The Most Important Part of Carpet Cleaning: Extraction.

Most believe that there’s only one way to clean carpets correctly. I agree it is pretty simple to get it right, but the most important thing in carpet cleaning is extraction.
Extraction is not a cleaning method but will be the number one factor in delivering you a good or bad carpet cleaning job. Extraction is not only the removal of dirt or debris but also the excess of cleaning solution as well. Excess cleaning solution contains residue that attracts dirt to your carpet and prematurely causes it to get dirty and spots to reappear! Your best results are when you optimize extraction.

There are two common modes of extraction:

1. Vacuum- HWE (Hot Water Extraction) or ‘steam’ cleaning using truck mounted or portable systems. 
2. Absorption- using soft absorbing bonnets attached to a rotating floor machine. (Not scrubbing bonnet — leads to fiber damage). An initial dry vacuum is recommended here for extracting dry particulates. 

Both are completely valid, but you need to know their limits:

1. Vacuum- good airflow is required through the space provided by the carpet padding and the carpet backing to achieve proper extraction. A good rule-of-thumb is if the carpet is left wet for more than 6 hours you know that the extraction was poor and the carpet is stinky and full of residue!
2. Absorption- a low moisture technique. Effective for lower density weaves and low profile (short) fibers, and not effective for any ‘shag’ or denser weave type carpeting.

Therefore extraction is optimized based on installation and carpet type (see images above). A padded installation (residential), provides good airflow and thus a method involving vacuum extraction can offer superior results in homes were all carpet types are present. On the other hand, a glued down installation (commercial), results in poor airflow; thus the low profile and density of commercial carpet make absorption the extraction method of choice.
We’ve done our research and have put our methods to the test! Advanced Cleaning Systems offers both… truck mounted steam cleaning (using vacuum extraction) for the residential installs and a low moisture system (using absorption), for the commercial installs . Both are certified deep cleaning methods, taking advantage of current technologies with optimal extraction based on the installation of your carpeting.