As with any industry, there are many companies out there. As with the carpet cleaning industry, there is the proper steps and then there is the quick less efficient way. This quick article is to inform you, as a consumer, that all companies are not the same nor do they share the same standards.
Carpet cleaning has a governing entity to list standards that every carpet cleaning company should comply with. IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification), is a SDO (Standards & Developing Organization). This non-profit organization has set forth standards to professionally equip any company in this service industry. They are affiliated in twenty-five countries to promote high standards and ethics for cleaning, restoration and installations.
The steps to cleaning carpet by IICRC standards are:
-Vacuum the carpet with a professional vacuum to remove most of the loose soil possible.
-Prespray carpet with a professional grade prespray detergent.
-Agitate the carpet with a carpet rake to assist prespray start to break down soils or stains.
-Extract with the proper heat and extraction detergent for best result.
CHAT is an acronym that professional carpet cleaners live by. Chemical, Heat, Agitation, Time. These four things combined properly together will clean the carpets to the fullest extent. Chemical: your detergent to break down soils and stains. It attaches itself to dirt then water flushes it from the fibers. Heat: to speed detergents reactions. Agitation: for the proper distribution of the detergent. Time: mostly called dwell time, for the detergent to break down soils, for different types of soils/stains dwell time is necessary for proteins, etc.
When looking for any kind of service in this industry, ask them if they have been to an IICRC class for the service you are requesting. Ask what their steps are for their cleaning process. Any technician should be willing to educate and assist you on understanding the process and options for problem areas. Carpets, upholstery, stone, mattresses or various types of material, all have different combinations of detergent and heat. Wool has to be a cool temperature due to its’ natural fiber and a special detergent. Nylon is a synthetic material that requires a different detergent and the technician should be able to explain that to you. HydraTech follows the steps of the IICRC. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.