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Article
Professional Carpet Cleaning

What You Should Expect from a Professional Carpet Cleaner

By IICRC

Categories: Carpets & Flooring
Tagged: Carpet And Rug Institute, Carpet Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning Machines, Carpet Extractors, Carpet Terms, IICRC, Professional Carpet Cleaning

Question: What are the main steps I can expect a certified professional to take when cleaning my carpet?

 

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The principles of carpet cleaning are listed in the IICRC S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning. These include:

  • Dry Soil Removal - thorough vacuuming using an upright vacuum with brush agitation and a high-efficiency double-lined collection bag or final filter.
  • Soil Suspension - There are four fundamentals in soil suspension: application of preconditioning Chemical cleaning agents to separate soil from fibers prior to extraction; using Heat or temperature to speed chemical reactions; Agitation for proper chemical distribution, and dwell Time (allowing the cleaning agents time to dissolve soil) so desired chemical reactions can optimize soil extraction. The acronym "CHAT" makes the fundamentals of soil suspension easier to remember.
    The IICRC S100 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning was first published in 2002. The IICRC Standards Committee began to update and fully review the document in 2007, a process that lasted almost two years. It was then sent to an editing committee and reviewed by a legal team. The final IICRC S100 document is scheduled for completion by early 2010.
  • Soil Extraction - Any method of cleaning must physically remove soils if it is to be successful. Soil removal takes place with dry vacuuming, wet vacuuming, absorption, and rinsing. The most popular deep cleaning method for soil removal among professionals is hot water extraction.
  • Grooming, as necessary - Grooming has little to do with physical soil removal; however, it is needed to eliminate pile distortion and matting, to properly distribute additives, such as carpet protectors, and to create a consistent appearance.
  • Drying - Damp carpet resoils rapidly, creates potential for slip-fall problems and ultimately, can grow bacteria and mold with associated odor.

Seeking a local certified carpet cleaner who understands and applies the proper principles of carpet cleaning? Visit www.certifiedcleaners.org.

What You Should Expect from a Professional Carpet Cleaner:  Created on October 30th, 2009.  Last Modified on October 30th, 2009

 

About IICRC

IICRC

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a non-profit certifying body for the floor and carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning and disaster restoration industry. Organized in 1972, the IICRC currently represents more than 5200 Certified Firms and more than 42,000 Certified Technicians in 33 countries. The IICRC sets consensus standards for inspection, cleaning and disaster restoration. Locate IICRC-Certified Firms at www.certifiedcleaners.org.

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