Over a period of time, soil, sand, and grit become lodged at the base of the carpet fibers and must be removed, especially in high traffic areas. Cleaning at this stage requires aggressive agitation, cleaners, and pressurized hot water. Restorative cleaning should be done semiannually, annually, or even quarterly in areas with high traffic and soil loads.

EXTRACTION

Included in this group of carpet cleaning equipment are large extractors.  These extractors range from Box Style to Electric and Battery Walk-behind units and range in size from a 12” Power Wand to almost 3 feet.  This equipment uses cleaners and hot water under high pressure with large vacuum motors and usually some form of power head.  Truck mounted extractors offer one of the most aggressive forms of carpet extraction. This type of equipment heats water to the ideal temperature and uses high pressure, cleaners, heavy duty suction, and agitation to remove the dirt and grit. An operator can extend hoses up to 600 feet from the equipment with minimal loss in effectiveness.

Several companies market extractors that are self-contained and afford all the benefits of the box-style extractor. They are normally self-propelled and have built-in power brushes. The benefit of this equipment is the ability to clean large areas of carpet thoroughly in minimal time. These extractors have large holding tanks which can allow operation for an entire shift without refilling.

Recommended procedures for deep cleaning 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.

• Spray the cleaning solution to approximately 400 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 for at least 5 minutes.

• Mix Extraction Cleaner at the ratio directed in the solution tank of the extractor. Plan your work so you extract the carpet away from the electrical outlet with each pass when using a self-contained or box-style unit.

• Operate the self-contained extractor by walking backwards and pulling very slowly while dispensing the Extraction solution 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 ensure thorough cleaning.

• Continue to clean 400 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 coasters.

SHAMPOOING

Carpet shampooing has been a standard Restorative cleaning method for many years and remains a viable method of cleaning especially when combined with Extraction as a second step.  A concentrated formula with deep cleaning foam that is phosphate free, has a neutral pH, a pleasant fragrance, and is suitable for use on Advanced 5th Generation Stain Resistant carpets is recommended.

Recommended procedures for shampooing:

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

• Shampooing a shampoo machine or rotary shampoo system.

• Pre-spray the carpet with 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.  Work 200 square foot areas until all of the assigned area is clean.

• Mix the Carpet Shampoo at the ratio directed into the solution tank of the machine. 

• Work the rotary shampoo machine in tight overlapping circles with the solution feed on. Turn off the solution feed and work back over the area a second time.

• When using a shampoo machine, operate it in a back and forth motion to ensure the Clean Release foam is adequately worked into the carpet fiber.

• After shampooing Extract with a Neutral Cleaner solution mixed with water.

• Due to the high foaming properties of shampoo, you should add a De-foamer to the recovery tank of the wet vacuum or extractor.

• 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

.Information provided by HILLYARD CARPET SOLUTIONS