Carpet cleaning not only adds a longer life to your carpets, it also makes them more visually satisfying as well as healthier for members of the household. Cleaning your carpets adds beauty. It also removes the dirt and grit that the carpets tend to capture. A good cleaning also removes stains caused by spilled drinks or accidents caused by your pet.

Although there are various ways to clean a carpet, professional cleaners tend to use the hot water extraction more frequently. Hot water extraction, which most people know as steam cleaning, involves the use of a detergent based solution. Chemical manufacturers have been working for more than 20 years to improve the products used in cleaning. One of the biggest moves is for green based chemicals. When the steam cleaner is turned on it is moved over the surface the number of times necessary to thoroughly clean out the residue. Sometimes, in heavily soiled areas, it is best to use a pretreatment application. This is particularly wise to use in the heavy traffic area of your carpet such as around the front door.

The latest technology is the “no soap, detergent, or solvent.’ In this situation the cleaning solution is actually created from water. When it is modified into a softened, high pH alkaline water the water is heated to approximately 200 degrees. The high alkalinity works on the carpet as both a degreaser and a cleaner.

Another procedure is dry cleaning. This form of cleaning requires a specialized machine. The machines generally offer a low moisture system. It depends on dry compounds. These are complemented by application cleaning solutions. Since the procedure allows for a very quick drying time this type of cleaning is increasing in popularity. This sytem is faster and less labor intensive compared to steam cleaning.

A more recent form of cleaning is dry compound. This is an absorbent, biodegradable powder. The cleaning compound is spread over the carpet. It is then brushed or scrubbed into the carpet. For a smaller area, in a home, for example, a hand brush can work the compound into carpet pile. In this way the dirt and grime is attracted to the compound. It is then vacuumed off. Since this is a form of dry cleaning no time is needed for the carpet to dry.

Encapsulation has recently been accepted for commercial and residential carpet cleaning. This process was introduced in the 1990′s. It is considered to be one of the fastest growing technologies on the horizon for carpet cleaning. The process involves polymers encapsulating soil particles into dry residues instantly on contact. These work like small sponges. They offer a deep cleaning and the crystals dissolve and absorb dirt prior to removing it from the carpet. The residue can be vacuumed immediately after application. It is said that this system does an excellent job in improving the carpet appearance in comparison to other systems. It is strong in meeting the needs of cleaning high traffic area. It requires little knowledge or experience for the operator. There is minimal equipment expense. It is popular also because it does not leave a wet residue.

Another process, known as Bonnet, involves the mixing of club soda with the cleaning product. It is applied in the form of a mist. Following this a round buffer or ‘bonnet’ scrubs the mixture using its rotating motion. The machine is similar to a floor buffer. It has an absorbent spin pad that attracts the soil. After cleaning the carpet there is a considerable amount of time required for it to dry. Also, it generally cleans only the top 1/3 of the carpet. This procedure is not recommended for anyone looking for a deep cleaning of their carpet.

Finally, there is the wet shampoo cleaning. This is done by using a rotary machine. This procedure is then followed by using a wet vacuum. This was a popular way of cleaning carpets until the early 1970′s. When encapsulation was brought to the carpets it somewhat destroyed the method of wet shampoo cleaning. This is because the hot water extraction was not yet used. The wet shampoos were once made from coconut oil soaps. When the use of synthetic detergents came about this required the consumer to wait an entire day before the carpet could be vacuumed.