Carpet Cleaning
11 STEP PROCESS OF CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING
We follow an 11-step process following the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. Let’s take a look at the steps with a brief explation of each.
- PREINSPECT: This is the step where your carpet and upholstery are looked over and sometimes tested. This is necessary to determine the correct cleaning procedures and chemical needs for the textile.
- DRY VACUUMING: Vacuuming your carpets and upholstery is required on every project. This is because up to 70% of the soil in your carpets and upholstery is dry, particulate soil that is easiest to pick up with a dry vacuum.
- PRETREATMENT: Pretreatment is the next step in order to loosen soil. We pretreat the entire area, not just the spots. This insures that everything is properly cleaned and not just made wet.
- AGITATION: The pretreatment applied is then agitated, or worked into the face fibers of high soil areas in order to help loosen stubborn soils and insure uniform application of the pretreatment.
- EDGING: The carpet is “cut in” or edged with our special edging tool. This allows us to clean right up to the edge, in the corners, right up to any furniture that is not going to be moved.
- EXTRACTION: This is the process that requires using our powerful truck mounted hot water extractor (steam cleaner) to remove both the soil and detergent residue from the carpet. Great care is taken to not over water the carpet and remove as much soiling and water as possible.
- FINAL SPOTTING: Generally the above process will remove almost all of the spots from the carpet and upholstery, but sometimes more difficult stains will remain. This is when we attempt to remove them. Please remember that not all stains can be corrected.
- NEUTRALIZE: After all use of detergents and spotting chemicals, we neutralize your carpets and upholstery to remove any residual detergents and to assure all fabrics are restored to their original pH levels.
- POST-INSPECT: Your textiles are then inspected again to insure all areas look and perform to their optimum abilities.
- GROOM: Grooming is the process of aligning the fibers in your carpet and upholstery. This helps fabrics to dry properly and look their best.
- DRYING: Powerful airmovers are then directed across your carpets and upholstery to help speed the drying process. Please note that we don’t leave the airmovers on until the carpets are completely dry in most cases, but even running for a few minutes the airmovers greatly reduce the drying time.