Carpet cleaning myths
There are so many carpet cleaning myths floating around that it's hard to know what is true and what isn't. When it comes to your carpet, you can't afford to rely on faulty information. Using processes or tools incorrectly can permanently damage your carpet, ruining the look of any room in just an instant. Carpeting is an investment that adds to the value of your home, makes spaces more comfortable for your family and enhances the design and style of your rooms. We've busted some of the most common carpet cleaning myths so you know the best ways to clean and care for your carpets. Myth: Carpets take days to dry after cleaning This resilient carpet cleaning myth just doesn't seem to disappear. Carpet owners around the world often believe that carpets take days to dry out after they've been cleaned by a professional. Like most myths, this one is part nonsense and part truth. Carpets can take days to dry, but only if they're not cleaned properly. If your carpets need 24 hours or more to dry, the cleaner is probably using too much moisture. Fact:The more stained your carpet is, the more moisture it will require and the longer it will take to dry. However, the majority of carpets should be completely dry within 30 minutes to 24 hours of being cleaned, depending on the type of fabric they use. Myth: Bleach cleans pretty much anything Red wine stain? Bleach. Tomato sauce? Bleach. Motor oil? Bleach. Bleach may seem like an all-purpose cleaner, but using bleach to clean your carpet can cause serious damage to the carpet's fibres, even if the carpet itself is white. Fact: Technically, bleach isn't actually a cleaner. It's a disinfectant that, while effective at killing bacteria and removing some stains, isn't actually capable of removing dirt or oil from your carpet. Using bleach might seem like the easiest way to clean your carpet, but it's probably causing more damage than cleaning to occur. If your carpet is heavily stained, call a professional and leave the bleach where it belongs: in the cleaning cupboard. Myth: Woollen carpets shrink when cleaned Do you have a woollen carpet? If so, you might be concerned about it shrinking after being cleaned. This is another persistent myth that's the exact opposite of the truth; far from shrinking, woollen carpets actually expand when they're wet. Fact: Certain types of carpets can shrink for a brief period after being cleaned. Not all of these carpets are woollen. In fact, many synthetic carpets will shrink after they've been cleaned (before returning to normal) due to the water used in cleaning. This myth often results in people avoiding cleaning their woollen carpets, thinking that a single steam cleaning will downsize their favourite carpet. In reality, a skilled carpet cleaner will be able to clean your woollen carpet without any change in size.
Myth: Steam cleaning ruins carpets. Fact: It is true many professionals use steam cleaning, which is hot water extraction. A trained technician knows how to work the equipment properly, and using the correct detergents, push out the underlying dirt and stains; leaving a clean and sanitized carpet in its wake without any damage to carpets. The amateur, however, can misuse the equipment and use wrong detergents or too much water that will ruin carpets. Myth: Carpets that appear clean don't need a professional cleaning. Fact: Not true. Some carpets can mask the dirt better than others, but after time; dirt, bacteria, and filth build up. Dirt can be very abrasive to carpets and will wear the carpet out much sooner if left untreated. Myth: Carpets under a year old don't need professional cleaning. Fact: A common misconception. Dirt and soil that has not reached the surface area is still present. By the time you can see the dirt, the damage it causes has already started. If you attend to the dirt below the surface beforehand, you can extend the life and vibrancy of your fresh new carpet.