so forth. Not what I went to college for, but hey, I know my business.

I know my business so well that I know that traditional carpet cleaning chemicals are not all what they are cracked up to be. Chemical carpet cleaningagents have rendered themselves obsolete. Yes obsolete. Substandard, due to the way they mis-handle stains, impart toxicity, rob fibers of their luster, help breakdown carpet backing, contain dermatitis producing irritants, create toxic waste, and more. The way I see it, you are not really "cleaning" if you are leaving a chemical footprint inside the home for children and pets, as well as individuals with allergies and later outside when you dump your waste water. You are not really cleaning, if you are flashing the stain down to the carpet padding so it will resurface for residual staining a day or two later. And let's not forget the breakdown of fiber luster, especially on wool and silk carpeting.

But back to the main point of this blog, the best method for the type of carpet. In every instance with the exception of semi-antique and antique Oriental rugs, and flat weaves, the best method is hot water or steam extraction with truck mounted equipment to get the proper powered injection of cleaning agents, and then, the powerful extraction phase. Steam extraction and hot water extraction are not the same. Steam has to be at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit. One would not want steam extraction on wool carpeting, silk carpeting or a blend of these fibers. Just as you would not wash a wool or cashmere sweater in extremely hot water. For these types of carpets and area rugs, tepid to warm water and a cool rinse is best for wool and silk and blends.

Bonnet cleaning, which is an almost dry type of cleaning with a rotary disc is a poor choice for wool and sik fibers, Oriental rugs, flat weaves and sculpted rugs. Especially if you use a carbonated type of cleanser. Add that with the high RPM's and you will be stripping the fibers of their luster. I have been called several times to go out and revitalize wool and silk carpets and area rugs after a bonnet cleaning. However, in commercial settings and for some types of carpeting, bonnet cleaning is just fine and there is no dry time.

Lastly, if you have birds, they are the most sensitive, when it comes to household chemicals and toxins. You should not use any chemical carpet cleaning agents if you have birds, period. If you are having your carpets cleaned, make sure there are plenty of open windows around where the bird cages are, and make sure you only use plant based carpet cleaning products. Unfortunately, when one steam cleans a carpet, some of the embedded former carpet chemicals will be lifted and off-gassed and is potentially harmful to a bird's immune system.

Four Winds Healthy Home Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning Services, serving Scottsdale and Phoenix and the surrounding areas. www.healthyhomeaz.com