Does Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning Affect Indoor Air Quality?

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Steve Hanson

With all the talk about indoor air quality these days, people have become concerned that hot water extraction can adversely affect the indoor air quality of their homes and the buildings they work in.

Is there a reason to be concerned? There shouldn't be, unless the carpet cleaning technician doesn't have the proper training or the right equipment for the job.

The concern is that using water to clean carpet can lead to growth of mold or harmful microorganisms, which can affect the health of building occupants. But consider this -- heat kills microorganisms and hot water extraction is the most effective way to apply heat to the carpet to kill the microorganisms and clean at the same time.

With today's technology in carpet cleaning, there is no reason cleaning a carpet using water should become hazardous to indoor air quality. The key is to dry the carpet as quickly as possible. Following are tips for making sure carpet is dried quickly in order to avoid growth of any harmful mold or microorganisms:

Do not over-wet the carpet. This is accomplished by using up-to-date equipment that has maximum extraction capability. It is also accomplished by proper training. If the carpet cleaning technician is not properly trained, he could use too much water when carpet cleaning.
Make multiple vacuum passes. After making the initial solution pass, use multiple vacuum passes to extract as much water from the carpet as possible.
Increase ventilation. Open windows if possible or turn on fans to speed drying of carpet. If the building has a ventilation system, ask the property manager or owner to turn it on during carpet cleaning to aid in air circulation. Carpet should be completely dry within 24 hours or less.
Follow up carpet extraction with dry carpet bonnets. Using dry carpet bonnets attached to a slow speed floor machine will help to absorb additional moisture on the carpet surface.
Make sure equipment is cleaned and maintained after each use. Equipment that doesn't work properly, has clogged hoses or leaks, can decrease suction and cause problems.

Hot water extraction carpet cleaning does not mean the indoor air quality of your home or office will be adversely affected. In fact, with frequent vacuuming and regularly scheduled carpet cleaning, your carpets will be in top condition for many years, and the indoor air quality will actually be improved because allergens and microorganisms are being removed on a regular basis.

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Steve Hanson helps owners of small cleaning companies build a more profitable and successful cleaning business through his online community at TheJanitorialStore.com. Read inspirational cleaning success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com, and sign up for weekly cleaning tips at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com.