General Cleaning Principle

General Cleaning Principle - and how it is used to clean carpets. The cleaning process includes cleaning agents, heat, agitation and time (CHAT). The following is a summary of each step.

Cleaning agents – The cleaning agents help loosen or suspend the soil and dirt in the carpets. In the carpet cleaning business, good cleaning agents are quite safe while doing a great job at loosening the soil and dirt. The products used are similar to laundry detergent and work with the same principles.

Washing clothes analogy: Laundry detergent is the cleaning agent which is similar to carpet cleaning agents. Also, the clothes are rinsed after being cleaned with the detergent. This is a 2 step process (both and cleaning agent and a rinse), many individuals and some “so called” professionals use a 1 step process.

Time – The length of time is directly related to the effectiveness of the cleaning agents and giving them enough time to work. The cleaning agents should be left on the carpet for about 15 minutes. The longer they are in contact with the carpet, the more they loosen the soil.

Washing clothes analogy: The clothes spend 10-15 minutes in the laundry detergent, also being agitated in this phase.

Heat – The most important aspect of heat is its ability to increase chemical activity. For every 18 degrees over 118 degrees, chemical activity doubles making the cleaning agents more effective. The problem with heat in carpet cleaning is that regardless of hot the water is when it is applied to the carpets, the heat goes away quickly, and does not provide a big benefit. The carpet cleaning industry overstates the importance of heat in carpet cleaning which helps spread the myth about its importance.

Washing clothes analogy: Hot water cleans better than cold water; again, this is because of ability to increase the activity of the cleaning agents. It is easier to keep water hot in a washing machine, in carpet cleaning, the water returns to room temperature in minutes.

Agitation – Represents working the cleaning agents into the carpets to loosen the soil and dirt in the carpets. The agitation should be done after the cleaning agents are applied to the carpet. There are carpet groomers which can be brushed over the carpet to loosen the soil or one can get creative and use a broom or other agitation device. Spots at a minimum should be agitated with a white cloth. When agitated (blotted or rubbed) the spots spread out and lighten up or disappear (Both by being transferred to cloth and spreading out into the carpet). Spots that are not permanent can be typically dramatically improved in the agitation phase. Carpets fibers are strong and generally can take a lot of agitation. If the carpets are over agitated there is a risk that the carpet fiber can be damaged which can change the appearance of the area from the rest of the rest of the carpet.

Washing clothes analogy: There is an agitator which is used to keep the clothes moving. Along with time, this is a key component of cleaning.