Steam Carpet Cleaning

The process of steam cleaning your carpet involves

hot water being fed to a spray extraction tool or

wand, coupled to a pump vacuum power unit. The

cleaning solution is injected under pressure deep

into the carpet through water jet nozzles.

The water will then penetrate the fiber all the way

down to the backing. This action will loosen any

embedded soil, remove oil and grease deposits, and

get your carpet cleaner than it has ever been.

There are many types and makes of steam carpet

cleaners available on the market, ranging from small

portables to the large and very powerful truck

mounted units. The principle is the same no matter

what model you pick.

The models that are truck mounted are designed so

that only the hose and the wand are taken into the

area being cleaned. These units are very powerful,

delivering hot water and generating a high vacuum

recovery that can be powered by diesel fuel, gas,

propane, or even by the motor of the truck.

Most carpet manufacturers, fiber producers, and

professional cleaners endorse this process for

achieving soil removal efficiency. With the present

state of art equipment and technology, we are more

than capable of high production and cleaning of

carpet.

The real disadvantage to steam carpet cleaning are

the problems that are associated with over wetting

and longer drying times. These can be eliminated

however, by a skilled operator who uses equipment

that is well maintained and in good overall

operating condition.

Currently, there are two methods being used with

steam carpet cleaning.

1. This method involves a traffic

lane cleaner being sprayed onto the traffic lanes

and then agitated into the fibers. The entire

area is then cleaned by using a hot water extractor

that has a cleaning solution being injected into

the fibers through the wand.

2. The second method involves a free

rinse emulsifying pre-spray being sprayed onto the

entire carpet, then agitated into the fibers.

Steam cleaning procedures

1. Prepare the equipment and supplies. In

a pump or power sprayer you should mix the free

rinsing pre-spray. In the solution tank of the

extractor, mix the rinsing agent.

2. If you have a lot of furniture to move,

make yourself a floor plan.

3. If the area being cleaned has furniture,

you should remove as much as possible.

4. Thoroughly vacuum the carpet. If the

pile is crushed or matted, use a pile brush to

loosen the soils which will make vacuuming more

effective.

5. Pre-spray a good amount of the pre-spray.

6. Using a grooming tool, agitate the pre

spray deep into the fibers then let it sit for 10 -

15 minutes, making sure that it doesn't dry out.

7. Extract the area using a portable, truck

mounted, or automatic carpet cleaner.

8. Repeat steps 5 through 7 until the

entire area has been cleaned.

9. Groom the cleaned area, replace all

furniture that was removed, then clean all equipment