The process of steam cleaning your carpet involves  hot water being fed to a spray extraction tool or
wand, coupled to a pump vacuum power unit.  The  cleaning solution is injected under pressure deep into the carpet through water jet nozzles. 

The water will then penetrate the fiber all the way down to the backing.  This action will loosen any embedded soil, remove oil and grease deposits, and get your carpet cleaner than it has ever been.

There are many types and makes of steam carpet  cleaners available on the market, ranging from small portables to the large and very powerful truck  mounted units.  The principle is the same no matter what model you pick.

The models that are truck mounted are designed so that only the hose and the wand are taken into the area being cleaned.  These units are very powerful, delivering hot water and generating a high vacuum recovery that can be powered by diesel fuel, gas, propane, or even by the motor of the truck.

Most carpet manufacturers, fiber producers, and professional cleaners endorse this process for  achieving soil removal efficiency.  With the present state of art equipment and technology, we are more than capable of high production and cleaning of  carpet.

The real disadvantage to steam carpet cleaning are the problems that are associated with over wetting and longer drying times.  These can be eliminated however, by a skilled operator who uses equipment that is well maintained and in good overall  operating condition.

Currently, there are two methods being used with
steam carpet cleaning.
    1.  This method involves a traffic lane cleaner being sprayed onto the traffic lanes and then agitated into the fibers.  The entire area is then cleaned by using a hot water extractor that has a cleaning solution being injected into the fibers through the wand.
    2.  The second method involves a free  rinse emulsifying pre-spray being sprayed onto the entire carpet, then agitated into the fibers. 

Steam cleaning procedures
    1.  Prepare the equipment and supplies.  In a pump or power sprayer you should mix the free rinsing pre-spray.  In the solution tank of the extractor, mix the rinsing agent.
    2.  If you have a lot of furniture to move, make yourself a floor plan.
    3.  If the area being cleaned has furniture, you should remove as much as possible.
    4.  Thoroughly vacuum the carpet.  If the pile is crushed or matted, use a pile brush to loosen the soils which will make vacuuming more  effective.
    5.  Pre-spray a good amount of the pre-spray.
    6.  Using a grooming tool, agitate the pre spray deep into the fibers then let it sit for 10 -  15 minutes, making sure that it doesn't dry out.
    7.  Extract the area using a portable, truck mounted, or automatic carpet cleaner.
    8.  Repeat steps 5 through 7 until the entire area has been cleaned.
    9.  Groom the cleaned area, replace all furniture that was removed, then clean all equipment that you used.

Heading beyond beige
Long ago, when the choices of carpet were minimalto basic beige, the designers were known to treat it more often than not as a natural background for rooms.  These days, with numerous patterns, textures, and colors to choose from, the carpet is quickly emerging as the focal point in many interior
designs.

Even though you may think the need for neutral carpet has faded away, it hasn't, as Berber is still an outstanding choice|. Unlike the plain choices of the early 1990s, the variations of these days offer more pattern and texture.  Even the conventional kinds of Berber carpet offer more visual interest with more extreme differences in pile being cut thicker, with deeper loop textures.

Color being sprinkled against a neutral background will add interest and dimension while helping to mask spots and spills.  The flecks of color arenow appearing against tan, beige, and cream type
 backgrounds as well as in other neutrals as well.

Colors and textures
The major shift in new items is going in the direction of layered color and softer texture in carpet.  The mixture of pattern and texture will always be a popular choice simply because it reduces soil and vacuum marks.  The other benefit here is that the color and texture offer a more distinct styling and plenty of fashion appeal as well.

The new products are quickly changing the perception of carpet as not only being a background to showcase other furnishings to the possibility that the carpet can become a focus for design as well.

Construction
The new manufacturing abilities have created several new looks with carpets that are made with cut and loop yarns.  Some examples include bows, swirls, lattices, plaids, pin dots, and several others.

By taking advantage of these choices, you can add
a great deal of interest to the room and in sequence with the florals, stripes, and other patterns on windows and furniture.  The carpetpattern and structure will also improve the belief of quality and value in the carpet, and will add a much broader element to the surroundings as well.

These days, carpets may do more than just protect your sub floor.  They can create a new level of comfort and warmth to your home, with literally thousands of choices available.  Carpet is easier than ever to clean as well, making it more than worth worthy of being in your home.

With a number of various trends and new and exciting colors to select from, the carpets of today
can help to make your house come alive.  The carpets will add new meaning to your rooms, making you enjoy your home even much more.  If you have older carpet in your home now, you should not wait around another minute to upgrade. As soon as you take a look at all of the choices you have, you will want to get that new carpet in right now - as your floor with want to thank you as well!

Natural fibers used with carpet are produced either by insects, animals, or even plants.  The fibers
that are produced by insects or animals are known as protein fibers.  Those that are made by plants are known as vegetable fibers.  Vegetable and protein fibers share the common disadvantage that they areboth very absorbent and will have extended drying times when wet cleaned - which can lead to mildew, shrinkage, and even dry rot.

Wool
Wool fiber is produced from the fleece of lambs or sheep.  Wool of carpet is imported from countries
such as England, Australia, and New Zealand.  Wool is the oldest and considered to be the finest of all carpet material. 

The ability of wool to stretch up to 40% of its back and forth more than 180,000 times without  breaking makes it very resilient.  Wool is the most expensive material for carpet, although it is also the best you can buy.

Silk
The fiber of silk is produced by the larva of  various insects known as silk worms. The silk, in continuous lengths from 300 to 1600 yards is spun to produce the cocoons.  As a fiber, silk is naturally non flammable, strong, and not affected by static charge problems - even at low humidity.

Cellulose fiber
This type of fiber is produced by plants and normally not used as face yarns.  These types will however, show up as backing materials of tufted as as well as carpets that have been woven.

Cotton
Cotton is a vegetable seed fiber that is produced from the cotton plant.  The primary use for this fiber is yarns woven in carpet or rugs.  Cotton is resistant to alkaline solutions and becomes stronger when it is wet.

The biggest disadvantages to cotton is the fact that is the most absorbent of all fibers and requires extended drying times after being wet cleaned.  It is also easily damaged by acids, stains easily,  mats down, soils quickly, and is subject to mildew, dry rot, and shrinkage.

Jute
The fiber of jute is produced by the jute plant  which grows in South America, Pakistan, and even in
India.  The stalk of the jute plant is where the longer coarse fibers are obtained, located between the outer bark and within the inner pulp.

Jute is normally used as weft yarns, across the  width, in woven carpets and as a backing material
in the construction of tufted carpets.  Jute is an inexpensive material that also serves other uses
than just carpet.  Like all other fibers, this one has disadvantages as well. The fiber is weak when it becomes wet and is also subject to dry rot,  shrinkage, and mildew.

Sisal
The fiber of sisal is produced by the leaves of the agave plant.  Sisal is very strong and primarily used for making rugs, sacking, rope, and even carpet.  The fiber stains easily and is also very difficult to clean.  Wet cleaning can also cause shrinkage so its best to use low moisture methods.

Rayon
There is quite a bit of confusion about rayon and it is easy to understand why.  Rayon is a
synthetic fiber that is produced from natural  cellulosic fibers of wood pulp or cotton.  The  material is put through several chemical treatments which help to turn it into a synthetic fiber.

Primarily, rayon is used for area rugs because of its silk like appearance.  It can be damaged by acids, has low resistance to abrasion and is also prone to cellulose browning.

Tip 1
Make sure that you get a deep cleaning of the carpet
as often as it is needed.  To achieve a clean carpet,
you'll need to have it cleaned by a professional or
you'll need to use a deep cleaning machine.  There
are advantages and disadvantages to this method,
although a thorough cleaning is needed every six
months or so.

Tip 2
Keep your eye out for spills and take care of them
in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean.  Simply
using water on a spill will help most of them.  If
that doesn't work, simply expand your search.  You'll
find several products out there on the market that
can help you get rid of spills quick.

The products range in use and can be helpful when
matching them with the different types of spills. 
You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar to
help you keep stains out.  By taking immediate action
you can prevent spills from becoming stains that
leave you with a dirty and messy carpet.

Tip 3
A clean carpet is a carpet that has been taken care
of very well.  You should always take the time to
vacuum your carpet often and make sure you do a good
job.  This means going over the floor in several
directions to allow the vaccum time to pick up all
it can.  High quality vacuums are the best choice,
as they get up the most debris.

Tip 4
The proper use of entrance will greatly help to
clean off people's shoes and keep most of the
tracked soils off the surface of the carpet.  You
should always use entrance mats outside of your
doors and make sure that anyone who enters your
home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off
of their shoes before they enter.  You can also
take off your shoes and request that guests do the
same, prior to entering your home.

Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or
home are dry.  The remaining 20% are greases, oils,
and starches.  The dry soil types are easily
removed by vacuuming.  As long as they are removed
on a daily basis, it will help to minimize the
damage to the carpet.

Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than
just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the
life of the carpet.  If you have just laid the
carpet, you are already aware of the expenses
involved with doing so.

Even if you haven't had this done, you probably
know the benefits of keeping a clean carpet.  A
clean carpet will add value to the home if it is
maintained well.  It will also help to keep the
home free from odors as well.  Also, it will help
to make a comfortable living area for your friends
and your family.