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Empire Carpet Cleaning - Professional & Do-It-Yourself Cleaning
It is a myth that cleaning Carpet before it is absolutely necessary will cause it to get dirty faster. Empire Today Carpet in a typical household should be professionally cleaned every six to 12 months, depending upon the traffic volume and the amount and type of activity. The recommendations below are offered by respected carpet manufacturers and represent the best current industry knowledge. If the information is followed correctly, it should help prolong the time between cleanings.
Professional Carpet Cleaners
Research indicates that the hot water extraction system provides the best capability for cleaning. This cleaning system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning" although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of applying a cleaning agent onto the Carpet pile and using water in the extractor to recover the used solution and soil. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with the hose and wand brought inside or, where a truck-mounted unit cannot reach, by a portable system brought into the home.
It is to your advantage to use professional carpet cleaners because their experience enables them to do a better job than many homeowners can do on their own. Their equipment has more extraction power than the rental units available to you, and the Empire Carpet should dry more quickly. True professionals have also made the investment in training to understand the equipment, to know the proper cleaning agents for the situation at hand, and to recognize the differences in fibers and Carpet construction. One way to locate a professional cleaner is to contact the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) at 800-835-4624. This organization maintains a national directory of independent professional cleaners who are trained and certified in a variety of cleaning specialties. Call them and explain that you have purchased Carpet from Empire Today. Be sure to ask for a cleaner near you who uses the hot water extraction system.
Do-It-Yourself Systems
If you prefer to rent carpet cleaning equipment and do it yourself, check several cleaning systems before making a selection. Most rental units available do not adequately clean and may actually damage the Empire Carpet.
Consider the following:
- • Some rental companies have cleaning equipment that is similar to what the professionals use
- • The cleaning equipment should have enough vacuum power to allow the Carpet to dry within six to 12 hours after cleaning
- • Avoid rental equipment found in many retail and grocery stores that do not have enough power to adequately extract the cleaning solution from the Carpet. This may actually damage the Carpet due to over-wetting
- • Avoid over-wetting the Carpet. Prolonged dampness may promote growth of mildew and bacteria in the Carpet or cause separation of the backing. A Carpet that is wet for a period of time could develop a growth of mold and mildew
Most problems that result from do-it-yourself cleaning are due to over-wetting and excessive use of detergent. Use a cleaning solution with a pH less than 10, preferably near nine, with a minimum of nonstick residue. The attraction between the detergent and the particles of soil and oil is critical during the cleaning process. However, detergent residue will continue to attract particles of soil and oil after cleaning. Increasing the amount of cleaning solution beyond the recommended level probably will not greatly increase cleaning performance, but it can make removal of detergent more difficult. Because buildup of detergent residue is the most common cause of accelerated re-soiling complaints, avoid the use of extra cleaning solution. Empire Today recommends a clear water rinse after cleaning.
Empire Carpet with stain resistant treatments must be cleaned with products formulated for this purpose, or the stain resistance will be impaired and the warranty voided. Avoid the use of cleaning or spotting solutions that contain bleaches or optical brighteners because they can discolor the Carpet. In addition, avoid the use of silicone-based anti-soil treatments on Carpet products provided by Empire Today. Reduce drying time by using several fans to move air across the Carpet in combination with a dehumidifier or air conditioner to pull moisture out of the air. Carpet should be dry within 12 hours.
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