Even though vacuuming can remove most of the dry soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet on a regular basis to remove the oily, sticky soil that builds up in the pile as a result of cooking vapors, air pollution, and tracked-in dirt from outside. The particles of oily soil deposited on carpet fibers can cause gradual but significant dulling of delicate pastel colors; the color isn't lost but is hidden under the film. If this type of soil is allowed to accumulate, it begins to attract and hold the dry soil. This is the reason cleaning is so important when dulling of the color is first noticed; if allowed to remain too long, it becomes gummy and difficult to remove. If carpet is cleaned before it becomes too unsightly, the cleaning chore will be much easier and more successful. It is a myth that cleaning the carpet before it is absolutely necessary will cause it to get dirty faster. Carpet in a typical household should be cleaned every 2,4,6, to 12 months depending upon the number of residents and amount and type of traffic activity.

Equipment
Choice of the proper cleaning system is important. Some systems may leave a residue which promote re-soiling and defeat the whole purpose of cleaning. The recommendations below represent the best current knowledge and should help prolong the time between cleanings.

Hot Water Extraction System
PCC recommends the hot water extraction system, which research indicates provide the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning," although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of spraying a solution of hot water and detergent into the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into a holding tank.
This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the hose and wand brought inside or, where a truck-mounted unit cannot be reached, by a portable, self-contained system brought into the home.

Professional Carpet Cleaners
There is an advantage to using a professional cleaner because their experience enables them to do a better job than you can do yourself. Their equipment has more extraction power than the rental units available to you, and the carpet should dry more quickly. True professionals have also made the investment in training to understand the equipment, to know the proper cleaning agents for the situation at hand, and to recognize the differences in fibers and carpet construction.  

Do-It-Yourself Systems
If you decide to rent a "steam cleaning" machine and do it yourself, check several cleaning systems before making a selection. Most rental units available do not adequately clean and may actually damage your carpet.

Bonnet Cleaning Systems
Bonnet cleaning systems employ a rotating bonnet of terry cloth or other absorbent material to agitate the carpet pile and absorb soil. A detergent solution is sprayed onto the pile and then worked with the bonnet attached to a rotary floor polisher.

NOTE: Pacific Carpet Cleaning does not recommend this cleaning system. The bonnet system has very limited capability for soil removal and leaves much of the detergent in the pile since it employs no real extraction. As a result, rapid re-soiling often occurs. Another disadvantage is that the spinning bonnet may distort the fibers of cut pile carpet, fuzzing the pile and leaving distinct swirl marks.

General Cleaning Tips
Prompt attention to spots and spills is essential. No carpet is stain proof, although many are stain resistant, which allows time to act.

1) Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull knife.

2) Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper or cloth towels

3) Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill.

4) Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.

5) Draw out any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weigh them down with a heavy object that will not transfer color, such as a plastic jug of water. NOTE: Wool fibers absorb more water than synthetic fibers without feeling damp, so it is important to remove all excess moisture.

Vacuuming

The most important step in caring for you carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Bear in mind that walking on soiled carpet permits the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the fibers. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before this happens.

Vacuuming Tips
For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. Those areas with heavier traffic require that the traffic lanes be vacuumed daily and the entire area twice weekly.