Millions of square feet of carpet (and flooring) are installed each year. This is an expensive item for your facility. If not properly cared for, it could leave a damaging impression on visitors, customers, and employees. As leaders in the professional cleaning industry for 16 years, we have seen every type of carpet (and stain) imaginable. In this article, you'll learn about the top four problems with carpet cleaning.

Flooring or carpeting? What are the benefits of carpeting?

If you had to choose carpeting or hard floors, what would you choose?

Carpet is a great choice for schools, healthcare facilities, offices, and shopping centers due to its beauty, performance, value, and sustainability. Slips and falls are prevented by carpeted floors, unwanted noise is muffled, and it is easier to concentrate and learn on carpeted floors. Modern carpets are environmentally friendly, engineered to resist staining and fading, and can withstand heavy foot traffic, among many other benefits. Here’s a few specific benefits of carpeting:

Reduces noise

Cushions slips and falls

Provides warmth and comfort

Flexibility in design

Certified to have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Meets Green building standards

Keeps allergens out of the air

What are the different types of carpet cleaning?

Cleaning carpet is not a one-size-fits-all process.

The huge variety of carpet materials, types, and styles necessitates different methods of professional carpet cleaning to achieve the best results and accommodate them. There are different types of carpet fibers, so certain types of carpets will require different cleaning techniques. This is something many people do not understand. Likewise, some cleansers might damage certain carpet fibers, while they work wonders on others. Choosing a carpet cleaner without doing any preliminary research will result in the carpet being cleaned with whatever method they feel like using without giving a thought as to what is best for the carpet.

There are 4 common types of professional carpet cleaning.

Carpet Shampooing

Carpets are shampooed by using special detergents and water, just like your hair! Scrubbing the carpeting with rotating brushes might loosen dirt and debris and scrub the shampoo into it. Extraction of the shampoo is done with clean water, until the carpet is clean and residue-free.

Pros: Carpet shampooing is an effective method of removing stubborn stains. The process is relatively fast and can cover a large area quickly. Despite using water as part of the cleaning agent, it usually dries within an hour.

Cons: Extraction must be thorough and accurate when shampooing. If sticky detergent residues remain after shampooing, they will trap and lock in additional dirt and dust.  Rugs might appear dirty very soon after shampooing. The mechanical agitation can untwist delicate carpet fiber, causing texture damage. Felting or matting can be particularly noticeable on wool carpeting.

Hot Water Extraction or “Steam” Cleaning

Hot water is pushed via high-pressure wand intoto carpet fibers during hot water extraction cleaning. As a result of the hot water and pressure, the dirt, mud, dust, and other debris on the carpet can be easily extracted. During the “steaming” process, matted carpet fibers become fluffier, so your carpet feels softer under your feet.

Pros: Hot water extraction is an excellent choice for those with allergies or sensitivities to detergents and shampoos. Steam gives a deep clean by also killing bacteria, germs, mold, mildew, and other irritants, another benefit for those with sensitive sinuses! Suitable for nearly all carpet types, including wool. Very gentle on fibers.

Cons: However, it’s challenging to remove all traces of water after a carpet steam clean, so carpeting may not be ready for foot traffic for several hours after cleaning. The drying time is longer, typically between 2 and 6 hours. Leaving carpets over-wet in the hands of an inexperienced person can cause wrinkling and odor problems. 

Carpet Dry Cleaning

With carpet dry cleaning, an absorbent powder detergent or similar chemical is applied to the carpet with very little water. A rotating brush forces the powder into the fibers, and then an extraction tool removes the detergent and dirt.

Pros: For offices and busy facilities with limited time, dry cleaning is preferred. 

Cons: Because the detergents and chemicals used in dry cleaning carpets can be somewhat pungent, proper ventilation is important. This carpet cleaning method is not recommended for those who are allergic or have breathing difficulties.

Bonnet Carpet Cleaning

The bonnet method is similar to shampoo cleaning, but is applied with a rotary machine, using a brush or pad to mix the foam carpet cleaning solution with the soiling. Mostly used for heavily soiled commercial applications, this method is not recommended by carpet manufacturers. The original process doesn't include much extraction, so some solution remains in the carpet unless a subsequent extraction is done.

Pros: Easy and fast dry time. Useful for quick touch-ups in commercial applications.

Cons: Doesn’t remove residue or contaminants. Can push the soil into the carpet’s backing.

How often should carpet cleaning occur in a professional setting?

For your commercial space, you'll need more than just one professional cleaning per year.

Many areas may be considered high-traffic areas. It is recommended that commercial carpets be professionally cleaned at least twice a year, but preferably more frequently. Keeping your carpets clean on a regular basis is key to ensuring they will resist damage and look good over time. Here’s a cleaning frequency rule of thumb.

Every 3 months: High-spill businesses, like restaurants

Every 3-6 months: High-traffic businesses, like retail stores

Every 3 months: Medical facilities and offices

Every 6 months: Lower-traffic businesses, like offices

Want to avoid the most common carpet cleaning mistakes?

Carpet Cleaning Takeaway:

As a result of the pandemic, cleanliness has become a higher priority. Visitors notice and make lasting decisions about where to spend their time and money as a result. 

Since carpets come in many shapes and sizes, cleaning this important investment is not a one-size-fits-all process. All carpets require regular cleaning and maintenance, regardless of the material or type. Once you determine the carpeting material at your place of work, talk with a professional carpet cleaner about cleaning and revitalizing your carpet. Consider the time and costs involved in maintaining a healthy, safe work environment for your employees, customers, and visitors.

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