Common Misconceptions About Carpet Cleaning in Chicago

Cleaning your carpet is crucial to prolonging its life. But how often should you clean your carpet? Can you clean your carpet yourself or should you rely on a professional carpet cleaning service? And why do your carpets need cleaning even if they do not appear dirty?

These are just a few of the many frequently asked questions about carpet cleaning. We will address these and more as we take a look at the 3 most common misconceptions surrounding carpet cleaning.

Top 5 Myths About Carpet Cleaning

1. Wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet: NO! This is actually the opposite of what you should be doing. Dirt is an abrasive and if left alone, it will slowly grind away at your carpet. So unless you want to buy a new carpet every few years, be sure to clean your carpets regularly. And no, vacuuming is not enough.
2. Cleaning your carpet simply removes dirt: Does cleaning your carpet remove dirt? Yes. Does it also remove pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and hundreds of other contaminants? You better believe it!
3. Every carpet cleaning method is the same: Wrong again. The two primary carpet-cleaning methods (and there sub-methods) are very different and accomplish different things.
4. Carpet cleaning is all about the equipment: Yes, equipment makes a huge difference, but knowledge and experience are still the most important assets any professional carpet cleaner possesses. After all, what good is a top-of-the-line hot water cleaner if you don’t know how to use it properly? 
5. When choosing a professional carpet cleaning company, price is all that matters: Of course not! While price can play into your decision, you also need to look at several other important factors, including carpet cleaning method used, experience, professionalism, and much more!

Types of Dry Cleaning for Your Carpet

1. Dry Foam: A carpet cleaner applies a dry foam (like a shampoo) to your carpet, allows it to dry and then vacuums it away.
2. Dry-Chem: This method is similar to dry foam, except for one major difference. When dry-chem is used, the company sets a large cotton bonnet on your carpet. Using a machine, the bonnet spins from side to side, absorbing the dirt that’s in the carpet.
3. Dry-Compound: This method spreads an absorbent mixture over your carpet. Then the carpet cleaner uses a machine to brush that mixture into the carpet fibers. And when the mixture has dried, a vacuum is used to suck the mixture (and the dirt and grime) out of your carpet.
4. Hot Water Extraction: Also referred to as steam cleaning (though no steam is used), this method uses a hot water solution, which is applied at high pressure and then sucked out of the carpet along with any contaminants. This is the most recommended cleaning method used today.

So do yourself a favor and give Chicago’s most trusted name in cleaning and restoration services a call… ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park! If you have any questions or have a situation that requires immediate attention, please contact ServiceMaster or call 773-346-6767