Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Methods
Whatever you want cleaned its best to have it cleaned using the industry's most thorough cleaning method
In the following section you’ll find in detail the steps we take to give you the most thorough cleaning you can have, and some of the equipment we use in the process. You’ll also see why its important to have your carpets and upholstery cleaned professionally instead of attempting the cleaning yourself. If you have any questions about the cleaning or the methods used, please feel free to contact us by any method on our Contact Us page.
Carpet cleaning
The following steps along with their definitions, are the steps that the Professional carpet cleaning industry teach as being the only method for achieving the best possible results:
1 – Dry Vacuuming
2 – Spotting, Edging, Pre-Spray & Scrub
3 – Hot Water Rinse Extraction
4 – Neutraliser & Deodoriser Finish
5 – Drying
In Greater Depth…
1 – Dry Vacuuming
The first stage of the carpet cleaning process is a thorough Dry Pre-Vacuum. Pre-Vacuuming gets rid of up to 80% of the loose dust and grit held in the carpet. It removes dust that is hard to eliminate once damp. Failure to begin with this first basic step can mean that this dirt is never properly removed. Sometimes people say that after they had either had their carpets cleaned or did it themselves the carpet seamed to get dirtier quicker. It could be that this loose dust and grit was not removed with a dry vacuum prior to wetting the carpets. If so, it will eventually work it’s way to the top of the carpet giving the appearance of getting dirtier, quicker.
2 – Spotting, Pre-Spray & Scrub
The second step involves treating any obvious spots and stains existing on the carpet. This ensures that each spot or stain is treated properly, maximising the possibility of removal. Once all the spotting is done, the main surface area of the carpet being cleaned will be Pre-sprayed and scrubbed. The Pre-Spray is gentle misting of a soil breaker and de-greaser onto the carpet, it is then brush scrubbed into the pile. This part of the process helps break down and loosen up the general soiling within the pile of the carpet. It is a preparatory technique for stage 3. It is similar to the pre-wash cycle on a washing machine, before the main rinse.
3 – Hot Water Extraction
The Hot Water Extraction is the main stage of the cleaning process. Our world class fast dry extraction system is setting new standards for carpet cleaning in domestic and commercial settings. High pressure water solution is delivered to the carpet. This rinses the carpet of the pre-spray and all the broken down dirt. It is instantly pulled away by powerful vacuum units. This system ensures that your carpets are cleaned as deeply as is physically possible, whilst recovering almost all the water used. We can also boost the cleaning solution with steam when cutting through heavy soiling and grease. Incidentally all that’s doing the rinsing is a tuned combination of high pump pressure, hot water, powerful vacuums and the right technique. Very little detergent is used in the machine, just under 0.1875%, the rest is tap water. This is all part of good cleaning practice; allowing the pre-spray to loosen the dirt, then just rinsing with water. The opposite would be to thrash the carpets with high risk chemicals to try and get a quick result.
4 – Neutraliser & Deodoriser Finish
Part of good carpet care is leaving the carpet in natural pH balance. This is achieved by applying a rinse finish to the carpet. Not only does it leave the carpet in a natural acidic pH and act as a colour brightener for wool based carpets, it also stops bacteria and spores from operating. Acting also as a deodorizer it has a pleasant temporary fragrance.
5 – Drying
Finally Stage 5 of the process ensures that carpets are dry as quick as possible. Fast drying is achieved with a combination of the following:
» Hot or Steam boosted cleaning (depending on carpet type) – Heated water naturally evaporates far quicker than cool water.
» The Powerful vacuum strength of the cleaning machine and good tool technique ensure that almost all the water used is recovered at the cleaning stage.
Optional Stain Protection (But highly recommended)
As an optional add-on why not consider having your restored carpets or rugs protected. Prolong the life of your soft furnishing investment. Our CGX protector is a coating applied after the cleaning. It is an industry leader in its protective capabilities. To learn to more see our carpet & upholstery stain protection page.
CARPET CLEANING GALLERY
UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
Take a moment to see how upholstery is cleaned.
Again as with carpet cleaning the following steps along with their definitions, are the steps that the Professional cleaning industry teach as being the only methods for achieving the best possible results.
Be assured that your upholstery will be handled with great care in proceeding with cleaning. Whilst most fabrics can be cleaned without problem, some require pretesting before proceeding.
Its also worth noting that while most upholstery manufactures say 'dry clean only' its really to ensure people stay away from attempting cleaning themselves. Almost all fabrics respond well to Professional cleaning involving water.
1 – Dry Vacuuming
2 – Pre-Spray & Brush, Spotting
3 – Water Rinse Extraction
4 – Neutraliser & Deodoriser Finish
5 – Dressing & Drying
In Greater Depth..
1 – Dry Vacuuming
The first place to start cleaning is by a thorough Dry Pre-Vacuum. Pre-Vacuuming gets rid of the loose dust and grit held in the sofa and armchairs’ fabric. It removes dust that is hard to eliminate once damp. Failure to begin with this first basic step can mean that this dirt is never properly removed.
2 – Pre-Spray & Brush, Spotting
The second step involves the surface area’s of the upholstery being Pre-sprayed and scrubbed. The Pre-Spray is a gentle misting of a soil breaker and de-greaser onto the fabric, it is then gently brushed in. This part of the process helps break down and loosen up the general soiling. It is a preparatory technique for stage 3. It is similar to the pre-wash cycle on a washing machine, before the main rinse. At this stage any obvious spots and stains will be treated. This ensures that each spot or stain is treated properly, maximising the possibility of removal.
3 – Water Rinse Extraction
The Water Extraction is the main stage of the cleaning process. Our world class fast dry extraction system is setting new standards for upholstery cleaning in domestic and commercial settings. Variable pressure water solution is delivered to the upholstery. The water temperature is completely custom controlled, highly important with most upholstery fabrics. This stage of the cleaning rinses the upholstery of the pre-spray and all the broken down dirt. It is instantly pulled away by powerful vacuum units. This system ensures that your soft furnishings are cleaned as deeply as is physically possible, whilst recovering almost all the water used. Incidentally all that’s doing the rinsing is a tuned combination of pump pressure, water, powerful vacuums and the right technique. Very little detergent is used in the machine, just under 0.1875% in fact, the rest is tap water. This is all part of good cleaning practice; allowing the pre-spray to loosen the dirt, then just rinsing with water.
4 – Neutraliser & Deodoriser Finish
Part of good fabric care is leaving everything in a natural pH balance. This is achieved by applying a rinse finish spray. Not only does it leave the upholstery in a natural acidic pH and act as a colour brightener for natural based fabrics, it also stops bacteria and spores from operating. Acting also as a deodoriser it has a pleasant temporary fragrance.
5 – Dressing & Drying
The final stage of the process ensures that upholstery is dressed and dry in no time. Dressing involves making sure that if the upholstery fabric is velour or pile based it sits in the right direction. Ensuring that it doesn’t dry hard in opposite directions. Then fast drying is achieved with a combination of the following:
Powerful vacuum strength from the machine and good hand tool technique ensure that almost all the water used is recovered at the cleaning stage.
With towelling down. As each section of upholstery fabric is cleaned, it can be towelled off with terry towels. This helps remove any remaining surface moisture.
Optional Stain Protection (But highly recommended)
As an optional add-on why not consider having your restored upholstery protected. Prolong the life of your soft furnishing investment. Our CGX protector is a coating applied after the cleaning. It is an industry leader in its protective capabilities. To learn to more see our carpet & upholstery stain protection page.
UPHOLSTERY CLEANING GALLERY
SPECIALIST RUG CLEANING
From low end synthetic rugs to the very top of the market, including Oriental, Persian, Indian and Afghan - we can sort it.
Much of the time rugs can be cleaned with the basis of the techniques described above about carpet cleaning. But you may also find the following information helpful:
Pretesting
On some fine fabric rugs it may be necessary to perform a number of tests. The tests will help determine the fabric type and construction and will also show if the rug or fabric is wet cleanable. Generally most rugs respond really well to water based cleaning.
Cold Water Rinse Extraction
If you’ve ever been privileged to see how people in the middle east clean their rugs, you’ll know they seem to use a lot of water and soap. And yet after this the rugs respond incredibly to the cleaning. You would think the vegetable dyes used in some of these rugs would run – but generally they don’t! The key is cold water. Sometimes we will use cold water deliberately to get best and safest results. In this process we are combining the very key behind the local knowledge, cold water, with the very latest water extraction technology. Added to the cold water is a light rinsing acidic detergent. So as well as helping to break down the dirt within the rug it helps ensure that the rug is left in a natural pH balance. This natural acidic additive helps bring out colour and shine within the fabric. Of course as with all extraction methods the water is instantly pulled away by powerful vacuum units, thereby ensuring that your soft furnishings are cleaned as deeply as is physically possible, whilst recovering almost all the water used.
CARPET & UPHOLSTERY STAIN PROTECTION
Protect your soft furnishings with the latest fabric protection technology.
Consider though what a stain protector does and how it works.
What is Carpet & Upholstery Protection?
In short a protector helps your furnishings deal with the everyday things life throws at it. When it is applied to carpets or upholstery, it provides a very high level of protection against stains and general soiling. It is an invisible coating applied via a spray gun.
A common misconception is that a protector or ‘scotchguard’ as it has become known by some, stops the pile or fabric from becoming stained or soiled. Instead the protector will help hold up a spillage, giving you time to blot up the suspended liquid. If not fully removed by blotting, the stain will respond better to Professional cleaning than normal because of the carpet & upholstery protector.
Another benefit of carpet & upholstery protection is that generally speaking it assists the cleaning of the item as a whole. The applied coating helps the majority of general soiling stay away from the actual fibre, making it more responsive to extraction cleaning.
The product will not effect the colour, feel or texture of even the finest wet cleanable fabrics. If you have natural fibre items, such as wool carpets, it is highly recommended to have them protected. This is because they are easy carpets to stain permanently. Most wool carpets require a double application to ensure thorough coverage.
Read more about Carpet & Upholstery Stain Protection if you would like more information. Or contact us about a protector today.
You've Read About the Methods we Use...
Now why not read how to keep carpets looking new in between having your carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned.
