Carpet Cleaning Products Explained

Finding the right carpet cleaning products can be somewhat difficult. Many fail to realize that there are multiple different carpet cleaning products on the market, each designed differently. Each type of carpet cleaning product is best for specific kinds of stains and carpet issues. Knowing the different products can help you to understand why it may be best to have multiple types at your disposal.

Shampoo

Shampooing is easily the most well known form of carpet cleaning. Use carpet shampoo and water to clean the stains from the carpet. The main thing to understand about shampoo is the foam; the better the foam, the better the clean. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is the chemical that creates the actual foaming affect; the more that a product has of sodium lauryl sulfate, the better cleaning job you can expect.

Spot Cleaning

Spot cleaning is a slightly different beast in the world of carpet cleaning products; spot cleaning is generally for pre-treatment of stains. In some cases, it can remove the stain (depending on the size and type). Generally, spot cleaning is in liquid form, and is a spray that helps to loosen up the stain. This makes it easier for a shampoo, or for simple cleaning and a vacuum, to take care of the stain itself.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning is another version of the professional cleaning that comes from carpet cleaners, and may actually work in conjunction with the shampoo. Steam cleaning uses hot steam to loosen up the stain from the fabric, sucking up the particles that are left behind. This is a great way to work on stains that have dried into the carpet, as it manages to bring up more than a usual spot or liquid treatment would.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning comes in the form of a powder, and is incredibly useful when working with a stain that is still wet. The dry agent manages to attract some of the stain, moving the liquid from the fiber of the carpet. This only works on stains that are still fresh, as dried stains are generally unaffected by dry methods.

Green Cleaning Products

A newer form of cleaning product comes in the form of “Green”, or natural cleaning products. These products use things such as hydrogen peroxide in an effort to lift and clean the stain without harsh chemicals that could harm the environment.

Occasionally, hiring a professional is going to be the best way for you to actually clean your carpet. Many of these methods are easy for at home use. Simply follow the instructions on the packaging of the product to fully understand how to use them properly. By knowing the different kinds of carpet cleaning products, and knowing how to use them, you can be sure to keep your carpet in the best condition possible.