Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning vs Dry Carpet Cleaning

Is one method better than an another?  Depends.  There are several types of dry cleaning with varying degrees of effectiveness.  At TCM we use hot water extraction because  we feel it is the most thorough cleaning we can give our clients.

Many people think dry cleaning your carpet is like dry cleaning your clothes.  This is not true.  Clothes are dry cleaned with waterlesss liquid that is an intense solvent cleaner.  They are not used in carpet because the solvents would dissolve the latex glues that bind the carpet fibers to the backing.

The truth is all carpet cleaning methods use water.  Some more than others.

Some companies use low moisture cleaning because the carpet dries fast, technicians can work very fast and the price is cheaper than hot water extraction.

3 Methods of “Dry” or Low Moisture Carpet Cleaning

Dry Foam Method  This is when the carpet cleaner uses dry foam.  He applies shampoo to your carpet, allows it to dry then vacuums it up.

Can you imagine washing your hair with shampoo, letting it dry and then removing the shampoo from your head with a vacuum??  This method can leave a residue in your carpet which is one reason why dry foam is not very effective.

Dry Chemical Process  The dry-chem method is similar to dry foam.  The difference when dry chem is used the carpet cleaner sets a large cotton pad (technical term bonnet) on your carpet.   A rotary machine is used, the bonnet spins from side to side absorbing the dirt that’s in the carpet.   After the bonnet is saturated with dirt another cotton bonnet is applied. This can be effective for lightly soiled areas.  However for a carpet that is very soiled it is like using a large towel to rub the dirt out of your carpet.

Dry Compound Cleaning  This is similar to dry foam.  The cleaning solution mechanically lifts the dirt to the surface of a light foam.  When the carpet is dry an acrylic polymer additive in the cleaning solution crystallizes.   It then cracks off the fiber when the vacuum runs over the carpeting.   This method is fairly new and seems to work well on commercial made carpeting.

Now About What We Use….

Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning

Also referred as “steam cleaning” even though actual steam is not used.  It’s a hot water cleaning solution under high pressure forced into the carpet fibers & extracted with a powerful vacuum system.  We use state of the art truck mounted extractors in our vans.

Research says rinsing is best!  The main benefit to hot water extraction carpet cleaning is the flushing action of the water moving through the fibers.   SHAW industries (one of the world’s biggest carpet manufacturers)  has done testing on professional cleaning systems and determined the amount of soil removed from carpet is in result of how much water is being used to rinse the carpet after cleaning solutions were applied.

 A very powerful vacuum system must be used to remove the soiled water.

There are 2 types of extraction systems.

Portable Extraction which is usually a 5-12 gallon machine.  Portable systems can deliver great results if the technician is experienced & knowledgeable.   These units don’t produce as much heat but they can do a good job cleaning.  They come in handy in upper level floors of buildings when hoses from a van couldn’t possibly reach.

Truck Mount Extraction  This is a large machine mounted in a van or a truck.  These systems work well and makes cleaning fast & efficient.  The truck generates 190-260 degree heat which aids tremendously in soil removal.  The cleaning solutions are automatically fed into the machine at a precise rate & the truck contains water tanks for fresh and waste water.

Hot water extraction cleans MUCH better than the other processes because it shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at a higher pressure which breaks down dirt, bacteria & pollens.  Then the machine uses high velocity suction to draw the dirt out of the carpet.

The most effective way to clean carpet is with a high volume extraction unit.  At TCM Restoration & Cleaning we use truck mounted extractors in all of our vans.    We know it is the only way to thoroughly clean carpet of all the nasty dirt, bacteria, fungus, dust mites, chemicals, pollens & tobacco residue.

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4 Steps to Fresh, Clean, Healthy Carpet

Step #1

If you’re thinking about having your carpets cleaned, we encourage you to follow these four steps:

STEP #1: Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned.

The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they’ll wear out. Industry testing shows that you can have up to one full pound of dirt in a square foot of carpet before it begins to look dirty. This dirt is abrasive and wears down the fibers and substantially shortens the life. Many warranties require at least an annual cleaning by a professional to be honored (check your own warranty to see your requirements, and if they specify the type of cleaning method to keep your warranty in effect).

Another necessity of regular cleaning is to remove the contaminants besides the “dirt” that gets trapped in your carpet’s fibers. The longer you wait to clean, the longer you have to breathe all the pollen, fungus, pet odors, dust mites, and chemicals that hide in your carpet.

Call to get on our schedule.  Anchorage 562-7410 or Mat Su Valley 373-7410.  Check out our specials at http://www.tcmrestoration.com or on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TCMRestoration

Source; Ethical Services

‘Twas the week before Christmas…..

‘Twas the week before Christmas when all through the house
The carpet was dirty, and so was the couch.

A throw rug was placed by the chimney with care,

In hopes it would cover the burn marks that were there.
The children were cleaning under their beds,
When millions of dust mites dropped on their head.So Dad clipped a coupon, and hoped it was true.
Then he called to get carpet cleaned for $9.95 per room.

Then out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash.

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear.
Two carpet cleaners in a van finishing their beer.The driver stumbled out, giving his cigarette a flick
Swearing under his breath, “Let’s make this one quick”,
They walked up the porch! Then knocked on the door!
No way was I letting these guys on the floor.

So we stayed real quiet and then they were gone.
All that was left was the beer cans on the lawn.
So I grabbed my computer and “carpet cleaning” I Googled,
Forget about coupons, It doesn’t pay to be too frugal.

And then, in a twinkling, I picked up the phone.
I called TCM of Alaska to get the job done.
No sooner I hung up, and was turning around,
He pulled in the driveway, he came in with a bound.

He was dressed in uniform, clean cut and neat.
And his clothes were all pressed and booties on his feet.
A neat bundle of hoses he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a professional ready to unpack.

He was friendly and smart, and one by one,
He made sure I was happy with each room he had done.
He worked real fast and with great style
So I asked him also to clean all my tile.

The house was now clean and allergen free mostly
The only thing left was for him to clean the upholstery.
So he finished his work and the house smelled so clean,
and everything sparkled like the lights on our tree.

He packed up his van and as he drove away,
“There’s still some time for you to call us today!”

Carpet Cleaning Challenges

If you are in the market to purchase new carpet for your home you should be aware that not all carpet is the same before making such a huge investment.

Did you know the kind of carpeting you choose can affect how easy it is to clean?  Here are some things to keep in mind when you make your next carpet purchase.

Pile:  The deeper and thicker the pile in your carpet, the more likely it is to retain dirt once the dirt sinks below the surface.  Threads and lint, however can stay on top of the carpet wher they can be very visible.

Level loop:  Short, densely spaced loops, with both ends attached to the backing, create a surface that is fairly easy to vacuum because there aren’t crevices for dirt to sink into.

Berber:  This is a type of level loop carpet made with thick yarn, which creates harder to vacuum “hills and valleys.”

Multilevel loop:  The varying long and short loops of these carpets can make them difficult to clean.  The low loops create pockets that break vacuum-cleaner suction and can make it harder to remove dirt that has accumulated.

Whatever type of carpet you choose it should be professionally cleaned every 6 months to 1 year.  This is depending on the number of people in your home, pets and if shoes are worn in your home.  Regular cleaning will keep your carpet clean & healthy and protect your investment to your home.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains Out of Carpet

 Red wine stains are very common and the typical response is to use products that contain bleach to try to remove the red stain from your carpet.  That’s a big NO-NO as it will also discolor the carpet as well.

Instead, try to blot as much of the wine stain with a white towel.  If your have a wet/dry vacuum, such as a shop vac, try to extract as much as you can as well.  If you have club soda, take a clean (dry) white towel and pour some club soda on the towel and go over the stain again.  This step will help get more of the stain out. 

If the carpet is still stained, there is only one more thing you can do.  Take a bottle and combine amonia with peroxide (50/50 mixture) and spray this solution into the stain.  Saturated the area well.  This solution will work on acid dyes when they are still fresh.  Simply COVER the affected  with a piece of plastic wrap and place a phone book above it so it dries very slowly.  Check it the next day and the stain should be GONE!

If a red stain or shadow still exists, contact a professional carpet cleaner as soon as possible.  They can work the stain further and in most cases get it out completely using advanced red stain removal techniques.

How to Remove Sap Out of Carpet

I love having a real Christmas Tree for the Holidays…there is just something about the smell and warmth it brings to my home not to mention all the childhood memories growing up in Minnesota.

Unfortunately sometimes real Christmas Trees make a mess…sap will get on the carpet somehow.  Either when bringing it in for the season or it’s just dripping off the tree, missing the tree skirt.  It happens…

But not to worry it is simple to clean up and doesn’t require a professional to  come in to fix the “mess”. 

Super easy fix….

Get some Glycerin  (Available at most drug stores). Use a 50/50 mixture with warm water and apply directly to the sap. Let the mixture disolve, then use a paper towel and gently pull the sap away from the carpet. 

Easy Peasy and You don’t have to give up the love of having a real Christmas Tree…

TCM Restoration & Cleaning (new video of our company)

We do carpet cleaning, upholstery, oriental rug cleaning, duct cleaning, tile & grout.   We  respond 24 hours a day to water damage emergencies in your home or business.

Did Spot leave a Spot?

The average cat will deposit 2-3 ounces for each accident on the carpet & the average dog 3-4 ounces. If your pet is constantly having accidents then professional carpet cleaning is what your home “desperately” needs!  Call us if you are in the Mat-su Valley or Anchorage area and we can get your carpets back to being clean and healthy again. 

373-7410/562-7410 

www.tcmrestoration.com

Tips on Vacuuming

Vacuuming is such a common place chore that little thought is given to how it should be done. The IICRC recommends:

1. With vacuuming – more is better. You cannot over vacuum a carpet. Today’s carpets are designed to hide soil, so soil may not always be visible. Studies conducted by Hoover Vacuum Cleaning Company show that one square foot of carpet can hold up to one pound of dirt and still appear clean.
2. Thorough vacuuming to remove the pile-damaging soil hidden deep in the carpet takes time. Don’t just groom the surface by removing the large, noticeable debris.
3. Adjust the beater bar or brush properly for each carpet height. The brush or beater bar should touch the carpet.
4. Empty or replace the bag often. When a bag is half full – the vacuum efficiency is reduced by 60 to 80%. For maximum efficiency replace bags when they are 2/3 full.
5. Overall vacuuming is needed, but knowing where to concentrate your efforts is more productive. The majority of soil in carpets is brought in from outside by foot traffic – therefore the highest concentration of dirt is at entrances and high traffic areas. Entry mats help control soil from entering the property.
6. Hand vacuum the dust and fine particulate soil that builds up around the edges and in the corners of rooms.

Successful vacuuming requires time, proper technique and effective equipment. However, even the most meticulous worker with the best vacuum cleaner cannot remove all the soil in a carpet. A small percentage of the soil is oil-based. This oily residue bonds the particulate soil left after vacuuming to the carpet fibers and causes the appearance of dirty traffic patterns. Vacuuming with consumer vacuum cleaners is ineffective against this oily buildup. Removal requires the periodic service of a certified professional carpet cleaner.

6 ways you can extend the life and beauty of your carpet

• Have people remove their shoes.  Post a polite sign on the door if you have to.  This is one of the biggest ways you can start saving your carpet today! 

 

• Vacuum frequently.  Your frequency will depend on the level of foot traffic and amount of people and pets in your home.  But you can NEVER vacuum too much.

 

• Keep pet accidents to a minimum.  NOTHING ruins carpets faster than urine.  Do whatever you have to do to keep the accidents off the carpet.

 

• Clean spots and spills immediately. But DON’T use any of the do it your self “carpet cleaning” products you see advertised on the TV.  These products are the fastest way to a big, dirt attracting, sticky residue spot.  Simply use very hot tap water with some mild detergent (no bleach agents) and clean, white, dry rags.  Soak and blot.  Never rub.

 

• Get your carpets professionally cleaned every 6-12 months.  NOTHING extends the life of your carpet like this step.  Even dirt you cannot see can be deep inside the carpets breaking down and wearing the fibers.  It’s the only way to prevent permanent traffic lanes and wear patterns.  Remember this rule of thumb: Clean before your carpet LOOKS dirty to prevent wear and tear – it’s time not dirt that you should judge by.

 

• Get your carpet professionally protected at least every other cleaning. The factory finish is removed with wear and cleanings.  This finish is a protective barrier between your carpet and soils, oils, stains and general wear and tear.  Ignoring this step will shorten the life span of your carpet considerably.