The dry foam machine is equipped with a pressure tank in which a mixture of water and shampoo is placed. A compressor on the machine converts the solution into foam which is then dispensed onto the carpet with a revolving cylindrical brush.  The brush works bubble of uniformed size foam into the pile of the carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet is cleaned.  Once the foam has dried, the carpet needs to be thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals of dirt that have been left behind.

Steps of the dry foam procedure:

1. Vacuum the carpet and spot clean to remove spots and stains.
2. Mix the dry foam solution following the directions of the manufacturer. Using too little or too much chemical can result in poor results so stick with the measurements stated in the directions.
3. Shampoo the carpet.
4. If the carpet is a cut pile or shag, groom the pile to speed the drying process and leave the pile running in the same direction.
5. Place aluminum foil or furniture blocks under the furniture legs to prevent wood stains or rust.
6. Once the carpet has dried thoroughly vacuum it.

Advantages

• The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of covering a lot of area in a very short amount of time.
• There is little danger of saturating the carpet simply because the moisture content is low.  This will also help you to minimize the problems that are commonly associated with over wetting.
• Dry foam is a good choice if you have older, more soiled carpet that you want to get as clean as possible.
• You can rent a machine at many hardware or equipment rental stores.
• They don’t cost that much to rent, which is great for those who just want to give it a shot and see what happens.
• Dry foam carpet cleaning isn’t that hard to do, as you’ll be fine even if you have no experience with these types of machines.

Disadvantages

• The dry foam method is capable of removing average levels of soil.
• There is the possibility of excessive residue and soil build up if the machine you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.

Dry foam can make a carpet look really good as long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions on mixing the solution and take your time with each step of use.

Spot removal products are available at the local hardware store, supermarket, big box store, department store or carpet store, the only problem is deciding which product you need for every type of conceivable spot that you may experience in the future. When looking for a product always read the labels thoroughly. Even with a thorough reading you may still find the information on the packaging vague and the stores salesperson only knows what they have heard others, information that is often wrong.

To help you prepare for those carpet spill accidents here are a few tips on both spot cleaning procedures and also the products you should keep on hand.

1. Stains and spots are a carpet’s worst enemy, which is why you should always get them out as soon as you can – to prevent things from getting any worse. A wet area be-it water, beverage, etc needs to be blotted up immediately.  If left for an extended period of time, wet areas and the residues from almost any type of spill will pick up soil making it more difficult to clean.
2. Most spots can be removed with a water-dampened towel.
3. To help you clean the spots, the tips below may come in handy:

1.  You should only use white rags or towels when you clean carpet and upholstery to reduce the risk of ruining colors or color transfer.

2.  You should always test your product of choice first on a hidden area to save yourself heartache and embarrassment in case things don’t turn out the way you hope.

3.  For information on removing a new spot or a spot that will not come out, the Carpet and Rug Institutes offers a toll-free information line for assistance.  The CRI can be reached at 1-800-882-8846.

4.  If you need the help of a professional, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact one.

If you have a red dye stain on your carpet such as those left by many beverages, you will probably want to call a professional carpet cleaning company.  When you call let them know what the spot is so that they can send out a cleaning professional that is prepared to clean this type of stain.

1. Recurring Spots: In most situations recurring spots are a maintenance problem and not a carpet problem.  Often it is the spot cleaning that is causing the problem.  A spot removal product is used on the carpet and the spot returns.  The spot is again cleaned and returns.  The most common cause of this is the spot cleaning residues are not being removed and they are attracting soil.  Many detergent residues leave behind sticky residues that attract soil.

Test your spot removal and other cleaning products to make sure that they are not leaving behind sticky residues.  This evaluation is accomplished my mixing the solution to the recommended dilution ratio.  Place an ounce or two of this solution in a petris dish, bowl, dish or another flat, clean, container.  Allow the solution to evaporate and examine the residue to determine if it is sticky, waxy or has turned to a hard crystal like or powder consistency.  You will want to stay away from products that dry to a waxy, sticky or oily residue.

Another common cause of recurring spots is the over use of a product.  All too often a person will believe that if a drop does a good job several drops will do a better job.  Detergents do not work that way.  They are formulated to work efficiently at specified concentrates.  While the correctly mixed product would have done a great job the higher concentrate will leave residues to attract soil.

ADD SPOT REMOVAL CHART

Tip

An easy way to test fiber for the presence of a fluorochemical is to cut a couple of fibers from a non traffic area and apply a few drops of oil and water mixture.  If it beads up, then there is an active fluorochemical present.

Whenever testing for the presence of the acid dye blocker, you should again cut a couple of fibers from a non traffic area, then immerse the fibers in a red kool-aid mixture and wait for 5 minutes or so.  Remove the fiber from the liquid and flush with neutral detergent solution.  If the acid blockers are present and active, there will be no discoloration.

Optical Brighteners

While optical brighteners can make a carpet appear cleaner, they have a harmful effect on carpet fibers. Technical people in the carpet industry have unanimously taken a stand against the use of brightening agents in the cleaning process. But, even with all of the adverse publicity, optical brighteners or color brighteners, as they are often called, are still used in some spot cleaning products, shampoo, dry-foam and extraction detergents.

Optical brighteners are actually dyes, which reflect the light and eventually cause yellowing in carpet fibers. For this reason alone, every legitimate carpet cleaning company should outlaw their use.

Tip 1 Vacuuming

The dry soil types are easily removed by vacuuming.  As long as they are removed on a daily basis, it will help to minimize the damage to the carpet. Regular thorough, deep vacuuming is surely the most important step when it comes to carpet care.  While non-traffic areas can be vacuumed quickly major traffic areas should be vacuumed in more than one direction as you run the vacuum slowly giving it time to pick up the deeper soil. Not all vacuum cleaners are equal and a good quality vacuum will do a better job of cleaning. A good quality vacuum is not necessarily the most expensive. Visit some of the websites at the Carpet and Rug Business Directory to learn more about vacuums that they have tested.

Tip 2 Walk Off Mats

Keep those dry and gritty outdoor soils from being tracked on to your wall to wall carpet. One of the best and easiest ways to do this is to use walk off mats and area rugs at entrances. Always use entrance mats outside of your doors and make sure that anyone who enters your home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off of their shoes before they enter. Where possible also use an area rug or walk off mat inside your door to help trap soil missed by the outside mats. All mats and rugs need to be vacuumed and cleaned regularly so that they are trapping dirt and not placing dirt on to your shoes.

Tip 3 Shoes

Many people prefer that their family and guest go shoeless on their carpet. This can be helpful, especially if you have slippers that are only worn indoors that you slip into upon entering.  The oils from oily bare feet will transfer from ones feet to the carpet.

Tip 4 Pets

If you have pets you need to understand that oil does transfer from pet hair to carpet. Placing an area rug in areas where your pets like to lay will provide excellent protection for your carpet.

Tip 5 Spots and Spills

Keep your eye out for spills and take care of them in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean.  Most spots and spills can be easily cleaned by blotting with no more than clean tap water and a towel. If water does not work you will need to use a cleaning product for the specific type of spot you are experiencing problems with.  See Spot Cleaning Chart.

Tip 6 Deep Cleaning

Have your carpet professionally deep cleaned before it becomes too soiled.  A good thorough cleaning for your higher traffic areas should be performed at least every 12 to 18 months. See More on Cleaning Methods

A well maintained home and clean carpet will not only add value to your home it will also extend the life of your carpet, protect your carpet warranty, reduce household and pet odors, assist you in keeping your family healthy and your friends and other visitors will be impressed at how nice your home looks.

Optical Brighteners

While optical brighteners can make a carpet appear cleaner, they have a harmful effect on carpet fibers. Technical people in the carpet industry have unanimously taken a stand against the use of brightening agents in the cleaning process. But, even with all of the adverse publicity, optical brighteners or color brighteners, as they are often called, are still used in some spot cleaning products, shampoo, dry-foam and extraction detergents.

Optical brighteners are actually dyes, which reflect the light and eventually cause yellowing in carpet fibers. For this reason alone, every legitimate carpet cleaning company should outlaw their use.