The Importance of Heat when Carpet Cleaning

Anyone that has tried to do their washing up in cold or tepid water will know that even with added washing up detergent, greases and fats still cling to the plates. It’s only when the soapy water is heated to around 60 deg C and over, that fats are absorbed into the cleaning solution.

Taking into account that cups and plates etc are immersed in cleaning solution and allowed to warm up, we can see just how important it is to add heat to achieve fast and effective cleaning. Heat is energy which speeds up the molecular action of both water and soilage. This energy expands and softens the contact between cleaning solution and soilage, allowing quick absorption and fast removal.

When cleaning carpet using a hot water carpet extraction machine, the contact time between the cleaning solution spray and the carpet being cleaned will, in an efficient machine, be very short. It is vital therefore, that heat conditions are at their optimum to achieve the most effective removal of soilage.

The contact time between the carpet fibres being cleaned and the extremely hot cleaning solution is so short that the fibre does not have time to heat up significantly, yet the cleaning solution is at maximum efficiency. Hot cleaning solution puts soilage into suspension, where in can be removed from fibres via a powerful vacuum, down hose and be deposited into the machines recovery tank.

Because hot water is more active and volatile it evaporates much quicker, producing rapid drying times, minimising the usual browning and shrinkage risks associated with prolonged wetting. Customer satisfaction is high because carpets are left cleaner and drier.

A trained professional should know how to use heat to increase both the speed and effectiveness of their cleaning. A good hot water extraction machine will emit a fine, yet powerful steam-boosted spray of cleaning solution which is extracted almost instantly and prevent over-heating of the fibres being cleaned. This thorough rinsing system provides a speedy and hygienic clean with the advantage of fast drying times.

Heat in the right hands is a powerful weapon in the battle against grime and one of the carpet cleaners best friends.