The Principles of Cleaning
The objective of carpet cleaning is soil removal. Cleaning can be accomplished by several methods, but regardless of the method, five principles must be followed to achieve the best results. The five Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC) approved principles are:
1. Dry Soil Removal
2. Soil Suspension
3. Soil Extraction
4. Grooming
5. Drying
Freedom Carpet Care (FCC) utilizes these 5 principles to ensure clean, fresh carpet…every time!
Dry Soil Removal
Nearly 80% of soil in carpet is insoluble, which means that it does not dissolve in water or solvents. Portable extractors and even the biggest and baddest of truck mounts are not designed to remove insoluble soil. The best way to remove insoluble soil is by thoroughly vacuuming before cleaning with a vacuum that has a high efficiency (HEPA) filter. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), all professional cleaners should vacuum before deep cleaning because this critical first step makes a huge difference in the end result. Skipping this step could lead to rapid resoiling and carpet that is not as clean as you think. FCC will always thoroughly vacuum each area to ensure the cleanest carpet possible!
Soil Suspension
During this next important step, any soil that was not removed will be suspended from the carpet fibers by applying a pre-conditioner, agitating for uniform distribution, and allowing the appropriate amount of dwell time. Soil that has accumulated over months or years cannot be suspended in a manner of seconds, so the pre-conditioner must be agitated and allowed to dwell for an appropriate period of time to be most effective. FCC does not use truck mounts (we think they’re over-rated and not very good for the environment), but it is important to compensate for the lack of heat (if you can call it that – in reality, the hot water that comes directly from your tap is hot enough to effectively kill any bacteria that may be in your carpet). We more than compensate, however, by increasing the agitation factor with patented Rotovac technology. FCC takes the agitation factor to the next level and you will see the difference!
Soil Extraction
Once the remaining soil has been properly suspended, it must be physically removed from the carpet. FCC again cancels out the need for excessive heat during the cleaning process by excelling in the agitation department with patented Rotovac technology. Depending on the amount of soiling and overall condition of the carpet, we will either use a detergent for additional cleaning during this phase or an all-fabric rinse in the case of carpets that are not as dirty to begin with.
Grooming
Grooming is necessary not only for appearances (removal of wand marks), but also to ensure proper drying. This can often be accomplished with just a grooming tool, but sometimes it may be necessary to make additional dry passes with the cleaning wand.
Drying
The level of soiling, method of cleaning, humidity, and airflow all affect the drying process. According to the IICRC, the goal should be to have the carpet dry within 6-8 hours. Carpet that exceeds proper drying times could result in slip and fall hazards, odors, and rapid resoiling. This is another area where FCC excels thanks to patented Rotovac technology. Because of the increased agitation it provides, it is possible to clean the carpet without using as much water to begin with. FCC still wants to leave your carpet as dry as possible, so we will also use an air mover to assist with the drying process. The carpet may still be damp when we leave, but will generally be completely dry within 3 hours.
