What is the best Covid 19 Carpet Cleaning Method?
With all of the different carpet cleaning methods offered, it can get very confusing choosing a company to perform the service. Hot Water, Dry Compound, Charged Water, Eco-Friendly/Non Toxic. What do I do? Let’s take a closer look at the different kinds of methods.
The Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) www.carpet-rug.org tests many different cleaning systems that use a variety of methods and cleaning solutions. The carpet cleaning systems tested include:
Deep Cleaning Extraction Systems
There are many soil removing carpet cleaning systems rated at different levels. The tiers are Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze. Generally, the best cleaning systems are typically truck mounted, using a combination of hot water and/or orbital or mechanical brush. The objective is to sanitize the carpet by removing contaminates.
Interim Cleaning Systems
These are cleaning systems that generally are used for appearance cleaning. Typically portable machines, they are most commonly used commercially, not in the home. These can be mechanical brush, dry compound or orbital bonnet type cleaning machines.
The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends following the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection recommendations for US households with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019, which can be found on CDC.gov. For soft or porous surfaces, such as carpeted floors, rugs and drapes, the CDC recommends “removing visible contamination if present and cleaning with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning, launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.”
The Carpet & Rug Institute also tests cleaning solutions. Cleaning Solutions that have CRI Seal of Approval environmentally friendly labels meet strict testing protocol that conform to there own testing or one or more of the Eco-Friendly testing agencies. A couple of these groups are EPA’s Safer Choice www.epa.gov/saferchoice and Clean Seal www.cleansealapproved.com.
Carpet, Rug and Upholstery cleaning companies that have certifications or meet specific industry standards set by the manufactures should be a consumers preference. IICRC www.iicrc.org and CRI carpet-rug.org/testing/seal-of-approval-service-providers/hire-a-carpet-cleaning-professional/certifying
or approve firms and their employees.
When choosing a company or an individual:
Look for companies and cleaners who are involved with these organizations, writing the standards or volunteering to improve certification classes and exams. carpet-rug.org/resources/cleaning
- Ask for a “Free” estimate by a cleaner who visits your home or business.
- Ask for recent reviews or references.
- Understand what your price includes. (no hidden charges or up-sells)
- Make sure that either you or the cleaner does a thorough vacuuming prior to cleaning. (Very important in achieving maximum soil removal)
- Make sure there is a “satisfaction guarantee”.
**Remember… If you chose to clean your carpets yourself, take your time, do your research on the machine you are renting, never use more cleaning solution than specified and make sure you take extra sses to remove as much residual moisture as possible. For more information call 410-647-2800 or email ECO Interior Maintenance at helpdesk@ecointeriormaintenance.com