Research

Research from a wide variety of sources has consistently shown that the steam and extremely hot water temperatures in steam cleaning provides the most desirable carpet cleaning results.  At a temperature of above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, and a heat increase every 18 degrees, allows steam cleaning to change the chemical reactivity of the substance it’s cleaning by about 100%.  This is exactly why it’s so effective.

Your Health

If you or someone in your family has significant allergies or asthma, the power of steam carpet cleaning can help fight these unfortunate ailments.  The extremely hot temperatures involved in steam cleaning can get rid of…

• dust mites
• fungi
• many viruses

The “Every Other Year” Rule

Your carpet should be steam cleaned at least once every two years, but this all depends on how many people live in your household, and how much traffic your carpet receives.

DIY Steam Cleaning

Many people invest in steam cleaning machines, so they can clean their carpet themselves.  This idea is recommended for people who like their carpet clean on a very regular basis.  If you steam clean your carpet incorrectly though, you can leave residue behind which can actually attract dirt and cause damage to your carpet.

Reasons For Hiring a Professional Steam Cleaner:

• They are usually highly experienced (we are - 18+ years!)
• Their cleaning equipment is more powerful than your personal equipment
• Your carpet will dry faster than if you did it yourself
• They have in-depth knowledge on different cleaning solutions and carpet/rug types. We also have a carpet stain cleaning guide we refer clients to in a pinch.

The Inspection

Once you’ve hired a cleaner for the job, it’s important to do a walk-through inspection of your carpet with them.  Show them the specific areas of concern, and they will discuss the exact procedure they will employ to get the job done.  A quality steam cleaner professional will not go directly inside your home, and get to work.  Rather, they will inspect the area first to make sure they are able to satisfy all your carpet cleaning needs.

If you want to learn more about steam carpet cleaning, or your thinking about having your carpet steam cleaned, don’t hesitate to contact Atlanta Carpet, Atlanta’s choice for steam carpet cleaning!  We are a trusted and reliable carpet cleaning service!

Dry Foam

Dry foam requires that you do a lot of scrubbing and that you do so in a circular fashion - similar to shampooing methods, however, with dry foam you don’t have to wait for any to finish drying.  The bubbles will gradually disappear, so there is very little residue left over to actually deal with.  Many Dry foam carpet cleaning systems will have their own built in vacuum to handle the leftovers though.

Dry Powder

Dry powder, sometimes consisting of small powdered corn cobs, is mixed with a cleaning solution. The mixture is then dispersed evenly throughout the carpet surface.  After that, a round, brush device is used to scrub the powder into the carpet, and subsequently, the power is vacuumed away.  The best part is that there is virtually no drying time with this method.  Nevertheless, dry powder tends only to clean the top third of the carpet.

Bonnet

Although this is not considered “dry cleaning” in the strictest sense, it is a far cry from traditional “wet cleaning” methods.  Bonnet cleaning usually entails a mixture of carbonated water and a specific clean product.  The formula can then be misted onto the carpet, and a buffer can be used to scrub it in.

Generally, the bonnet method cleans only the top portion of the carpet, and really doesn’t lift the particles at the carpet’s base.  Additionally, the turnaround time for this method is rather long.  On the positive side though, despite the fact that bonnet uses water, it only uses a small amount.

Encapsulation

This relatively new technology consists of polymers that dissolve and absorb the dirt in the carpet, turning it into dry particles on contact.  A cleaning solution is applied by a machine-operated brush applicator, or compression sprayer.  The dry particles are then easily vacuumed out of the carpet with another machine.  Encapsulation improves carpet appearance, in comparison to other methods, and it avoids the drying time of shampooing.  Encapsulation tends to be a very effective dry cleaning method, overall.  One negative of encapsulation is that it does not handle heavy grease loads very well.

If you have questions about different dry carpet cleaning methods, or you want to schedule a cleaning for your carpet, don’t hesitate to contact Atlanta Carpet Cleaning,  Atlanta, Georgia’s choice in carpet cleaners!

Carpet cleaning requires the following steps:

vacuuming - removes most soil

pretreatment and conditioning - loosens soil with a mild solvent cleaner

extraction - rinses away the cleaning solvent

nap setting and drying - allows the remaining solvent to vaporize and dry

If the above steps are not followed accurately, indoor air quality could pose a health concern for the cleaner, as well as those in the home or commercial space.

Traditional Carpet Cleaning Methods

Depending on the location of the carpet or the type of treatment required, two different carpet cleaning procedures may be used:

Dry cleaning - uses a minimal amount of liquid with a blend of compounds for restorative cleaning, regular scheduled maintenance, and emergency cleanup. This process uses a homogenized blend of solvents: a cleaning agent, rinsing agent, and neutralizing agent.  It is heated to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit and applied to the carpet.

Steam cleaning - or “steam extraction, uses antimicrobial, urine and odor treatment chemicals.  The extraction process uses the same chemicals used in “dry” cleaning, but the rinsing agent is blended in a truck-mount, and more water is used in rinsing.  This procedure is usually used for carpet restoration jobs.

The Harms of Traditional Carpet Cleaning

Carpet cleaning creates waste water that includes chemicals from the cleaning formula as well as waste products such as grease and organic material from the carpet itself.  Many of the chemicals currently used are highly alkaline and aggressive enzymes, which if used improperly, can cause harm to humans and the environment.

A traditional cleaning formula might contain:

• sodium bicarbonate

• sodium phosphate

• sodium silicate

• anionic surfactant

• nonionic surfactant

• various dyes, enzymes, alcohols, bleaches, etc

All of these elements can be harmful to one’s health, on one level or another.

Green Alternatives

By using environmentally safe chemicals to clean carpets, it keeps everyone less exposed to hazardous toxins.  Non-toxic alternatives to traditional carpet cleaning products are labeled as “green” cleaning agents, and are relatively safe for the cleaner to handle.  The cleaner ought to follow the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification standards when using “green” products.

Green encapsulation - Encapsulation is the latest trend in dry cleaning technology, which creates crystalized residue from the soil in the carpet, making it easy to extract.  Green encapsulation are less harmful to humans and pets,  than its traditional counterpart - steering clear of the aquatic and oral toxins.

Home recipes - Although they might not come in a bottle with the word “green” on it, many house hold carpet cleaning solutions have shown to be potent, safe, and very cost-effective.  A common recipe is to mix a ¼ cup vegetable oil-based liquid soap with 3 tbsp. of water.  The foam is applied to the problem areas of the carpet, and after 15 minutes, is rinsed thoroughly with water.  While this recipe is usually only used for small areas of carpet, it is a great alternative to the harmful commercial spray can solutions on the market.

The Parts Of Your Property That Are Likely To Be Damaged:

Water damage can occur in every area of your home and property, but there are certain areas that, if damaged, are more troublesome and should be watched closely. Check the plumbing pipes and connections in your home’s bathrooms and kitchen, as well as any pipelines in your basement or for standing water and leaks.

Hidden Signs of Water Damage:

• peeling paint and wallpaper
• a musty smell
• patches of mold moisture and condensation
• moisture in your carpet

Water Damage And Mold:

Water damage has the potential to cause the growth of mildew and mold.  Mold thrives in moist, warm environments, so any wet places is perfect for it to grow.

Preparing For A Storm:

The most important thing you can do is to cut-off the power supply (electrical supply) to your home, as an excess of water and electricity is a deadly combination.

Tools That Can Detect And Handle Water Damage:

• moisture detectors - to detect mold growth and poor air quality.
• Leak detectors - find hidden water leaks in walls and crawl spaces
• dehumidifiers and water extractors - help take moisture out of your home

Take Action When You Notice Water Damage!

1. Call your insurance company to inform them of the damage.
2. Determine whether the your home is safe to stay in, or enter.
3. If your home is badly damaged, make arrangements to stay elsewhere.
4. CALL A PROFESSIONAL!

Steps You Can Take to Minimize The Damage:

If your home is safe, and before the professionals arrive…

1. Turn off all the power and gas supply.
2. Cover the damaged areas: doors windows, walls, roof with plastic sheeting to protect you from the elements.

Ways To Help Speed Up The Repair Of Your Home:

Remove standing water

1. sweep it outdoors
2. soak up the remaining water in the carpet with a wet-vac

Make notes of your property’s damage and relay the information to your restoration professional…

1. Check your roofing structure for any missing shingles, or chimney and flashing problems.
2. Check the siding for lost boards
3. Check for any water intrusion through the windows and doors

The Water Removal Process By Professionals:

1. The water is removed from your property.
2. A dehumidification process begins to dry the wet areas.
3. Evaporation occurs.
4. The air is tested to ensure that all water and moisture is gone from your property.

Hiring a Professional Restoration Company:

Hiring a professional restoration company is important to ensure proper care for your home and property.  Your insurance carrier should specify a list of restoration companies, while some might allow you to choose a company from your own research.

Professional restoration companies should show you..

• a list of industry organizations that they belong to
• any certifications they have
• examples of their past work
• the exact procedure they plan to take to remove the water

Important Tips Regarding Cleaning Spills and Stains

1. If your carpet or rug manufacturer cleaning guidelines are available, refer to them first. They should include instructions specific to your carpet or rug’s composition.
2. Always test any spot cleaning method on an inconspicuous area of your carpet first to see how your cleaning method reacts with your carpet’s fibers and dye. If you see color distortion in the carpet’s fibers or bleeding onto your cleaning cloth, do not proceed.
3. Clean spills and accidents as soon as possible by blotting with a cloth until dry. Rinse well with water (sprayed on, never poured), then blot dry again.  Note: if your spill has not completely soaked into your rug or carpet, try scooping excess matter away with a large spoon before you begin blotting.
4. Apply cleaning solutions with a spray bottle or dab on with a plain, clean white cloth.
5. Never soak carpeting with any cleaning agent, as this can damage the carpet backing.
6. Work on spots from the outside in towards the center, always in a blotting motion.
7. Never scrub carpeting, as this can ruin its fibers. If you must rub, do so gently in one direction toward the center of the spot, and then repeat in the opposite direction the same number of times so that the carpet’s pile doesn’t get matted down.
8. When in doubt, call a professional carpet cleaner. Using the wrong methods or cleaners on your rug or carpeting can set stains, making them much more difficult to remove.

For professional help with your carpet and rug cleaning needs, contact Atlanta Carpet Cleaning at 404-509-8591 or via email at info@carpetatlanta.com.

FREE How-To Chart for Cleaning Common Carpet Stains

We have scoured the net, and put together the most comprehensive Carpet Cleaning Guide around! Print it out and post it on your refrigerator, in your laundry room, on the cabinet door where you store your cleaning products, or wherever it’s handy for you to refer to when an accident occurs in your home.

One of the best thing that you can do for the environment is to take care of the things that you already have.  Buying more and more things when it is not really necessary just puts more junk into the landfills.  The longer your carpet lasts, the better it is for the environment.  So when you have your carpet cleaned regularly, you are prolonging its life and making a very positive green lifestyle statement.

When dirt and sand get into your carpet it acts kind of like sandpaper.  It scratches against the fibers and damages them.  That’s bad enough, but the problem gets worse day by day until you have the carpet professionally cleaned and that soil gets lifted out of your carpet.

Another thing that hits very close to home when you talk about green living and carpet cleaning is the use of chemicals.  We have no way of knowing what the impact of harsh chemicals will be when we breathe them and when they are absorbed into our skin and that of our pets and children.  When you have your carpet cleaned, or even if you clean it yourself, you should know what chemicals are in the solutions that are being used.

Much has been learned about how harmful certain chemicals can be over the years, and we are still learning.  Keeping toxic cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet is a common safety practice, but many people don’t stop think about the chemicals that they are using when they clean their carpets.

Atlanta Carpet Cleaning is always up-to-date on all of the latest green carpet cleaning methods because we care about the health and well being of our customers.  We know that harsh chemicals can be dangerous, and they also may be damaging to your carpet in the long run.  We use only non-toxic, eco-friendly cleansing solutions that get your carpet fresh and clean while leaving behind no chemical residue.  For carpet cleaning the done the right way by a local, family owned and operated business, call Atlanta Carpet Cleaning at (404) 509-8591.

1.) Carpets are Expensive

When you make a big investment in something, you invariably want to keep it clean and looking good. This is why you see the car washes full each weekend, and why people have their expensive suits dry cleaned. When you look around your house and you do the math, you will find that your carpet is one of the larger investments that you have made. You would never think about not cleaning any other part of your home, and your carpet is exposed to myriad soiling agents, like pet stains and hair, assorted spills, and daily doses of whatever happens to be on the bottom of your shoes. Your carpet cost you a lot of money and it is very expensive to replace, so the relatively small price that you pay to keep it clean is money well spent.

2.) Carpets Need Maintenance

Like any other valuable possession, your carpet needs regular maintenance. If you are committed to a regular carpet cleaning schedule, your carpet will never become so soiled and stained that it gets “past the point of no return.” Plus, when one of our certified carpet maintenance technicians examines your carpet, he or she may see a rip, a tear, or a loose seam that can be easily repaired if it is addressed immediately. However, these types of things can lead to permanent damage if they are ignored, and yes, you will have saved a few dollars on carpet cleaning and simple maintenance. However, if you fail to take proper care of your carpet, you will find yourself spending thousands instead.

3.) Doing It Yourself Can Cause More Harm Than Good

As professional carpet cleaners we are often called upon to clean up and/or repair damage after someone has tried to clean their own carpets. What happens is that too much soapy water gets into the carpet, and the amateur equipment that people buy or rent does not provide strong enough suction to get it all out. A soapy residue remains in the carpet, and it acts as a magnet for all sorts of dirt, and at times, the backing and padding will become saturated and create a whole host of additional problems.

Problems also arise with the types of cleaning solutions that do-it-yourselfers use. Half the time they are not concentrated enough to get the carpet clean at all, and the rest of time they are too harsh and they can damage the carpet’s sensitive fibers. Professional carpet cleaners use environmentally safe solutions that are at once strong enough to cleanse the carpet thoroughly, but gentle enough to do no harm. Our licensed, insured, and bonded carpet cleaning technicians have worked with all types of carpets, and there are many different fibers out there and varied types of stains and quantities of soil build-up. The layman has no way of knowing which solution and cleansing technique is called for in a given situation, and they often wind up doing more harm than good.

4.) Having Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned Extends Their Life & Allows for Gentler Options

Having your carpets regularly cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning technician is simply going to save you far more money than it costs you in the long run, plus, it improves the quality of your day-to-day life. Your carpet absorbs a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis, but it was designed to do so. It will last a long time as long as you stick with an intelligent carpet maintenance schedule, and our seasoned technicians can prolong the life of your carpet through the utilization of powerful but gentle, state-of-the-art carpet cleaning solutions and truck mounted equipment.

Paying for carpet cleaning is a part of life, but the good news is that when you call Atlanta Carpet Cleaners, it costs you a little to save a lot down the road. We will give you an accurate estimate and leave your carpet looking spotless and smelling better than new. Don’t allow your carpet to get old before its time. Call the pros at Atlanta Carpet Cleaners, and after we are through, you’ll understand why we have been the carpet cleaners Atlanta has relied on for the last 25 years and counting.

According to the EPA, recommended carpet cleaning frequency varies depending on the type of building involved, how many people are typically inside, whether or not they smoke or have pets, what the outdoor conditions are, and what the building is being used for. The chart below spells out the EPA’s recommendations for carpet cleaning frequency.

The EPA states that extraction cleaning methods are the most effective for removing soil from carpets, and Atlanta Carpet Cleaning specializes in the expert implementation of extraction cleaning methodologies. Take a look at the EPA guidelines for carpet cleaning frequency, and if your time has come, give us a call at (404) 509-8591 and we will be glad to get you on a regular carpet cleaning schedule.

Source: EPA

There are several reasons why qualified professionals almost always do a much better job than the layman.  For one thing, they have been trained and understand the rudiments of the trade.  Secondly, they have experience, and there is no substitute for having “been there and done that” as we all know.  But the third factor is perhaps the most important one: they have the right tools and the appropriate supplies and equipment.  With that in mind, let’s take a look at four common carpet cleaning methods, two that are employed by do-it-yourselfers, and two that are utilized by professional carpet cleaners.

The first one we’ll examine is simple do-it-yourself carpet shampooing.  On the surface, it is less expensive to rent a carpet shampooing machine and go it alone, but there are a few pitfalls involved, and you might wind doing more harm than good in the long run.  It may seem simple enough, but if you have no experience with the equipment and it is not of professional quality in the first place, problems can and do occur.

One of the most common difficulties that arise with these cheap carpet shampooing  machines is over-shampooing.  Over-shampooing can take place when too much shampoo is used, or if the carpet is not rinsed thoroughly enough.  Soap stays stuck in the carpet, and it attracts dirt and grime and leaves your carpet worse than when you started.  This can happen because the user of the machine was not experienced with it and used too much solution and/or didn’t rinse the carpet long enough or thoroughly enough.  But it could also be a matter of the equipment not being of sufficient quality, or it could have been an older unit that had fallen into disrepair.  Either way, your carpet is still not clean, you have been set back more than a few bucks, and you have wasted a good bit of valuable time.

Over-wetting is also common.  This happens when you use too much water and it seeps through the carpet and into the backing and pad, which can discolor the carpet, create unpleasant odors, and cause mold and mildew.  Over-wetting can also cause carpet shrinkage, and it is not uncommon for a carpet to rip or tear as it shrinks.

And finally, you run the risk of furniture getting wet.  The dyes in the fabric often run and leave your carpet with a not-too-nice tie-dye effect.  And even if you are fortunate enough to avoid any carpet damage, the detergent in the do-it-yourself shampoo is of very poor quality and does not compare to the commercial grades that are used by professionals, so your carpet is not going to come very clean.

Some people like to use inexpensive do-it-yourself dry cleaning powders.  They sprinkle powder on their badly soiled and stained carpet and wait a few minutes so that the powder can suck all of that dirt and grime out.  Then, all they have to do is vacuum and, voilà, their carpet will look and smell as good as new!  Not.  Wishful thinking is what they call that.  And those foam sprays are no better.  But you know that already.  We’ve all tried them, and we all know that they mask the smell a little, for a while, and that’s it.  If it seems too easy…it almost definitely is.

Professional carpet cleaning methods are designed to circumvent the problems inherent in the methods above, while refining the appeal and usefulness of the basic ideas. The state-of-the art extraction method is a way of shampooing the carpet, as it were, without the pitfalls.  Carpet technicians use commercial grade solutions that are very powerful on dirt and stains, but mild on the fabric fibers.  Professionals like Atlanta Carpet Cleaners use nothing but high tech truck-mounted equipment, and the intense cleansing pressure and commercial-grade suction levels get all of the dirt and grime out of your carpet, but they also take all of the solution along too, so you are left with nothing but squeaky clean, undamaged carpet fibers.

Dry cleaning a carpet is not a bad thing at all; you just aren’t going to be able to do it with a five dollar container of powder and a five year old household vacuum cleaner.  Commercial dry extraction methods are not completely dry in the literal sense, but they utilize a very controlled amount of moisture.  A machine is used that distributes the cleansing solution sparingly while brushes agitate it into the carpet, loosening the dirt while the machine simultaneously sucks it up.  It leaves behind a relatively dry, totally clean carpet that can be immediately vacuumed and used as normal.

So there is a look at four different approaches to cleaning your carpet.  When you consider the facts, the correct course of action seems readily apparent.  Your carpet is an integral part of your home, and it is subjected to a lot of living on a daily basis.  If you had to go out and buy new carpeting tomorrow, it would certainly be a significant expense, and it is not the type of thing that you really want to have to replace if you can help it.  A little bit of professional maintenance goes a long way, not only to get your carpet looking and smelling good again, but to make sure that you are doing what you can to preserve it.

Atlanta Carpet Cleaners are the carpet cleaning company Atlanta has relied on for over twenty years, so when it is time to give your carpet the once over, don’t take a chance and try to do it yourself.  Protect your investment and let a trained and certified professional analyze your carpet and select the method that is perfect for your unique situation.  If you need some carpet repair or upholstery cleaning, we can take care of that as well and save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars down the road.  There is one name to remember for quality carpet cleaning in Atlanta at prices that anyone can afford, and that name is Atlanta Carpet Cleaners.