Despite regular vacuuming and spot removal, carpets eventually become soiled. Depending on traffic and soil load, interim or corrective maintenance cleaning may be used as often as once a week, or as infrequently as every three months.

BONNET CLEANING

A popular form of corrective maintenance is bonnet cleaning. If done properly, this method can enhance a carpet's appearance with surprising results.  Bonnet cleaning is a "worker friendly" system that offers minimal downtime, requires no special equipment, and is economical. Bonnet Shampoos should be phosphate free, have a neutral pH, leave no residue, have a pleasant fragrance, as well as being suitable for use on Advanced 5th Generation Stain Resistant carpets.

Recommended procedures for bonnet cleaning:

• Set out Wet Floor signs, remove obstructions from the area to be cleaned, and vacuum thoroughly.

• Mix Bonnet Cleaning Solution at the ratio directed into a pump-up sprayer.

• Remove spots by following the Spot Removal Chart.

• Apply the Bonnet Cleaning Solution to approximately 200 square feet of carpet to be cleaned, holding the nozzle of the sprayer at least 12" above the carpet pile.

• Allow the cleaner to dwell on the carpet for at least 5 minutes.

• Soak a Deep Action bonnet pad in a mop bucket filled with clean, cool water and wring out.  This will help the pad slide across the floor, making it easier to scrub. 

• Lay the moist bonnet pad on the carpet that has been sprayed and center the drive brush of a standard speed floor machine over it. 

• Work the machine and bonnet pad over the carpet using overlapping, circular motions. As one side of the pad becomes dirty, flip it over to the clean side. When both sides are soiled, rinse it in clean water, wring out, and reuse.

• Continue to clean 200 square foot sections until all of the assigned area is clean.

• Allow carpet to thoroughly dry before removing Wet Floor signs and opening to traffic. Carpet blowers will aid in the drying process.

• To prevent rust and stains when replacing furniture, use aluminum foil or furniture leg coasters.

LIGHT EXTRACTION

Another popular procedure for corrective maintenance is the use of small, self-contained, portable extractors. These units spray a solution into the carpet pile, agitate with a cylindrical brush, and vacuum up the soiled solution as the operator walks backwards pulling the machine. For interim cleaning, it is recommended to pull the extractor quickly over the carpet pile to remove primarily surface soil and allow for faster dry time.

Recommended procedures for light extraction:

• Set out Wet Floor signs, remove obstructions from the area to be cleaned, and vacuum thoroughly.

• Mix a Carpet Pre-Spray, Traffic Lane Cleaner, or Spotter at the ratio directed into a pump-up sprayer. Remove spots by following the Spot Removal Chart.

• Apply the pre-spray solution to approximately 200 square feet of carpet to be cleaned while holding the nozzle of the sprayer at least 12" above the carpet pile.

• Allow the cleaner to dwell on the carpet for at least 5 minutes.

• Fill the extractor with clean, hot water, not to exceed 150 degrees.

• Plan your work so you extract the carpet away from the electrical outlet with each pass.

• Operate the extractor by walking backwards and pulling quickly while dispensing the hot water and picking it up with the vacuum head.

• End each pass by pulling the machine back a few inches after the pressure-spray switch has been released. This will ensure that the end of the pass is well vacuumed.

• Overlap each pass to insure thorough cleaning.

• Continue to clean 200 square foot sections until all of the assigned area is clean.

• Allow carpet to thoroughly dry before removing Wet Floor signs and opening to traffic. Carpet blowers will aid in the drying process.

• To prevent rust and stains when replacing furniture, use aluminum foil or furniture leg coasters.

DRY METHOD OF EXTRACTION

This method uses cellulose granules or powder, which is composed of an inert carrier treated with detergents and solvents, designed to absorb soil.  This dry compound (which is actually somewhat moist) is distributed on the carpet, after complete vacuuming.  It can be distributed by hand or by a revolving drum, which deposits a small amount to the carpet with each rotation.

Once the dry compound has been distributed across the carpet, it is worked into the carpet by a special machine, which uses counter rotating soft bristle brushes.  The compound is first worked in one direction and then in the opposite direction to assure complete coverage.  After 20-30 minutes the spent compound and soil are removed using a vacuum cleaner.

This method is extremely popular in areas where the volume of traffic or frequency of traffic prohibits wet cleaning methods.  Dry compound is somewhat labor intensive since it requires two complete vacuumings, an application of material, and agitation of the material (in two directions). Residual material can be abrasive to the base of carpet fibers.