19.08.2014
What is Hot Water Steam Extraction
How Water Steam Extraction, or steam cleaning, is listed by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification), as the primary method for cleaning carpets, residential and commercial. Hot Water Steam Extraction is also recommended by most major carpet manufacturers as the most effective way to clean their carpets and to protect the warranty of the carpet.
In steam cleaning, no actual ‘steam’ is used, but it is a combination of very hot water under high pressure that is simultaneously vacuumed out, leading to the process of source removal, or getting dirt and debris out of the carpet and into the recovery tank of the cleaning system for safe disposal. How Water Steam Extraction Systems come in two varieties, portable units and truck mounted units. Truck mounted units, because they are driven by the engine of the truck, are more powerful and provide hotter and higher water pressure as well as greater vacuum and water recovery power. Therefore, if a job is reachable with a truck mounted unit (up to a usual maximum of 300 ft from the truck in a combination of height and distance) it is generally preferred over a portable unit because of its far greater power to help in the cleaning.
Typically with hot water steam extraction, carpet is treated with an alkaline prespray (a pH above 7) and allowed dwell time before rinse and extraction with a carpet cleaning wand. The carpet can then be treated with an acetic solution prespray (a pH below 7) to bring the fibers back to a neutral state of pH 7. The same process can be used for furniture and upholstery cleaning but with a furniture hand tool.
Overall this system cleans deeper and removes grit and soil away from the job site. It leaves less residue then other carpet cleaning methods (dry foam, shampoo or dry cleaning systems) therefore keeping the carpet cleaner longer and increasing the return on your carpet cleaning investment when professionally done.
If you have any questions about carpet cleaning, please call 403-291-1051 and speak to one of our representatives
Complete Cleaning and Maintenance Care in Calgary and Area since 1967
Tags: steam cleaning