Hiring a carpet cleaner

While regular vacuuming plays a great role in keeping your carpet and rugs relatively clean, not all stains and germs are removed in this manner. After a while, deep-seated dirt will accumulate causing stains and odours that cannot be removed by your regular carpet maintenance routine.

Every year or so, depending on the amount of traffic that passes through and whether you have pets and little kids who constantly spill stuff on the floor, your carpet will need to undergo a thorough cleaning carried out by carpet cleaning experts. Professional carpet cleaning is done to get rid of hard-to-remove stains, dirt, allergens, and germs that has seeped through the fabric. It also helps bring back the original appearance and prolong the lifespan of your carpet.

There are several methods of carpet cleaning. Here are the most common cleaning techniques used by carpet cleaning businesses.

Carpet Shampooing

This is perfect for carpets that need some heavy-duty cleaning. Back in the day, this is the only method used by carpet cleaning specialists. It works by using a carpet shampoo that contains foamy chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate. The shampoo generates a lot of foam in the carpet and the foam is allowed to dry. The foam residue attracts the soil and once the soil binds with the foam, it gets vacuumed.

Dry Cleaning

With carpet dry cleaning, virtually no water is used. In this process, a small amount of dry absorbent compound is sprinkled over the carpet, then a machine is used to work the chemical through the carpet to attract and absorb the soil. It is then followed up by a thorough vacuuming to get rid of the soil and residue. The major advantage of this method is that the carpet dries up quickly since very little water is used.

Bonnet Cleaning

This carpet cleaning technique works by spraying the carpet with a cleaning solution. After that, a circular rotating brush or “bonnet” with an absorbent cover is then used to remove the dirt. Once the cover becomes soiled, it gets replaced with a clean one. This method is often viewed as a temporary measure in between more intensive cleaning since only the top part of the carpet gets cleaned and the dirt that settles at the bottom remains behind.

Steam Cleaning

If you want a deep clean, steam cleaning is the way to go. Most carpet manufacturers claim that this is the best and safest way to clean carpets. It is also known as the hot water extraction method since hot water is infused into the carpet which effectively loosens the dirt. A carpet-cleaning machine is then used to remove the dirt and moisture. Detergent may be used to remove dirt in heavily-soiled areas of the carpet. The main drawback with this type of cleaning is that it takes a while for the carpet to dry.

Now it’s time to take a look at the role of a carpet cleaning specialist.

The first thing you need to know is that carpet technicians are carpet experts who have undergone specialised training. In order to perform their job well, they need to have a great deal of knowledge about carpets such as the different types of carpet fibres, how each type reacts with certain chemicals or compounds, and how to properly use the cleaning equipment.

The job of a professional carpet cleaner typically falls into three categories. The first part is inspecting the carpet and doing the necessary prep work needed before they start with the job. They will examine every part of the carpet and determine which areas need the most attention. It is normal for different cleaning methods to be used in a single job. Heavy-traffic areas such as entryways and hallways may need a thorough cleaning. Depending on the results of their inspection, they will also decide which cleaning method is best for your carpet. For example, if you have pets and you want to remove the odour, hot water extraction method is the best option.

Next is the actual cleaning part. They will treat the carpet with chemicals, soap, or hot water which will loosen the dirt, then mechanically remove the dirt and residue by using a vacuum, carpet extractor, hoses, brushes, bonnets, and other accessories. The process of extracting the dirt may be repeated several times especially in heavily-soiled areas until all the stains and odour are removed.

Before finishing up, professional cleaners will go over the carpet one more time to ensure that all areas have been thoroughly cleaned and that they have not missed a spot. In some cases where there are stubborn stains, they will perform another round of stain removal treatment. Applying a stain repellent after the carpet is dry is optional.

Some carpet cleaners are also trained to clean other soft furnishings such as curtains, drapes, rugs, upholstery, tapestry, and seat covers. They may also offer leather and antique furniture cleaning services. Aside from carpet cleaning, professional carpet cleaners also carry out carpet restretching and refitting jobs. They may also do some upholstery and curtain repair work such as fixing a button or replacing curtain hooks.

Should you hire a carpet cleaner?

It depends on the type and amount of cleaning your carpet needs. In general, carpets should undergo a deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months depending on the amount of traffic, how many people live in the house, and whether you have pets. However, no matter how religiously you vacuum your carpet, you will eventually need to have it professionally cleaned. This extends the life of your carpet, will help maintain its appearance, and remove moulds, fungi, bacteria, fleas from pets, and any unwanted odours and smells.

Let’s talk about the price.

You’ll find some of the best carpet cleaners at ServiceSeeking.com.au. The minimum rate starts at $25/hour, but that may vary from business to business. In some cases, carpet cleaning costs are based on the square footage. It is also common for carpet cleaning businesses to charge per room. There can also be additional charges for extra work done by the cleaners such as moving big pieces of furniture. This means that if you want to save money, you and other family members can do some of the heavy lifting yourself. Carpet cleaning rates also depend on the city or state where you live in. Targeted spot and stain removal and applying stain repellent will also lead to extra charges.