Carpet Cleaning - Restorative Hot Water Extraction
Carpet that has not been properly maintained may need a deep, restorative cleaning. This is performed through hot water extraction (sometimes called steam cleaning) and may include rotary shampoo cleaning or agitation of the preconditioner with a counter-rotating brush machine.
In order to perform the best job, a technician must follow the “cleaning pie” as taught in the IICRC CCT/CCMT classes. The cleaning pie consists of four parts: time, agitation, chemical, and temperature.
Basic Steps:
- Vacuum the floor thoroughly. It is easier to remove dry dirt than to clean mud.
- Pre-spray the carpet with a cleaning chemical designed for commercial carpet.
- If the carpet is synthetic, such as nylon, the product should have a pH of 10 or less.
- If it is olefin (polypropylene), use a product specific for olefin.
- Agitate the pre-conditioner with a brushing system to penetrate the soils. Allow adequate dwell time (ideally 10–20 minutes). Remember, the longer the pre-conditioner is allowed to dwell, the greater the soil suspension. Be careful not to allow the product to dry on the carpet.
- Thoroughly extract the area using hot water and an alkaline detergent to suspend and rinse the soil from the carpet.
Should You Use a Rinse Agent?
On carpet that has great amounts of residue, or if the carpet is a printed nylon, use an acid rinse, such as Matrix All Fiber Rinse, to neutralize the excess alkalinity left over from previous cleanings. The acid rinse prevents any type of potential bleeding and will brighten the color in a printed carpet.
For Best Results, Speed Dry
The use of air movers will greatly decrease the drying time and allow foot traffic on the carpet sooner. The use of a cotton bonnet will also decrease drying time as well as remove wicking soils.
Develop an Interim Maintenance Plan
Once the carpet has been restored by hot water extraction, an encapsulation system can be incorporated on a monthly basis. This interim cleaning can save the budget and keep the carpet in a continuous high state of appearance.
Develop a color-coded maintenance program incorporating vacuuming, spotting, interim maintenance, and hot water extraction to extend the life of the carpet.
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Matrix® Wipe Out TLCWipe Out TLC is a pre-spray powerhouse designed for the grimiest restaurant, industrial, and commercial carpets. Warning: Wipe Out has a high pH and is not intended for use on delicate residential carpets.
- Great TLC for restaurants
- Removes caked-on food and grease
- pH: 11.0–12.0
- Not safe for stain-resistant carpets
- Dilute 16 ounces per gallon of water
Starting at $19.39
- Matrix® Traffic Lane Prespray
Matrix Traffic Lane Prespray is a concentrated, cost-effective traffic lane cleaner for both residential and commercial carpets. Its potent formula combines alkaline builders and detergents with powerful solvents for aggressive cleaning action on the toughest soils.
- Great TLC for commercial or residential carpets
- Gets out toughest soils
- pH: 11.0–11.3
- Not safe for stain-resistant carpet
- Variable dilutions
Starting at $17.09
- Matrix® Enzyme Pre‑Spray
The enzymes in Matrix Enzyme Pre-Spray offer reliable results when you need to cut through grease- and grime-containing protein-based soiling agents. Enzyme Pre-Spray is effective at high temperatures, making it perfect for use with your truck mount or high-heat portable.
- Cuts through heavy grease and grime
- Serious cleaning power!
- pH: 11.3–11.6
- Not safe for stain-resistant carpet
- Variable dilutions
Starting at $31.76
- Matrix® Professional Spotting Kit
Easily remove 98% of the spots typically encountered by professional cleaners or in-house cleaning staffs with no prior training required! This kit includes all the professional spotters you need plus a spotting brush, eye droppers, pH paper, and a handy color-coded chart in both English and Spanish!
- Remove even mystery stains with ease
- No experience or training needed
- Everything you need in one convenient package
- Color-coded spotting chart included
- Instructions in English and Spanish
$218.13 - Matrix® Grand Slam SC® TLC / Pre‑Spray
Matrix Grand Slam TLC is an incredible pre-spray that will help you get a better clean in less time. Plus, due to its unique chemistry, it won't clog up your jets, and it even improves dry times all for less than a penny per square foot! One concentrated gallon makes 33 RTU!
- Three times more cleaning power than other pre-sprays
- Great pre-spray for commercial and residential carpet
- pH: 9.5–9.8
- Safe for stain-resistant carpets
- Dilute 4 ounces per gallon of water
Starting at $36.00
- Matrix® Finish First Extraction Detergent Powder
Choose Finish First to attack the biggest challenges customers throw your way. Special additives allow this formula to penetrate and flush away grease, oil, or water-based grime even on tough, stain-resistant carpeting.
- Tough enough for your worst jobs
- Commercial and residential use
- pH: 10.0–11.0
- Safe for stain-resistant carpet
- Variable dilutions
Starting at $28.39
- Matrix® Citrus Force ASD
The LAST additive, spotter, degreaser you'll ever buy. Citrus Force is a revolutionary cleaning additive that doubles, even triples the ordinary pre-spray's soil-dissolving ability. Its powerful blend of citrus solvents makes quick work of the most challenging carpet and upholstery soils.
- Cleaning additive that strengthens ordinary pre-sprays
- Powerful citrus solvents
- pH: 6.0–8.5
- Variable dilutions
Starting at $52.30
- Matrix® All Fiber Rinse
All Fiber Rinse rinses away every trace of dirt and cleaning solution, leaving behind a residue-free carpet that's squeaky clean and soft to the touch. For best results, use All Fiber Rinse after cleaning with Matrix Grand Slam Pre-Spray.
- Eliminates every trace of dirt and cleaning solution residue
- Leaves carpets bright and soft
- pH: 4.0–4.5
- Safe for stain-resistant carpet and wool
- Variable dilutions
Starting at $17.72
- Showerfeed Rotary Carpet Brush
The carpet cleaner's choice for shampooing the most heavily soiled carpets. The 0.028 gauge nylon bristles do an outstanding cleaning job on all carpet types. The showerfeed block is heavy-duty, water-resistant plastic and won’t crack, warp, or rot. Sold with 5” center hole. Note: Does not include clutch plate.
- Use for general to heavy hard floor scrubbing and carpet shampoo
- Nylon bristles are more flexible and last longer
- Water-resistant plastic block
- Sold with 5-inch center hole
- Available in multiple sizes
Starting at $55.16
- Loopy Carpet Bonnet
This loopy design is made from a heavy-duty 50% rayon and polyester blend that takes repeated use and laundering. It features five rows of cut and looped ends for maximum cleaning. It's also ideal for handling wicking issues. Bonnet mounts easily to standard, 175 RPM rotary floor machines.
- Aggressively loosens soil and soaks up dirt
- 50% rayon/polyester blend
- Loopy design
- Launderable
Starting at $16.02
