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Eventually all carpets will need some type of cleaning to remove soil that sticks to the fibers. How often depends on amount of use and soil the carpet gets; and some areas will need cleaning before others. Basic methods are: dry absorbent powder, foam, shampooing, and hot water extraction (sometimes called steam cleaning or extraction). Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Costs in dollars, time, and energy vary, as do skill needed to do a good job. Here we are going to explore the dry carpet cleaning method.
Always vacuum thoroughly before you start any cleaning method. Here are some general precautions for all methods: Pretest the cleaner before using, Protect the carpet from rust stains by putting aluminum foil, wax paper, or plastic wrap under furniture legs, until carpet is dry, Follow the cleaner and equipment instructions as directed, Do not over wet the carpet. Excess moisture can cause shrinkage, streaks, or mildew, Keep mechanical action to a minimum to avoid carpet damage or streaks. In the dry powder method of carpet cleaning, absorbent granules containing dry cleaning solvent are sprinkled over a section of carpet and worked into the pile by a mechanical or hand brush. The dry carpet cleaning solvent dissolves oils and greasy dirt which are then absorbed by the granules. When thoroughly dry, the carpet is then vacuumed. A powerful vacuum is essential for total removal of cleaning granules. Pile fabrics tend to stain more readily due to long yarns. They may be cleaned satisfactorily at home with dry powder cleaners, but test first. Wet cleaning of velvets, etc. should be done professionally. If protected with stain resistant finish, blot quickly and gently with lint free cloth. If stain remains, spot clean, wiping the stain in the direction of the pile. Brush lightly during drying to prevent matting. If unprotected, pretest in an inconspicuous area for discoloration or pile distortion. If color proves fast, sponge lightly with appropriate dry carpet cleaning agent. The advantages of this method are the short drying time, it is good for delicate non-colorfast carpets, and it is relatively inexpensive and effective for spot cleaning. The disadvantages are that its less effective on heavy soil or water-base soil, complete granule removal may be a problem, dry cleaning solvent can evaporate in storage, it is not recommended for shag carpet. |
