Carpet Cleaners Auckland
Getting The Professionals In – Carpet Cleaners Auckland
Here on Carpet Cleaners Auckland we talk about many different professional carpet cleaning companies in your local area, and all of them use different cleaning methods, systems and chemicals. It can be hard to know which type of carpet cleaning is right for your carpet and your budget so here we’ll lay out the most common types along with the pro’s and con’s of each system. That way, when you’re having a look at a Carpet Cleaning Auckland company you’ll be able to understand the method that they use.
Steam Cleaning
Also known as “Water Extraction”, a hot water cleaning solution is sprayed onto the carpet by using a high-pressure jet spray. A wet vacuum will then be used to suck up the solution, water and dirt. This is the most common method used in professional cleaning services. This procedure involves a number of stages including a thorough pre-vacuum so dry soils can be removed from the carpet before they are wet and turn to mud, treating spots and stains, pre-spraying with a cleaning solution, stirring of the solution into the carpet pile, hot water extraction and application of deodorizer.
Wet-cleaning systems require drying time, which puts some people off using a steam cleaning process. It may depend on the climate in your area, if it’s particularly humid in your area (or raining a lot) this may not suit you. But if you do use a steam cleaner the drying time can be sped up using fans, air-conditioning or opening up windows and doors.
The following video shows a steam cleaner in progress. It’s amazing to see just what a difference it makes immediately.
The following video mainly highlights the benefits of steam cleaning over dry cleaning. He raises some excellent points for why he believes steam cleaning is the best method for getting really clean carpets.
Dry Method
Some people swear by this method because there is no drying time or whatsoever. It actually involves a three-part procedure:
- Application of a solvent-based cleaning product to the carpet.
- Extraction – The solvent (and dirt) is then removed with a large floor buffer with a white cotton bonnet or extracted using water (solvent extraction). One advantage of dry cleaning with the buffer is that carpet usually dries in 1-3 hours. However, the solvent extraction may be recommended instead of the bonnet method for carpets that are more heavily soiled.
- Vacuuming – As you vacuum, all the powder and accumulated dirt will be removed.
In the following video you can see how the whole process works. It’s quite amazing how clean this carpet gets and that it’s dry so quickly.
Encapsulation
A cleaning solution is applied to the carpet by rotary machine, brush applicator or compression sprayer. Polymers within the solution begin encapsulating (crystallizing) soil particles into dry residues on contact. Working like “tiny sponges”, the deep-cleaning compound crystals dissolve and absorb dirt.
The carpet can actually look clean after the solution is applied, but it’s actually not. The dirt has been encapsulated by the polymers and are sitting there waiting to be vacuumed up.
One of the benefits of this type of process is that the carpet can actually keep being cleaned. Each time the carpet is vacuumed, it gets cleaner because more soils inside the crystal polymers are vacuumed away.
The residue left behind continues to provide cleaning benefit. Not only does the carpet stay clean longer, but spots and spills are also “encapsulated” as they attempt to wick back to the surface.
Bonnet Cleaning
The bonnet (spin pad) should be placed at the base of your buffer and then you have to dip it into a shampoo solution. Go over the carpet just as if you are buffing your floor. Continue doing this until you remove the dirt from the carpet. Finish off by vacuuming the carpet once it is dry.
Shampooing
This method is really simple- a cleaning solution is shampooed onto the carpet with a circular brush. The rotating action of the brush creates foam which traps the soil and is then removed as the foam is vacuumed away.
Foam Cleaning
The machine used in this method generates the foam. You use a brush to agitate the foam on the carpet and an extraction vacuum will then be used to pick up the foam and the trapped soil and dirt.
The professional carpet cleaning system you use will of course depend on the type of carpet you have, where you live (the climate in your area, whether you’re in a tiny apartment up 12 flights of stairs or a huge mansion with a carpet area the size of a football field), whether it is a commercial premises and your budget. Here on Carpet Cleaners Auckland we’ll be adding professional carpet cleaning companies in your local area, so just search for your area in the search box and see if your area has been featured yet.
Carpet Cleaners Auckland – Getting a Good Price on Carpet Cleaning Auckland
Carpet Cleaners Auckland offer some advice on carpet cleaning prices…
Carpet Cleaners Auckland know that carpet cleaning prices can vary wildly from city to city and company to company. Not only does it depend on what company you use, but also what cleaning method they use, the level of stain removal that is required and extra services that are recommended but may not be strictly necessary.
So if you’re looking for a specific figure to tell you how much you should pay to have your carpet cleaned, I’m sorry to tell you that it’s not going to be as simple as that. But hopefully this outline of the different things that you need to be aware of and that factors that will influence the price your are quoted/charged, will help you get the best price.
Factors That Affect Carpet Cleaning Prices
In this short article I’m going to talk about several factors that affect carpet cleaning prices:
- Scams – let’s get this one out of the way first
- The different types of cleaning methods
- A basic clean
- Extra Services that may be required
- What you can do to make sure you get a fair price
Scams
You need to be very wary of the coupons that you see advertising $75 for your house. These prices seem very, VERY cheap and generally they are. There are a few companies that offer these coupons as a bit of a marketing blitz and they will honour them. But because they don’t make any profit on these offers (actually they may be losing money on the offers) they will usually only offer them for a strictly limited time.
However… there seem to be a lot more companies that will use the coupons as an opportunity to get in to your house and try and upsell you on more services. Many state that the coupon is only for a steam clean but here’s an outline of what a professional carpet clean should include:
- A good vacuum to begin with
- Spraying on a cleaning solution (to separate the dirt from the soil fibers)
- Extracting the dirt (with hot water extraction or ‘steam cleaning’) and
- Drying
So keep this in mind when you get a coupon, it very possible that the coupon (if it’s only for the steam clean) is not really what you need, especially if you have to pay more to get the services that actually clean your carpet.
Different types of cleaning methods
Over here I’ve written about the different types of carpet cleaning Auckland that you could choose from. The type of cleaning method you prefer can make a big difference to the price.
A Basic Clean
As state above, below is a guideline of what a professional carpet cleaning service should include:
- A good vacuum to begin with
- Spraying on a cleaning solution (to separate the dirt from the soil fibres)
- Extracting the dirt (with hot water extraction or ‘steam cleaning’) and
- Drying
Extra Services
However, if there are areas of your carpet with spots, stains or are well worn traffic areas the technician will be able to advise you on what he recommends and how much extra this will cost you. Spot treatment of these areas will require more time and product to clean.
Pet odours can sometimes be tough to get rid of and may require more time and attention to get clean. (For steps on what to do as soon as possible, see my page on Pet Odour Removal)
What You Can Do To Make Sure You Get A Fair Price
My first recommendation is to make sure that the carpet cleaner is a member of the CCANZ (Carpet Cleaners Association of NZ Inc). To become a member of the CCANZ, businesses must demonstrate proof of Public Liability Insurance policy, a Health & Safety policy and adhere to the CCANZ Code of Ethics.
So carpet cleaning prices do vary a lot but the best thing you can do is to make sure you get a quote from the technician after he has seen your carpet. That way you shouldn’t get any nasty surprises when you get the bill.
Pet Odor Removal From Carpets
I hate it when I come in a house and pet odor greets my fussy nose. You may not smell it because you are already used to it but your guests can, trust me! If you don’t want your furry friend to spend lonely nights outside your house then you better learn how to remove pet odor. Since dogs and cats spend a lot of time laying and rolling on the floor, their body odors pervade into the fibers and that’s where the whole problem starts. Not to mention the smell of pet accidents!
Speaking of pet accidents, obviously the very first thing that you have to do is to deal with it immediately. If your dog has urinated on your carpet, pat the area dry as soon as you can. The faster the urine is removed, the less damage it will create for your carpet. Pile on paper towels and then stand on them for about a minute or so, make sure to get as much off the carpet as possible.
If you have a carpet cleaner or stain removal liquid go ahead and use that to remove discoloration. Cleaning supplies that are intended for pet odor removal are recommended for this job since they will have less of a chemical smell like ammonia. Ammonia plus urine doesn’t smell good I’m telling you! Also, the smell of ammonia will keep attracting your pet to keep using the same spot.
What about solid waste? Just picking up the solid waste and swiping at the stain isn’t enough. Give the soiled area a good cleaning. Vinegar works great for this task, it also acts as a deodorizer because of its odor eliminating and anti-bacterial properties. You can also use a mild dish soap to remove the stain and freshen up the area. Once you are done removing the stain completely, rinse it by blotting with a damp white rag or paper towel.
For thorough cleaning, you can use a wet vacuum or Bissel. These special vacuums work like traditional ones except they use clean water to get rid of the stains and then the dirty water is sucked back up into a reserve bucket.
Lastly, use a neutralizing or pet odor eliminating spray to keep things fresh in between vacuuming or cleaning. You can also try sprinkling pet odor carpet powder before vacuuming to remove unwanted odors. I’ve tried it and the carpet is really odor-free within minutes!
Best Method To Use To Clean Carpets
We all want fresh-smelling and clean carpet all the time, I mean who doesn’t? I can never imagine myself living in a house with soiled carpets! You may ask- what is the best method to clean carpets? I cannot tell you a specific method that works for every carpet because it would have to depend on the following things:
- What your carpet is made of (this, I think is the most important factor to consider)
- Whether or not your carpet has been treated for stain resistance
- Amount of traffic on the carpet
- Where the carpet is
- Drying time
- Whether or not somebody in the home has allergies to certain cleaning products
Here are the most popular methods in carpet cleaning:
Steam Cleaning
Also known as “Water Extraction”, a hot water cleaning solution is sprayed onto the carpet by using a high-pressure jet spray. A wet vacuum will then be used to suck up the solution, water and dirt. This is the most common method used in professional cleaning services. This procedure involves a number of stages including a thorough pre-vacuum so dry soils can be removed from the carpet before they are wet and turn to mud, treating spots and stains, pre-spraying with a cleaning solution, stirring of the solution into the carpet pile, hot water extraction and application of deodorizer.
Dry Method
Some people swear by this method because there is no drying time or whatsoever. It actually involves a three-part procedure: solvent sprinkling on the carpet, going over the carpet using a special buffer with two rotating heads and vacuuming. As you vacuum, all the powder and accumulated dirt will be removed.
Shampooing
This method is really simple- a cleaning solution is shampooed onto the carpet with a circular brush. The rotating action of the brush creates foam which traps the soil and is then removed as the foam is vacuumed away.
Bonnet Cleaning
The bonnet (spin pad) should be placed at the base of your buffer and then you have to dip it into a shampoo solution. Go over the carpet just as if you are buffing your floor. Continue doing this until you remove the dirt from the carpet. Finish off by vacuuming the carpet once it is dry.
Foam Cleaning
The machine used in this method generates the foam. You use a brush to agitate the foam on the carpet and an extraction vacuum will then be used to pick up the foam and the trapped soil and dirt.
Tips On Carpet Cleaning
Carpet cleaning is such a pain for some people but if you ask me, it’s one thing that I love to do. With the right techniques and of course the right products, you will never complain about this task EVER again. The key to proper carpet cleaning and maintenance is PREVENTION. As long as you take good care of your carpet, you will be able to save a lot of money from having to purchase expensive cleaning products and new carpet.
If there’s a stain in your carpet don’t rub it harshly and carelessly because this can cause it to smear and may become permanent. This will also weaken the fiber of your carpet causing it to wear out quicker. Who wants to replace carpets every year?
When you are trying to remove the stain, make sure you do it correctly. Stains that are not treated well tend to reappear at the surface of your carpet. You think you already cleaned the mess but soon enough you will see that it is making its way to the surface of your carpet or rug again. You can prevent this by covering the stain with a thick cloth and weigh down with something heavy for a couple of hours or better yet overnight. This will allow the cloth to absorb the stain.
It’s always better to clean the stain when it’s fresh. You can use Isopropyl rubbing alcohol to get rid of the stain quickly. Apply it by pouring some onto a clean towel or other cloth. You can also use paper towels for this task. Make sure you use white. Just blot it until as much stain is removed. Don’t spread the stain by blotting in different directions.
With or without soil or stains on your carpet, it is very important to vacuum frequently and thoroughly. Keep in mind that carpets wear out mostly because of dirt. Oily soils attract more oily soil so frequent vacuuming is a must if you want to keep your carpet at its tiptop condition.
What about periodic deep cleaning? Steam cleaning is one effective way in deep cleaning your carpet. You can do this as often as needed especially if you have pets inside the house. You can either hire a professional to do it for you or you can just buy your own deep cleaning machine. Deep cleaning should be done AT LEAST every six months to a year.
