Fiber Types and Carpet Cleaning

1. Fiber Types and Carpet Cleaning In fall I wrote an article about how to pick a carpet that’s right for you based on fiber type. Fiber type is also critical in the cleaning and maintenance of carpeting. For instance, stain resistant Nylon fibers are sensitive to high PH cleaning agents – too high a PH and you lose all those wonderful stain resistant properties you paid extra for. Wool fibers are even more sensitive to high PH cleaners and chlorine bleach will even dissolve wool fibers! Fiber type is also critical in the cleaning and maintenance of carpeting. So, before professional cleaners even begin, they should inspect the carpet and determine the fiber type when it matters in the cleaning process. For example, most lightly soiled carpets can all be cleaned with a neutral or mildly alkaline cleaning solution. A heavily soiled Olefin carpet, however, will require a special cleaning agent to release oily soils due to the fiber’s “oil loving” nature. A Polyester fiber can endure higher PH cleaning agents, and often these cleaners are needed in order to achieve the desired results. Fibers that are sensitive to cellulose browning such as wool and cotton respond best to milder cleaners and acid rinses to help lock in dyes, accelerate drying and inhibit browning. As you can see, the professional cleaner is working blind if he or she doesn’t know what fiber type they are dealing with. Unfortunately, very few cleaning establishments today train their technicians to be able to identify fibers and respond to them accordingly. …the professional cleaner is working blind if he or she doesn’t know what fiber type they are dealing with. Carpets are ready to be properly cleaned only after a careful pre-inspection and fiber identification has been done. In addition, appropriate rinsing agents to remove soil and soap residues will help to inhibit re-soiling. Re-applying a quality fiber protector will promote soil resistance even more, especially among fibers that are naturally less soil & stain resistant. Because good soil resistance will make vacuuming of abrasive soils more effective, one can expect better wear and longer life from their carpets. That can add up to savings far more significant than the extra cost of having the job done right in the first place. Visit our website at Carpet Cleaning Reno to find out more about the amazing services that we offer.