This section is devoted to keeping everyone informed
of all the various carpet warranties and their recommended
cleaning instructions. You will notice that all of them
promote hot water extraction (HWE) as the preferred or
"best" process by which to clean and restore
their product. The "dry clean" systems these
manufacturers do mention, are typically viewed as "maintenance
only" surface-type carpet cleaning processes.
Hot
water extraction
to
refresh carpet texture, performed by a trained, qualified
carpet care professional, is
required at least every 1.5 to 2 years for
coverage under this warranty. Please
keep your receipts for proof of service.
Wear
Dated (formerly Monsanto) |
Professional
carpet cleaners cannot only keep your carpet fresher, brighter
and newer looking longer, they can replace missing tufts,
repair cigarette burns -- and perform other repairs to your
carpet. Many professional carpet cleaners are attending
classes and passing written examinations to become certified
to clean stain resistant carpets. It is best to choose
one with this certification.
Deep
Cleaning
1.
Hot water (also known as steam) extraction method.
a.
Techniques
-- Detergent solution is sprayed on the carpet followed
by a clear water rinse.
-- Detergent solution is sprayed on the carpet followed
by a thorough extraction with a rinse surfactant.
-- Detergent applied initially through the dispensing tank.
This type method must be followed by a clear-water extraction
rinse to ensure that all of the residual detergent is rinsed
from the carpet to prevent a rapid re-soiling situation.
b.
The alkalinity (pHi of the detergent solution should be
9.0 to 10.0. The pH should never be any higher than 10.0;
it may be lower than 9.0, but cleaning will usually be less
effective.
c.
You may wish to express your concerns to the cleaning company
you are considering using, about over-wetting
your carpet.
A situation of this nature can be avoided with equipment
in good working order with a strong vacuum system.
Plan to stay
off the carpet for 8 to 12 hours after the cleaning to allow
the carpet to dry
free of foot traffic.
Light
Surface Cleaning
Dry
compound cleaning
utilizing semi-moist powders, that are worked into the carpet
and extracted with a strong vacuum system. Examples
of these compounds are Capture® and Host®.
Bonnet
cleaning
which utilizes a carbonated solution. An example of
this type of cleaning is the ChemDry system.
Foam
cleaning.
The detergent is turned into a foam, brushed into the carpet
and then extracted with a strong vacuum system. An
example of this system is the Von Schrader cleaning method.
(Avoid aerosol foam carpet cleaners such as those available
in grocery stores.)
The
three methods reflected above are adequate for light surface
soil,
however, once the carpet has become appreciably soiled
and has been in use for an extended period of time, a
deep cleaning should be utilized. It should be understood
that with the dry compound, bonnet and foam methods, traces
of the cleaning agent remain in the carpet. It should
also be understood that after employing these methods
a few times, a switch should
be made to the hot water or steam extraction method.
This is not to say that the hot water or steam extraction
method cannot be used initially.
General
Information
Avoid
any cleaning system that utilizes rotary brushes, unless
a cover or bonnet is utilized, as these may untwist the
tufts of your carpet and cause an accelerated wear/appearance
change. Soft cylindrical brushes used in the moist
powder systems are not as apt to cause a problem but should
be tried on an inconspicuous area of the carpet first.
®Host
is a registered trademark of Racine Industries.
®Capture
is a registered trademark of Milliken Research Corp.
Any
cleaning system is only as good as the person operating
the equipment. After discussing the type cleaning
you have chosen for your carpet with the cleaning company,
you may wish to ask for name, phone number and date of his/her
last three cleaning jobs for references concerning quality
of work performed. The Better Business Bureau is another
source for references. Please be aware that the cheapest
cleaners may not necessarily be offering the best service.
We
cannot recommend a specific cleaning company, however, we
do offer this basic information about cleanings to assist
you in locating a reputable carpet cleaner in your area.
PLEASE
NOTE: To protect the stain efficacy of the carpet, no cationic
materials should be used on carpet such as disinfectants
(Lysol®), insecticides, biocides or fungicides (Sylguard®),
without first checking with Solutia.
®Lysol
is a registered trademark of Lehn & Fink Products,
a division of Sterling Drug
®Sylguard
is a registered trademark of Dow Chemical Co.
Periodic
Professional Cleaning
Periodic
professional cleaning of the overall carpet is recommended.
The frequency of overall cleaning may vary depending on
the level and type of traffic and the conditions to which
your carpet is exposed, and may range from as little as
6 months to 18 months between cleanings. Carpets perform
best when properly cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner
using specially formulated products developed for your carpet.
WARNING:
Non-approved cleaning products and topical treatments,
applied by you or by a professional carpet cleaner, will
invalidate your warranty. We support industry standard
procedures for cleaning stain resist carpet.
The preferred method is hot water extraction utilizing
cleaning products which are non-cationic and have a pH
less than 10.
Shaw
Industries (Berkshire Hathaway) |
If
carpet is cleaned before it becomes too unsightly, the
cleaning chore will be easier and more successful.
It is a myth that cleaning the carpet before it is absolutely
necessary will cause it to get dirty faster. Carpet
in a typical household should be cleaned every 12 to 18
months depending upon the number of residents and amount
and type of activity.
Choice
of the proper cleaning system is important. Some
systems may leave residues which promote re-soiling and
defeat the whole purpose of cleaning. The recommendations
below represent the best current knowledge and should
help prolong the time between cleanings.
Cleaning
Tips
Hot
Water Extraction System
Shaw
Industries recommends the hot water extraction system, which
research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning.
This system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning,"
although no steam is actually generated. The process
consists of spraying a solution of water and detergent into
the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a
powerful vacuum into a holding tank. This can be done
from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the
hose and wand brought inside or, where a truck-mounted unit
cannot reach, by a portable, self-contained system brought
into the home.
How
often your carpet will need to be professionally
hot
water extraction cleaned
depends on how the carpet is used and cared for. Carpet
featuring Scotchgard protection should stay clean 2 to 3
times longer than similar untreated carpet;
providing a better appearance with less cleaning.
Professional hot
water extraction cleaning is the preferred method
because it leaves the least amount of detergent residue.
If
you choose to do-it-yourself, DO NOT use wet shampoo equipment.
Shampooing can leave a soap residue in the carpet which
not only masks the Scotchgard protection, but actually attracts
and holds dirt.
Frequency
of cleaning
How often you have your carpet cleaned depends on the amount
and kind of use your carpet gets, and the quality of your
day-to-day maintenance. The
warranty requires
your carpet to be hot
water extraction cleaned at least once every two years by
certified carpet cleaners that carry the
Scotchgard brand.
Reapplying
Scotchgard protector always enhances the amount of protection.
It is important that you retain your cleaning receipts in
the event that you need to make a warranty claim.
Areas of higher traffic and
soiling should be hot
water extraction
cleaned more frequently.
Do-it-yourself
methods
Proper
carpet cleaning requires experience and special equipment.
Most rental or home cleaning equipment is unable to extract
thoroughly the water and detergents they put into the carpet.
Left in the carpet, the detergents attract more dirt, causing
rapid resoiling and the need for recleaning.
Professional hot
water extraction is the method 3M requires for cleaning
your carpet.
Hot
water extraction
This
is the best method for deep-cleaning most carpets.
Hot water extraction cleaning requires the use of a machine
which sprays cleaning solution into the carpet pile.
Chemicals attack the soil and greasy build-up on the carpet
fibers. A powerful vacuum then extracts the solution
almost immediately.
For optimal soil and stain protection, 3M recommends that
Scotchgard protector be reapplied after every
hot water extraction.
3M
recommends using a reputable professional cleaner.
1.
Pile Lift
2.
Hot
Water Extraction
Interim
Cleaning
1.
Absorbant Compound
2.
Bonnet/Absorbant Pad
3.
Rotary Brush Extraction
4.
Hot
Water Extraction |
