The objective of any good carpet cleaning method is to remove as much soil or foreign material as possible from the carpet fibers without causing any damage or harm to the carpet, humans, pets or the environment.

Deep steam or hot water cleaning with a truck mounted extraction system is a great method to accomplish this task. Below are four essential elements of this procedure that should always be considered

.1. Chemical type and concentration 

The wet cleaning process involves a reaction between chemicals. The more heavily soiled the carpet is, the more concentrated the chemical reagent will have to be in order to complete this reaction in a reasonable amount of time. That is one reason why even deionized water with zero conductivity will never be sufficient to remove really tough stains.Many kinds of chemical reagents have been developed that have specific applications for particular cleaning situations. A good carpet cleaner will know how to choose a suitable detergent for prevailing conditions.

2. Temperature 

This is probably the most important aspect of the cleaning procedure. Elevated temperatures usually accelerate chemical reactions. Carpets will require less chemicals and a shorter time to clean up when the cleaning solution is hot enough.

Some people fear that hot water will cause damage to the carpet. This is possible when the carpet cleaner is uneducated and uninformed, but even the most powerful truck-mounted heater equipment can be regulated to deliver a maximum of 150 degrees Fahrenheit at the carpet surface. That will be quite safe, even for wool textiles.Another advantage of using a hot solution is that the fabric will dry faster. Heat also helps to reduce the surface tension of the cleaning solution, thereby facilitating soil removal.

3. Time 

Chemical reactions require time for adequate completion. Of course the time required will vary according to the situation, but for most carpet cleaning conditions, a reaction time of 10 to 15 minutes will be sufficient.

One problem that may occur is a reversal of sequestration if the carpet dries before the emulsion is washed out. Again, a well-trained technician will be fully aware of this and will make the necessary adjustments.

4. Agitation 

The main purpose for agitation is to spread the chemical uniformly and completely over the carpet fibers. A secondary purpose is to dislodge any soil particles that may be adhering to the fabric. Agitation also helps to speed up the chemical reaction of the cleaning solution.Agitation may be accomplished by using various devices. On the carpet, this is usually done with a grooming rake, especially for high density, plush pile carpets. A bonnet machine with rotating brushes is also very effective. Agitation on fabrics during upholstery cleaning is usually done with a horsehair brush, a sponge or a terry cloth towel.