Carpet Cleaning Terms

• No matter how careful you are, the carpeting in your home will likely require deep cleaning from time to time. Some stains may be removed with products that you can purchase at your local grocery store, while others may require specialized equipment. Whether you decide to hire a professional cleaner or do the job yourself, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with basic carpet cleaning terminology, so you are aware of the necessary tools and possible issues that may arise.

Steam Cleaning

• Steam cleaning is a process used to clean carpeting utilizing high pressure to deeply clean the fibers. A steam cleaning machine drives a detergent solution through high pressure jets, so the cleaning agents are forced deep into the carpet's pile and dirt and stains are emulsified. The detergent solution is immediately sucked up by a wet carpet vacuum, which also removes any loose dirt or soil. Steam cleaners include both the high pressure jets and the vacuum head, so the carpet can be cleaned efficiently.

Bone Scraper

• When a stain is dried or encrusted on the surface of a carpet, a bone scraper is often used to remove the dirt and debris. A bone scraper is typically made from bone or plastic, and has a flat, blade-like shape that allows for easy scraping of a dried carpet stain. The blade loosens the encrusted material so it can be removed by sweeping the debris away or absorbing it with a damp cloth.

Clouding

• If a carpet becomes overly wet, the surface may take on a cloudy appearance which is known as clouding. Clouding usually occurs when detergent residue or moisture from a previous cleaning is not properly removed, so it moves up to the top of the carpet fiber and gives it a hazy look. You may recognize clouding in your carpet if it appears dirty after a professional cleaning.

Browning

• The top surface of a carpet may sometimes demonstrate a brownish or yellowish discoloration after a cleaning, which is known as browning. The carpet may turn colors other than brown or yellow depending on the original shade of the fibers. This usually results from contaminants in the cellulose fibers of the carpet moving toward the top when the carpet becomes overly wet. Browning may also occur if a detergent solution that is too alkaline is used to steam clean a carpet or if a previous cleaning has left behind activated alkaline residue.

Sufactant

• The basic ingredients in most carpet cleaning agents are known as surfactants. Most serve as wetting agents, which work to lift a stain from the fibers and stop the dirt from being reabsorbed. They also assist the cleaning agents in spreading through and penetrating the fibers, as well as emulsifying stains.