Dirt is abrasive

When you walk on your carpet you grind the dirt into the fibres causing wear. Vacuuming regularly reduces this, but household vacuums do not have the same suction power as truck-mounted carpet cleaners to remove all the dirt.

Airborne particles

Bacteria, fungus, pollens, cigarette smoke, exhausts are all airborne particles that carry into your home and into your carpet. Only professional carpet cleaning can remove these and reduce the source of breathing problems such as asthma, allergies and emphysema.

Dust mites and fleas

The average UK home has over 2 million dust mites feeding on the protein from your dead skin scales in your carpet and upholstery. It is not just the mite, but the harmful feces which are so small, they stay airborne for ten minutes.

Other sources of dirt

Bacteria, car exhaust, chemicals, dust, earth, food particles, fungus, germs, grease, grime, grit, hair, pet stains, pollens, sand, smoke, soil, soot, tar, tobacco smoke, urine and vomit.

Regular Carpet Cleaning has a number of benefits that we sometimes forget:

• Divide the facility’s floor plan into three categories: high traffic, requiring more frequent and intensive maintenance procedures, and usually daily vacuuming; medium traffic, requiring vacuuming every other day; and low traffic, requiring biweekly vacuuming.
• Use a vacuum cleaner with at least 80 cfm (cubic feet of air per minute) suction power so abrasive grit is removed. For best results, consider a dual-motor, upright vacuum with beater bar or double row of brushes with high suction.
• Slow, deliberate passes with the vacuum cleaner are more effective than quick strokes to remove soil. Make at least four passes forward and backward over the same area.

• For dry spills, vacuum the excess material or scrape dried soil with the blunt edge of a spoon. Always work from the outer edge of the spot toward the center.
• For wet spills, extract the material and scrape up the excess.
• Wet the spot with cold water and blot it. Spills caused by a hot substance such as coffee should be removed with water the same temperature as the spilled material after attempting to remove it with cold water. Always blot by pressing downward. Never rub in a circular motion; this can spread the stain. Blot with a white, cotton towel or suction block (a pad specially designed for blotting wet stains) so the color of the spot can be seen on the towel or block as it comes out of the carpet.
• Continue pressing down as spots penetrate toward the carpet backing. Lift the towel or suction block periodically to remove moisture. If the water-cleaning method doesn't’t work, use cleaning products recommended by the carpet manufacturer.
• When using cleaning products, blot the area with a suction block to remove all chemical residue. Follow with a water rinse to fully flush the residue. Repeat the blotting to dry the carpet.
• After lifting as much of the spot as possible, place a stack of clean, white towels over it. Place a weight on the towels overnight so they press firmly against the spot. This helps remove deeply penetrated residue that may move toward the carpet pile. Hot water extraction If new carpet begins to look "tired," hot water extraction can effectively remove dirt and restore new carpet appearance.
• Use a manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution according to instructions. Do not over mix the solution. Using too much hot water extraction solution can leave solution residue in the carpet that can quickly attract and hold soil.
• Extract high-traffic areas every 12 weeks, medium-traffic areas every six months and low-traffic areas annually. Extraction times can be extended if regular cleaning is maintained.
• Thoroughly vacuum traffic areas. Pre-spray a hot water extraction chemical with an airless sprayer. Allow at least five minutes dwell time. Heavily soiled areas may have to be scrubbed with a nylon brush or a rotary machine to break up soil deposits prior to hot water extraction.
• Extract thoroughly, using water only. Do not put any chemicals into the extractor tank. Follow each wet pass with at least three dry passes.
• Enhance drying time by running a dry cotton pad on a low-speed rotary machine. This procedure also will help remove soil left behind during extraction.
• Use small fans or air movers to dry the carpet. Allow three hours of drying time after final extraction before allowing traffic on the carpet.
• When extracting carpet tile, some moisture may ease through the joints. It is essential not to over wet the carpet and to extract as much moisture as possible with the dry passes. Occasionally a tile may loosen if the adhesive gets wet. When the adhesive dries, the tile can be re-adhered to the floor.
• Boasting unlimited design options and excellent durability, resilient flooring performs
• Light daily sweeping, dust mopping or vacuuming will prevent dirt and grit from being ground into the floor. If the floor is diligently swept daily, a light weekly cleaning with a damp mop may be enough to remove dirt.
• For more resistant soils and weekly cleanings, wet mopping will be required. Frequency of mopping will depend on the color of the floor and the nature and amount of soiling. Regular swabbing of entryways using a commercial-grade cleaner will help extend the life of the floor.
• When choosing a floor detergent, look for products that are low foaming, general detergents that may be used in automatic scrubbers. A good detergent will also have neutral pH to remove dirt and protect polish and be highly concentrated to allow for low dilution ratio.

Techniques

Apply cleanser with a sponge mop. After the soil deposits have been loosened from the floor, mop up excess detergent and water. Rinse with clean, warm water to remove all residues, since any detergent film remaining will cause stickiness and will trap tracked-in dirt.

Do not flood the floor because excess water may harm floor seals and adhesives. Keep off the floor until dry.

Scuffs and Marks

Periodic buffing with a slow speed buffer will remove most scuff marks and light scratches. Buffing also will add luster while dislodging dirt and blending touch-up spots with the original finish.

Difficult scuff marks not removed by mopping or buffing can be removed using a nylon scouring pad. Use a solution of neutral floor cleaning detergent, rub gently and rinse well.