How To Choose The Right Rug Cleaning Equipment

Homeowners can rent or purchase many types of rug cleaning equipment to maintain their carpets. Most rug cleaners fall into one of two basic types: dry or wet rug cleaning. The information below will help you decide which method is best for your home.

Dry Rug Cleaning
Dry rug cleaning traditionally works best on mild stains, although advances in rug cleaning have made it effective on some deeper stains. Dry rug cleaning is technically "very low moisture", and because of this, it is a good choice for most homeowners and most stains.To dry clean the carpet, the homeowner will first spread an absorbent, biodegradable compound over the rugs and scrub it into the rug. For small areas, this can be done with an ordinary hand brush. For larger areas, the homeowner can rent a professional rotary machine similar to a floor buffer. The compound can then be vacuumed up with a wet/dry vacuum. The carpets may still be slightly damp, but with proper ventilation, they will dry within one to two hours.

Wet Rug Cleaning Services
Because wet rug cleaning requires a longer drying time, it should be approached with caution. Before a wet cleaning, the homeowner can apply a preconditioner in the form of a powdered compound. The preconditioner is scrubbed into the carpet. A cleaning tool is then passed over the rug, which rinses out the preconditioner, restores the fibers to a neutral Ph, and cleans the rug with a detergent that will dry into powder. If done properly, the rug will take 3-4 hours to dry.