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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, Professional Carpet Cleaning

Question: What are the main steps I can expect a certified professional to take when cleaning my carpet? [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with IICRC (The cleantrust) and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC (The cleantrust)].

 

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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:

 

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 in 2010.
  • 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.
  • 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 January 21st, 2014

 

About IICRC

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certification and standard-setting nonprofit organization for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. The IICRC serves the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Japan, in partnership with regional and international trade associations.

The mission of IICRC is to identify and promote an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment.

The IICRC, with industry-wide participation, certifies - and develops certifications and standards for - inspection, cleaning and restoration. The IICRC also serves as a valuable consumer referral source for IICRC-Certified technicians and firms. There are currently more than 53,000 active IICRC-Certified technicians, many with multiple certifications, and more than 6,000 IICRC-Certified Firms around the world.