You know the feeling. That moment when you realise your carpet has seen better days.
The stains have piled up, the dirt is ground in, and no amount of your scrubbing seems to get it back to its original glory.
Don’t stress! While giving it your all with rental machines may feel virtuous, some messes require true expertise. It’s best to leave it to the pros regarding deep, restorative cleaning for carpets.
So save your back and get the job done by hiring professional carpet cleaners.
We’ll give you 101 on the types of services experts offer so you can find the best fit for your needs and budget.
What is Carpet Cleaning?
Professional carpet cleaning involves thoroughly removing dirt, stains, and allergens from carpets using specialised equipment and techniques.
Typically, the process includes vacuuming to remove surface debris, pre-treating stains, applying cleaning solutions, steam or hot water extraction to penetrate deep into carpet fibres, and loosening and lifting dirt and grime.
Professionals may also employ dry cleaning or encapsulation techniques for delicate or heavily soiled carpets.
The result is a revitalised carpet with improved appearance, extended lifespan, and a healthier indoor environment, as allergens and pollutants are effectively removed, leaving carpets fresh, sanitised, and restored.
Types of Carpet Cleaning
When it comes to deep cleaning carpets, pros have the proper training, equipment, and solutions to get your carpets fresh and clean without damaging the fibres.
The main methods experts use are steam cleaning, dry cleaning, and bonnet cleaning.
What is Hot Water Extraction(Steam Cleaning)?
Hot water extraction, also known as steam cleaning, is one of the most effective ways to deep clean carpets. This method injects hot water and a cleaning solution into the carpet under high pressure.
The water and solution loosen the dirt and stains in the carpet fibres. Then, a powerful vacuum extracts the carpet’s water, dirt, and cleaning solution.
The Process
The basic steps in hot water extraction are:
- Pre-treatment: Any heavy stains are pre-treated before the cleaning. Before the steam cleaning, the carpet cleaner will treat stains like coffee, pet urine, or red wine.
- Hot water injection: Pressurised hot water and a cleaning solution are injected into the carpet pile using high-powered jets. The heat and agitation help loosen the dirt and stains in the carpet fibres.
- Dwell time: The solution is left on the carpet for 10 to 15 minutes to soak in and penetrate the pile. This “dwell time” helps lift even stubborn stains and dirt from the base of the carpet fibres.
- Extraction: A powerful vacuum extracts the carpet’s water, dirt, and cleaning solution. The vacuum slowly passes over the carpet several times to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Grooming: Once extracted, the carpet pile is groomed to restore the natural pile direction. This also promotes faster drying and an even finish.
- Drying: Fans and air movers speed up drying, usually taking 3 to 6 hours. Once fully dry, the carpet is ready for foot traffic.
Hot water extraction cleans your carpets deep down using high heat, agitation, and suction.
It can remove up to 95% of dirt, allergens, and pollutants from your carpets, leaving them fresh, clean, and residue-free.
No wonder it’s considered the gold standard of carpet cleaning methods!
What is Dry Carpet Cleaning?
Dry or dry extraction cleaning uses special cleaning agents and equipment to clean your carpets without water.
Instead of shampooing and drying your carpets, the dry cleaning method applies a powder that is worked into your carpet fibres with a motorized brush. The powder then absorbs dirt, grime, and stains from the carpet and is vacuumed.
This method is famous for a few reasons:
- First, there’s no drying time. Your carpets are ready to use immediately after cleaning, which means no interruption to your daily routine and less hassle. The powder cleaning agents are also non-toxic, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic, so they’re ideal for homes with children or pets.
- Dry carpet cleaning works well for routine maintenance, light cleaning, freshening, and leaving carpets smelling clean. However, hot water extraction methods may be needed for deeper cleaning or to lift stubborn stains from carpets. The dry powder cannot penetrate as deeply into carpet fibres as steam and shampooing can.
- Another downside is that the powder can be challenging to remove from carpets, even with a powerful vacuum. The residual powder may cling to carpet fibres and get trapped in the base of the carpet. Over time, this buildup may become noticeable underfoot and require periodic extraction cleaning to remove.
For most homes, though, professional dry carpet cleaning offers a convenient, low-impact way to keep your carpets clean and looking their best between deeper cleans.
When appropriately done by a professional carpet cleaning service, dry carpet cleaning can be an excellent option to freshen up your carpets without the hassle and disruption of wet cleaning methods.
What is Bonnet Cleaning?
Bonnet cleaning is a quick and efficient method for cleaning low-pile commercial carpets.
It uses absorbent pads, called bonnets, attached to a rotary floor machine to clean the carpet surface. The bonnets spin at high speeds to attract dirt, debris, and soil from the carpet fibres.
This type of cleaning is ideal for high-traffic commercial areas like office buildings, retail stores, and apartment buildings where heavy-duty deep cleaning isn’t practical frequently.
Bonnet cleaning can make your carpets look clean in a short amount of time:
- Technicians vacuum the carpet to remove loose dirt and perform bonnet cleaning. Next, a pre-treatment solution is applied to heavily soiled areas to help lift stains from the fibres.
- The bonnet pads are soaked in a cleaning solution and attached to the rotary floor machine. As the machine spins at high speeds, the bonnets work like giant buffing pads to polish the carpet surface and absorb dirt and debris.
- Once the area has been cleaned with the bonnet pads, a neutralising rinse is applied to balance the carpet’s pH level. The carpet is then vacuumed to restore the pile and remove any remaining residue. For high-traffic areas, bonnet cleaning can be performed as often as once a month to keep carpets looking clean.
- While bonnet cleaning is quick, it does not deep clean your carpets like hot water extraction. Over time, dirt and grime can build up in the carpet pile. Professional steam cleaning using a truck-mounted unit is recommended for a deep clean every 6-12 months. Bonnet cleaning works best when combined with periodic deep extraction cleaning.
Using professional bonnet cleaning services helps extend the life of your commercial carpets while maintaining a clean appearance.
When done correctly by experienced technicians, it can leave your carpets looking refreshed and revitalized without the high cost of frequent deep cleaning.
Bonnet cleaning is an efficient and affordable solution for carpets in high-traffic areas.
What is Carpet Shampooing?
Carpet shampooing, or hot water extraction cleaning, is one of the most effective ways to deep clean carpets.
A water and detergent cleaning solution is sprayed onto your carpets and immediately extracted using powerful vacuum hoses.
The Process
Professional carpet cleaners will first inspect your carpets to determine the level of soiling and the best cleaning method. Shampooing is very effective for most carpets.
The carpet cleaner pre-treats any heavily soiled areas before the central clearing. Next, they’ll mix a cleaning solution based on your carpets’ specific needs and the level of dirt to lift away.
The solution is sprayed onto your carpets using hoses and sprayers. The spray’s agitation helps lift dirt and debris from the carpet fibres.
Then, powerful wet vacuums extract the dirty solution from your carpets immediately. Several passes are made with the spray and extract cycle to remove dirt and moisture.
Carpet shampooing leaves your carpets fresh, fluffy, and like new again. It removes ground dirt and debris that regular vacuuming can’t.
Bacteria, allergens, and odours are reduced as the deep cleaning allows carpets to breathe again. Shampooing also helps carpets last longer by preventing buildup.
After shampooing, your carpets need 4 to 6 hours to dry completely. It’s best to avoid walking on them during this time.
Once dry, run your hand across the carpet pile to ensure it’s soft, fluffy, and residue-free before allowing foot traffic again.
Professional carpet cleaners can also apply a stain guard to help protect your freshly cleaned carpets from future spills and stains.
Overall, for a deep clean that revives your carpets and leaves them fresh smelling, carpet shampooing by the pros is the way to go.
They have the proper training, equipment, and solutions to get your carpets sparkling clean without damage. Your carpets will thank you for the spa treatment!
What is Carpet Encapsulation?
Carpet encapsulation is a famous professional deep-cleaning method that protects your carpet fibres while leaving them soft and rejuvenated.
Unlike steam cleaning, which uses heat and water, encapsulation uses specialized cleaning agents that “encapsulate” or surround dirt and residue in your carpet, allowing them to be easily vacuumed away.
The process begins with a thorough vacuuming to lift and remove as much loose dirt as possible from your carpet.
Next, the carpet cleaning technicians will apply an encapsulating polymer agent in liquid or powder form.
These polymers surround each dirt and soil particle, bonding them into tiny clumps.
After about 20 minutes of dwell time, the technicians will go over the entire area with a special vacuum fitted with spinning brushes or pads.
This agitation causes the polymer to completely encapsulate the dirt, lifting it from the carpet fibres.
One of the most significant benefits of carpet encapsulation is that it leaves your carpet dry and ready to use almost immediately.
No excess moisture can lead to musty smells or mould growth. It’s also very gentle on carpet fibres since no extreme heat is involved.
The encapsulating polymers are non-toxic and odourless, leaving your carpet fresh, smelling and ultra-clean.
Carpet encapsulation is ideal for high-traffic commercial areas like offices, retail spaces, and hotels. It provides a deep clean that removes embedded dirt and grime with minimal disruption to your business or guests.
Which Carpet Cleaning Method is Best?
When it comes to deep cleaning your carpets, you have a few options.
How do you know which method is suitable for your needs?
Let’s break down the pros and cons of some popular professional carpet cleaning techniques so you can make the best choice for your home.
Hot water extraction and steam cleaning are popular and effective methods. High-pressure hot water is injected into the carpet pile to loosen dirt and grime.
A vacuum then extracts the water, leaving your carpets fresh and clean. The hot water kills bacteria and allergens, and the high pressure penetrates deep into the carpet. However, the carpets can take 6-8 hours to dry completely.
Dry cleaning uses chemical solvents to clean carpets without water. The carpets dry almost instantly, but the chemicals may irritate people with respiratory issues or sensitive skin.
The chemical residue can also attract dirt faster. Dry cleaning works best for area rugs and carpets with natural fibres.
Foam cleaning uses a foaming shampoo applied with a roller or brush. After a short dwell time, a wet vacuum picks up the dirt and foam.
Foam cleaning leaves little residue and dries quickly but may not clean as deeply as hot water extraction. It works best for lightly soiled carpets.
Bonnet cleaning uses absorbent pads to clean carpet fibres. The pads are soaked in cleaning solution and attached to a floor buffer to scrub the carpet.
While quick and convenient, bonnet cleaning only cleans the carpet surface and can damage carpet fibres if not done correctly. It’s best for small, high-traffic areas.
The best method for your needs depends on your carpet type, how soiled the carpets are, and how quickly you need them cleaned and dried.
Hot water extraction is your best bet for a deep, comprehensive clean. Consider foam or bonnet cleaning for lighter, routine cleaning or spot treatment.
Dry cleaning may be the gentlest approach for delicate carpets. The pros will evaluate your carpets and recommend the optimal solution.
Leave the tough stains and dirt to the experts!
Do Carpets Need to be Professionally Cleaned?
Keeping your carpets clean is essential for your health, home value, and quality of life. But should you DIY or call in the pros regarding deep carpet cleaning?
For most homeowners, professional carpet cleaning is the way to go.
Professional carpet cleaners have powerful truck-mounted equipment that can remove more dirt and grime than consumer rental units.
Their high-powered wands and vacuums are designed specifically for cleaning miles of carpeting each week and can leave your carpets fresher than anything you can rent.
Professional cleanings also commonly use commercial detergents and protectants to restore your carpets fully.
In addition to superior cleaning power, professional carpet cleaning technicians have years of experience and training. They understand the proper techniques for each carpet fibre and construction.
An experienced pro knows how much detergent and water to clean carpets without over-wetting them.
They are also trained to spot and treat any problem areas or stains before cleaning to ensure the best results.
DIY or renting a carpet cleaning machine may seem more budget-friendly, but it often costs more in the long run.
Overwetting carpets or using too much detergent can easily damage them without proper training. Rental units may not have enough power to remove ground dirt and stains entirely.
For the best, deepest clean and to maintain your carpet warranty, professional hot water extraction is typically recommended every 12 to 18 months.
While the upfront cost of professional carpet cleaning may be higher, your carpets will stay cleaner and last longer.
Professionally cleaned carpets also contribute to a healthier indoor environment by removing pollutants from the home.
For peace of mind and quality results, leave your carpet cleaning to the experienced professionals. Your carpets—and your family—will thank you.
Final Words
So there you have it! Getting your carpets professionally cleaned regularly can make a massive difference in the look and feel of your home.
Not only will it get rid of stubborn stains and embedded dirt that you can’t tackle on your own, but it will also extend the life of your carpet.
When you leave carpet cleaning to the pros, your home will feel refreshed, your carpets will last longer, and you’ll support local businesses. It’s a win-win!
So choose Total Cleaning Melbourne – where trust, quality, and reliability define our commitment to your satisfaction.