Tips spot ways to keep carpet clean, last longer

Rejuvenating a carpet that seems worn out or that has heavily soiled spots can prove to be a real challenge for most of us.

I'm often asked by friends and customers how to extend the life of a carpet. To be quite honest, the best way to extend the life of a carpet is to have an effective preventive maintenance program. The program should consist of three steps:

1. Vacuum frequently. The best way to reduce dirt levels and prolong the life of your carpet is to vacuum and vacuum often. Gritty particles — dirt and even dust from hard particles — abrade the carpet pile, causing them to wear down and form traffic lanes in your carpet.

2. Clean most often used areas. Most used areas are entrances, doorways, traffic lanes and around furniture. Those areas should be clean as soon as the carpet starts to show soil build up by using spot removers.

3. Bi-annual professional cleaning. Carpets perform best when properly cleaned. Periodic professional cleaning drastically extends the life of a carpet by eliminating dirt build up at the base of the carpet.

There are five types of cleaning method currently in use today. They are:

A. Shampooing. Shampooing uses a foaming solution and a motorized circular brush which agitates the top third of the carpet. This system is best used on low-pile carpet. The problem with this system is that it leaves a residue which attracts more dirt.

B. Dry foam. Dry foam is very similar to shampooing in that it leaves a dry residue to attract more dirt. Carpets are left with a residue that eventually has to be extracted.

C. Bonnet (dry cleaning). Companies who use this type of system use carbonated water that is sprayed on the carpet. They then use a floor buffer with an absorbent pad to wipe up the fluid. The floor dries pretty fast; however, sand and heavier dirt remain in the carpet.

D. Dry powder. This system spreads solvent-soaked powder or ground corn cobs into the carpet. The solvent loosens and attracts the dirt. A commercial vacuum is then used to suck up the dirt-filled by-products. Again, this system only cleans the top third of the carpet.

E. Hot water extraction. In my professional view, this is by far the best carpet cleaning system currently in use. It uses hot water to clean and flush the carpet of all of its dirt and contaminates. The dirty solution is collected in a recovery tank and usually poured into the disposal system. Carpets come out looking clean and smelling fresh. The system is favored by the Environmental Protection Agency and most carpet manufacturers. The disadvantage with this system is that it has a longer drying time.

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compound. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed Madan at Northwest Environmental Ser-vices (255-2266) or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified executive housekeeper and chief executive officer of Northwest Environmental Services.