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slow overlapping strokes of the vacuum/extractor. You will need to go over high-traffic areas at least a couple of times. Use a rinsing agent to balance PH. Rake again. Use fans to speed drying and prevent mold. Do not return the furniture until the carpet is completely dry.

You may notice some improvement in your carpet with this method. Most do-it-yourself machines however, are not powerful enough to get most of the water and cleaning agents back out of your carpet. Over-saturation and lack of extractor power may leave your floor wet for more than 24 hours. This can lead to water damage on sub-floors or the hardwood floors underneath your carpeting. If the extractor isn't powerful enough to get up all the water, how is it getting out all the dirt? Consider hiring professional carpet cleaners.

Professional carpet cleaning is the safest, fastest, and easiest way to get your carpet to look and feel like new. Hiring professional carpet cleaners may be costly, but they are a wise investment. Would you rather replace your carpet every few years? With regular professional cleaning you can extend the life of your floor covering.

Visit certifiedcleaners.org to find a local professional. Ask lots of questions. How long have they been in business? What is their training program? Do they vacuum first? How do they dispose of waste water?

Once you choose a company, keep these tips in mind. Read the warranty information on your carpet. It may not allow additional stain or anti-static treatments to be applied. Point out any specific stains or problem areas to the technician. Make sure you wait until the carpet is completely dry before walking on or moving furniture.

If possible, your family should leave the house during the cleaning process and stay out until the floors are dry. Some chemicals could cause irritation. In rare instances serious health problems have developed after carpet cleaning. On the other hand, dirty carpet breeds mold and is usually contaminated by pesticides, dust mites, and other allergens. Consider going green. Green carpet cleaning employs food grade phosphates as cleaning agents. Simple, non-toxic cleaning solvents are better for the environment and the people that handle them. Green carpet cleaning prices should be comparable to traditional rates. Green carpet cleaning is not as readily available in some areas.

The two most common methods within the realms of professional carpet cleaning include hot water extraction or dry chemical cleaning.

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