Rug Doctor: Cleaning Successfully With Proper Technique...

In previous posts, I have discussed the importance of proper set-up of the Rug Doctor, the importance of pre-vacuuming, and the use of pre-spray as the best method for treating the carpet prior to using the Rug Doctor.

As the following video shows, the end result of doing all the proper preparation is an easy job where the Rug Doctor can give a fantastic result, even on really dirty carpets.



Though not shown in the video, the pre-vacuuming done at the onset took about thirty minutes to do.

A one bedroom apartment isn't a very large space, but when pre-vacuuming it is best to hit the carpets with multiple passes, from multiple directions, at a moderate pace to ensure removal of as much debris as possible.

This type of specialized vacuuming takes considerably more time to do than what you might do say in a weekly vacuum of your home.

Additionally, you want to really emphasize deep cleaning with the vacuum and this is more important before carpet extraction than in general vacuuming duties.

How To Pre-Vacuum Really Bad Carpets...

As discussed earlier in a couple of posts I have made, the keys to success with a Rug Doctor are basically the same as with any other carpet cleaning machine.

The video below shows a carpet being vacuumed prior to the extraction process being started with the Rug Doctor...



Pre-vacuuming carpet is a necessary pre-cursor to successful carpet cleaning, but in some situations, the carpet needing cleaned may be so full of debris that would damage a typical vacuum cleaner that this step may be considered impossible.

But it isn't impossible with the right tools to do the job.

In this instance, a Wet/Dry vacuum is capable of handling the debris, but as anyone who has ever attempted to vacuum a carpet with one of those has discovered, the floor tool provided with the vac "locks down" on the carpet, and makes it very difficult to use.

Additionally, the carpet can be pulled apart at the seams, pulled up from the tack strip on the wall and corners, and generally causes more trouble than it solves.

But there is a way to use a Wet/Dry vacuum for carpets!

There are attachments available for helping Wet/Dry vacuums effectively clean carpet without all the problems caused by the "lock down" effect. Carpet nozzles are readily available...but do they work?

Pre-Vacuuming. The Vital Precursor To Carpet Cleaning That Almost Nobody Does...

In the video below, a room is vacuumed prior to carpet cleaning.  What is important to note from the video is how important it is to do a thorough job when performing this task.



Rug Doctor makes a great machine. It works best though when proper steps are taken to ensure good results. As some of my other posts have discussed set-up and pre-spraying, as well as various other facets of successful carpet cleaning, I'd be remiss if I didn't at least touch on this very important part as well.

When attempting to do any task properly, a bit of thought must be applied to the job at hand if we are to do it in a professional manner, and in carpet cleaning there is a need to understand proper vacuuming as being as important in it's own right as understanding the chemistry of which products to use on which stains, how or when to use hot verses cold water, how to achieve proper extraction of all residue and soils and so on.

Vacuuming is the one part of carpet cleaning that is performed in the most continual manner. This is because most of the dirt and debris that finds it's way into the carpet is dry and accumulated rather constantly. Therefore it behooves one to perform a proper vacuuming on a schedule, which may need adjusted depending on changing conditions.

Some Stains Are Just Evil...Pure Evil

As this video shows, sometimes a stain is persistent. It will be difficult to remove under the best of circumstances, but by using some basic principles of carpet cleaning you can achieve success (or at least a marked improvement).

First, do a thorough pre-vacuum to remove all the loose particulate and surface dirt. Only then can you access the true magnitude of the stains present, and evaluate what chemicals may be needed.

When vacuuming, be sure to really concentrate on maximum pick-up and take your time. Hit the carpet with well overlapped passes at a moderate to slow speed. Try to vacuum from more than one direction on each section of carpet and make several passes to ensure as much debris as possible gets picked up.

Note: if you have a bagged vacuum, make sure the bag isn't full and that you still getting adequate suction. Also adjust the brushroll (if equipped) to a proper height...bagless models should have clean filters and not be overfilled or they won't pick up properly.

Removing A Dark Stain With A Rug Doctor X-3

Getting dark stains out is easy...if you follow the correct process.

Step one is to thoroughly vacuum the area to remove as much loose debris and fine dirt particles as possible...multi-pass, multi-direction, overlapping passes at a slower more deliberate rate is best to achieve this.

Next, a pre-spray should be applied (this one was simple, an application of ordinary household cleanser...Fabuloso brand with a pump-up sprayer) and allowed to "dwell" or sit on the stain for about ten minutes. This can be enhanced by brushing the detergent into the fiber slightly with a brush (an old toothbrush works well in small areas).

The extractor being used (Rug Doctor in this case, but most any machine will do basically the same thing) should be filled with hot tap water and allowed to scrub the area while extracting the detergent, water, and stain. Applying plenty of water is important to thoroughly remove ALL of the detergent and stain residue from the carpet  as remaining residue will result in rapid re-soiling...a returning stain.

Most important of all, regardless of the machine used to extract, is to make every effort to fully extract all the water you have added during the cleaning process. Most every machine is able to extract if the vacuum area of the machine is in proper contact with the surface of the carpet. Adjust your machine carefully to ensure you are achieving full vacuum potential, or you will end up with soaked carpets.

If you can, apply fans to the area to help aid the drying process.Wet carpet has a tendency to "wick" whereby the capillary action during drying can pull deeply embedded stains (which you just applied water to) to be pulled up to the surface of the carpet. This is where re-occuring stain complaints often come from. Basically when the carpet is fully dry you are safe from this type of problem...dry the carpet as quickly as you can.

If stains re-occur, (and the carpet was dried properly) is either means you didn't adequately remove all the soap residue which makes a dirt magnet), or the area is simply a traffic area...get better door mats and insist people wipe their feet before entering. Overly worn carpet can also look dirtier as the light reflections appear "greyed out", the carpet has a permanent dingy appearance and need's replaced. A simple cleaning can't fix wear.

Lastly. Some carpet stains won't come out with one treatment session. It is beneficial to re-clean these area's every week or so to gradually improve them. This is easy to do in your own home, but rental properties and such will probably be cleaned only periodically so they will be harder to fix,if one treatment doesn't do the job. Carpets with a lot of grease (near cooking area's) can also require multiple treatments to fully clean.

The full video which shows the apartment where this segment was shot is viewable at the following link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89PVqAWJpLU