Three types of soiling are found on carpets whilst a fourth type would be combinations of the three types of soiling:
These soils may be present in any of the three levels in the carpet:
It is obvious that if we are able to prevent the depositing of soils on the carpet, our maintenance program is going to be that much easier.
The most cost effective method of achieving this objective is the correct placement of effective entrance mats. These resi-loop construction mats may trap up to 75% of the dirt that would normally be tracked into a building. Bearing in mind that on average 80% of the soiling present on carpets is tracked in dirt whilst the remaining 20% precipitates out of the atmosphere, entrance matting is an indispensable part of any carpet maintenance program.
The second important preventative method is the application of a carpet fibre protector such as 3M Scotchgard Carpet Protector. This product effectively seals the carpet fibres in much the same way as an acrylic polymer seals a vinyl floor. The benefit is that the carpet is far more resistant to staining and in addition carpet maintenance methods such as vacuuming are more effective,
The fact that 85%-95% of carpet soiling is dry soiling means the importance of efficient vacuuming cannot be overstated. There are two basic types of vacuum cleaners available on the market.
This type of vacuum cleaner normally has two motors, the vacuum turbine providing the airflow necessary to transport the dirt from the carpet surface to the vacuum bag. While the second motor drives a turbulator brush. The turbulating action of the brush opens the pile and assists in the removal of mid-tuft dirt particles by lifting these into the airstream.
This type of vacuum cleaner is the most effective available.
In its basic form this machine relies purely on suction power to remove soil from the carpet as the floor tool is pushed and pulled across the carpet. In this form the machine is best suited to low profile carpet types and light to medium traffic loads as it only removes soiling present on the surface of the carpet.
Many of these machines can be fitted with power nozzles which provide the same turbulalor brush action as upright vacuum cleaners, and in this form their performance is raised to levels achieved by upright vacuum cleaners.
The performance of any type of vacuum cleaner is largely dependent on the condition of its filtration system. The disposable paper filter bag provides the most efficient method of filtration. Cloth bags are less effective and if they are used, thorough cleaning of the filter cloth is essential if vacuum efficiency is to be maintained.
Vacuuming frequencies should be related to degree of soiling and traffic volumes.
In areas such as lobbies, corridors, reception areas etc. daily vacuuming is recommended. In fact in inclement weather vacuuming may have to be carried out more than once per day. In medium to low-traffic areas, vacuuming every alternate day or even as infrequently as once per week may be sufficient.
This is an optical surface brightening method and maintains a carpet’s appearance level at relatively low cost. It is also a fast method and because it does not wet the carpet is ideally suited to cleaning high traffic areas such as entrance lobbies and corridors.
A fine spray of Carpet Spot Remover is applied to about 2—3 m-1 using a trigger Spray or Fixornat Pump. Unlike Spray buffing a resilient or hard floor, the entire area to be cleaned should be sprayed lightly. The surface soil is then removed by several passes over the carpet with a single brush machine fitted with a Carpet Cleaning Pad Actual soil removal is restricted to the surface only and this method is not a substitute for shampooing or extraction.
Pads should be turned over or replaced when diriy and washed out and hung up to dry on completion of the job.
Most spills are easily removed with two or three basic spotting agents provided the following steps are followed:
| Problem | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent discoloration | Chemical reaction between the material spilled and the carpet fibre | None |
| Permanent staining | Material spilled cannot be removed from the carpet fibre | None |
| Pile distortion | Incorrect initial removal procedure used e.g: Scrubbing brush | Mostly no remedy |
| Migration | Incorrect initial removal procedure used -Stain has been spread | Avoid further migration and use correct procedure |
| Wicking | Carpet has been over wet and dirt has picked up from the backing or underfelt | Re-clean carpet without overwetting and apply carpet powder to the area cleaned |
| Browning | Browning | Dab area with cloth moistened with acetic acid solution |
| Shading | Carpet fibres lying in different directions giving a patchy appearance | None |
| Contrast with the rest of the carpet | Rest of the carpet soiled | Clean the entire area |
| Laying Method | Shampooing | Extraction | Combined | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | Wet | |||
| Jute Fabric | Yes | No | Conditionally | Conditionally |
| Stretched wall-to-wall | Yes | No | No | No |
| Fixed with adhesive tape | Yes | Conditionally | Conditionally | Conditionally |
| Fully glued down depending on carpet type and quality of bonding agent | Conditionally | Conditionally | Conditionally | Conditionally |
| Rayon Stable Fabric | Yes | No | No | No |
| Looped Pile. Flat (Boucle) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open-loop, flat long pile and sheared | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tip-sheared | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Classical Velours 5-8 mm | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Soft Velvet 5-8 mm Plus 10-1 5 mm | Conditionally | Conditionally | Yes | Conditionally |
| Fnse crimped cut pile velours 1-8 mm | Conditionally | Conditionally | Yes | Conditionally |
| Saxony (10-12 mm) | No | No | Yes | No |
| Sliag (Longer than 20 mm) | No | No | Yes | No |
| Needle Felt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This method relies on a fine spray of extraction detergent being applied to the carpet using a spray pump or spray extraction machine.
The chemical is allowed to work for about 5 minutes and thereafter direct extraction with water or water/extraction detergent solution is carried out.
This is a highly effective system and cleans all but the heaviest soiling from carpets.
Direct Extraction
Very similar to the previous method, this method is less effective because the reaction time of the detergent is so short.
The freshwater tank is filled with the appropriate dilution of extraction detergent and this solution is injected at high pressure into the carpet pile via spray nozzles in the wand A powerful vacuum action in the wand immediately removes the solution along with the dirt, and the dirty water is collected in a dirty water recovery tank.
This method offers the most effective performance of any basic carpet cleaning procedure and will generally clean even the most heavily soiled carpets.
To shampoo the carpet we require an industrial single-brush machine complete with solution tank and shampooing brush fitted with a distribution plate.
An appropriate dilution of carpet shampoo is contained in the solution tank and fed through the machine onto the carpet where the rotary action of the brush shampoos the carpet.
It is most important to “bed-in” and pre-wet the brush by operating it for a few minutes on any hard floor. The application and scrubbing pattern is also important if streaking and uneven cleaning patterns are to be avoided.
One should start in a corner of the room farthest from the door by moving the machine along the baseboard for about 4-6 metres with the solution feed open thus applying the shampoo evenly over this area. When you reach the end of your first path pull the machine towards you and apply shampoo by laying down another path overlapping the first path by about 50 mm. When you reach the end of the second path again pull the machine towards you and proceed to lay down a third path of shampoo, again overlapping by about 50 mm. Close the solution valve at the end of the third path. The application phase is now complete.
Shampoo the area where the shampoo has been applied by a gentle circular shampooing pattern with the single brush machine. The solution valve remains closed during this operation to avoid over-wetting the carpet
Once this entire area has been completed the suds and suspended dirt should be removed by clear water rinsing with a spray extraction machine.
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