Maintenance helps carpets maintain good looks

With summer rapidly approaching, we often think about cleaning our carpets. Rejuvenating a carpet that seems worn out or that has heavy soiled spots can prove to be a real challenge.

I'm often asked by friends and customers to extend the life of their carpets. To be quite honest, the best way to extend the life of a carpet is to have an effective preventative maintenance program.

That program should consist of three steps:

1. Vacuum frequently. The best way to reduce the dirt level and prolong the life of your carpet is to vacuum and do it often. Dirt and even dust form hard particles. These gritty particles abrade the carpet pile, causing them to wear down forming traffic lanes in your carpet.

2. Clean most often used areas. Most used areas are entrances, doorways, traffic lanes and around furniture. These areas should be cleaned as soon as the carpet starts to show a build-up by using spot remover.

3. Biannual professional cleaning. Carpets perform best when properly cleaned. Periodic professional cleaning dramatically extends the life of a carpet by eliminating dirt build-up at the base of the carpet.

There are five types of cleaning methods currently in use today. They are:

1. Shampooing. Shampooing uses a foaming solution and a motorized circular brush which agitate the top one-third of the carpet. This system is best used on low pile carpet. The problem with this system is it leaves a residue which attracts more dirt.

2. Dry foam. Dry foam is very similar to shampooing, it leaves a dry residue to attract more dirt. Carpets are left with a residue that eventually has to be extracted by a steam extractor.

3. Bonnet (dry cleaning). Companies who use this type of system use carbonated water that is sprayed onto the carpets. They then use a floor butter with an absorbent pad to wipe up the fluid. The floor dries pretty fast; however, sand and heavier dirt remain in the carpet.

4. Dry powder. This system spreads solvent-soaked powder or ground corn cobs into the carpet. The solvent loosens and attracts the dirt. A commercial vacuum is then used to suck up the dirt-filled by-products. Again, this system only cleans the top one-third of the carpet.

5. Hot water extraction. This is by far the best carpet cleaning system currently in use. It uses hot water to clean and flush the carpet of all its dirt and contaminates.

Truly professional carpet cleaners use a mixture of steam and various chemicals to not only remove all of the dirt, but also bust or break stains that are held by the carpet. Good carpet cleaners will analyze the stain, make a determination whether it is acidic or alkaline and then use the appropriate chemical to change the PH value of the stain.

Most chemicals require about five to seven minutes to work before steam is applied. The steam enhances the chemical reaction thereby breaking the stain. Steam also flushes out any remaining debris. Carpets come out looking clean and smelling fresh.

The disadvantage with this system is that it takes longer for the carpets to dry. A master cleaner will substantially shorten the drying time by using high pressure turbo fans directed at the carpet.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compound. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Services (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor. Ed is chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services, LLC.