CARPET CLEANING METHODS -- WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?

Generally there are two methods from which you can choose:

1.  Bonnet Cleaning.
2.  Hot Water Extraction.
 

BONNET CLEANING features the use of standard speed single disk rotary floor machines (usually 175 rpm). A pad driver holds in place a cotton bonnet or a synthetic carpet cleaning pad. The bonnet or pad is treated with cleaning solution and placed underneath the driver pad on the floor machine.

Bonnets are thick, mop-like products that are blended of cotton and synthetic yam and designed to both clean and absorb cleaning solution on the carpet. Synthetic pads are thinner disks similar to the buffing pads used in hard floor maintenance. Pads are made of white, non-woven, polyester fiber and are designed to clean and absorb without abrasion.

Brophy Services uses a no-soap self carbonating cleaning system that offers many benefits over traditional bonnet cleaning methods. Brophy Services self-carbonated cleaning system is effective, safe , non-toxic, leaves no sticky residue, dries quickly, and is safe for pets and children to come in contact with. Our cleaner leaves the carpeting soft and safe after cleaning with ingredients no stronger than soda water, yet aggressive enough to clean most soiled fibers. The cleaning solution may be sprayed directly on the carpeted area to be cleaned with care given to no over wet the carpeting.

Soil is loosened from the carpets through the penetrating properties of the carbonated cleaner quickly and efficiently, dissolving and emulsifying stains and foreign particles embedded in the fabric. The lack of soap or oil based additives also allows for a siphoning effect, or the absorption of the now soil laden cleaner up into the porous fabric of a bonnet. Add 100 lbs. of pressure and friction from the slow rotation of a low speed buffer and you have the most effective, safest, low moisture system available today.

Drying time is another great benefit of the no-soap carbonated system. Most bonnet cleaning applications require less than two hours before traffic may resume over cleaned areas. Vacuuming may be desired but is not necessary.

Bonnet cleaning is a preferred method of cleaning and is recommended for use in many commercial settings as well as berber type carpets.
 

HOT WATER EXTRACTION is the carpet cleaning method recommended by most carpet fiber manufacturers and carpet mills. Recommendations include periodic thorough cleaning of carpets performed by well-trained and experienced carpet cleaning personnel. Hot water extraction is the method of deep rinse cleaning the entire carpet. Hot water extraction has also been called "steam cleaning" but actual live steam (gas created at waters boiling point) is not employed in the cleaning process. Hot water extraction is a deep cleaning process that removes embedded soils that have been carried or blown into the carpet.

A hot water extraction machine, whether portable or truck mounted, has a pump which dispenses water, under pressure, through spray nozzles into the carpet and a high powered vacuum system that sucks the dirty water into a holding tank within the extraction machine. Brophy Services uses the number one recommended procedure for the hot water extraction method available. This system includes a three step process:

1. Pre-spray carpeted area with a detergent that is not too strong (or too alkaline). They may damage the carpet. A ph of 11 is preferred for most carpets. Traffic lane pre-spotter for heavily soiled areas is recommended. Wait the recommended time before beginning the cleaning process.

2. Agitate with a power scrubber which utilizes a rotary brush to loosen soils. This will not only loosen soils but help cleaning agents penetrate into carpet fibers to deep clean the entire carpet fiber.

3. A complete rinse with softened hot water is used. The clean, softened, hot water is sprayed into the carpet fibers through spray nozzles. The spray rinses all added chemicals, cleaners, and dirt into an attached high powered vacuum shoe that sucks the dirty solution back into a holding tank on the extraction unit. The removed soil is held in the tank until it may be disposed of later in a sanitary drain, toilet, or proper waste facility. Solutions should not be dumped onto the ground outside, in storm sewers, or in the streets.
 

When carpet is extracted using the hot water extraction method, Brophy Services also follows these important procedures:

A. Vacuum the area to be extracted thoroughly, before using the extraction equipment. A cleaning solution will only carry a certain amount of soil so this procedure (often overlooked by our competition) is extremely important to get the most out of your extraction process.

B. Apply a traffic lane pre-spotter on heavily soiled areas prior to extraction and repeat pre-spray and rinse after first pass if needed. Wait the recommended time before beginning the cleaning process to let the chemical do the work.

C. Avoid over wetting the carpet. Two vacuum passes for every wet pass is desirable. More is not always better. Proper procedure goes farther than more water and more chemical.  A trained technician knows the limits of his equipment and cleaning agents and only certified trained technicians are employed by Brophy Servies. Factory trained by Bane Clene Truck Mounted Manufactures, and Certified by the Professional Cleaners Association in Indianapolis, Indiana. Each one of our technicians has at least 10 years of carpet cleaning experience.

D. Dry the carpets as quickly as possible. Speed drying is aided by using carpet drying fans to move air across the carpeting.

E. With fine wool carpets and upholstery care must be taken not to over wet the carpet and upholstery fiber to cause browning and shrinkage. A de-browning rinse procedure may be used to prevent such occurrences on light colored fibers.
 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU HAVE YOUR CARPETS CLEANED?

Did you know that your carpet manufacturer would not honor your warranty, if you don't have your carpets cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months. They go on to say that main traffic areas should be cleaned more often! It makes sense that homes with children need carpets cleaned even more often. Pet owners certainly need cleaning most often. If you suffer form allergies cleaning carpets every 6 months rinses out and removes allergy causing dust mites, cigarette smoke, pet dander and more! We generally recommend cleaning around your furniture every 6 months as a rule.

Now you know what the manufacturer recommends. (Click here for complete details).