There are several cleaning methods, but two of the basics are the dry and wet methods:
The term dry cleaning method is misleading since all cleaning methods use some amount of water. One of the more popular dry methods used is referred to as dry-chem or encapsulation, where a cleaning product is sprayed onto the carpet and then wiped up with an absorbent pad or cotton bonnet using a rotary type of floor machine. This method is a surface, or maintenance, method of cleaning. The benefit of this method is that it dries in 1- 3 hours. The downside of this method is that it leaves a residue.
The most popular wet cleaning method is known as steam cleaning or hot water extraction. A powerful truck-mounted hot water extraction unit (the preferred cleaning method and the one that we use as part of our cleaning process) with a large, powerful unit mounted in a truck or van. In this process, a cleaner is applied to the carpet, and then rinsed out with very hot water. Once heated up to 120 degrees, water doubles its power to clean with every 15–17-degree temperature rise, making it a very aggressive cleaner.
• Benefits of steam cleaning (vs. dry cleaning):
• Uses hot water instead of harmful chemicals
• Cleans thoroughly to carpet backing
• Removes dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, & tobacco residue
• Leaves no residue
• Dries quickly (carpet doesn’t get over wet)
Our cleaning method is recommended by the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, Shaw Carpet Industries, as well as by most other large carpet manufacturers like DuPont, to honor their warranties.