Inspect and place corner guards where needed for paint protection.

Thorough pre-vacuuming of the carpet to remove all loose soil prior to steam cleaning. Since 80% of soil in a carpet is loose, removing as much as possible before getting it wet is essential for hygenic cleaning.

Prespray the Carpet

Pretreating the carpet with a proper soil emulsifier loosens and breaks-off the soil that is stuck onto the carpet fibres, so it can be more easily removed during rinsing.

Prespray the Carpet

Groom the Carpet

This aggitates the fibres, like rubbing your hands together when washing them, working the soil prespray into the fibres to maximize its affectiveness.

Protecting Your Home

The corner guards protect the corners from the hoses as they might rub against them.

Steam Cleaning or Rinsing

Finally the Steam Cleaning or Rinsing stage. After all the prep work is completed the carpet can now be cleaned and rinsed. A conditioning rinse agent is used assist in removing as much soil as possible and leaving the carpet fresh and soft.

Steam Cleaning or Rinsing

The rinse water is at 200F. This is hot enough to "sanitize" your carpet from bacteria and other germs. Taking the time for extra drying passes ensures the most moisture is removed, as well as allergens and pollutants.

Application of Carpet Protectant

Once the carpet has been thoroughly cleaned it is recommended by the manufacturers to reapply protectant. It repels soil, water and oil, reduces wear, and makes the carpet easier to clean. I use Dupont Teflon(R) Advanced as it is one of the best on the market. See the link on the "How Happy Cleans" page.

Grooming

Grooming works the protectant into the fibres.

Assist the Drying

During winter and cooler summer days, set the temperature controls so the house is warm.

Assist the Drying

You can also set the Relative Humidity Control (if present) to 30.

Assist the Drying

Open windows about an inch, just enough to bring the cold dry air in from outside (even when it is raining here, the air here is quite dry) exchanging it with the moist air from inside. Warming the outside air allows it to absorb more moisture, drying the carpets quicker.