Cleaning Carpets This Is A Member-Only Page
Members' Homepage Knowing when and how to clean will extend the life of your carpets and help to keep your tenants happy.
Clean carpets regularly - even if they don't appear to be dirty
The Environmental Protection Agency advises deep cleaning carpets a minimum of every 6 to12 months. Their concern is the removal of potential allergens like pet dander, dust mites. pollen and mold.
Carpet manufacturers recommend deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months to prevent permanent damage to the pile.
Whether you clean hundreds of carpets a year or just doing it for the first time, there are some things you should know to get great looking and long-lasting carpets.
Which cleaning method should you use?
There are several methods of cleaning that work well, though some are better for some carpet types. Whichever method you choose, to be sure to pre-clean spots and high traffic areas with a spotting solution (available where you buy or rent the machine.) The different carpet cleaning methods then fall into three basic groups:
Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning): Very hot water and cleaning solution is sprayed into the carpet and then immediately vacuumed up along with the dirt.
Cold Water Extraction: The same as the above method, except the water is cold or lukewarm.
Dry Extraction: Absorbent powder or foam is applied to the carpet. worked into the pile and then vacuumed up.
Whenever possible. you should consult your warranty or ask your carpet dealer which method is best for you. For everything except wool carpets (which are rare), hot water extraction is usually the best. If you are in doubt, the safest thing is to hire a professional.
You have three options when it comes to carpet cleaning; you can buy a machine, rent a machine, or hire it done
Buying a machine: You can buy a carpet cleaning machine for as little as $200 or as much as several thousand dollars. Frequency of use, and how dirty your carpets get, are both factors to consider how much to spend.
If you have just occasional light touch up, a smaller, inexpensive model will work. But, if you are planning to clean three to four heavily soiled carpets a day. your best bet is a heavy-duty professional model.
Apartment community managers save thousands of dollars by purchasing professional quality carpet-cleaning equipment. That allows cleaning when its convent, without having to wait for a vendor. It also promotes regular cleaning of existing tenant's carpets as part of a resident retention program.
Renting a machine: For around $25 a day, you can rent a machine from your local hardware store or grocery store. Hot water and powder extraction is the most common type of machine to rent. (You can also buy these types of machines. But the prices start at approximately $600.) Rental machines can give you professional results, and you clean according to your own schedule. Renting is economical, too.
The disadvantage of rental machines is that some older models are bulky, dirty and heavy. They have cumbersome hoses and are difficult to empty in the bathtub. Newer machines are compact, easy to use. and much easier to empty. If your carpet has stains you can't get out, don't bother renting a machine. Call a professional to work on the stains and have them clean the carpet at the same time.
Hire a professional: Many property managers are convinced that the best way to clean carpets is by hiring a professional.
Typical costs for carpet cleaning and spot removal run from 15 to 25 cents per square foot. Obviously, you pay more money for the convenience of having a professional do it, and you often must fit your resident's schedule to theirs.
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