Removing stains from a carpet can be incredibly difficult depending on what type of material has caused it. This is oftentimes embarrassing, especially if planning to have guests over. Even if there aren’t any noticeable stains, a once pristine carpet now looks dirty. A simple once-through with a vacuum can’t fix this. Fortunately, there are professional solutions that can remove pesky stains and get a carpet looking like new again. Carpet cleaning is a method that deep cleans the fibers in a carpet to remove unwanted stains and buildup of dirt.
What Is Carpet Cleaning?
Traditional carpet cleaning consists of a cleaning device that uses hot water and cleaning solution to help break up the difficult-to-remove stains in a carpet. There are various types of carpet cleaning devices that range from commercial to personal use. It is always best to consider a range of options depending on the type of stain needing to be removed. A personal carpet cleaning device that can be bought at most major retailers can remove simple stains. However, sometimes it’s necessary to consider hiring carpet cleaning professionals if a carpet has been heavily damaged and cannot be restored by personal means.
How Does It Work?
There are various methods that carpet cleaning professionals use to restore a carpet, such as:
Wet Shampooing
Professionals will apply shampoo to the carpet, then use a buffering machine to scrub it into the carpet. The buffering machine will then suck out the shampoo and dirty residue leftover. Customers will have to wait until their carpet dries before they start walking on it again, as it will be left damp from the cleaning. Customers will then need to vacuum the carpet once it is dry to remove any remaining residue.
Absorbent Powder
This solution does not wet a carpet; instead the carpet must absorb it for a few hours. The absorbent powder will be worked into the carpet by the buffering machine to loosen up unwanted debris. Customers will have to vacuum their carpet once the powder has absorbed what it can. Carpets will be left smelling fresh after being treated with this method.
Dry Foam
This method is like wet shampooing. The largest difference between dry foam and wet shampooing is the fact that there is no drying time needed using this method. The buffering machine works the dry foam into the carpet to help cleanse it. Customers will need to vacuum the leftover residue once the treatment is complete to finish the cleaning process.
Deep Carpet Cleaning
A deep carpet cleaning might be considered if the previously mentioned methods don’t give desired results. The only type of deep carpet cleaning available is hot water extraction. This method is commonly known as steam cleaning. Pressurized hot water and cleaning solution is shot into the carpet, then immediately vacuumed and stored in a tank attached to the machine. Most professional cleaning services will use a truck-mounted unit to get the job done. These industrial-sized cleaners have the power to break up the gunk in most carpets.
How Much Does It Cost?
The average price of carpet cleaning fluctuates. The current national average of professional carpet cleaning costs about $180 in the United States. Prospective customers can expect to pay anywhere from $78 to $350, depending on company, the type of cleaning method used, and the size of the area cleaned. Sometimes there are available specials in local areas.
What to Expect
Professional carpet cleaning services have a high chance of removing stains from carpet and giving it a fresh smell once again. However, prolonged damage to any carpet may cause it to be untreatable. Carpet may need to be replaced if it reaches this point. It never hurts to consult with a professional carpet cleaning service to decide if a carpet has reached the point of no return. Fortunately, the methods mentioned in this article will clean up many minor blemishes.
Getting a Carpet Clean Again
Accidents can happen when least expected. Kids or pets can accidentally drag in dirt onto it or a guest might accidentally spill something without even realizing it. Fortunately, carpet cleaning services are an undo button for most stains.
