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Common Carpet Problems and Remedies

The various methods contained in this web site for cleaning carpeting have been based on many years of experience. A small test patch in an inconspicuous area must always be done prior to any of these methods to determine colorfastness. It should be noted that frequent vacuuming will prolong the life of carpeting. 

Problem

Cause

Remedy
Rapid Resoiling Excess residue due to use of wrong cleaner or too high concentration of cleaner Extract with plain water until residue is removed; then follow with application of Carpet Guard. 
Static Electricity  Low temperature Low humidity conditions Apply Shock Block according to label directions.
Brown Tips High pH carpet cleaners used Use Brown Out according to label directions. 
 Shrinkage Due to overwetting carpet Remove as much moisture as possible after shampooing with an extractor vacuum. Avoid excess wetting of carpet.
 Furniture Stains Placing furniture over damp carpeting  Placing pads beneath furniture legs.
Excess Foaming in recovery compartment causing float valve to close prematurely. Shampoo residue remaining from previous shampooing. Add 1-2 ounces of Defoam-It to recovery compartment.

Caring for Fifth Generation Stain Resistant Carpets  

To prevent voiding manufacturer's warranty, proper chemicals and methods must be used.  

 Methods: Extraction is the recommended method. Some types of residential carpet fibers may be distorted by rotary method.  

Chemicals: Product pH must be below 10. No cationics such as quat compounds, biocides, bacteriocides, fabric softeners, fungicides should be used. Acceptable products are non-ionic or properly formulated anionics.  

Bonnet or Spin Pad  

This method is a quick way to clean carpet surfaces between rotary shampooing or extraction. It affords a quick way to keep carpet looking clean and also dries fast so as not to keep area closed to traffic for long periods of time.

Material and Equipment Needed

 Procedure

Rotary Machine (175 RPM) equipped with drive block carpet, bonnets or pads

Vacuum and remove stains (if any). Pre-spray entire carpet 10-15 minutes before using machine with Bon-Brite. (NOTE: Keep area wet).
Sprayer Run machine with bonnet or spin pad in a side to side circular motion overlapping as you go. Rotate, change or rinse pad as it becomes soiled. Continue until entire Carpet surface has been cleaned.
2 buckets with wringer (1 for solution, 1 for pad rinsing) To speed drying, run machine over cleaned carpet with a dry bonnet. Fans are recommended to speed drying.
Bon-Brite low residue, fast drying Bonnet Cleaner If carpet is the type that needs pile lifting, use a carpet rake to lift pile to speed drying.
Pads for placing under furniture legs to prevent rust stains Place pads under furniture legs to prevent rust stains.
Carpet Rake

Extraction Cleaning  

A very thorough way of deep cleaning carpeting by forcing extraction solution deep into carpet while a vacuum sucks up soil and most of the extraction solution.

Material and Equipment Needed

Procedure
Enzyme Pre-Spray Pre-spray entire carpet with Enzyme Pre-Spray 10-15 minutes before extraction. Agitate to ensure complete contact.
Float Away Extraction Cleaner Prepare dilution of Float Away Extraction Cleaner in solution compartments of extraction machine.
Defoam-It Add 1-2 ounces of Defoam-It in recovery compartment.
Extraction Machine Extract carpet with Float Away Extraction Cleaner.
Spots Off Universal Carpet Spotter Extract carpet with clean water to remove detergent residue.
Pads for placing under furniture legs Place pads under furniture legs to prevent rust stains.
Carpet rake

Rotary (High Foam) Machine Shampooing  

This method employs detergent action and high foam to lift and hold soil in suspension until it is vacuumed up. Sometimes used as a first step followed by extraction for heavily soiled carpets.

 

Material and Equipment Needed

  

Procedure
Enzyme Pre-Spray Vacuum and remove stains (if any) from carpet.
Rotary rug shampoo machine (175 RPM) with solution tank Make proper dilution of Rug-Ed, Frothee or Resist (Soil Retardant Rug Shampoo) in solution tank.
Rug-Ed High Foaming Rotary Shampoo or Frothee or Resist (Soil Retardant Rug Shampoo) Pre-spray entire carpet with Enzyme Pre-Spray 10-15 minutes before shampooing.
Pads for placing under furniture legs Add 1-2 ounces of Defoam-It into pick-up tank of wet vacuum.
Defoam-It Dispense shampoo solution through shower feed brush and run machine in circular motion, overlapping as you go until entire carpet has been shampooed. Go over carpet in same manner without dispensing shampoo solution.
Wet vacuum Using a wet vacuum, pick up suspended soil and foam.
Shower feed shampoo brush (Optional) Extract with clean water to remove residue (NOTE: add 1-2 ounces of Defoam-It to recovery tank).
Carpet rake  
  • When carpet is dry, vacuum.
  • Place pads under furniture legs to prevent rust stains.
  • Groom pile with carpet rake.