Ultimate Guide to Spot Cleaning

Spot treatment is a popular service among the commercial and residential market. Accidents happen all the time and when they do, the stains need to be tended to right away. Providing emergency spot cleaning services can give your carpet cleaning business a competitive edge. All you need on hand is quality restoration equipment, such as commercial carpet steam cleaners and dehumidifiers. You'll also need to have a nice supply of different spot cleaning solutions. Not all carpets are the same, and not all stains can be removed with the same product. You need to ensure you are staying within the guidelines of the carpet manufacturer, so familiarize yourself before applying any techniques.

Your end goal is to effectively remove a visible spot without causing harm to the fibers of the carpet. First, let's go into the different type of stains there are.

Types of Carpet Stains

There are 11 different types of stains you may run into as a professional carpet cleaner. Most can be removed with the utilization of a commercial carpet steam cleaner.

1. Water Soluble Stains: These can be removed with water-based cleaning solutions.
2. Non-water Soluble Stains: Cannot be removed with water-based solutions without first converting it into water-soluble form. This includes greases, oil and pigments.
3. Combination Stains: These are made up of both water soluble and non-water soluble stains.
4. Non-Soluble Stains: Those that can't be dissolved with dry or wet solvents, such as wax.
5. Chemical Stains: Requires chemical reaction before applying water-based or non-water-based solutions. This includes medicines, rust, alkalis, acids and urine.
6. Surface Stains: Those that sit on top of the carpet fibers, such as glue, grease or gum.
7. Absorbed Stains: Those that have penetrated the surface of the carpet fibers, like urine, coffee or ink would.
8. Compound Stains: Found on the surface and inside of the carpet fibers, like with shoe polish, paint or lipstick.
9. Dye Stains: Caused by acid dyes that change the color of the fiber.
10. Destructive Stains: The spill caused the nature of the fiber to be altered. These include bleach, acid and burns, which can't be removed.
11. Dye Loss: Occurs when the color of the fibers become faint. Re-coloring is the top solution in this case.

Types of Spot Treatment Solutions

Once you have identified the type(s) of stains you are dealing with, you can move on to selecting the proper cleaning solution and method. Keep in mind the manufacturer's guidelines. There are five techniques to try:

1. Detergent Solutions: Mix together one cup of water with ¼ teaspoon of mild detergent.
2. Ammonia Solution: Mix together ½ cup of water with one tablespoon of ammonia.
3. Vinegar Solution: Mix together 2/3 cup of water and 1/3 cup of vinegar.
4. Dry Cleaning Solvent: Apply standard rubbing alcohol to a dry cloth and blot the stain. Never directly apply the alcohol to the carpet.
5. Scraping: Use a dull knife or spoon to remove the solid portions of the stain.

Examples of Stain Removal

There are nearly a hundred different types of stains you may come across in your line of work. It's important to know what to do for each. Here are a few examples of the process of cleaning certain stains:

• Beer: First try a detergent solution, then if that doesn't work, try vinegar.
• Blood: Try detergent first, then resort to ammonia.
• Candle Wax: Place a cotton cloth on top of the stain then iron it with medium heat to melt the wax and transfer it to the cloth.
• Chewing Gum: Harden it with ice, then scrub it off. Or use a commercial chewing gum remover.

Commercial Carpet Cleaners

All you need to successfully perform excellent carpet cleaning services is a commercial carpet steam cleaner, a variety of cleaning solutions and hard bristle brushes. Make sure you have everything you need, so that you can continue pleasing customers and growing your business!

Source : articlesbase.com