bsr/iicrc draft s100 standard for professional cleaning of ......11 the standard and reference guide...

1 BSR/IICRC S100 Draft Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings

PUBLIC REVIEW – DO NOT COPY, CITE, OR DISTRIBUTE

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BSR/IICRC Draft S100 2

Standard for Professional 3

Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings 4

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Public Review Copy: October 16 to November 30, 2020 7

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Disclaimer 1

This Standard (S100) is intended to provide information about the professional cleaning of textile floor coverings 2 and to assist individuals and entities working in the textile floor covering industry in establishing and maintaining 3 their professional competencies. Users of this document must keep abreast of the rapid developments in the 4 field of textile floor covering cleaning, implement changes in technology and procedures as appropriate, and 5 follow applicable federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations. A cleaning technician should use 6 their professional judgment throughout each and every project. However, the use of professional judgment 7 is not a license to not comply with this Standard. On occasion, a project might have unique circumstances 8 that may infrequently allow for a deviation from the standard. Furthermore, this Standard is not intended to 9 be either exhaustive or inclusive of all pertinent requirements, methods or procedures that might be 10 appropriate on a textile floorcovering cleaning project. The information upon which this Standard is based is 11 subject to change, which may invalidate any or all of the information contained herein. 12 13 This Standard was developed through a consensus standard development process, which brought together 14 volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on textile floorcovering cleaning 15 issues. While the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) administers the process 16 and establishes policies, procedures and guidelines to promote fairness in the development of consensus, it 17 does not independently test, evaluate or verify the accuracy of any information or the soundness of any 18 judgments contained in this Standard. 19 20 The IICRC, and all S100 consensus body standard committee members, contributors and editorial consultants 21 (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “IICRC”) expressly disclaims, and shall not be liable for, any and all 22 damages of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, arising from or relating to the publication, use of 23 or reliance on the information contained in this Standard, including without limitation any and all special, indirect, 24 incidental, compensatory, consequential, punitive or other damages (including damages for personal injury 25 and/or bodily injury, property damage, loss of business, loss of profits, litigation or the like), whether based upon 26 breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort (including negligence and gross negligence), product liability or 27 otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. The foregoing negation of damages is a 28 fundamental condition of the use of the information contained in this Standard and this document would not be 29 published without such limitations. 30 31 While the information contained within this Standard is provided in good faith and is believed to be reliable, the 32 IICRC makes no representations, warranties or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of any 33 information contained in this Standard, or that following this Standard will result in compliance with any applicable 34 laws, rules or regulations, or in safe, satisfactory or complete performance of a textile floorcovering cleaning 35 project. ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE DISCLAIMED, INCLUDING WITHOUT 36 LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE 37 INFORMATION, ITS FITNESS OR APPROPRIATENESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, ITS 38 MERCHANTABILITY, ITS NON-INFRINGEMENT OF ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, OR ANY 39 OTHER MATTER. 40 41 In publishing this document, the IICRC is not undertaking to render scientific, professional, medical, legal or other 42 advice or services for or on behalf of any person or entity or to perform any duty owed by any person or entity to 43 someone else. Any and all use of or reliance upon this Standard is at the user’s own discretion and risk. Anyone 44 using this document should understand the limitations with the use of this document, and rely on his or her own 45 independent judgment, or as appropriate, seek the advice of a competent professional in determining the 46 exercise of reasonable care in any given situation. 47 48 The IICRC has no power, nor does it undertake, to police or enforce compliance with the contents of this 49 document. The IICRC does not list, certify, test, inspect or verify service or product compliance with this 50 document, and does not assume any responsibility for user compliance with any applicable laws and regulations. 51 Any certification or other statement of compliance with the requirements of this document shall not be attributable 52 to the IICRC and is solely the responsibility of the certifier or maker of the statement. The IICRC does not 53 endorse proprietary products or methods. 54 55



1

Foreword 2

3 The Information contained in the Forward of the S100 is not part of this American National Standard (ANS) 4 and has not been processed in accordance with ANSI’s Requirements for ANS. As such, this Foreword 5 may contain material that has not been subjected to public review or a consensus process. In addition, it 6 does not contain requirements necessary for conformance to the standard. 7 8 The science of cleaning and maintenance of installed textile floor coverings has grown significantly during 9 the last 20 years. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) first published 10 the Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning (S001) in 1991 and revised it as the 11 S100 in 1994, 1997, 2002, 2011, and 2015. 12 13 The S100 is a procedural standard. It is based on reliable cleaning principles, review of available scientific 14 and industry literature and information, and practical experience. In addition, there has been extensive 15 consultation with, and information obtained from, numerous other sources. These sources include, but are 16 not necessarily limited to: scientists, government, and public health professionals; international, national, 17 and regional trade associations serving the professional carpet cleaning industry; chemical formulators and 18 equipment manufacturers; cleaning training schools, service providers, allied trades persons, and others 19 with specialized experience. 20 21 The S100 establishes a procedural standard for the maintenance of installed textile floor coverings. It is 22 intended for use by professional cleaners, carpet manufacturers, retailers, distributors, industry suppliers, 23 specifiers, homeowners, property or facility managers, housekeepers, insurance companies, and others 24 interested in residential and commercial on-location textile floor covering cleaning and maintenance. 25 Factors such as, but not limited to, floor covering color, style, construction, and use dictate the specific 26 cleaning systems and methods to be used. It is recommended that the consumer, client, or end-user, 27 develop a plan immediately after installation for maintaining their textile floor coverings. There are charts 28 and recommended guidelines for frequency of cleaning and maintenance located in this document. These 29 charts provide guidance in developing an appropriate carpet maintenance plan. 30 31 This document is written for use by those involved in the textile floor covering cleaning industry, primarily 32 for textile floor cleaning companies and workers and, secondarily, for others who procure, manage, or 33 maintain carpeted areas. Users of this document should stay updated and informed about the rapid 34 developments in the carpet cleaning field and implement changes in technology and procedures, as 35 appropriate, while following applicable governmental laws and regulations. 36 37 This Standard does not specifically address the protocols and procedures for remediation of contaminated 38 (e.g., Category 2, 3 water or Condition 2, 3 mold) textile floor coverings. Refer to the latest version of 39 ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration or the latest 40 version of ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. 41 42 Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent 43 rights. The IICRC is not responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. 44 45 Within this standard, no attempt is made to evaluate the strengths or weaknesses of individual cleaning 46 methods, or to compare or contrast one method or system, equipment, or product, with another. Users of 47 this Standard are reminded that the effectiveness of any method or system of cleaning varies, depending 48 upon the skill, experience, education, and professional attitude of the cleaning technician and service 49 provider employing those methods. 50 51 52



All textile floor cleaning jobs are unique and, in certain circumstances, common sense, experience, and 1 professional judgment may justify deviation from this Standard. It is the responsibility of the cleaning 2 technician to verify on a case-by-case basis that application of this Standard is appropriate. When in doubt, 3 use caution and seek additional professional guidance. Users of this document assume all risks and 4 liabilities resulting from use of and reliance upon this Standard. 5 6 The S100 does not attempt to teach carpet and rug cleaning procedures. It does, however, provide the 7 principles and foundations for understanding proper carpet cleaning practices. The S100 is not a substitute 8 for carpet cleaning training and certification programs that are necessary to attain competence in the field 9 of carpet cleaning. 10 11 The S100 is a living document that is subject to change as more information regarding carpet cleaning 12 becomes available, scientific developments occur, and advancements are made in carpet cleaning 13 technology and practice. The S100 will be reviewed, evaluated, and validated through application in the 14 field and thereafter revised and improved. This process and further professional and public review allows 15 our industry to develop a body of carpet cleaning science and achieve the overall IICRC goal of improving 16 the science of cleaning and the overall environments in which people live and work. 17 18 Volunteering to participate in an IICRC Standard writing committee requires openness to new ideas, 19 concepts, and procedures and requires communication, cooperation, documentation, testing, and 20 specialized education. Our evolving industry has consistently attracted professionals from all walks of life 21 and they have donated thousands of volunteer hours promoting professionalism. Many of those dedicated 22 individuals built the foundation that we continually modify. These modifications are necessary to enhance 23 the performance of textile floor coverings and, at the same time, serve to protect occupants. 24

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Table of Contents 1

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ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard Sections 3

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Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 5

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Important Definitions ......................................................................................................... 7

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Section A Scope, Purpose, and Application ............................................................... 9

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Section B Definitions ................................................................................................... 11

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Section 1 Principles of Carpet and Rug Cleaning ....................................................... 13

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Section 2 Chemistry of Cleaning ................................................................................ 15

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Section 3 Carpet Fibers, Construction, and Styles ..................................................... 17

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Section 4 Carpet Selection ......................................................................................... 19

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Section 5 Carpet Soiling ............................................................................................. 21

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Section 6 Soil Management Principles ....................................................................... 23

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Section 7 Equipment and Tools .................................................................................. 25

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Section 8 Methods and Systems of Cleaning ............................................................. 27

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Section 9 Safety and Health ....................................................................................... 29

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Section 10 Administrative Procedures ……………………………………………………. 31

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Section 11 Pre-Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Inspections ............................................. 33

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Section 12 Spot and Stain Removal ............................................................................. 35

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Section 13 Residential Cleaning ................................................................................... 37

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Section 14 Commercial Maintenance and Cleaning ..................................................... 39

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Section 15 Area Rugs .................................................................................................. 41

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Important Definitions 2

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Throughout this document the terms “shall,” should,” and “recommend” are used to compare and contrast 4 the different levels of importance attached to certain practices and procedures. 5

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shall: when the term shall is used in this document, it means that the practice or procedure is mandatory 7 due to natural law or regulatory requirement, including occupational, public health and other relevant laws, 8 rules or regulations, and is therefore a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 9 10

should: when the term should is used in this document, it means that the practice or procedure is a 11 component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed, while not mandatory by regulatory 12 requirements. 13 14

recommend(ed): when the term recommend(ed) is used in this document, it means that the practice or 15 procedure is advised or suggested, but is not a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 16

17 In addition, the terms “may” and “can” are also available to describe referenced practices or procedures, 18 and are defined as follows: 19 20 may: when the term may is used in this document, it signifies permission expressed by the document, and 21 means that a referenced practice or procedure is permissible within the limits of this document, but is not a 22 component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 23 24 can: when the term can is used in this document, it signifies an ability or possibility open to a user of the 25 document, and it means that a referenced practice or procedure is possible or capable of application, but 26 is not a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 27 28 For the practical purposes of this document, it was deemed appropriate to highlight and distinguish the 29 critical restoration methods and procedures from the less critical, by characterizing the former as the 30 “standard of care.” The IICRC S100 consensus body interprets the “standard of care” to be: practices that 31 are common to reasonably prudent members of the trade who are recognized in the industry as qualified 32 and competent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Standard is not intended to be either exhaustive or 33 inclusive of all pertinent requirements, methods or procedures that might be appropriate on a particular 34 water damage restoration project. 35

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ANSI/IICRC S100 Standard 1

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A Scope, Purpose and Application 3

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A.1 Scope 5

6 This standard describes the procedures, methods, and systems to be followed when performing 7 professional commercial and residential textile floor coverings (e.g., carpet and rugs) maintenance and 8 cleaning. Professional carpet and rug maintenance and cleaning consist of the following components for 9 which procedures are described in this standard. 10 11

▪ Principles of cleaning; 12 ▪ Chemistry of cleaning; 13 ▪ Construction of textile floor covering and style; 14 ▪ Carpet selection; 15 ▪ Soiling and soil management; 16 ▪ Carpet cleaning equipment and tools; 17 ▪ Methods and systems of cleaning; 18 ▪ Safety and health; 19 ▪ Administrative; 20 ▪ Pre-cleaning and post-cleaning inspections; 21 ▪ Spot and stain removal; 22 ▪ Residential and commercial cleaning, and 23 ▪ Area rugs. 24

25 This Standard does not specifically address the protocols and procedures for restoration or remediation of 26 contaminated (e.g., Category 2, 3 water or Condition 2, 3 mold) textile floor coverings. Refer to the latest 27 versions of ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration or ANSI/IICRC S520 28 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation. 29 30

A.2 Purpose 31

32 The purpose of this standard is to define criteria and methodology for evaluating carpet types, 33 characteristics, and conditions, and for establishing procedures for appearance retention, soil removal, and 34 indoor environmental quality. 35 36 This document provides a set of procedural standards for professional carpet and rug maintenance and 37 cleaning in both residential and commercial settings. It was not written to teach comprehensive cleaning 38 procedures. Numerous manuals, videotapes, workshops, and seminars are available to teach 39 comprehensive cleaning procedures. 40 41 Every textile floor covering has unique characteristics, and each maintenance and cleaning project should 42 be carefully evaluated to determine proper application of this standard. In extenuating circumstances, 43 deviation from portions of this standard may be appropriate. Carelessness is never acceptable, and 44 common sense and professional judgment are to be exercised in all cases. 45 46

A.3 Application 47

48 This standard was created for use primarily by professional cleaners, and secondarily for carpet 49 manufacturers, importers, retailers, distributors, architects, engineers designers, industry suppliers, 50 specifiers, property managers, installers, homeowners, facility managers, facility service providers, 51 insurance companies, leasing or rental agents, real estate investment trusts (REITs), government 52 institutions, and others involved in the textile flooring industry. 53

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B References 1

2 3 To develop this standard, the documents listed in this section served as primary references. When using a 4 reference source, make certain the most recent edition is used. 5 6 ANSI/IICRC Standard for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings, S100 Institute of Inspection, 7 Cleaning and Restoration Certification, 2015. 8 9 IICRC Reference Guide for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings, R100 Institute of Inspection, 10 Cleaning and Restoration Certification, 2015. 11 12 IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning, S300. Institute of Inspection, 13 Cleaning and Restoration Certification, 2000. 14 15 ANSI/IICRC Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration, S500. Institute of Inspection, Cleaning 16 and Restoration Certification, 2015. 17 18 ANSI/IICRC Standard for Professional Mold Remediation, S520. Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and 19 Restoration Certification, 2015. 20 21 CAN/CGSB-4.129-1993 Carpet for Commercial Use. Canadian General Standards Board. 22 23 DIS/ISO 21868: Textile floor coverings –Guidance on Maintenance and Cleaning. 24

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C Definitions 1

2 3 Distinctive terms and definitions associated with carpet cleaning exist. The following are terms and 4 definitions used in this standard. 5 6 can: when the term can is used in this document, it signifies an ability or possibility open to a user of the 7 document, and it means that a referenced practice or procedure is possible or capable of application, but 8 is not a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 9 10 cleaning technician (professional): one who applies specialized knowledge about carpet components 11 and construction, soiling (e.g., types, sources, distribution), cleaning agents and how they function, cleaning 12 and spotting principles, and the methodology for removing maximum soil with minimum harm to textile floor 13 coverings, end-users, and the environment. 14 15 cleaning method: a textile floor cleaning method is the chemistry and the equipment used within a system. 16 Textile floor covering cleaning methods can be utilized on their own or in combination with other methods 17 in a textile floor covering cleaning system. 18 19 cleaning system: a textile floor covering cleaning system is the implementation of principles, procedures, 20 and methods used to achieve a desired level of cleaning. 21 22 cleaning: the purposeful activity of removing soil and undesired substances from an environment or 23 surface to reduce damage or harm to human health or valuable materials. Cleaning is the process of 24 locating, identifying, containing, removing, and properly disposing of unwanted substances from an 25 environment or material. 26 27 extract: the physical process of removing, containing, and disposing of suspended soils, contaminants, 28 residues, and soluble materials from carpet or rug fibers and surfaces. 29 30 grooming: the process of pile setting following cleaning and post-cleaning treatment (e.g., fabric protector 31 application, deodorizers). 32 33 interim cleaning: cleaning for appearance improvement, which can postpone or limit the need for 34 restorative cleaning. Interim cleaning utilizes systems with a goal of maintaining a carpet’s uniform 35 appearance. Typically, such systems are intended to be high production and return the carpet to use 36 quickly. Frequency of cleaning depends on carpet location, use, and exposure to soiling, and determines 37 effectiveness of soil prevention, routine maintenance and need for restoration 38 39 may: when the term may is used in this document, it signifies permission expressed by the document, and 40 means that a referenced practice or procedure is permissible within the limits of this document, but is not a 41 component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 42 43 recommend(ed): when the term recommend(ed) is used in this document, it means that the practice or 44 procedure is advised or suggested, but is not a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed. 45 46 restorative cleaning: deep or corrective cleaning to return the carpet to a relatively clean condition, and 47 uses systems that extract accumulated soils and cleaning residues at a higher intensity to maximize 48 removal of embedded soils. 49 50 rinse or rinsing: rinse is a process of flushing or cleansing fibers and surfaces with water or a solution. 51 52 routine cleaning: routine textile floor covering cleaning is performed daily, weekly, or more regularly, and 53 includes regular vacuuming and timely spot cleaning 54 55



shall: when the term shall (previously “must”) is used in this document, it means that the practice or 1 procedure is mandatory due to natural law or regulatory requirement, including occupational, public health, 2 and other relevant laws, rules, or regulations, and is therefore a component of the accepted “standard of 3 care” to be followed. 4 5 should: when the term should (previously “highly recommended”) is used in this document, it means that 6 the practice or procedure is a component of the accepted “standard of care” to be followed, while not 7 mandatory by regulatory requirements. 8 9 soil: any undesired substance that is deposited on, or that is foreign to, the construction of a textile material. 10 Soil results from environmental conditions and use (e.g., dust and particles, shed fibers, foods, and oily 11 substances). 12 13 soil prevention: procedures intended to minimize the impact of soiling and how it affects carpet, which 14 includes routine exterior and interior maintenance of hard surfaces and proper placement of matting 15 systems. 16 17 soil suspension: the use of chemical action, heat or temperature, agitation, and time to separate soil from 18 fibers and materials, so that the soil may be more readily removed or extracted. 19 20 textile: any fabric or cloth, woven or non-woven, made on a loom, tufting machine, knitting machine, etc. 21 22 use-life: the anticipated lifespan of a textile floor covering. 23 24

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1 Principles of Carpet and Rug Cleaning 1

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Purpose 3 4 The objective of professional textile floor covering cleaning is to maximize soil removal, to provide a 5 pleasing appearance and to provide a healthier environment while minimizing damage to the textile floor 6 covering. Before cleaning methods are selected, an evaluation of the textile floor covering’s components, 7 construction, use, condition, and soiling should be performed. At that point a cleaning system can be 8 selected or developed. 9 10 For any method or system to be effective, essential principles of cleaning should be addressed to obtain the 11 desired cleaning result. If these principles are compromised, cleaning effectiveness can be diminished. 12

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Definitions 14

15 cleaning: The process of removing unwanted substances from an environment or material. 16 17 The purpose of cleaning is to reduce damage or harm to human health, to improve the appearance of the 18 surface being cleaned and to extend the useful life of that surface. The process of cleaning includes 19 locating, identifying, containing, removing, and properly disposing of unwanted substances from an 20 environment or material. 21 22 soil: any substance that is unwanted and foreign to, that is deposited on or into the construction of the 23 textile. 24 25 cleaning method: the chemistry and the equipment used within a system. Textile floor covering cleaning 26 methods can be utilized on their own or in combination with other methods in a textile floor covering cleaning 27 system. 28 29 cleaning system: a textile floor covering cleaning system is the implementation of principles, procedures, 30 and methods used to achieve a desired level of cleaning. 31 32 principles of cleaning: underlying or supporting doctrines or assumptions which are essential to achieve 33 cleaning. 34 35

Overview of Cleaning Principles 36 37 For any method or system to be effective, essential principles of cleaning should be addressed to obtain 38 the desired cleaning result. If these principles are compromised, cleaning effectiveness can be diminished. 39 The cleaning principles discussed in this section are: 40 41

▪ dry soil removal: dry-vacuuming or dusting (i.e., rugs); 42 ▪ soil suspension (separating adhered soil) (i.e., preconditioning with a detergent): 43

o chemistry; 44 o temperature; 45 o mechanical action or agitation, and 46 o time. 47

▪ soil removal; 48 ▪ grooming as necessary, primarily residential carpet styles and rugs, and 49 ▪ drying. 50

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1.1 Principles of Textile Floor Covering Cleaning Explained 52

53 1.1.1 Principle 1: Dry Particle Soil Removal 54 55



Dry Vacuuming techniques and frequencies should be selected based on an understanding of how and 1 where particle soils accumulate in carpet. Cleaning technicians should use vacuum stroking patterns (e.g., 2 fore-and-aft; single path) that increase dry particle soil removal. 3 4 An appropriate vacuum cleaning system should be selected for a particular application. 5 6 It is recommended when textile floor covering styles exhibit crushing, matting, or tangling in entry, pivot, or 7 high-traffic areas that pile preparation precedes dry vacuuming. Pile preparation can be achieved using an 8 appropriate carpet groomer, rake, manual or mechanical brushes, or powered pile lifter. Dry soil removal 9 should be the first step in any system of textile floor covering cleaning. Additional attention should be given 10 to heavily soiled areas such as entryways and edges, as needed. 11 12 An upright vacuum incorporating high-velocity airflow and pile agitation is recommended. It is recommended 13 that a pile lifting device be used in soil-impacted areas for maximum dry soil removal. Dusting area rugs, 14 as appropriate, followed by vacuuming, is recommended to loosen and remove the buildup of dry particle 15 soils that can occur over time. 16 17 It is recommended, the cleaning technician use vacuums with highly effective soil-collection systems that 18 capture and retain soil removed from the carpet. It is recommended, the cleaning technician use The Carpet 19 and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval (SOA) vacuum. This reduces distribution of fine particles into 20 respirable air. Before using a vacuum, the cleaning technician should inspect it to determine that: 21 22

▪ the collection chamber or bag is not full (i.e., typically, less than one-half to two-thirds full); 23 ▪ there are no obstructions blocking the air path; 24 ▪ the drive belt is in good condition, and 25 ▪ the beater brush is not worn to the point that it no longer contacts the textile floor covering. 26

27 1.1.2 Principle 2: Soil Suspension (Separating Adhered Soil) 28

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Soils must be able to move freely to remove them without damaging the surface to which they are attached. 30 This is achieved through several distinct actions including suspension, emulsification, dissolving, 31 adsorption, absorption, encapsulation and chemical reactions. These actions are intended to separate 32 adhered soils from the fibers. 33 34 Maximum soil separation incorporates four elements: 35 36

1. chemical activity; 37 2. temperature; 38 3. mechanical action/agitation for proper chemical distribution, and 39 4. time for chemicals to function properly. 40

41 When one or more of these four fundamentals is decreased, one or more of the others should be increased 42 in order for optimum soil separation to occur. Each method or system of cleaning addresses the 43 fundamentals of detergency with a different emphasis. The initial objective of each cleaning system, 44 however, is to fully separate soil from fibers, insofar as practical, in preparation for subsequent soil removal. 45 46 1.1.2.1 Chemical Activity 47 48

• Soluble detergents may be liquids or powders. These products can contain surfactants, 49 encapsulants, with or without semi-polar solvents and with or without chemical reactants. 50

• Other cleaning agents may be adsorbent/absorbent textiles or granular both with appropriate 51 wetting agents. 52

53 Dry solvents should not be used in detergents and all cleaning products shall be used according to their 54 labeled instructions. 55 56



Cleaning products used on carpets and rugs should be consistent with known recommendations of the 1 textile manufacturer. The cleaning technician should use products that are appropriate for the fibers being 2 cleaned. 3 4 1.1.2. Temperature 5 6 Temperature affects soils and cleaning agents. At certain temperatures oil-based soils will turn into liquids, 7 and generally chemical reactions such as ionization and reduction/oxidation will increase steadily with 8 increases in temperature. Some chemistries such as enzymes will work only within a certain range of 9 temperature and surfactants also have their optimum temperature range. 10 11 Excessive temperature, which is especially associated with the truck mounted water extraction equipment 12 capable of generating high heat, can cause potential problems that can include: 13 14

▪ thermal shock to grass from hot solution lines; 15 ▪ quick-connect indentation in some heat-sensitive olefin styles; 16 ▪ heat-pressure streaks in some plush pile designs; 17 ▪ safety issues associated with poorly maintained solution hoses; 18 ▪ color related issues, especially on multi-colored area rugs, and 19 ▪ appearance change and loss of pattern definition as heat set yarns lose twist. 20

21 1.1.2.3 Mechanical Action 22 23 Mechanical action is agitation that distributes cleaning agents and increases soil separation from fibers. 24 Mechanical action can be achieved with varying efficiencies using hand brushing, cylindrical or rotary 25 brushing, oscillation, or with water pressure. 26 27 Mechanical action should be in compliance with manufacturer warranty specifications and suitable for the 28 pile fiber and construction. 29 30 1.1.2.4 Time 31 32 Soil release from the fibers is not instantaneous. Following application, cleaning products (e.g., 33 preconditioners) should be allowed sufficient contact or dwell time for adequate detergency to occur. Dwell 34 times vary based on chemical formulation, cleaning method, level of agitation, and application temperature. 35 The cleaning product manufacturer labels can provide guidance in this area. 36 37 1.1.3 Principle 3: General Soil Removal 38 39 Once optimum soil release has been achieved, the remaining general soil should be physically removed. 40 Foreign and unwanted substances not removed can be considered to be stains or odors. Mechanisms for 41 removing soils and the methods to which they apply include: 42 43

▪ rinsing: water extraction; 44 ▪ wet vacuuming: dry foam or shampoo extraction; 45 ▪ textile absorption and adsorption: Absorbent Pad Extraction: 46 ▪ dry vacuuming: dry foam, shampoo extraction, encapsulation extraction; 47 ▪ dry or moist vacuuming of dry compound extraction, or. 48 ▪ flushing: immersion cleaning of rugs. 49

50 Substances removed, such as soil or water, by any cleaning system shall be disposed of in accordance 51 with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations. 52 53 1.1.4 Principle 4: Pile Setting or Grooming 54 55



While post-cleaning pile setting or grooming does not contribute to physical soil removal, it should be 1 performed in selected situations for several reasons, to include: 2 3

▪ pile setting reduces most crushing, or texture changes that can result in complaints for either the 4 cleaning technician or textile floor covering manufacturers; 5

▪ it provides proper distribution of post-cleaning treatments (e.g., protectors, deodorants); 6 ▪ it enhances evaporation, which decreases drying time, and 7 ▪ it enhances the textile floor covering’s appearance for a more comprehensive customer evaluation 8

of the result of the cleaning process. 9 ▪ Resets the position of the fiber, which can reset its memory, and creates a more pleasing aesthetic 10

appearance by reflecting light better 11 12 Grooming is not required on most commercial carpet, especially that with a low, level-loop pile design. 13 However, grooming is recommended for most residential carpet styles, particularly Saxony, frieze, velvet 14 plush, and other higher-pile styles that display random orientation of yarns following cleaning (e.g., brush 15 swirls, wand stroking patterns, and general texture change patterns). 16 17 1.1.5 Principle 5: Drying 18 19

The cleaning technician should take steps to minimize drying time following cleaning. Failure to dry textile 20 floor coverings within a reasonable time frame can result in several potential problems, to include: 21 22

▪ customer inconvenience; 23 ▪ re-soiling due to soil transfer from foot traffic; 24 ▪ slip and fall potential, especially where textile floor covering transitions to hard surfaces (e.g., wood, 25

laminate, ceramic tile, stone, vinyl); 26 ▪ microbial growth and associated odor; 27 ▪ cellulosic browning, and 28 ▪ dye migration. 29

30 Several strategies are available to the cleaning technician to enhance drying, particularly after post-cleaning 31 treatments are applied. To expedite drying, the cleaning technician should: 32 33

▪ inspect the equipment components (e.g., pumps, vacuums, filters) to determine that they are 34 operating properly; 35

▪ activate the building’s air moving equipment (e.g., ceiling fans, bath, kitchen, or other exhaust fans, 36 when possible and appropriate); 37

▪ operate the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to control atmospheric 38 conditions, when possible and appropriate; 39

▪ ventilate excess moisture outside the building, when possible and appropriate; 40 ▪ use dry strokes, following wet strokes, when employing water extraction systems, and 41 ▪ use auxiliary drying equipment where practical (e.g., air movers, heated drying towers). 42 43

The drying time can be affected by the: 44 45

▪ residual moisture from the cleaning process; 46 ▪ air movement; 47 ▪ HVAC operation; 48 ▪ temperature and humidity; 49 ▪ application of post-cleaning treatments (e.g., carpet protectors, deodorants); 50 ▪ fiber type and absorbency; 51 ▪ pile height and density, and 52 ▪ soil levels, which influence the amount of cleaning solution used. 53

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Drying times are highly dependent on the technician’s performance, equipment’s performance, customer’s 1 cooperation, fiber type, carpet construction, ambient conditions, level of soiling and the method of cleaning 2 employed. Recommended drying times include: 3

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▪ commercial carpet: ideally not to exceed eight hours. 5

▪ residential carpet: ideally not to exceed 12 hours. 6 7 For area rugs, specialized equipment may be recommended to expedite drying. The cleaning technician 8 should choose the best drying system for the job, as necessary. 9 10 Since drying time is affected by both outdoor and indoor atmospheric conditions, customers should assist 11 in expediting drying. In commercial or institutional buildings, for example, customers should override 12 automatic shutoffs or re-adjustments on HVAC systems after work hours to ensure continuous dry airflow 13 and good vapor pressure differentials. 14 15

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2 Chemistry of Cleaning 1

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Purpose 3 4 This section pertains to the chemistry of fibers, soils, soil removal, and related topics. The cleaning 5 technician should have a knowledge of cleaning chemistries to be able to determine what cleaning agents 6 and methods should be used. 7 8

Fundamentals of Cleaning Chemistry 9 10 Soil can only be removed when it is separated from the fiber and able to move freely to be extracted. It is 11 recommended that the cleaning technician has a working knowledge of how states of matter and polarity 12 affect how soils are able to be removed from the fiber. 13 14 Temperature and chemical reactions are the primary elements that cause a change of state. 15 16

Polarity 17 18 The cleaning technician should be familiar with the concept of polarity. Substances can be either polar or 19 non-polar. Polarity refers to electric charge of a substance. That charge may be distributed in balanced 20 way throughout the molecule (non-polar) or the charge may be more negative in one area and more positive 21 in another area (polar). A law of science is opposite charges attracted and like charges repel. Polarity 22 relates to how solvents (polar and non-polar) may dissolve a substance to aid in spot removal. 23 24 The cleaning technician should understand that polar cleaning liquids are defined as being wet (water-25 based) and non-polar cleaning substances are referred to as being dry (waterless). Dry solvents alone may 26 be used for spotting, but not for overall carpet cleaning. 27 28

2.1 Chemistry of Real Soil 29

30 The cleaning technician should understand that soils come from a variety of sources. This understanding 31 aids in soil removal as well as prevention of future soiling. What appears to be soil may not actually be soil 32 and is referred to as apparent soil. Examples of apparent soil include but are not limited to scratches and 33 abrasions, shading, shadows, fading and wear. 34 35 Real carpet soil is composed of unwanted substances that are foreign to the construction of the carpet. 36 The cleaning technician should understand that most soils are neutral or slightly acidic or slightly alkaline 37 on the pH scale. 38 39 The pH of soil in carpet generally mimics the pH of soil in the surroundings. The composition of soil as 40 shown by various investigators is fairly constant. However, the professional cleaning technician should 41 understand site and regional differences in soil content for example, carpet soil in a restaurant has a higher 42 level of oils and greases, and soil near a quarry or beach may have more particulate matter. 43 44 There are two basic areas from which most carpet soils originate: 45 46

▪ outside soils include tracked particles, such as sand, clay, grass, leaves, asphalt, and humus, which 47 enter homes or businesses through foot traffic. Additionally, airborne pollutants from industrial and 48 automotive exhaust emissions enter the indoor environment. Geography influences the 49 composition of soil. Some soils may have higher quantities of clay and metals, such as iron or other 50 components, and 51

▪ inside the home or business, carpet soil can come from dander and hair (e.g., animal and human), 52 from shed fibers of fabrics and paper goods, from body oils and food substances, or from 53 commercial work processing. A significant source of problem soil that builds on fiber, comes from 54 animal and vegetable oils that are generated in food service areas or kitchens. 55



1 2.1.1 Three Classifications of Soil 2

3 Different types of soil are removed using different chemistries. Therefore, it is important for a cleaning 4 technician to know the different types of soil: 5 6

▪ water-soluble soils: includes materials that dissolve easily in water, such as sugar, starches, and 7 salts; 8

▪ dry solvent (i.e., hydrocarbon solvent) soluble soils: includes asphalt, tar, grease, and animal or 9 vegetable oils that are produced when cooking food, and 10

▪ insoluble soils: includes particles, such as clay, sand, quartz feldspar, limestone, gypsum, and 11 carbon. Insoluble soils also include cellulosic fiber from clothing, paper products, grass and leaf 12 fragments, and protein fibers shed by human beings, pets, and clothing. Much of this soil is 13 deposited onto the carpet. 14

15 The cleaning technician should understand soils bond to fiber through: 16

17 ▪ adsorption, an attachment to the surface of the substrate, and can have both sticky and non-sticky 18

bonds, and the forces include: 19 o Van der Waals forces (i.e., bonds made at the molecular level), which includes several 20

types of polar and non-polar bonds; 21 o micro-occlusion (i.e., attachments within scratches or abrasions of a filament), and 22 o macro-occlusion (i.e., attachments made between multiple filaments). 23

▪ absorption, whereby matter is drawn inside the fiber, and 24 ▪ chemical reactions, which create an attachment to the fiber by chemical bonding. 25

26

2.2 Chemistry of Stains and Staining 27

28 2.2.1 Acid Dye Stains 29 The cleaning technician should understand that many nylons and wool greige goods are dyed with acid 30 dyes. Nylon and wool fibers may be treated to resist acid dyes commonly found in food and beverage. The 31 cleaning technician should understand that acid dye blockers may be removed by improper cleaning 32 solutions and techniques. 33 34 2.2.2 Disperse Dyes 35

36 Disperse dyes are non-polar. They are found in mustard and other natural sources. Disperse dye stains 37 are more difficult to remove from carpet than acid dye stains. What can make disperse dye stains more 38 difficult to remove is the temperature at which they are fixed, or the combination of chemicals included in a 39 product. For example, hot beverages spilled will adhere and penetrate more readily into carpet fibers than 40 cold or room temperature beverages. However, at room temperature or colder, the yellow staining agent 41 (i.e., turmeric) in mustard penetrates quickly and easily due to the presence of acetic acid. 42 43 2.2.3 Oily Soils 44 45 Oily soils accumulate in carpet just inside entries from specialized work areas or parking lots (i.e., 46 particularly asphalt or top coated areas). The cleaning technician should identify carpet fibers such as 47 polyester and olefin that intrinsically have an affinity for oily soils. To compound the problem, if oily soils 48 are allowed to remain in carpet too long without being removed, they may be absorbed/adsorbed into some 49 fibers. Oils can also dry out or oxidize. When this occurs, a hard, yellow, lacquer-like film is formed. Either 50 absorbed or oxidized soils require additional time and aggressive chemicals for removal. 51

52

2.3 Chemistry of Carpet Fibers 53 54 Carpet can be constructed from any of many different fibers. Each fiber responds differently to soils and 55 cleaning. Therefore, the cleaning technician should be familiar with common fibers and their characteristics. 56



Synthetic fiber face yarns commonly used include the fibers discussed below. Natural animal fiber for the 1 soft flooring market is dominated by one type, wool. Silk is another natural fiber type used for face yarns 2 but is generally used only in area rugs. Natural vegetable fibers present in some carpets and rugs include 3 cotton, sisal and sea grass. Additional information about the individual fibers can be found in Section 3, 4 Carpet Fibers, Construction, and Styles. 5 6 2.3.1 Nylon 7 8 The cleaning technician should understand that nylon is a synthetic fiber that absorbs more moisture than 9 other synthetic fibers and as a result is prone to staining. Most nylon fibers are treated with both 10 fluorochemicals and acid dye blockers. The cleaning technician should also understand that acid dye 11 blockers are negatively affected by high pH cleaning techniques and cationic surfactants. Most carpet 12 manufacturers recommend using a cleaning solution with a pH of 10 or less. 13 14 2.3.2 Polyester 15 16 Polyester fiber is made from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) polymer. Polyester fibers do not absorb 17 water, water-borne stains, nor do they bond with acid dyes carried in water. Polyester has an intrinsic 18 resistance to water-soluble stains and acid dyes used in common foods and beverages. Polyester fibers 19 are oleophilic, that is, they readily attract oily soils, eventually absorbing the oil permanently. The cleaning 20 technician should be prepared to remove multiple layers of oxidized oils on polyester fibers with a 21 combination of chemistry and agitation. 22 23 2.3.3 Triexta 24

25 The Polytrimethylene Terephthalate (PTT) polymer, a variant of polyester, is classified under the generic 26 term triexta by the Federal Trade Commission. Triexta may be either disperse or solution dyed. Triexta 27 fibers do not absorb water, water-borne stains, nor do they bond with acid dyes carried in water. Triexta 28 has an intrinsic resistance to water-soluble stains and acid dyes used in common foods and beverages. 29 Triexta fibers are oleophilic, that is, they readily attract oily soils, eventually absorbing the oil permanently. 30 The cleaning technician should be prepared to remove multiple layers of oxidized oils on triexta fibers with 31 a combination of chemistry and agitation. 32 33 2.3.4 Olefin or Polypropylene 34 35 Olefin (i.e., polypropylene) exhibits repellency towards water and water-based stains. Because olefin has 36 no dye sites, it does not stain. It is nonionic. Since it is exclusively solution dyed, the color is throughout the 37 polymer, and therefore not typically subject to discoloration or fading. 38 39 The cleaning technician should understand that olefin is oleophilic, in that it attracts and eventually absorbs 40 oily soils, which can cause a permanently yellowed condition, usually found in traffic lanes, if not cleaned 41 frequently to remove those soils. Normally, olefin lacks resiliency, crushes very easily, and wears more 42 readily than nylon fibers. 43 44 2.3.5 Wool 45 46 Wool is a natural fiber from the fleece of sheep. Other animal fleece fibers, like goat hair, alpaca, camel 47 hair and others have similar characteristics. Wool is water repellent and has good soil resistance. Wool is 48 a protein fiber, and has both anionic and cationic sites. However, wool is frequently dyed with acid dyes 49 and becomes cationic in the acid dye bath. Acid dyes baths are typically between pH 4 to 5.5, but sometimes 50 as low as 2.5. Acid dyes are most stable in this range. Alkaline conditions, however, may cause them to 51 bleed. Wool fiber is unharmed by strong acids. Alkaline solutions can damage it, especially at high 52 temperature. 53

54



The cleaning technician should be aware that wool fibers are hygroscopic, which means wool readily 1 absorbs moisture. Wool is static resistant as the retention of moisture within the fiber reduces the buildup 2 of static electricity. This fiber is naturally flame resistant. 3 4 Wool is the most resilient of all carpet fibers and has excellent appearance retention. 5 6 Wool, particularly with dyes sensitive to alkalinity, should be cleaned with products tested and known to be 7 safe for use on wool and on its dyes. 8 9 2.3.6 Silk 10 11

Silk is a natural protein fiber obtained from spun cocoons made by the caterpillar known as a silkworm. The 12 shimmering appearance for which silk is prized comes from the fibers' triangular prism-like structure, which 13 allows silk cloth to refract incoming light at different angles. It is sensitive to high alkalinity. But even neutral 14 aqueous cleaning can be challenging, as. the dyes used for silk rug fibers can be prone to migration, and 15 should be tested for color fastness prior to cleaning. The cleaning technician should set the pile and ensure 16 quick drying. Silk, like wool, is hygroscopic and is similarly flame resistant. 17 18

2.3.7 Cellulosic: Plant Based 19 20

The cleaning technician should understand that cellulosic fibers can shrink and brown, when exposed to 21 water-based cleaning techniques, especially when drying is prolonged and alkalinity is high. Strong 22 oxidizing or reducing materials can cause color loss on cellulosic fibers. 23 24 Rayon, also identified as viscose, bamboo, art silk, faux/fake silk and several other terms, is a regenerated 25 fiber made by treating cellulosic fibers with alkali. Feedstock for rayon includes wood pulp, cotton linters, 26 and bamboo. Its silk like feel and appearance plus low cost make it attractive to some consumers. The 27 rayon fiber is very weak when wet which frequently results in issues with texture change. It has poor wear 28 characteristics. 29 30 Other variants of rayon have slightly better wear characteristics but with the same cleaning challenges. 31 The cleaning technician should exercise extreme caution when cleaning carpets or rugs with cellulosic 32 fibers of any kind. 33

34

2.4 Processes of Cleaning 35

36

Cleaning carpet involves both physical processes and chemical reactions. The cleaning technician should 37 understand how to remove the most soil without damaging the carpet. 38

39 In order to select a suitable method of cleaning, the cleaning technician should understand what physical 40 or chemical changes may occur during cleaning. 41 42 Physical reactions involve a change that removes soil or makes a soil easier to remove but does not create 43 a new substance. Physical changes during cleaning include but are not limited to: 44 45

▪ change of state: an example would be a solid becoming a liquid; 46 ▪ dissolving: soluble soils are dissolved, using wet or dry solvents; 47 ▪ suspension action: surfactants are used to break down and suspend solid soils; 48 ▪ emulsification which refers to the break-up of oils and grease allow these soils to be evenly 49

suspended in a water-based cleaning solution. 50 ▪ adsorption is when both soils and cleaning solutions are attracted to, and bonded to the surface of 51

bonnets, pads, towels, or powders; 52 ▪ absorption is when both soils and cleaning solutions are held and retained within the bonnets, pads, 53

towels, or powder structure. A sponge is an example of this type of physical action; 54



▪ encapsulation: encapsulation detergents are used to dissolve soluble soils, emulsify oily soils, or 1 suspend insoluble soils. They may form polymer films or crystals that hold soils in suspension until 2 they can be removed. 3

4 2.4.2 Chemical Reactions 5 6 The cleaning technician should understand that a chemical reaction changes the soil or staining agent into 7 another substance. Extraction may be used to remove this new substance, or it may be left in place if it is 8 volatile and will completely evaporate, or if it is innocuous. An example would be using hydrogen peroxide, 9 which is volatile, on food dyes. Common chemical reactions that can occur during cleaning include 10 ionization, reduction/oxidation, and biologically activated (bacteria and enzymes). 11

2.4.2.1 Ionization 12 13 For a cleaning technician to understand chemical reactions and pH, it is recommended that they have an 14 understanding of ionization. Ionization occurs when a substance acquires a charge by gaining or losing 15 electrons. Due to this charge, ions are more likely to react and create a new substance. Positively and 16 negatively charged particles of the individual molecules (ions) may separate and form different substances. 17 18 2.4.2.2 Reduction and Oxidation 19 20 It is recommended, the cleaning technician understand that reduction and oxidation is a process in which 21 one substance loses electrons (oxidation) and another gains those electrons (reduction). This may be, but 22 is not always, the result of oxygen moving from one molecule to another. Oxidation and reduction happen 23 together. One substance is oxidized when another is reduced. 24 25 A substance that removes oxygen from another substance is referred to as a reducer. A substance that 26 adds oxygen to another substance is referred to as an oxidizer. In cleaning, oxidizers and reducers are 27 referred to as bleaches. There are many types of bleaches, some of which may whiten, brighten or remove 28 color. Some bleaches kill microorganisms and thus eliminate odors. 29 30 Bleaches are common ingredients in dye-stain removers. Milder types can be additives to detergents. 31 Oxidizers gain strength from absorbing UV light. Reactions may gain strength from heat. Fading due to 32 ozone or fumes are examples of reduction oxidation (redox) reactions. 33 34 The cleaning technician should make sure that oxidizers and reducers are never mixed together. The 35 reaction is likely to be dangerous and release a significant amount of heat. 36 37 2.4.2.3 Biologically Activated Reactions (enzymes) 38 39 A third type of chemical reactions that a cleaning technician should understand are biologically activated 40 reactions. These result from the action of bacteria and/or enzymes. Enzymes are biological proteins that 41 act as catalysts to greatly speed up chemical reactions. Enzymes used in cleaning can be produced by 42 living cells (bacteria) or they can be produced in laboratories. They speed up decomposition of soils like 43 animal waste. Enzymes are not consumed in the process of breaking down substrates. The activity of 44 enzymes can be accelerated or inhibited by temperature, the presence of some solvents and other 45 influences. 46 47 Enzymes are specific as to which materials (substrates) they break down. The original material is broken 48 down into something that is easily dissolved in water. 49 50 Enzymes used for cleaning are commonly referred to as digestive enzymes and include: 51 52

▪ Amylase which breaks down starch. 53 ▪ Protease enzymes break down proteins. 54 ▪ Lipase enzymes break down lipids (fats and oils). 55



1 2.4.3 Chemistry of Cleaning Agents 2 3 Although soils can be dissolved, suspended, or encapsulated by various means, many physical changes 4 are accomplished with the aid of surfactants. 5 6 2.4.3.1 Surfactants 7 8 The cleaning technician should be aware of why surfactants are used and the possible consequences of 9 over-use or failing to thoroughly remove them. 10 11 Surfactants are used in many cleaning products to help with the breaking up and removal of soil. They are 12 large, organic molecules with a water soluble (hydrophilic/oleophobic), and an oil soluble 13 (hydrophobic/oleophilic) end. Surfactants decrease the surface energy of water, thereby making it easier 14 for a cleaning solution to wet out or cover the entire surface of each fiber. Even at low concentrations, 15 surfactants can be very effective at separating soils from fibers. However, surfactant residues are often 16 sticky which can attract and bind soil, so if they are left behind after cleaning, they can cause the carpet to 17 re-soil more readily. Surfactant residues decrease the performance of carpet protectors. 18

19 There are four types of surfactants that may be found in current carpet cleaning products: 20 21

▪ anionic surfactants: carry a negative charge and are the most effective type of surfactant with 22 respect to cleaning efficacy where particle soils need to be separated from fibers and suspended 23 in water. Most anionic surfactants foam readily and therefore are used in shampoo or foam cleaning 24 solutions, 25

▪ nonionic surfactants: carry no ionic charge and are effective particularly where oily soils are 26 present. 27

▪ cationic surfactants: carry a positive charge on the portion of the molecule that reacts with water. 28 They have limited effectiveness in cleaning. Cationic surfactants are commonly used as 29 antimicrobials, disinfectants, sanitizers, and antistatic treatments, and 30

▪ amphoteric surfactants: are anionic when in basic (alkaline) solutions and cationic when in acid 31 solutions. Amphoteric surfactants tend to be very mild and safe. They are currently used in only a 32 small percentage of cleaning products. 33 34

When surfactant molecules are dispersed in water for use, they accumulate on the surface or group 35 together forming what are termed micelles, with the water soluble part on the outside and the oil soluble 36 (water repelling) chain on the inside. 37 38 When diluted and applied to a soiled surface, surfactants surround soils and carry them into the water, 39 away from the surface, thereby cleaning the fiber (refer to figure 1). The surfactant forms a micelle around 40 the soil particle with its water-loving end in the water, and the oil loving end nearest the soil particle (refer 41 to figure 1). 42

43 Figure 1: Schematic representation of surfactant micelle arrangement around a 44

dispersed oil droplet (not to scale). 45



1 2 In some cleaning methods, surfactants that are either less likely to attract soil or, once dry, are easily 3 removed from the carpet by vacuuming, may be used. 4 5 All products leave a residue. The cleaning technician should evaluate their cleaning products for their ability 6 to dry to an easily removable non sticky residue. There are certification programs such as The Carpet and 7 Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval Program (CRI SOA), and The WoolSafe Organization’s WoolSafe and 8 CleanSeal programs that meet these criteria. 9 10 2.4.3.2 pH Effects 11 12 To comply with textile manufacturer’s recommendations and to avoid possibly voiding warranties, the 13 cleaning technician should select and use cleaning chemicals from within the pH range that the 14 manufacturer states is compatible with their product. The cleaning technician should understand that the 15 pH value of a cleaning solution does not completely reflect the alkalinity or acidity of a product. 16 17 The acidity or alkalinity of soiled textile fibers and the chemistry employed in cleaning results in two 18 sometimes conflicting, concerns. First, is the potential benefit alkalinity may contribute to effective and 19 economical cleaning results. Second, is the effect of this chemistry on the fiber, dyes, or stain protection. 20 The same alkalinity, which is often employed to enhance cleaning, can be harmful to fibers, dyes, or the 21 applied stain protection. 22 23 The pH scale is a measurement of a substances’ potential to be acidic or alkaline. For example, substances 24 which are proton donors (tend to give up protons, usually in the form of H+) are said to be acids. 25 26 The cleaning technician should understand how to test the pH of a solution and the pH of fibers being 27 cleaned. A pH meter can be used or strips of pH paper. A pH meter electronically measures pH. pH paper 28 uses indicator dyes which change color according to the pH. 29 30 The cleaning technician should understand that pH only partially describes the likelihood and strength of a 31 chemical reaction. The make-up of the ions involved, the presence or absence of buffering agents which 32 stabilize pH are among factors that influence reactions. Therefore, knowing only the pH of a cleaning 33 product is insufficient to know its compatible with a fiber being cleaned. 34 35 It is recommended that cleaning technicians use products that have been tested and certified for the type 36 of fiber they are cleaning. Organizations including WoolSafe and CRI do independent testing and 37 certification of cleaning products. 38

39

2.4.3.3 Detergent’s Effect on Soils 40 41 The cleaning technician should understand how various detergents perform their function. 42 43

▪ saponification: the process of converting fat into soap by treating it with an alkali. A substantial 44 portion of carpet soil consists of oily and greasy fats. These can react with the alkalinity of the 45 cleaning agent converting them to soap. The small amount of soap produced aids somewhat in soil 46 removal; 47

▪ emulsification: paraffin based and mineral oils, like motor oils cannot be saponified. However, they 48 can be emulsified. Detergent formulations which include inexpensive caustic soda and soda ash 49 can form emulsions with motor oils, but they are difficult to rinse from the fiber. Silicates and 50 phosphates not only produce effective emulsions, but also are easily rinsed; therefore, they are the 51 preferred raw materials, and 52

▪ buffering: the ability of the substance to stabilize pH (e.g., alkalinity or acidity) during the cleaning 53 process. The ability of a detergent mixture to stabilize pH on the alkaline side is considered 54 important not only for the purpose of saponification, but also for softening the water. However, a 55 strongly buffered alkaline cleaning agent can have a significant adverse effect on the colorfastness 56



of nylon and wool fibers and on stain-resist treatments. The effect increases at high pH levels and 1 length of exposure to the alkalinity. 2

3

2.5 Characteristics of Cleaning Agent Components 4 5

2.5.1 For Water Based Cleaning 6 7 Water is the most common solvent used in cleaning due to its ability to dissolve or suspend a variety of 8 soils. It may be described as a “wet” solvent as opposed to dry solvents that do not contain water. The 9 cleaning technician should understand the role of solvents in order to use them safely and without harming 10 the carpet being cleaned. Other ingredients in cleaning products may also affect the fibers. The cleaning 11 technician should be aware of how various ingredients influence cleaning, affect the fiber being cleaned 12 and affect health, safety and the environment. 13 14 When compared to dry solvents, water-based cleaning agents are less expensive, less toxic, less polluting 15 and usually safer to use. 16 17 2.5.2 For Dry Solvent Cleaning 18 19 Dry solvents can dissolve oily soils and, with detergent additives, dissolve water-soluble soils and suspend 20 particulate soils, at least to some extent. It is recommended that dry solvents not be used for general 21 cleaning on wall to wall carpet, but may be used as a spotter. 22 23 With proper pretreatment and with maximum application of the principles of cleaning, oxidized oils may be 24 effectively removed by solvent cleaning. 25 26 2.5.3 Solvent Additives 27 28 The cleaning technician should exercise care that dry solvent additives do not contribute appreciable 29 quantities of VOCs (i.e., volatile organic compounds) to respirable air as this can present a health or safety 30 hazard. Dry solvents should be used in a well-ventilated area. 31 32 2.5.4 Defoamers 33 34 Foaming detergents can limit efficient wet vacuum extraction. Defoamers reduce foam in the vacuum 35 system. The cleaning technician should understand that defoamers are usually used in the extraction 36 process. Defoamers should be used according to label instructions. Liquid defoamers are usually used in 37 the vacuum line or vacuum tank rather than applied directly to the carpet. Powdered defoamers are usually 38 sprinkled on the carpet prior to cleaning. 39 40 2.5.5 Enzymes 41 42 The cleaning technician should take care that neither they nor others in the area ingest or inhale powdered 43 enzymes or enzyme residues. Powdered enzyme cleaners have both acute and chronic effects for a 44 cleaning technician who uses them, and the mixing of the product should follow the Safety Data Sheet 45 (SDS) and label directions. 46 47 The cleaning technician should exercise extreme caution with enzyme solutions on protein fibers like wool 48 and thoroughly rinse enzyme-based solutions. 49 50 2.6 Effects of Detergent Alkalis on Fibers 51 52 Generally, nylon, olefin, polyester, triexta, and acrylic, as synthetic fibers, are not noticeably affected by 53 alkaline detergent solutions. The cleaning technician should understand that alkalinity can play a role in the 54 long-term yellowing and degradation of nylon. The principal cause of discoloration is the adsorption of 55



fugitive dyes (i.e., dyes that have bled from adjacent fibers). High alkalinity can destabilize the acid dyes 1 used in the coloration of nylon fibers. 2 3 The cleaning technician should understand that fibers, such as polyester, triexta and olefin are generally 4 not adversely affected by high alkalinity. 5 6 Olefin is considered chemically inert and not affected by cleaning chemistry. 7 8 The cleaning technician should understand that wool, a protein fiber, is subject to progressive deterioration 9 by repeated cleaning in highly alkaline detergents. Alkalis can gradually damage protein fibers, cause 10 yellowing, and at high concentration dissolve the scales. Alkalinity can cause a problem with dye stability, 11 leading to bleeding. The cleaning technician should leave the carpet in an acid condition. 12 13 The cleaning technician should understand that silk is a protein (i.e., fibroin) and like the wool protein (i.e., 14 keratin) is subject to alkaline breakdown in cleaning with highly alkaline detergent solutions. Aggressive 15 cleaning products can damage silk. Alkalinity can be detrimental to dye stability in this fiber, leading to 16 bleeding. 17 18 When cleaning cellulosic fibers, such as cotton, hemp, linen, sisal, jute, and coir, the cleaning technician 19 should be aware that they can be degraded by high temperature and alkaline solutions. In general, 20 however, cellulosic fibers are resistant to damage by alkaline detergents and to the strongly alkaline 21 processes used in scouring and mercerizing. However, certain pigments can be susceptible to migration, 22 especially in the presence of alkalinity, leading to watermarking. Refer to Section 15, Area Rugs, for 23 additional information pertaining to cleaning cellulosic fiber. 24 25 2.6.1 Effects on Dyes 26 27 Alkalinity can increase the probability of dye migration or color loss. Acid dyes can be adversely affected 28 by use of high alkalinity, which may result in accidental dye removal, dye bleed, cross-staining, migration, 29 or color loss. Acid dyes on nylon and wool, and direct dyes on cellulosic fibers, are susceptible to the above. 30 The cleaning technician should minimize the cleaning solution’s pH and alkalinity in order to minimize dye 31 problems. 32 33 The cleaning technician should exercise extreme care when cleaning print dyed, multi-color carpeting as 34 they are more prone to color loss from high alkalinity. Some manufacturers have restrictions on the pH of 35 the cleaning solutions used to clean these print dyed carpets. 36 37 Neutral or weakly acidic cleaning products are most appropriate for wool. In addition, it is important that 38 the cleaning solution is not buffered. The buffered pH even of a mildly alkaline cleaning solution is more 39 likely to cause bleeding than at a higher pH of a non-buffered alkaline solution. 40 41 2.6.2 Stain Resistant Treatments 42 43 Stain blockers are complex chemical mixtures with no defined composition. They are usually applied by a 44 direct spray and or immersion after the carpet has been dyed. They may also be applied to a nylon carpet 45 in a dye beck. In either case, the pH is acidified to 4.5 or lower. The stain blockers rapidly react with the 46 nylon fibers in a manner similar to anionic or acidic dyes. However, because the stain blockers are located 47 at or near the fiber surface, they can be desorbed under strongly alkaline conditions. This can cause a 48 decrease in the stain resistance and leave the fibers susceptible to artificial colorants, such as the ones 49 used in common foods and beverages. Alkalis in detergents, in some instances of reactivity with stain 50 blocker chemicals, may cause stain-resistant carpet to yellow. Cationic chemicals can damage stain 51 blockers. The cleaning technician should use cleaning solutions with a pH of 10 or less when cleaning 52 stain resistant fibers or the warranty will be voided. 53 54 2.7 Water Hardness 55 56



Minerals dissolved in water will affect how well various cleaning products work. Water in most locales 1 contains various minerals, dissolved in slightly acidic rainwater as it filters through the soil. Water that is 2 rich in salts of calcium, magnesium, or iron is called hard water. Soft water, on the other hand, is virtually 3 free of these minerals. 4 5 The cleaning technician should, where possible, use soft water as minerals in hard water can combine with 6 cleaning agents, and adversely affect cleaning ability. Well-built cleaning agents contain materials called 7 sequestering agents that can soften water to counteract water hardness, but that at times may not be 8 enough. 9 10 In addition, when calcium salts are present as calcium carbonate, they can form scale, especially when 11 water is heated. This scale forms on heat transfer surfaces (such as in heat exchangers and heaters) and 12 reduces their efficiency. Unfortunately, some sequestering agents that soften the water for detergent 13 hardness can enhance scale formation on cleaning equipment. 14 15 The use of naturally soft water or softened water is recommended to provide increased cleaning 16 performance from the cleaning agents used and to reduce potential for scale and other forms of damage 17 to the equipment. 18 19 2.8 Carpet Protectors 20 21 Carpet protectors inhibit soiling and staining. Silicone-based protectors should not be used as these may 22 cause yellowing and they void many carpet manufacturers’ warranties. 23 24 2.8.1 Types and Benefits of Carpet Protectors 25 26 Carpet protectors are materials that can be applied to carpet after cleaning to maintain the clean 27 appearance longer. There are different types of protectors, such as fluoroprotectors, silicones, silicas, and 28 acrylic polymers. 29 30 Carpet protectors have four key functions: 31 32

▪ Protect from dry particle soil by making it more difficult to adhere to the fiber 33 ▪ Protect from water-carried spills by repelling water-carried soils 34 ▪ Protect from oily substances 35 ▪ Protect nylon and wool from food and beverage spills containing acid dyes. 36 37

Each type of carpet protector will vary in performance. Carpet protectors can be selected that will best 38 provide the protection needed for a specific fiber and situation. 39 40 There are two general types of protectors. Both types may be present in the same product: 41

42 1. fluoroprotectors, the most common type. These work by reducing the surface energy of the 43

protected fiber to a level lower than water or oil. This results in soil and stain protection. Additional 44 protection against acid dyes is often beneficial. This is provided by acid dye blockers, 45

2. acid blockers, or acid dye blockers. These are beneficial to nylon. These may allow acid dyes 46 common to food and beverages to be removed with proper cleaning. 47

48 Fluoroprotectors inhibit staining, while they also create a soil-retardant barrier. This enhanced protection is 49 due to the fact that fluoroprotectors are able to reduce the surface energy of the fiber farther than other 50 protectors. The fluoroprotectors used are normally polymeric in nature and will melt spread across the fiber 51 at room temperature and form a low surface energy shield that resists staining and soiling. Some stain 52 resistance may be obtained due to the enhanced repellency; the staining liquid can be quickly removed 53 from the surface of fibers before it has a chance to cause staining. The surface energies of the various 54 fibers and finishes can be seen in figure 3. (DuPont, 2004). 55

56



1 2

3 Spillage on a surface with high surface energy Spillage on a surface with low surface energy 4

5 Figure 3: Surface Energy 6

7

Surfaces are wetted or stained by liquids that have equal or lower surface tension than the surface energy 8 of a fiber’s surface. In figure 4, the surface tensions of liquids are shown. For example, cotton, with a surface 9 energy of 72mN/m, is wetted out by water, mineral oil, or ethyl alcohol, whereas a fiber treated with 10 fluoroprotectors is not wetted by any of these liquids because its surface energy is reduced to 15mN/m and 11 most common liquids have higher surface tension. 12 13

14 15

Figure 4: Surface Tension 16 17



Fluoroprotectors can be combined with materials called acid dye blockers to afford true resistance against 1 stains. Stain-resist compounds normally are anionic and can bond with open dye sites on the fiber so that 2 stains are unable to adhere. 3 4 Fluoroprotectors adhere very well to the fiber and are the most resistant to removal during the cleaning 5 process. Once the fluoroprotectors is in contact with the fiber, and has time to cure, it will be strongly bound 6 to the fiber. 7 8 Most carpet manufacturers do not recommend silicone-based products as protectors. They are able to 9 reduce the surface energy of the fiber, but due to their tackiness, they cause rapid re-soiling. 10 11 Some cleaning agents may contain “carpet protector additives”, which are chemical compositions designed 12 to impart some degree of resistance to re-soiling. Such additives may also be intended to retard unwanted 13 soil wicking during drying. 14 15 2.8.2 Preparation and Application of Carpet Protectors 16 17 Carpet protector should be applied only to carpet that has been restoratively cleaned and thoroughly rinsed. 18 Residues of soil or detergent may adversely affect the performance of protectors. 19 20 Carpet protector application shall follow manufacturers label directions. Uniform spray application with 21 even, overlapping passes should be used. Carpet protector may be applied using a variety of pressurized 22 spray applicators. Care should be taken to avoid overspray. The cleaning technician should avoid over 23 application as that could lead to excessive soiling. 24 25 Following protector application, grooming for uniform distribution is recommended by most manufacturers 26 for most residential and some commercial carpet styles. Applying carpet protector extends drying time. The 27 cleaning technician should wear proper personal protection equipment as indicated on the products label. 28 29 2.9 Odors 30 31 The presence of increased humidity after wet cleaning increases our perception of odors. Deodorants or 32 odor counteractants are often employed to treat unpleasant odors. There are four deodorizing principles: 33

1. remove the source (as practical). 34 2. clean off significant residue. 35 3. recreate the conditions of penetration using an appropriate odor counteractant.* 36 4. seal as necessary. 37

38 Deodorization specialists should be consulted if odors persist after normal cleaning. 39 40 2.10 Chemistry Precautions 41 42 Cleaning products shall be used in a manner consistent with the product label. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) 43 shall be available in the vicinity of storage, transport, and use of cleaning chemicals. 44 45 Optical brighteners: the cleaning technician should be aware that many carpet manufacturers discourage 46 the use, or they will void warranties, if optical brighteners are used. Their use in textile floor care is 47 contraindicated for a number of reasons. 48 49 Incompatibilities: the cleaning technician should follow manufacturer recommendations when using a 50 product in any combination with another. It is recommended to review the reactivity data section of the 51 safety data sheet of all cleaning products used. 52 53 Many cleaning agents contain surfactants that have an ionic nature. The ionic nature of cleaning solutions 54 should be known before mixing any two, or application of one after another. 55 56



Dye Stabilizers: Care should be exercised to follow manufacturer's directions when using dye stabilizers. 1 Some dye stabilizers have compatibility issues with other cleaning products. 2 3 Mixing oxidizing and reducing agents together can be potentially hazardous. Special care should be 4 employed to store, transport, and use oxidizing and reducing agents separately to avoid potential 5 interaction. 6 7 The cleaning technician should not use or even carry household bleach on their vehicles due to the 8 product’s dangerous chemical reactions with ammonia. 9 10 11

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3 Carpet and Rug Fibers, Yarns, Construction, Dyeing and Styles 1

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3.1 Pile Fibers and Yarns 3 4

The most common pile fibers used in the manufacture of carpet are nylon, olefin (i.e., polypropylene), 5 polyester, triexta, or wool. Each fiber has properties that influence where it is most functional. Modifications 6 of the fiber shape or chemistry by the fiber producer can alter fiber characteristics and performance within 7 each generic type. 8 9 3.1.2 Synthetic Fibers 10

11 Synthetic fiber manufacturing consists of melting a polymer, extruding it through a spinneret and drawing 12 (i.e., stretching) to orient the fiber’s molecular structure. Drawing subsequently increases fiber strength and 13 fiber hardness. There are two forms of synthetic fibers used for carpet: staple and bulked continuous 14 filament (BCF). BCF yarn is formed from extruded fiber that is drawn and bulked in a process called 15 texturizing. BCF yarn may go directly into carpet tufting or weaving or may be heat set prior to further 16 processing. 17 18 Staple fiber begins as a continuous filament, which is crimped and then cut into short lengths. It requires 19 additional steps to be converted into yarn, such as carding, drafting, spinning, and heat setting. 20

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Figure 5: Synthetic Fibers 24 25

3.1.2.1 Nylon 26 27 Nylon is noted for its outstanding resiliency, dyeability, and cleanability. It can be solution dyed using 28 pigment colorants or conventionally dyed by pre-or post-wet dyeing. It is recommended that a cleaning 29 technician attempt to identify how the carpet was dyed or if the carpet is color fast to the cleaning method 30 being used. Unless treated with stain blockers, nylon’s affinity for acid dyes makes it susceptible to staining 31 from dyes found in foods and beverages. 32

33 Since the first introduction of nylon for use as a carpet fiber, manufacturers have continually improved the 34 characteristics of nylon, making it more durable, responsive to cleaning, and suitable as a floor covering. 35 These improvements have been referred to as generations. The first-generation fibers were round and 36 tended to magnify soil. The second-generation fibers underwent a change in shape so as to minimize soil 37 magnification. The third-generation fibers added antistatic filaments, thus reducing static electric charge. 38 The fourth-generation fibers added fluorochemical protection. The fifth-generation fibers added stain-39 blocker treatments or acid dye resisters. Refer to: Section 2.3.1, Nylon for additional information. 40 41

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Figure 6: Nylon Fibers 3 4 3.1.2.2 Olefin 5 6 Olefin, or polypropylene is almost always solution dyed and has the lowest melting point of all carpet fibers. 7 The advantages of this fiber include good color retention and stain and chemical resistance. The 8 disadvantages of olefin are a low resiliency, affinity for oily soil, and it burns or melts easily. Olefin is the 9 least water absorbent fiber used in textile floorcoverings, and is both oleophilic and hydrophobic, typically 10 resulting in soil residues that wick to the surface after wet cleaning processes. Refer to Section 2.3.4, Olefin 11 or Polypropylene for additional information. 12 13 3.1.2.3 Acrylic 14 15 Acrylic is currently used in rugs and may be found in older carpet. Originally it was developed to have the 16 appearance and texture of wool. 17 18 3.1.2.4 Polyester 19 20 Polyester consists of at least 85% ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic acid by weight. Polyester, either 21 BCF or in staple yarns, is available in bright, brilliant colors and has good color retention, and stain and 22 abrasion resistance. Polyester fibers tend to crush and lose bulk in traffic areas. It also has an affinity for 23 oily soils. It is inherently stain resistant as it tends to resist acid-based colorants. Polyester, polyethylene 24 terephthalate, or simply PET, is popular in residential carpet but is unsuitable for commercial carpet due to 25 lack of adequate resiliency Refer to Section, 2.3.2 Polyester for additional information. 26 27 3.1.2.5 Triexta 28 29 Triexta is a generic synthetic fiber name approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission in March, 2009 30 for polyester PTT (i.e., polytrimethylene therepthalate). It is also an oleophilic fiber. Refer to Section 2.3.3, 31 Triexta, for additional information. 32 33 3.1.3 Natural Fibers 34 35 A large variety of natural and regenerated fibers are used in carpet and rugs. These may be animal fibers 36 (protein) or cellulosic. They include wool, silk, cotton, viscose and others. 37 38 3.1.3.1 Wool 39 40 Wool is a natural protein fiber primarily obtained from the fleece of sheep. Wool is a staple fiber that consists 41 of relatively short lengths, which are spun or twisted into yarn. 42 43 The use of excessive alkaline products can damage wool, resulting in yellowing and fiber degradation. Dyes 44 used on wool can bleed at high pH levels. Wool typically dissolves in sodium hypochlorite (i.e., chlorine 45 bleach). Caution should be taken to avoid excessive mechanical agitation, which can cause severe fiber 46 distortion known as felting. In loop pile constructions, mechanical or brushing action can cause pilling. 47 48

Later generations nylon

Antistatic filament First generation nylon



The wool fiber structure inside the cuticle, wool’s outer, scaly skin, is made up of two regions: the ortho-1 cortex and the para-cortex cell structures, which have different densities. This difference in density causes 2 the fiber to twist and curl, giving wool its inherent resistance to compression and flattening and its enduring 3 ability to recover from flattening. Refer to Section 2.3.5, Wool for additional information. 4 5 3.1.3.2 Silk 6 7 Refer to Section 2.3.6, Silk, for information on silk. 8 9 Cellulosic: Plant Based 10 11 Refer to Section 2.3.7, Cellulosic Fibers for information on cellulosic fibers. 12 13

3.2 Carpet Color and Dyeing 14 15 Dyes can be applied at various stages of the manufacturing process of fibers or carpet. Dyeing is the 16 process of coloring materials or impregnating fibers with dye-stuffs or pigment. 17 18 3.2.1 Pre-dyeing 19 20 Pre-dyeing is the application of color prior to carpet manufacturing. The methods include solution dyeing, 21 stock dyeing, space dyeing, and package dyeing. 22 23 3.2.2 Post-dyeing 24 25 Post-dyeing is the application of the dye following the manufacturing process. The methods include piece 26 dyeing, cross or differential dyeing, continuous dyeing, and print dyeing. 27 28 The cleaning technician should be aware that the consumer's perception of color and color changes directly 29 relates to customer satisfaction. 30

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3.3 Carpet Construction 32 33 3.3.1 Tufted Carpet 34 35 Tufting is the most common method of carpet construction. A tufting machine is similar to a sewing machine 36 in that it uses needles and loop pile hooks, or "loopers", to sew yarns into a primary backing. 37 38 Tufted carpet can be of several styles, including cut pile, loop pile, and cut and loop pile. Yarns are inserted 39 into the primary backing material (i.e., often woven slit film or spun bonded polypropylene) with needles, 40 while a looper device catches the yarn and holds it in place. To produce a cut-pile carpet, each looper has 41 a knife blade that cuts the loop as the needle rises and the backing advances. 42 43 3.3.2 Secondary Backings 44 45 A secondary backing is applied to textile floor covering to give it additional dimensional stability and to add 46 other characteristics to the carpet. The most common backing for tufted broadloom carpet is woven 47 polypropylene. Other backings like PVC, PVB, or thermoplastic compounds can make the carpet 48 impervious, or even impermeable. Cushion can also be used as an attached (unitary) secondary backing 49 to add sound adsorption, durability and under foot comfort. 50 51 3.3.3 Carpet Modules 52 53 Carpet modules are sometimes referred to as carpet tiles. They are available in many styles and 54 constructions. Most tiles start with face yarns tufted into a woven polypropylene primary backing. The 55 secondary backing is added to provide dimensional stability. This backing can be PVC or a variety of new 56



backings some consisting of recycled materials. Some carpet tiles are also available with pre-applied 1 adhesive. Polyurethane or PVC foam can be applied to provide a built-in cushion. Tiles are then cut into a 2 variety of sizes. Carpet modules should be installed so that individual modules can be replaced if damaged, 3 permanently stained or where underfloor access is required. 4 5 3.3.4 Woven Rug or Carpet 6 7 A woven rug or carpet is made on a loom. Weaving involves the interlacing of three sets of yarns: warp 8 yarns, those running lengthwise; weft yarns, those running across the width of the carpet; and pile yarns, 9 which comprise the wear surface. 10 11 An additional component to the warp and weft of a woven carpet is the stuffer. It is in the weft direction to 12 add stability. If made of natural fiber yarns, they may be subject to shrinkage or browning from wet cleaning 13 and excess alkalinity. 14 15 3.3.5 Carpet Styles 16 Carpet style refers to the design of the carpet face. Styles fall into three main categories: cut pile, loop pile, 17 and cut-and-loop pile combinations. 18

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Figure 11: Carpet Styles 46

Level Loop

Multilevel Loop

Multilevel Cut and Loop

Level Cut and Loop

Saxony

Cut Pile

Velvet Plush

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4 Carpet Selection 2

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The cleaning technician should understand the influence that consumer carpet selection will have on the 4 success of the cleaning process. 5 6 Often, the perception of cleaning is influenced significantly by factors beyond the cleaning technicians’ 7 control. However, many of these factors can be mitigated in the carpet selection process. Of course, after 8 the selection decision is made, the cleaning technician should be prepared to discuss problems arising from 9 the selection decision in order for the customer’s perception of cleaning results to be more realistic. 10 11

4.1 Carpet Components 12 13

4.1.1 Fibers 14 15 When end-users purchase carpet, they should be aware of fiber characteristics that affect long-term 16 performance. The amount of traffic, soiling conditions, and the type and frequency of spots or stains, should 17 all be considered when selecting carpet. 18 19 Likewise, the cleaning technician should be aware of fiber characteristics that can affect cleaning outcome, 20 and communicate with end-users to create realistic expectations. . 21 22 4.1.2 Foundations or Backing Systems 23 24 During cleaning, over wetting of foundations or backings, particularly those with natural fibers, should be 25 avoided. Natural fibers in the foundation or backing systems can be subject to shrinkage, browning, 26 microbial deterioration, odor, distortion or color migration, that can cause discoloration to the carpet fiber . 27 28 Carpet constructed with synthetic fibers used in backing systems does not normally exhibit these 29 characteristics. The cleaning technician should be aware of advancements in carpet backing systems. 30 31 4.1.3 Construction 32 33 Carpet durability should be considered in the selection or specification process, since this eventually 34 impacts the appearance following cleaning. In addition to color, pattern and texture, the cleaning technician 35 should be aware of the carpet’s construction (e.g. pile height, yarn, heat set, and density), along with the 36 environment, use, and traffic conditions to which the carpet is subjected. If the carpet is not durable enough 37 to withstand the traffic to which it is subjected, particularly if maintenance and cleaning programs are 38 insufficient or neglected, inevitably, the carpet appearance will be compromised, and cleaning may not be 39 capable of restoring it to an acceptable aesthetic condition. 40 41 The cleaning technician should be aware that the carpet’s construction, style, or texture influences how the 42 carpet can best be cleaned, as well as anticipated cleaning results. Low-level-loop commercial pile designs 43 require a different approach to cleaning than a deep pile, high-density residential Saxony, shag, or frieze 44 pile design. The cleaning technician, therefore, should be familiar with the various carpet constructions and 45 pile designs. 46 47 The cleaning technician should be aware that cut-pile designs, such as a Saxony, shag, frieze, or cable 48 type yarns can lose integrity (e.g. loss of twist, fuzzing, and matting) from foot traffic or if aggressive agitation 49 is used. Most carpet manufacturers caution against cleaning with rotary-brush machines. Inadequate or 50 improper vacuum cleaning techniques can result in surface texture change. Manufacturer’s 51 recommendation for vacuum cleaning should be followed. 52 53 4.1.4 Color and Style 54 55



Color specification and selection made by the customer may have an impact on the effectiveness or final 1 result of the cleaning job. Color can appear significantly different under various sources of light. Color 2 specification and selection should be made with the following criteria in mind: 3 4

▪ final selections are best made in the home or business where the carpet will be installed. Carpet 5 samples should be viewed under both natural and artificial lighting, because color can be 6 considerably different under different light sources. 7

▪ light-colored carpet shows more soil and spots and can require more frequent maintenance. 8 ▪ Medium-to-dark colors are more effective, especially in high-traffic areas and stairs, due to their 9

abilities at hiding soil, traffic patterns and spots. 10 ▪ Multi-color and most patterned carpet styles are more effective than solid colors for hiding soil, 11

traffic patterns and spots. 12 13

4.2 Installation-Related Challenges 14 15

4.2.1 Method of Installation 16 17

The cleaning technician should be aware of the method of installation (e.g., direct-glue, double-glue, 18 stretched-in) that was used. They should determine if the carpet is installed over a separate cushion, as is 19 the case with most residential carpet, or if it is glued directly to the subfloor, as is the case with most 20 commercial carpet installations. Over-wetting during cleaning should be avoided as it can sometimes lead 21 to adhesive degradation or failure. 22 23 All carpet installations should be performed in compliance with manufacturer instructions. In particular, 24 carpet in stretch-in installations should be power-stretched to prevent wrinkles and buckles as carpet 25 absorbs moisture and expands slightly during wet cleaning processes. Also, failure to seal cut edges of 26 carpet at seams subject to traffic or maintenance can result in unraveling and the appearance of separation 27 at seams during the cleaning process. 28 29

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5 Carpet Soiling 2

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Introduction 4

5 Understanding carpet soil, what it is, where it originates, and how it accumulates in textile floor coverings 6 is essential to a professional cleaning technician’s ability to accomplish their job efficiently and effectively. 7 Without this understanding of soil, attempts at cleaning often result in re-depositing of soils, or in efforts to 8 correct appearance conditions that have nothing to do with the physical presence of soil. 9 10

5.1 Definition and Classification of Soil 11 12 Carpet soil (real soil) is defined as unwanted matter that is foreign to the construction of the textile floor 13 covering. 14 15 There are three basic classifications of soils found in textile floor coverings: 16 17

1. water-soluble soils: materials that are readily dissolved in water. Examples of these soils include 18 sugars, some starches, and salts; 19

2. dry solvent-soluble soils: oily substances that are readily dissolved in a dry (i.e., non-aqueous) 20 solvent. These soils include oil-based soils such as petroleum, animal, or vegetable oils, and 21

3. insoluble soils/particulate soils: soils that do not readily dissolve in common cleaning solutions. 22 Examples include sand, quartz, clay, limestone, gypsum, carbon, skin cells, dander, hair, foreign 23 fiber, staples, and other dust and debris that settles on carpet and rugs from the air or from tracking. 24

25 5.1.1 Mechanisms of Soiling 26 27 Most tracked-in soils are insoluble and, therefore, are not dissolved during cleaning. Insoluble soils should 28 be controlled with exterior maintenance and entry mats. 29 30 Carpet’s textured surface catches and traps fallen particles, keeping them out of the breathing zone. Much 31 of these trapped allergens can be removed by the proper use of an industry approved vacuum cleaning 32 machine. 33 34 Soiling or the appearance of soiling can also occur during the cleaning process itself. Foot traffic before the 35 carpet is dry, incomplete soil or spill removal resulting in soil wicking, and soil transfer from overloaded 36 bonnets or pads are common cleaning-related occurrences. Furthermore, cleaning solutions that are over-37 applied or insufficiently diluted can make removal of the cleaning agent difficult, leaving residues that attract 38 soils quickly. 39 40

5.2 The Effect of Accumulated Soil on Floor Covering Life 41

When left to accumulate in the pile, soils can have a detrimental impact on carpet performance, 42 appearance, and longevity. Dry solvent-soluble soils that are allowed to remain in the carpet pile may dry 43 out and oxidize, leaving a hard, yellow, lacquer-like film that can be difficult to remove. Water-soluble soils 44 are often sticky and, therefore, retain soil from shoes and settling dust from the atmosphere. Insoluble soils 45 can cause some of the most severe damage to textile floor coverings and are the most common source of 46 damage to carpet fibers. Left unchecked, these soils can scratch, abrade and de-luster carpet fibers so that 47 they do not reflect light the same way as fibers in undamaged areas, which retain a new, or unused, 48 appearance. 49

Some combinations of soils may create biofilms, (i.e., a group of microorganisms in which cells stick to 50 each other on a surface), potentially providing habitats for biological growth. 51 52

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5.3 Apparent Soil 1 2

Traffic lanes can be characterized by a type of appearance change, often called apparent soil. While it is 3 indeed apparent, or visible, it is not a real soil that can be removed by cleaning. 4 5 Crimp loss or lack of resiliency can cause pile distortion in traffic lanes in carpet that can be misinterpreted 6 as soiling. These conditions result from physical properties or characteristics of certain fibers that cannot 7 be corrected with cleaning. 8

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6 Soil Management 1

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Soil management is the most important step in textile care. 3 4

6.1 Soil Prevention and Control 5 6

Soil management begins outside a home or building, where the majority of abrasive and oily soils originate. 7 Parking areas and walkways should be vacuumed, swept, or blown off frequently, and kept free of leaves, 8 sand, and other debris. Additionally, they should be pressure-washed or wet-brushed and hose-rinsed with 9 an environmentally friendly detergent, as needed, to prevent the accumulation of abrasive and oily soils 10 and dust that could be tracked into a facility. 11 12

6.2 Soil Barriers 13 14

6.2.1 The Importance of Soil Barriers 15 16 Soil that is picked up from the exterior should be prevented from entering a building by a properly specified 17 barrier system, which may incorporate both exterior and interior mats. Exterior soil barriers should scrape 18 and remove large soil particles and moisture from shoes. Once deposited on exterior barriers, soil particles 19 should be able to fall down or away from the surface, so they are not picked up on shoes and tracked into 20 the facility. Ridged mats, spaghetti type mats and grated pits or mats are examples of exterior barriers that 21 provide the scrape-and-remove effect. 22 23 Interior mats should have a more carpet-like texture and appearance and provide wiping and drying of shoe 24 soles to remove additional soil and moisture. During periods of inclement weather, additional mats may be 25 needed. 26 27 For normal soiling conditions, it is recommended that a minimum of four to six steps should be allowed on 28 exterior and interior mats for effective soil removal, wiping, and drying; however, as a general rule, the more 29 mats present, the more soil removal or drying takes place. Mats, because of their soil migration or incursion 30 prevention attributes, significantly reduce the overall cost of maintenance. This is especially true of multi-31 story facilities where every effort should be made to contain soil on the entry level floors. 32 33

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Figure 1: Mat length 36 37



Mat placement varies based on the needs of the facility. While a single mat may suffice at the entry of most 1 residential structures, commercial building entrances should have a proper two-mat system for maximum 2 soil-entry prevention. High-traffic areas inside a facility, such as copier or printer areas, should also have 3 mats installed to protect textile flooring. Lastly, areas that are prone to spills, such as those near vending 4 machines, in break rooms, or at coffee stations should have mats to protect against spills, which could 5 result in repeat spots and stains or tracking to other areas. They should be cleaned regularly, based on 6 traffic and use conditions. 7 8

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Figure 2: Soil barrier system 11 12 Mats should be maintained on a more frequent basis than textile flooring in a facility. Exterior mats should 13 have the soil removed from them to prevent build-up and eventually tracking into the building. Interior mats 14 should be vacuumed daily and, in some cases, such as during periods of inclement weather or abnormally 15 high traffic, even more frequently. 16 17 6.2.2 Identifying Soil Distribution 18 19 Textile floor coverings are designed to hold and hide soil. Carpet in entryways and high traffic areas can 20 localize, accumulate and become over-saturated with soil, spots and spills. From here it can track farther 21 inside, if not contained. Controlling localized soil buildup from spreading into uncontaminated low traffic 22 areas should be the goal of programmed maintenance. 23 24

6.3 Vacuuming 25 26

6.3.1 The Importance of Vacuuming 27 28 Vacuuming is the mechanical process of removing dry particulate soils from a textile through a combination 29 of airflow and suction, agitation, and filtration. This dry particulate soil accounts for most of the soil that 30

Keep the major soil load out of, or contained on, the facility's entry floor. This will substantially reduce the amount of soil being tracked to upper floors.



accumulates in textile flooring, and it is most easily and thoroughly removed through vacuuming while it is 1 dry. The primary responsibility for vacuuming lies with the building owner and those assigned to its care. 2 3 The types of dry soils that should be removed from the carpet can be classified as follows: 4 5

▪ gross soils: soils larger than a paper hole punch, such as leaves, paperclips, coins, cans, nails, and 6 wood; 7

▪ visible soils: soils that are visible to the naked eye, such as hair, thread, lint, or sand, and 8 ▪ invisible soils: soils that include inhalable and respirable particles and other micro-substances that 9

may impact human health and building materials and systems. 10 11 6.3.2 Pile Lifting and Vacuuming 12 13 A machine to lift the pile and separate crushed and matted tufts is recommended for high-use, high-traffic 14 areas. A machine with horizontally rotating brush(es) is designed to lift up or stand up the pile and dislodge 15 deep down, dry dirt. This is often used prior to or simultaneously with regular vacuuming or cleaning. Pile 16 lifting brushes prepare neglected carpet for restorative cleaning. Also, it may help remove deeply embedded 17 particle soil from entry or high-traffic areas before wet carpet cleaning. 18 19 Once particles are removed from the carpet, standard vacuums can effectively filter and trap particles from 20 the air stream. High-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filtration systems can remove 99.97% of particles 21 down to a size of 0.3 microns from the air stream. The objective of vacuuming should be to remove as 22 much of the particulate and bio-pollutant as possible, without damaging face yarns or redistributing particles 23 back into the air. It is important that vacuum cleaner bags be changed before they become full or clogged 24 in order to ensure that vacuuming efficiency is optimized. 25 26 The use of a Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) approved vacuum, or equivalent, is recommended for dry soil 27 removal. The CRI has developed testing criteria for vacuum equipment under its Seal of Approval Program. 28 This program evaluates the ability of both residential and commercial vacuum equipment to remove carpet 29 soils without expelling them into the air and damaging the carpet. 30 31

6.4 Maintenance Programs and Procedures 32 33 The objective of a maintenance program is to keep soil out of the structure and off of the carpet. This 34 extends the useful life of the carpet, helps to achieve a higher appearance level, contributes to a healthy 35 indoor environment, and protects and preserves a major asset. A maintenance program should be planned 36 so that many factors are considered (e.g., budget, occupants, types of floor covering, sources of soil, spots). 37 38 6.4.1 Commercial Carpet Maintenance Programs 39 40 Commercial carpet installations should have a plan for programmed soil removal and management. The 41 maintenance aspect of soil management should be planned with many factors considered (e.g., budget, 42 occupants, types of floor covering, sources and types of soil, concentrations of soil, and the appearance 43 level desired by the facility manager). 44 45 The maintenance program should include: 46

47 ▪ sweeping or blowing off sidewalks, garages, parking lots, and entry areas outside the structure; 48 ▪ entry mats that are vacuumed daily to remove particle soil accumulation; 49 ▪ vacuuming, using industry approved equipment to remove soils deposited on carpet; 50 ▪ routine spotting for immediate attention to spots as they occur or as they are noticed; 51 ▪ proper cleaning frequencies for traffic load and use, and 52 ▪ soil management of hard surfaces, as well as transition areas. 53

54 Commercial facility in-house or contract professional maintenance personnel should: 55 56



▪ identify major sources of soil, including: 1 o parking lots; 2 o sidewalks, entry aprons; 3 o parking garages or areas; 4 o warehouse areas, particularly with fork-lift traffic; 5 o industrial work areas; 6 o maintenance areas, and 7 o food service areas, break areas. 8 9

▪ identify localized areas of heavy soiling, including: 10 o track-off areas: areas where carpet collects tracked-in soil from the outdoors or from hard-11

surfaced floors. Track-off regions average 90 square feet (6’x15’) at building entrances, 10 12 square feet (2’x5’) at internal doorways, and 40 square feet (5’x8’) in corridors six feet wide; 13

o congested pathways: this involves concentrated areas of foot traffic, such as doorways, 14 stairwells, or drinking fountain areas. A congested pathway averages three feet around a 15 doorway, to 10 feet around elevators, and 16

o traffic lanes: areas with the largest amount of concentrated foot traffic, generally identified 17 as main hallways and lobbies within a facility. 18

19 If the maximum use life of carpet is to be achieved, vacuuming should be performed based on programmed 20 frequency guidelines: 21 22

▪ heavy-traffic areas: daily; 23 ▪ medium-traffic areas: twice or three times weekly, and 24 ▪ light-traffic areas: once or twice weekly. 25

26 In most commercial buildings, all traffic areas need daily vacuuming (e.g., hallways, classrooms, food and 27 beverage areas, office areas directly off manufacturing floors). 28 29 6.4.2 Residential Carpet Maintenance Programs 30 31 Residential carpet installations should have a plan for programmed maintenance and cleaning, to include: 32 33

▪ sweeping or blowing off sidewalks, driveways, and entry areas outside the structure, especially 34 after mowing or during fall weather when there is an accumulation of leaves; 35

▪ vacuuming or shaking entry mats weekly to remove accumulated particle soil; 36 ▪ vacuuming, using quality equipment that is well filtered, to remove soils deposited on carpet and to 37

prevent aerosolizing fine particles; 38 ▪ routine spotting for immediate attention to spots as they occur or as they are noticed; 39 ▪ programmed professional cleaning of regularly used wall-to-wall carpet at least annually, often 40

combined with semi-annual entry, traffic area, and heavy-use area (e.g., dens, hallways, entry 41 foyers) cleaning, and 42

▪ area rug cleaning every 12-24 months, depending on placement and traffic. 43 44 The cleaning technician should follow several steps in preparing the pile for cleaning through dry soil 45 removal: 46 47

▪ pile preparation or pile lifting: the pile restoration step can be combined with, or precede, vacuuming 48 dry soil, particularly when the textile flooring is heavily matted and soiled, and when high pile fabrics 49 exhibit crushing or tangling in entry, pivot, and high-traffic areas. In these instances, a machine with 50 pile lifting capability is the appropriate tool in commercial venues. In residences, pile preparation 51 can also be achieved with an appropriate brush, comb, or carpet groomer; 52

▪ physical soil removal through dry vacuuming: to achieve effective dry soil removal, first dry vacuum 53 high-traffic and open areas. An upright vacuum, or pile lifter, which incorporates high-velocity 54 suction and pile agitation, should be used in soil-impacted carpet entry areas. As with any home or 55 commercial vacuum, professional vacuums employed in this critical step should trap soil that is 56



removed from the carpet with a high-efficiency filtering system to prevent redistribution of fine 1 particles into the air, and 2

▪ consider the buildup of dust and fine particle soils that inevitably occurs around the edges and in 3 corners of rooms. Where indicated, these should be removed with dry vacuuming, with brushing of 4 edges as needed, before cleaning agents are applied. 5

6 When substantial quantities of abrasive particle soils are observed at the base of yarns in entry areas, these 7 should be hand-vacuumed, as practical (e.g., hand tool, vacuum hose cuff). 8 9 10 11

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7 Equipment and Tools 2

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Equipment and tools used in the professional cleaning of textile floor coverings has increased in efficiency 4 and effectiveness over the years. Engineered modifications, adaptations and combinations of both 5 chemistries and machine design continue to strive towards advanced performance. Equipment and tools 6 are designed to perform using different levels of moisture to achieve desired results. 7 8 Many types of equipment that at one time were associated with one specific method of cleaning may now 9 be used by a cleaning technician to implement a variety of cleaning methods and systems. The cleaning 10 technician should assess the carpet and select appropriate equipment that meets or exceeds cleaning 11 goals. 12 13 Various types of equipment and tools are available for the maintenance and care of textile floor coverings. 14 Selection is based on such issues as equipment manufacturers' performance claims and reliability, textile 15 flooring manufacturers’ guidelines, budget, the carpet type, construction, and carpet soiling. 16 17 Equipment options that may be used, but are not limited to, include: 18 19

▪ dry vacuums; 20 ▪ wet vacuums; 21 ▪ absorbent pad equipment; 22 ▪ counter rotating equipment; 23 ▪ absorbent/adsorbent compound equipment; 24 ▪ free standing portable equipment- with or without heater; 25 ▪ self-contained walk behind or riding extraction equipment; 26 ▪ encapsulation equipment; 27 ▪ foam extraction equipment; 28 ▪ rotary shampoo equipment; 29 ▪ hot water truck mount equipment; 30 ▪ wands; 31 ▪ rotary water extraction floor tools; 32 ▪ pile lifting equipment with or without vacuum, and 33 ▪ detail tools (for hard to clean areas). 34

35

7.1 Grooming Tools and Brushes 36 37 Grooming tools allow for aeration and faster drying times by setting the carpet pile for drying, evenly 38 distributing post-cleaning treatments and presprays, lifting matted pile prior to vacuuming, and removing 39 shed hair before pre-vacuuming. 40 41 It is recommended that care be taken in selecting the correct grooming tools as to prevent damage to the 42 carpet pile. Some grooming tools may be too stiff and aggressive for use on certain carpet styles. Some 43 yarns should be groomed with a softer, less aggressive grooming brush. Refer to Section 3, Carpet Fibers, 44 Construction, and Styles, for additional information. Aggressive use of grooming tools can result in damage 45 to carpet pile yarns, known as tip flaring. Using grooming tools aggressively can abrade, distort, or 46 otherwise damage the face yarns. 47 48

7.2 Spray Application Equipment 49 50

Sprayer shall be labeled for content identification and safety reasons. The cleaning technician shall keep 51 each product in properly labeled and appropriate containers. It is not recommended to reuse or fill spray 52 bottles or sprayers with a different product than what is listed on the label. The cleaning technician shall 53 comply with local, state, provincial, and federal regulations. Some spray equipment options a cleaning 54 technician may use are trigger sprayers, hand-pump sprayers, electric sprayers, or in-line sprayers. 55



1

7.3 Spotting Machines 2

3

Spotting machines are designed to assist the cleaning technician in rinsing spotting solutions and soils from 4 the carpet pile. They are small box-type housings with a solution pump and a small vacuum motor inside. 5 Extending outside and attached to the base unit is a vacuum hose and rinse hose. The tool will be an 6 upholstery cleaning style tool. Some manufacturers offer a small heater to provide heat when spotting or 7 rinsing. Typically, the spotter machine will provide a rinse pressure of 35 to 60 PSI, or possibly higher. 8 Some manufacturers offer wheels attached to the base unit to make transportation easier. 9

10

7.4 Pump-out Systems 11

12

Pump-out systems allow the cleaning technician to pump-out waste into an acceptable sewage dump site 13 (e.g., toilet, washing machine discharge line, or sewer clean-out) in accordance with local, state, and federal 14 environmental regulations. Pump-out systems may be a separate system, or they may be incorporated into 15 the design of some truck-mounted or portable water extraction units. External units consist of a filter, AC or 16 DC-powered pump, usually submersible, and one or two holding tanks. Also included are entry (i.e., 17 incoming) and exit (i.e., outgoing) connectors for hoses. Some manufacturers offer a clear tubing or canister 18 to view the soiled wastewater as it transitions through the pump-out system. At a minimum, internal units 19 consist of a pump and exit hose connector. Anchoring devices are available to secure the wastewater 20 discharge hose to the commode (i.e., toilet) or other acceptable sewage outlet for safer wastewater 21 discharge. 22 23

7.5 Extraction wand selection 24

25

Wands are constructed of stainless steel, aluminum, titanium or rotomolded plastic. Some designs result in 26 less operator fatigue and more effective airflow. Ergonomic assist handles are available and should be 27 adjusted to fit the individual technician. Wands should be selected and fitted to the technician to ensure 28 upright position during the entire extraction process. 29 30 Other options include sight windows that help the cleaning technician know if excess moisture, soil or foam 31 is being removed during the cleaning process and swivel heads to help alleviate operator fatigue. Low 32 friction glides fitted to the wand head are also available. The narrow slots or holes increase air velocity and 33 make extra dry strokes much easier to perform. Reduced stress on the cleaning technician’s body is an 34 additional benefit. A non-marking glide also helps protect baseboards and sensitive transition areas. 35 36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

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1

8 Methods and Systems of Cleaning 2

3

8.1 Purpose 4 5

Knowledge of textile cleaning methods and principles, textile characteristics and styles, cleaning systems 6 attributes, environmental conditions, cleaning procedures and customer’s expectations should be the 7 guidelines that the cleaning technician utilizes to achieve desired results. Some of the responsibility for the 8 performance of the carpet lies in the hands of the end user. 9 10

8.2 Definitions 11

12 cleaning: The process of removing unwanted substances from an environment or material. 13 14

cleaning method: the chemistry and the equipment used within a system. Textile floor covering cleaning 15 methods can be utilized on their own or in combination with other methods in a textile floor covering cleaning 16 system. 17 18 cleaning system: a textile floor covering cleaning system is the implementation of principles, procedures, 19 and methods used to achieve a desired level of cleaning. 20 21

8.3 Understanding Levels of Moisture 22 23 Vacuum cleaners, pile lifters, counter rotating brush machines and similar devices are systems that may 24 operate dry, or with no moisture. A system may control or reduce moisture used during cleaning. This may 25 be accomplished by restricting the ability of moisture to flow because it is absorbed within a solid, the use 26 of foams rather than liquids, applying a lesser volume of liquid, or by recovering a greater amount of the 27 moisture applied. 28 29

8.4 Addressing the Principles of Cleaning 30 31

Understanding the surface, you are cleaning and the cleaning solutions and chemicals you employ may 32 assist in the outcome of cleaning. This sometimes is difficult and may require special instruction, training or 33 assistance depending on soiling condition. 34

35

For any method or system to be effective, essential principles of cleaning should be addressed. If these 36 principles are not followed, cleaning effectiveness can be compromised. 37 38

8.5 Procedural Components 39 40

8.5.1 Vacuuming and Pile Lifting 41 42

Vacuuming or other dry soil removal process should be the first step of any carpet or rug cleaning system. 43 For effective dry soil removal, efficient vacuum equipment or pile lifters should be coupled with an efficient 44 soil-collection system. 45 46 It is recommended that carpets are vacuumed with a system that has a powerhead with a spinning brush. 47 48 Loop pile wool carpets should not be vacuumed with a powerhead or counter rotating brush (CRB) pile 49 lifter. 50 51 If dry vacuuming with a vacuum and powerhead does not lift the carpet pile in a manner that allows for 52 maximum dry particle removal from the carpet, the matted down carpet pile should be lifted with a pile lifter, 53 a CRB or a carpet rake to increase soil removal. 54



1 It is recommended that dry vacuum systems be equipped with a HEPA filter to minimize the amount of 2 aerosolized particulate released back into the environment from the vacuum exhaust. 3 4 Pre-vacuuming or pile lifting the carpet can be accomplished by the residential or commercial carpet owner. 5 The carpet should be dry vacuumed prior to any moisture being added to the carpet as dry soils are very 6 difficult to remove from the carpet pile once they have been moistened. When a carpet is cleaned prior to 7 adequate dry vacuuming, the cleaning solutions may attack dry soils in the carpet rather than the oily soils 8 adhered to the fiber, therefore reducing wet cleaning effectiveness. 9

10

8.5.2 Preconditioning 11 12 With most cleaning systems, preconditioning or chemical application should be used to initiate chemistry 13 of cleaning. Preconditioning carpet may assist in soil removal. Preconditioning and rinse chemicals should 14 be those that have been tested and found to be safe for the carpet fibers being cleaned. 15 16 Moisture levels applied should be monitored or controlled to reduce possible over wetting of textile floor 17 covering. 18 19 8.5.3 Agitation 20 21 Several means of agitating preconditioning agents can be used. These include, but are not limited to: 22 23

▪ cylindrical brush agitation, fore and aft or single brush; 24 ▪ manual brush agitation (e.g., carpet rake, or flagged nylon bristle brush); 25 ▪ oscillating pads, and 26 ▪ rotary brush agitation, either single disc or with multiple heads. 27

28 It is recommended, the cleaning technician consult carpet manufacturer warranty literature, as practical, for 29 additional guidance. Excessive agitation or use of improper brush stiffness may cause damage to textile 30 floor covering. Rotary agitation can void most manufacturer’s warranty for some products. 31 32

8.6 Extraction Systems 33

34 8.6.1 Dry Compound 35 36

Dry compound extraction (i.e., absorbent or adsorbent compound extraction) is a low/restricted moisture 37 compound cleaning system, and should include five steps: 38 39

1. vacuuming and pile lifting as needed for dry soil removal; 40 2. light application of liquid pre-conditioner as needed where there is moderate to heavily soiled 41

carpet; 42 3. applying or broadcasting the dry compound according to manufacturer recommendations; 43 4. manual or mechanical agitation, typically using counter rotating cylindrical brush agitation, and 44 5. post-vacuum to remove soiled cleaning compound either immediately or after an appropriate dry 45

time. 46 47 8.6.2 Encapsulation 48 49 Encapsulation extraction is a low moisture encapsulation cleaning system, and should include these steps: 50 51

1. vacuuming for dry soil removal; 52 2. application of liquid encapsulation cleaning technicians according to product label directions; 53 3. agitation using cylindrical counter rotating brush (CRB), rotary or planetary agitation or oscillating 54

pad agitation, and 55



4. post-vacuuming after drying to remove cleaning agent, surface debris, and encapsulated soil. This 1 essential step can be accomplished by the cleaning technician or by in-house or contract building 2 services personnel using a vacuum equipped with a beater bar or brush roll. It is usually considered 3 a function for building maintenance personnel. 4

5 8.6.3 Rotary or Oscillating Pad 6 7 Rotary or oscillating pad extraction is a low moisture carpet cleaning system that utilizes a rotary machine 8 combined with a bonnet or pad. Bonnets are made of absorbent and/or adsorbent fibers. Absorbent pads 9 are typically made of cotton or rayon or a blend with synthetic fibers. This method should include five steps: 10 11

1. assess carpet fiber style and twist to ensure they can be safely cleaned using the rotary action; 12 2. vacuuming for dry soil removal; 13 3. application of sufficient pre-conditioner formulated for rotary or oscillating pad cleaning to both the 14

carpet and bonnet/pad for adequate soil separation and lubrication during agitation. Bonnets/ Pads 15 should be kept damp during the entire process to prevent damage to the fibers; 16

4. bonnet/pad agitation, using a drive block attached to rotary, oscillating, or orbital equipment. 17 Bonnets or pads used for cleaning should be washed or exchanged before they become soil 18 saturated. 19

5. post-vacuuming after drying to remove surface debris or the cleaning agent and encapsulated soil 20 if applicable. 21

22 8.6.4 Dry Foam 23 24 Foam extraction is a low moisture dry foam cleaning system, and should include three steps: 25 26

1. pre-vacuuming for dry soil removal, 27 2. application of a foam detergent, agitation, and 28 3. extraction of suspended soils and excess foam with equipment incorporating wet vacuum extraction 29

capabilities. When using dry foam equipment that does not incorporate a wet vacuum system, a 30 separate wet vacuuming step is recommended. In some cases, dry vacuuming is necessary as a 31 final step. 32

33 8.6.5 Water Rinse 34 35 Water rinse extraction can involve either hot or cold-water extraction and should include six steps: 36 37

1. vacuuming for dry soil removal; 38 2. preconditioning with a solution of low-foaming powder or liquid; 39 3. agitating, as necessary, residential carpet typically using manual brushing with a carpet groomer; 40

or agitating residential or commercial or heavily soiled residential carpet using rotary or CRB 41 agitation; 42

4. soil extraction by rinsing to remove suspended soil and excess moisture 43 5. grooming, as necessary; 44 6. drying, either naturally or with optional air moving equipment. Dry strokes of the wand, air movers, 45

fans and the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system can assist in meeting the 46 industry standard of care for drying times. 47

48

8.7 Other Cleaning Systems 49 50

8.7.1 Combination Systems 51 52 Combination cleaning systems combine two or more pieces of cleaning equipment or methods. This can 53 be efficient and effective. When combining specific cleaning principles and methods, systems of cleaning 54 can be customized to adapt to the variables associated with the job. 55 56



1 8.7.2 Immersion Systems 2 3 An immersion (submersion) cleaning system is used for area rugs, which can be cleaned in a specialized 4 plant facility using any of the systems described previously, and they can be cleaned under flowing water 5 using specialized techniques, equipment, and procedures. 6 7

In some cases, service providers use automated equipment that accomplishes many of these tasks in 8 succession on the same processing line. For additional information on immersion systems. Refer to Section 9 15, Area Rugs for additional information. 10 11

8.8 Residual Chemical Levels 12 13

Cleaning solutions should be removed as much as possible from the textile floor covering by means of 14 rinsing and wet or dry vacuuming. 15 16

8.9 Residual Moisture Levels 17 18 All the cleaning systems described in this section leave some level of residual moisture in the carpet. Drying 19 times will vary, sometimes by hours, depending on environmental conditions, fiber type, the cleaning 20 technician’s ability, equipment maintenance or methods/systems employed. The cleaning technician and 21 end users should take steps to increase air movement to reduce drying times artificially as necessary (e.g., 22 air movers, HVAC, indoor fans or outdoor ventilation). Drying can be affected significantly by indoor and 23 outdoor atmospheric conditions, as well as an end user’s willingness to cooperate with drying procedures. 24 25 Ideal drying times are: 26 27

▪ commercial carpet: ideally not to exceed eight hours. 28 ▪ residential carpet: ideally not to exceed 12 hours. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

55



9 Safety and Health 1

2

9.1 Worker Safety and Health 3 4 Protecting the safety and health of the cleaning technician and building occupants is extremely important 5 in carpet and rug cleaning projects. Anytime moisture and electrical equipment are present, the service 6 provider should have standardized procedures to prevent slip and fall or electrical shock. 7 8 Safety and Health issues arising from Category 2 and 3 water damage are addressed more specifically in 9 the latest version of ANSI/IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration. 10

11

9.2 Safety Plans Required by A Service Provider 12

13

9.2.1 Written Hazard Communication Program (HAZCOM) 14 15

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 2012 (HCS 2012) has adapted the Global Harmonized 16 System of Chemical Classification (GHS). A written HAZCOM requires that information concerning 17 chemical hazards (e.g., physical or health hazards) be provided to employers by chemical manufacturers 18 and communicated to employees by employers via product labelling, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and worker 19 education and training. Employee training shall include the following: how the written HAZCOM is 20 implemented in the workplace and how to read and interpret information on labels and SDS; identifying the 21 chemical hazards associated with the chemicals used in the workplace and the measures that employees 22 shall take to protect themselves; and other specific emergency procedures that are to be instituted. 23 24 Employers shall provide the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees that will be 25 handling hazardous chemicals as prescribed by the SDS. Proper PPE may include chemical resistant 26 gloves, splash goggles, face shields, and chemical resistant aprons. Additionally, an eye wash station shall 27 be located in close proximity to any chemical handling station that requires it according to the SDS and to 28 ensure that first aid is not delayed in the case of chemical exposure. 29 30 9.2.2 Respirator Use and Written Respirator Protection Plan 31 32 Employees shall wear respirators whenever engineering and work practice controls are not adequate to 33 prevent atmospheric air contamination at the job site. OSHA and equivalent governmental agencies require 34 that a written respiratory protection program be implemented for employees who wear a respirator. 35 36 The program should include but not be limited to: 37 38

▪ selection and use of NIOSH approved respirators; 39 ▪ medical evaluation when required; 40 ▪ respirator fit testing; 41 ▪ user instruction and training in the use and limitations of the respirator, prior to wearing it; 42 ▪ designated program administrator; 43 ▪ cleaning and maintenance programs, and 44 ▪ respirator choice flow charts 45

46 9.2.3 Written Exposure Control Plan: 47 48 The service provider shall have an exposure control plan written for employees to deal with incidental 49 exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). 50 The exposure control plan should be site specific and outline the procedures, products and personal 51 protective equipment to be used to protect the cleaning technician from exposure to blood and OPIM. 52 53 9.2.4 Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plans 54 55



Emergency action and fire prevention plans (OSHA 29 CFR 1926.20 and 1910.38-39) are required for all 1 workplaces, including carpet cleaning sites. Requirements include, but are not limited to: 2

3 ▪ communication and alarm systems; 4 ▪ the location of the nearest hospital and fire station; 5 ▪ emergency telephone numbers, posted; 6 ▪ shut down, evacuation, and rescue procedures, posted; 7 ▪ escape routes and signage, posted; 8 ▪ civil unrest 9 ▪ use of less-flammable materials; 10 ▪ use and placement of fire extinguishers, and 11 ▪ a written program, if the employer has 11 or more employees. 12

13

The cleaning technician should if possible, be familiar with the site emergency action and fire prevention 14 plan. 15 16

9.2.5 Warning Signs 17 18 Warning signs that are posted to identify hazards that may exist on the job site should list the following 19 emergency contact information, such as the service provider name and address, 24-hour emergency 20 contact telephone number, and name of the project supervisor. 21 22

The cleaning technician has a responsibility to protect their customers as well as themselves. Slip and fall 23 warning signs should be placed on all areas where carpet meets hard surface. In addition, it is 24 recommended that the cleaning technician have their customer sign an acknowledgement that they have 25 been warned of and recognize the hazards that may be associated with walking from damp carpeted 26 surfaces to hard surfaces during and after the completion of the cleaning process. 27 28 In addition, during a pre-cleaning inspection, cleaning technicians should point out and document any 29 imperfections in the flooring surface prior to commencement of the cleaning process. This should be done 30 in conjunction with the customer acknowledgement to ensure that the employer is protected from liability in 31 the event of an incident. 32 33 9.2.6 Mold and Sewage 34 35

If a cleaning technician encounter extensive mold growth during the course of the carpet cleaning project, 36 cleaning activities should stop until such time that the area of existing or suspected mold contamination is 37 contained. Further drying and mold remediation in the potentially contaminated area should be performed 38 by trained remediators following the latest version of the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold 39 Remediation. 40

41

9.3 Heat Disorders 42

43 Work activities involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact 44 with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities have a high potential for inducing heat stress. The cleaning 45 technician should keep themselves hydrated and be aware of situations that could cause heat disorders. 46 47

9.4 Vehicle and Equipment Safety 48 49

Employers shall comply with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations regarding 50 vehicle safety. Employers should provide instruction to their employees on driver safety. Employees shall 51 comply with applicable federal, state, provincial, and local laws and regulations regarding vehicle operation. 52 53

9.5 Ergonomics 54 55



Employers shall provide their employees with safe, preferably ergonomically designed tools that will help 1 minimize strain and repetitive motion injuries. Due to the nature of the cleaning technician’s work, they are 2 susceptible to repetitive motion injuries affecting the shoulder, elbow, knees, and back. Employers should 3 take into consideration the setup of the equipment on their trucks and make sure that the tools are placed 4 in easily accessible places that reduce stretching or straining. In addition, providing tools, such as furniture 5 sliders, that reduce the strain on the back and help prevent injury. 6 7 The cleaning technician should change the “side” they push the wand from at regular intervals to avoid 8 serious long-term health effects. 9 10

9.6 Lifting 11 12

Lifting is an action that occurs on every cleaning job and one that a cleaning technician may take for granted. 13 The movement of furniture places a great deal of strain on the back and, when done improperly, can lead 14 to serious injury and lost work time. 15

16

Employers should train newly hired employees on the proper lifting techniques that will help prevent injury. 17 As part of a back-injury prevention program, employers should encourage employees to stretch before, 18 during and after their work shift. 19

20 It is a general industry practice, the cleaning technician should lift heavy carpet cleaning machines, such 21 as extractors, using ramps or two people to lift the machine on and off a truck, or up or down stairs. 22

23

9.7 General Work Practices 24

25

The safety and health of the cleaning technician shall be a primary concern of their employers. Reasonable 26 efforts should be made to inform and protect building occupants from health and safety issues. 27

28 General safety considerations shall include, but are not limited, to: 29

30 ▪ Hazard Communication Program; 31 ▪ driving safely to and from the work site; 32 ▪ proper parking procedures (e.g., cones, parking brakes, wheel chocks, exhaust gases, where 33

appropriate); 34 ▪ proper storage, mixing, and use of chemicals, both in-plant and on-location; 35 ▪ proper use of electrical or other mechanical equipment; 36 ▪ engineering controls, as necessary (e.g., guards on rotating or hot equipment components, 37

ventilation when using dry solvents); 38 ▪ use personal protective equipment as prescribed by hazard assessments, safety data sheets; 39 ▪ consideration to blood borne pathogens may be required; 40 ▪ use of warning signs, where appropriate, and 41 ▪ slip, trip, and fall hazards. 42

43 Service providers shall incorporate the following items into their work procedures: 44

▪ inspect PPE prior to use; 45 ▪ repair or replace damaged protective clothing; 46 ▪ don PPE appropriate to the hazards identified in the work area; 47 ▪ when an injury occurs, the injured worker and coworkers are to take the steps delineated in the 48

service provider’s safety program; 49 ▪ workers are to be instructed as to job specific emergency plans including emergency exits; 50 ▪ workers are to be informed about the location of the emergency shower and eye wash stations, 51

and 52 ▪ report injuries to the supervisor as soon as possible. 53 54

55



10 Administrative Procedures 1

2 It is recommended that service providers establish, implement, and consistently follow methods and 3 procedures for all jobs, including, but not limited to, business systems, operational plans and protocols. 4 5

10.1 Contracts 6 7

It is recommended, the cleaning technician enter into an adequate written contract or service agreement 8 before starting a carpet cleaning job. Although jobs can vary greatly, it is recommended that a written 9 contract or service agreement containing all relevant site conditions necessary to form an enforceable 10 agreement under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction and specify, at a minimum: 11 12

▪ the identity and contact information of the client and all materially interested parties; 13 ▪ a description of the work to be performed, which can include reference to attached project 14

specifications or other documents that specify the details of the work; 15 ▪ description of and responsibility for repair of collateral or consequential damage; 16 ▪ known limitations, complexities, or potential complications of the project; 17 ▪ permits required for the project; 18 ▪ the respective duties and responsibilities of the parties; 19 ▪ the project start date and the time frame for completion of the work; 20 ▪ the price or method for calculating the price or fees for the work; 21 ▪ the price or fees for any changes or additions to the work; 22 ▪ the party responsible for payment and the terms of payment; 23 ▪ provisions dealing with contract default and termination; 24 ▪ whether or not an insurance company is involved, and how the project will be handled; 25 ▪ warranty and disclaimer provisions, if any; 26 ▪ the criteria for determining the effectiveness of the project, and 27 ▪ provisions relating to changes or additions to the work, including change orders. 28

29 If a written contract or service agreement is executed, it is recommended that each page of the contract or 30 agreement be initialed by all parties to the contract. The written contract or service agreement should be 31 dated and signed by all parties, once executed, each party should be given a copy of the written contract 32 or service agreement as soon as practical. Service providers should seek legal counsel for the development 33 of a contract, including appropriate terms and conditions, or when circumstances or situations dictate the 34 need for contract modifications, addendums, or project-specific legal advice. The written contract or service 35 agreement should be signed by the property owner or owner’s authorized agent. 36 37 Documents should be accurate and complete, free of ambiguity, contain adequate disclaimers, reservations 38 and recommendations. 39 40

10.2 Communication 41 42

The following strategies are recommended to prevent or reduce communication problems: 43 44

▪ listen carefully and restate the request or inquiry to the other party; 45 ▪ be realistic in providing assessments and completion schedules; 46 ▪ communicate with appropriate parties prior to commencement verifying priorities and objectives; 47 ▪ meet with the client or customer at the end of each workday to communicate job progress; 48 ▪ maintain a professional demeanor and attitude with all communications; 49 ▪ develop, implement, and consistently follow an organized, systematic method of receiving, 50

evaluating, and acting upon information received during the course of the job. 51 ▪ document communications when necessary or appropriate to satisfy documentation and 52

recordkeeping recommendations set forth elsewhere in this document. 53 54



It is recommended, the cleaning technician not give advice, education, recommendations, or advisories on 1 subjects outside their area of expertise. 2 3

10.3 Documentation 4 5

To develop and document the job properly, the cleaning technician should obtain and document all pertinent 6 job information before starting the job. It is also recommended, the cleaning technician document important 7 communications to reduce the possibility of miscommunication. 8 9 10.3.1 Time Keeping Documentation 10 11 On some large jobs, it may be necessary to record the time of employees, subcontractors and others 12 involved. Jobs can be invoiced on a measured-estimate or bid basis, a time-and-material basis, or a cost-13 plus-overhead-and-profit basis. 14 15 A work order should be completely filled out, with all pertinent details of the job each day. 16 17 10.3.2 Equipment, Material, and Supply Usage Documentation 18 19 It is recommended that a list of equipment, materials and supplies used on a specific job be included on 20 the work order. 21 22 10.3.3 Job Monitoring 23 24 It is recommended that service providers maintain documentation for tracking the progress and 25 effectiveness of these jobs. 26 27 10.3.4 Required Documentation 28 29

The documents and records obtained and maintained by the service provider shall include documents 30 required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations by governmental authorities. These include, but are not 31 limited to: 32

▪ Safety Data Sheets (SDSs); 33 ▪ written hazard communication program, and 34 ▪ site specific exposure control program. 35

36

10.4 Recommended Documentation 37 38

While not an exhaustive list, it is recommended that documents and records obtained and maintained by 39 the cleaning technician include the following: 40 41

▪ administrative information (e.g., client or customers and materially interested parties contact 42 information); 43

▪ subcontractor contracts, work specifications and change orders for any subcontractors engaged 44 by the service provider on the job; 45

▪ insurance information for the service provider; 46 ▪ valid workers compensation clearance certificate for the service provider where applicable; 47 ▪ permits and permit applications; 48 ▪ contact information for employees, known visitors, or occupants who participate in the job process 49

or its administration; 50 ▪ a complaint handling process, and 51 ▪ health and safety policy, handbook or protocols. 52

53 54



10.4.1 Emergencies 1 2 Emergency situations may impede communications about the job or limit the opportunity to document. 3 However, once an emergency situation is resolved, to the extent possible, the service provider should 4 complete the appropriate documentation and correct communication deficiencies caused by the 5 emergency. 6 7

10.5 Risk Management 8 9

Although not necessarily an exclusive list, it is recommended that the service provider consider, at a 10 minimum, application of the risk management tools summarized below: 11 12

▪ be reasonably well capitalized; 13 ▪ perform thorough, quality work with the assistance of a quality assurance program; 14 ▪ manage client expectations (under promise and over deliver) hire qualified and competent 15

employees and invest in and regularly update industry education, training, and certification; 16 ▪ engage qualified and competent subcontractors and specialized experts when necessary. It is 17

important that such subcontractors and specialized experts carry appropriate business liability 18 insurance and workers compensation clearance certificates, where applicable; 19

▪ avoid working outside the scope of your expertise; 20 ▪ stay current with industry developments; 21 ▪ be aware of industry standards and follow them; 22 ▪ use standardized management and operational systems, procedures forms, if possible and 23

appropriate; 24 ▪ create and maintain adequate project documentation and records; 25 ▪ ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations; 26 ▪ deal with problem situations immediately and do not ignore them; 27 ▪ resist compromising applicable standards and protocols to satisfy the requests of the owner, but if 28

required to do so, take precautions such as documenting the deviation request, notifying 29 appropriate materially interested parties, disclaim and obtain releases; 30

▪ conduct the business with integrity while treating others with respect and professionalism 31 ▪ obtain appropriate insurance coverage(s) from a reputable and knowledgeable insurance agent. 32

33 10.5.1 Insurance 34 35 While not an exhaustive list, it is recommended, the cleaning technician consider the following actions: 36 37

▪ obtain and maintain adequate insurance for the cleaning business; 38 ▪ make changes to their insurance program on a timely basis. Do not let the actions of a general 39

liability underwriter non-renewing the service provider’s insurance policies put the firm in a crisis 40 mode; 41

▪ run a tight financial ship. Environmental underwriters will likely be interested in the service 42 provider’s financial performance; 43

▪ prepare an accurate application. The application may be seen as a warranty statement on behalf 44 of the contractor and is often incorporated into the policy itself. Therefore, the application may be 45 referenced during a claim in order to establish that accurate information was provided to the 46 underwriter prior to purchasing coverage; 47

▪ pay particular attention to potential differences in the insurance coverage being provided by 48 different policies (e.g., commercial general liability (CGL) insurance versus contractors pollution 49 liability (CPL) insurance). Some policies may exclude significant causes of loss that other policies 50 cover. A credentialed environmental specialist insurance broker can assist in these evaluations of 51 coverage. 52

53 For cleaning contractors, some of the items of concern can include these four points: 54

55 1. does the policy cover both bodily injury and property damage claims? 56



2. are there exclusions in the policy that may restrict these coverage grants for core business 1 operations? 2

3. does the policy exclude claims against the named insured for claims arising out of the work of 3 subcontractors? 4

4. the policy includes a bonding component for employees where applicable 5 6 10.5.2 Other Insurance 7 8 Service providers shall meet legal requirements to provide worker compensation coverage for businesses 9 having employees. For automobile insurance, it is recommended, and in many jurisdictions required by law, 10 that service providers using vehicles in business obtain commercial automobile liability insurance. 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56



11 Pre-Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Inspections 1

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11.1 Introduction 3 4 The objective of the pre-cleaning inspection is to gather information and provide a written report on the 5 condition of the carpet. Written or photo documentation of variables that can affect the outcome of the 6 cleaning can protect the cleaning technician and help to ensure post-cleaning customer satisfaction. Pre-7 cleaning inspections allow the cleaning technician to know what areas are to be cleaned, the face fiber 8 and construction of the carpet or rug on which they are working, the type and degree of soiling, and the 9 procedural approach to the job. 10 11 The objective of the post-cleaning inspection is to evaluate the result of cleaning and to ensure that cleaning 12 objectives have been met to the satisfaction of both the cleaning technician and customer. It provides the 13 opportunity to advise customers about safety and drying considerations, and when they can expect to 14 resume normal use. It also provides an opportunity for the cleaning technician to make recommendations 15 about maintenance and cleaning frequencies and about the use of appropriate methods for spot cleaning 16 and reducing wear on the carpet. 17 18 Inspection procedures that are useful or necessary for commercial services may or may not be applicable 19 to residential cleaning or in-house facility service providers. 20

21

11.2 Carpet Inspection Kit 22

23 To obtain accurate information during the pre-cleaning inspection, it is recommended that a pre-cleaning 24 inspection kit include but not be limited to: 25 26

▪ high-intensity inspection light to observe traffic lane soiling, spots, stains and discolorations, dust 27 buildup in corners and along walls, signs of carpet damage or delamination, and to eliminate 28 shadows; 29

▪ UV light for detecting contaminants, such as urine deposits, other bodily fluids, or chemical 30 residues that contain optical brighteners; 31

▪ distilled water to test for pH, detergent residue, or soil transfer; 32 ▪ carpet awl to disengage carpet at corners to inspect construction (backings, foundation yarns), 33

cushion, and subfloor; 34 ▪ napping shears to obtain tuft samples for testing; lighted magnifier to inspect spots or soil buildup 35

on primary backings at entries; 36 ▪ tweezers and a butane lighter for fiber identification testing; 37 ▪ volatile dry solvent and neutral detergent spotters to test for spot or soil removal potential; 38 ▪ white towels for blotting spotters; 39 ▪ digital camera for photo documentation; 40 ▪ pH meter or test paper; 41 ▪ moisture sensor or meter to test for hygroscopic residues, and 42 ▪ thermo-hygrometer to anticipate drying potential. 43

44

11.3 Pre-Cleaning Inspection Checklist 45 46

11.3.1 Initial Inspection with Customers 47 48 After making appropriate introductions, the cleaning technician should ask customers to point out specific 49 areas to be cleaned. While on this inspection, it is recommended that the cleaning technician listen carefully 50 as customer’s voice concerns about the carpet, abnormal wear, potentially set stains, furnishings on the 51 carpet, and processing considerations (e.g., carpet use, maintenance, drying times, and cleaning methods). 52 It is recommended that the cleaning technician write notes on their work order about those concerns. 53 54



11.3.2 Background Information 1 2

Carpet should be maintained routinely to prevent soil buildup within the pile. It is recommended, the 3 cleaning technician make customers aware that some carpet manufacturers require periodic professional 4 carpet cleaning to maintain their warranties. 5 6 It is recommended, during the carpet pre-cleaning inspection, information gathered include, but not be 7 limited to: 8 9

▪ approximate age of the carpet; 10 ▪ cleaning history (both professional and do-it-yourself); 11 ▪ were they satisfied with the last cleaning? 12 ▪ how long did it take the carpet to dry? 13 ▪ consumer treatments or spotting agents used; 14 ▪ protective treatments applied; 15 ▪ deodorizers used; 16 ▪ indoor pets present; 17 ▪ occupant-use history; 18 ▪ installation issues; 19 ▪ history of previous water damage, and 20 ▪ vacuuming frequency. 21

22 The cleaning technician should carefully document the carpet’s condition to determine procedures needed 23 to maximize cleaning results. 24 25 11.3.3 Use Issues 26 27 The cleaning technician should note carpet conditions to include, but not be limited to: 28 29

▪ traffic lanes and wear patterns; 30 ▪ condition of seams; 31 ▪ ripples in the carpet; 32 ▪ odors; 33 ▪ stains or discolorations, such as color loss; 34 ▪ possible delamination problems; 35 ▪ heavily soiled areas impacted with particulate soils; 36 ▪ flow of traffic, not only in major walkways, but also within specific rooms; 37 ▪ where traffic is channeled around furniture; 38 ▪ evaluation of soiling conditions so that the cleaning technician can be better prepared to apply the 39

proper chemistry and methods to maximize cleaning results; 40 ▪ pivot areas in halls, at room entries, and within each room; 41 ▪ proximity of traffic areas to major soil sources; 42 ▪ all entry areas; 43 ▪ soil-generating work areas (e.g., garages, entryways, copier rooms), and 44 ▪ kitchens or food processing areas that are also major sources of oily soils that serve as binders for 45

tracked-in particle soil. 46 47 11.3.4 Carpet Construction 48 49

During the inspection, the cleaning technician should examine carpet and related components to include: 50 51

▪ carpet’s construction (e.g., woven, tufted); 52 ▪ pile fiber (i.e., natural, synthetic, or a blend); 53 ▪ color and pattern; 54 ▪ style of the carpet (e.g., cut-pile, loop-pile, cut-loop pile); 55 ▪ cushion (e.g., prime or bonded polyurethane, flat or rippled rubber, natural or synthetic felt); 56



▪ subfloor (e.g., concrete, wood, stone, tile), and 1 ▪ manufacturer instructions or warranty specifications for cleaning and maintenance, if available. 2

3 11.3.5 Spots, Stains, and Discolorations 4 5 The cleaning technician should look for spots, stains, and discolorations; and, ask customers to identify 6 them, as practical. The cleaning technician should inform customers about spot removal limitations. 7 8 The cleaning technician should inquire about indoor pets, and if present, inform customers that odor can 9 be amplified by temperature and humidity associated with cleaning and drying procedures. Also, it is 10 recommended, the cleaning technician discuss the effect that urine can have on carpet dyes, particularly 11 nylon or wool yarns. 12 13 11.3.6 Carpet Installation 14 15

The cleaning technician should pay special attention to the condition of seams in larger rooms and 16 doorways, and determine if the carpet is loose. Areas to review during the inspection include: 17

18 ▪ which method of installation were used?; 19 ▪ are there visible ripples or buckles?; 20 ▪ is the carpet loose where it adjoins other floor coverings or transitions?; 21 ▪ are there signs of sprouting tufts or loss of yarn twist?; 22 ▪ along wall edges where the carpet might be off the tack-strip, and 23 ▪ possible delamination. 24

25 These issues should be communicated with the customers. 26 27 11.3.7 Condition of the Carpet 28 29

The cleaning technician should carefully document the condition of the carpet so that they can determine 30 the best cleaning procedures to maximize cleaning results. Findings should be listed on the work order, 31 and the cleaning technician should be aware of the carpet’s condition before starting the job. Additional 32 areas to inspect or to ask questions about may include: 33

34 ▪ is there sun, fume, or ozone fading?; 35 ▪ is there evidence of particle soil buildup?; 36 ▪ are traffic patterns and heavy-use areas apparent?; 37 ▪ will wear be considered premature possibly resulting, a cleaning technician being blamed for 38

poor performance of low quality or improperly specified carpet? 39 ▪ is there filtration soiling?; 40 ▪ are there animal stains or malodors?; 41 ▪ is there obvious damage?; 42 ▪ is the carpet matted or crushed?; 43 ▪ is shading, pooling, watermarking, or pile reversal apparent?, and 44 ▪ are there spots, stains, or discolorations? 45 46

11.3.8 Abrading, Fading, and Wear 47 48

A simple three-point explanation of fiber facts is often appreciated by customers and eliminates callbacks 49 due to misunderstanding. This explanation is called the abrading, fading, and wear briefing. It is an attempt 50 to educate customers that most entry, pivot, and high-traffic areas will never look like brand new again 51 because of: 52

53 1. abrading: this is the diffusion of light due to exposure of abrasive soil to plastic fiber surfaces, 54

creating scratches and pits that dulls the fiber's appearance and causes changes in light 55



reflection. For example, if a clear piece of plastic is rubbed with sandpaper, no matter how 1 clean it is, the surface always looks dull and dingy; 2

2. fading: this can result from several conditions: 3 a. light, whether incandescent, fluorescent, or especially, direct sunlight has an effect on 4

dyes after a period of prolonged exposure; 5 b. soil, especially oily soil, tends to affect dyes, and yellow some plastic fibers after 6

prolonged exposure, and 7 c. vapor (i.e., fume) or ozone, atmospheric gases passing over or through fibers, for 8

prolonged periods, can have an effect on dyes. 9 3. wear: the reduction in pile face weight, as a result of traffic, abrasive soil build-up, improper 10

maintenance, and use. 11 12

Because of these three physical changes in the fiber itself, it is impossible for even the most professional 13 cleaning technician to clean carpet to give it a brand-new appearance. Fortunately, customer expectations 14 become more realistic when educated about abrading, fading, and wear. 15 16 11.3.9 Furnishings 17 18 Before starting work, the cleaning technician can reduce potential liability by carefully evaluating the size, 19 type, condition and quantity of furnishings on the carpet, along with the cleaning challenges they present, 20 including but not limited to: 21 22

▪ breakables: breakables should be secured before cleaning begins. This includes items in or on 23 furniture that are not permanently attached. Furniture, if moved, should be cleared of all 24 breakables and heavy items; 25

▪ fragile furniture: the cleaning technician should ask customers if there are delicate pieces that 26 might separate or break when moved; then use professional judgment in deciding which furniture 27 to move; 28

▪ expensive, antique furniture and some new furniture as well, may cause problems for even the 29 most careful cleaning technician; heavy content: care should be taken with furniture containing 30 heavy items. These should be removed prior to moving the furniture to prevent damage to the 31 furniture or injury to the cleaning technician; 32

▪ staining situations: the cleaning technician should consider the possibility of furniture legs staining 33 or creating rust spots on the carpet. The cleaning technician should use furniture tabs or blocks to 34 protect the carpet from furniture stain and furniture from moisture absorption. This preventive 35 procedure involves placing furniture tabs under the legs of furniture while temporarily moved from 36 its original position and then returned to the original position during work processing; 37

▪ the cleaning technician should anticipate potential problems when antique or darkly stained 38 furniture pieces are present. When cleaning close to furniture that isn't moved, the cleaning 39 technician should consider the possibility of moisture migration and subsequent staining; the 40 cleaning technician should be aware that some plastic furniture legs may bleed; 41

▪ small furniture items and chair mats: when multiple items are encountered, such as numerous 42 chairs in dining or conference rooms, it is recommended, the cleaning technician ask customers if 43 there is a place, such as the kitchen or entry foyer, where these pieces may be temporarily 44 placed for the duration of work processing and drying, and 45

▪ ringing: the cleaning technician should consider the possibility of contact between upholstery or 46 drapery fabrics and the damp carpet. If this possibility exists, water rings on these fabrics can result. 47 Draperies should be hung well off the carpet and upholstered skirts pinned up where appropriate. 48 49

11.3.10 Carpet Drying Considerations 50 51

When relevant and with the customer’s cooperation, the cleaning technician should expedite drying as 52 practical, by maximizing airflow and minimizing humidity. Drying issues should be discussed with customers 53 before starting the cleaning job. Specialized drying equipment can be used to dry carpet before traffic is 54 reintroduced. Drying considerations can include, but are not limited to: 55 56



▪ how weather conditions can affect drying time; 1 ▪ if the heating, ventilating, air conditioning system (HVAC) is operational and can be used to 2

enhance drying; 3 ▪ whether or not the HVAC system turns off automatically; 4 ▪ if windows and doors can be opened for ventilation, security and weather permitting; 5 ▪ if ceiling or exhaust fans are available and can be used to enhance drying, and 6 ▪ the use of air movers, especially those designed for carpet drying. 7

8 11.3.11 Cleaning Expectations 9 10

The cleaning technician should document concerns about the carpet cleaning process and attempt to 11 anticipate potential outcomes. This includes limitations posed by the carpet’s construction, texture, 12 appearance, installation, condition, use, specification, and cleaning-related issues that might arise. 13 Concerns that arise during the inspection process should be discussed with customers. It is best to initially 14 address customer expectations before cleaning, not afterward, when customers might misperceive results 15 and demand repeat cleaning. 16 17 11.3.12 Utilities 18 19

It is recommended, the cleaning technician consider the following points to assist in making the job flow 20 more efficiently: 21 22

▪ location of water access (e.g., well or municipal water); 23 ▪ access to electricity; 24 ▪ wastewater disposal options (e.g., municipal or septic tank system); 25 ▪ location of power access (i.e., circuit breaker) panels, and 26 ▪ location of HVAC controls and how they are operated. 27

28

11.4 Health and Safety 29 30

The cleaning technician shall comply with governmental regulations regarding work-related safety and 31 health. 32 33

11.5 Security 34 35

Alarm systems inactivation or reactivation, if appropriate, may be important when the cleaning technician 36 are on location, unsupervised. 37 38 11.5.1 Post-Cleaning Inspection and Briefing 39

40

Following carpet cleaning, it is recommended, the cleaning technician inspect for cleaning uniformity, or 41 potential problems that can arise. For example, if there is visible soil remaining in traffic and entry areas, if 42 there are remaining spots or if there is excessive dampness, these conditions should be corrected before 43 leaving the job site. Other obvious conditions, such as permanent stains, traffic lane distortion, shading, 44 fading, or soil wicking due to maintenance neglect, discolorations, or physical damage should be brought 45 to the attention of customers and documented in writing on work orders or job evaluation forms. 46 47 Also, the cleaning technician should ensure that: 48 49

▪ equipment and supplies have been retrieved and reloaded properly on the cleaning vehicle; 50 ▪ furniture is properly tabbed or blocked, as needed, to prevent moisture absorption or staining; 51 ▪ the customer is advised to wait to return chair mats, furniture or floor coverings, until the carpet is 52

thoroughly dry; 53 ▪ drying issues have been discussed; 54 ▪ lights are turned off in cleaned areas, or left as instructed; 55



▪ safety issues have been discussed with customers, as practical; 1 ▪ furniture tab and block removal has been discussed with the client; 2 ▪ doors are locked and alarms are set, as appropriate, and 3 ▪ customer questions are answered. 4

5 11.5.2 Initiating Drying Procedures 6 7 After cleaning is complete, the cleaning technician should begin making plans to ensure appropriate carpet 8 drying. 9 10

▪ outside weather: it is recommended, the cleaning technician consider exterior weather conditions, 11 especially as they relate to humidity. If the weather is extremely humid or if rain is anticipated, they 12 can implement forced drying procedures, as practical, and not use exhaust fans that can draw 13 humid outdoor air into the building; 14

▪ installed drying equipment: the cleaning technician should consider the type of heating, ventilating 15 and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the structure. They should evaluate whether the system can 16 assist in dehumidifying the structure during or after cleaning. At a minimum, the cleaning technician 17 should turn on the central blower, if present, to expedite drying; 18

▪ ventilating: the cleaning technician should consider ventilating moisture-laden air as evaporation 19 takes place. This can be accomplished with cleaning equipment (e.g., located or exhausting 20 outside), with exhaust fans, or simply by opening windows on days with moderate temperature and 21 humidity. Government regulations require a specific number of air exchanges per hour in 22 commercial buildings, which helps ventilate those buildings, when the HVAC system is operating; 23 and 24

▪ carpet dryers: the post-cleaning inspection may dictate using air moving equipment such as ceiling 25 fans, HVAC blowers or even portable commercial dryers left on premises. 26

▪ the cleaning technician should plan to use air moving equipment in the areas that will be placed 27 back in service first. Examples of these include: 28

o entries; 29 o entry foyer; 30 o corridors; 31 o hallways, and 32 o residential family rooms. 33

34

35

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56



1

12 Spot and Stain Removal 2

3

Depending on the composition of the spill, quick response time and cleaning procedures may assist in 4 minimizing the probability of it becoming a spot or a stain. 5 6

12.1 Definitions 7 8 It is common outside of the carpet and rug cleaning industry to refer to any change in the appearance of 9 the carpet as a spill, spot or stain. This document defines each term independently in order to assist in 10 explaining the different procedures necessary to prevent or treat them. 11 12

▪ spills are substances that can be wet, dry, oily or combinations that are accidentally deposited on 13 the floor covering. Depending on the composition of the spill, quick response time and cleaning 14 procedures may prevent it from becoming a stain; 15

▪ spots are defined as foreign material on the surface of a fiber, usually changing the texture of the 16 fiber (e.g., sticky, oily, greasy, stiff). Spots usually can be removed. However, some spots, if left 17 untreated for too long, can become stains, and 18

▪ stains indicate the addition of color, frequently in liquid or pigment form, that has been more 19 strongly attracted to the carpet fiber. This added dye or pigment may bind to a dye site and 20 actually alter the structure of the fiber. Staining material may be absorbed into a fiber. Not all 21 stains respond positively to removal efforts. 22

23 Professional spot cleaning will not correct color loss. Color repair technicians may be able to replace 24 missing color. The skills of a carpet repair technician may be the only option if the spot or stain cannot be 25 removed. 26 27

12.2 Introduction 28 29 Spills, spots and stains may require: 30

31

▪ immediate preventative attention; 32

▪ attention during normal cleaning frequencies, and 33

▪ treatment by a professional who is trained to properly remove spots and stains. 34

35 Some discolorations, color loss or color change may be caused by natural light, reflections, shadows, carpet 36 pile direction or interior lighting. 37 38

12.3 The Need for Patience 39 40 Aggressive agitation can damage face yarns. Excessive use of certain spotting agents can result in 41 delamination and loss of tuft bind as latex adhesive is dissolved or texture is distorted. Failure to thoroughly 42 extract some agents may leave soil attracting residues. These potential pitfalls can be avoided with patience 43 and knowledge of proper cleaning methods commonly employed. 44 45

12.4 Identifying Spots and Stains 46 47 A quick examination of a spill, spot or stain may provide enough information to identify its category 48 49 12.4.1 Ask 50 51 Ask about the source of the stain. People who live or work in the house or building are most likely to know 52

what caused the stain. A direct and truthful answer is not always available, but you may obtain useful 53

information. 54

55



12.4.2 Texture 1 2 The texture of a spot can also help in identification. If there is a substance on the carpet, usually it can be 3 felt. 4 5 12.4.3 Odor 6 7 The odor from a spill, spot or a stain can be the most efficient method of identification. Your nose is the 8 best instrument for identifying odors. 9 10 12.4.4 Appearance 11 12 The color and the reflective brilliance or lack thereof also can help indicate the source of the spot or stain. 13 14 Proper use and implementation of procedural components, cleaning methods and cleaning systems can 15 assist in preventing spilled substances from wicking back after cleaning. 16 17 12.4.5 pH Test 18 19 Treating a spill, spot or stain with a cleaning agent of the opposite pH tends to neutralize it and make it 20 easier to dissolve with water and water-based cleaners. pH can be checked with litmus pH testing strips, 21 or with an electronic meter. 22 23 Meters can be calibrated to give answers accurate to two decimal places. Usually, this degree of accuracy 24 is not required. Generally, a cleaning technician does not need to know the exact pH, only a general range. 25 For example: 0-3 would be a strong acid, 4-6 is mildly acidic, 6-8 is approximately neutral, 8-10 is mildly 26 alkaline, and above 10 may indicate strong alkalinity. 27 28 Use of a pH meter provides more accurate information. Comparison of a spot or stain to a non-affected 29 area of the carpet can offer information about the source of the contamination and how to treat it. 30 31 12.4.6 Unknown Spills, Spots or Stains 32 33 If a spot or stain cannot be specifically identified, it may still be helpful to categorize it as either oil-based or 34

water-based, and either acid or alkaline and then treat it accordingly. 35

36

12.5 Basic Spot Removal Procedures 37 38 12.5.1 Identify 39 40 Identify the spill, spot or stain. When it is not possible to get an exact identification, they should be 41 categorized to help direct the removal process. 42 43 12.5.2 Physically Remove 44 45 Start by physically removing excess material. This may be accomplished by vacuuming dry particle 46

materials (e.g., copier toner, graphite), brushing and vacuuming (e.g., starchy foods, common spills), 47

scooping semi-solids (e.g., ketchup, mustard), blotting up, applying dry compound or wet vacuuming liquid 48

spills (e.g., beverage spills, soda, coffee). 49

50

Specialty tools are available to loosen and remove loosened soil. A spatula, blunt knife blade, or the bowl 51

of a spoon can also be used. 52

53

When a significant volume of staining material is present, it may have penetrated deeper than the base of 54

the fibers. This can be observed by opening up some fibers and examining the primary backing of the 55

carpet. 56



1

12.5.3 Test 2

3

Test any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area. Take the time to be sure that your cleaning chemical 4

and technique are both effective and safe for the carpet or rug being cleaned. In addition, excessive heat 5

used in spotting can set some stains and should be avoided until the stain has been identified. 6

7

If blood is suspected, apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the stain. If it foams, the spot is likely to 8

be blood. The presence of blood is a hazardous condition. The cleaning technician should use gloves and 9

other appropriate PPE. 10

11

If ink is suspected, it may be helpful to create a water-based barrier around the stain to prevent it from 12

spreading. Ammonia or a formulated product can be used for this purpose. 13

14

12.6 Spotting Techniques 15

16

▪ apply the liquid spotter or dry compound. When using liquid spotters, first apply the solution to a 17

clean, absorbent towel. Then transfer the spotting agent from the towel to the spot. This helps avoid 18

over-application of the spotting solution, which in the case of dry solvents can lead to localized 19

delamination; 20

▪ work the product into the spot by tamping, rather than scrubbing. Scrubbing can distort pile yarns. 21

Special tamping brushes with unique short, stiff bristles are used in a tapping or tamping motion to 22

gently agitate spotting agents into spots or stain. In addition, a spatula may be used. Work gently 23

from the outside toward the center of the spot; 24

▪ allow dwell time for the chemical agent to work. Blot liquids with a clean, white, absorbent towel, or 25

vacuum dry compound; 26

▪ repeat the above sequence, if necessary, as long as there is evidence of improvement, and 27

▪ extract chemicals and any remaining soil. Non-volatile dry solvent spotting agents should first be 28

rinsed, using a volatile dry solvent, or extracted with an absorbent compound. 29

30

12.7 Spotting Kits 31

32

A spotting kit should be kept clean. It should be stocked with fresh cleaning agents with complete and 33 legible labeling. Many spotting agents are sensitive to the elevated temperatures found in cleaning vehicles, 34 so insulated outer carriers are preferred. 35 36

The following is a list and description of the basic items to be found in a complete spotting kit: 37

38

▪ carrier: large enough to hold all cleaning agents and accessories. It is recommended that the carrier 39

be an insulated type, if it is to be carried in a vehicle. In addition, it is also recommended that the 40

carrier have a closable, secure top to prevent access by small children; 41

▪ flip-top spotting bottles: spotting agents that do not have their own applicator bottle should be put 42

in these bottles. The contents shall be clearly labeled; 43

▪ absorbent towels, microfiber towels, poultice or dry compound: this includes clean, white cotton 44

terry cloth or white paper towels. Towels are used to apply some spotting agents. Dry compound, 45

poultice, or weighted towels can be used if wicking is anticipated after the spot is removed. Using 46

undyed materials assures that there will be no color transfer to the carpet yarns; 47

▪ spatulas: bone, plastic, or metal spatulas, or similar tools, are essential for spotting work. This 48

should be available for each spotting job. The rounded end is used for working cleaning agents into 49

the spot and the pointed end is used for breaking up hard or crusty material. A non-absorbent 50

chemically inert (i.e., non-reactive) material is preferred; 51

▪ scissors: duckbill napping shears with an offset handle are easier and safer to use for taking sample 52

fibers and trimming pulled yarn. In some circumstances, burns or singed tufts, as well as stains on 53

the tips of carpet tufts may be clipped when it is impossible or impractical to remove them by other 54

means; 55



▪ pH tester: pH test paper or an electronic pH tester can be used to determine the degree of acidity 1 (or alkalinity). This aids in determining the nature of spots, stains, and chemicals; 2

▪ spotting brush: also known as a tamping brush, is a brush with short, stiff bristles suitable for 3 tamping spots and stains. Proper use of the tamping brush prevents damage to the yarns that can 4 occur from vigorous scrubbing action. Tamping does not spread the spot as scrubbing may do, and 5

▪ iron or hot steamer: used for accelerating spotting chemical activity; 6 ▪ UV light: long wave UV, is employed to illuminate the periphery of staining materials that fluoresce 7

under ultraviolet light, such as urine. 8 9

12.8 Spotting Chemicals 10

11 Spotting agents should be purchased in quantities that ensure stable shelf life. Working with fresh spotters 12

assures the best possible results. Frequently used products that have a longer shelf life may be purchased 13

in gallon quantity for cost savings. Spotting agents that have limited shelf life should be purchased in smaller 14

quantities. 15

16

Chemicals should be stored at moderate temperatures in a dry environment. Containers kept in the cleaning 17

vehicle can be refilled regularly from fresh supplies stored at moderate temperatures in a shop or office. 18

19

12.8.1 Basic Spotting Chemical List 20

21

▪ volatile dry solvent (VDS): VDS should be used in a well-ventilated area. Volatile means that the 22

solvent evaporates rapidly and completely at room temperature. VDS should be used for spotting 23

only, and never for general or overall cleaning of carpet. When using dry solvents, use engineering 24

controls such as increased ventilation to reduce exposure to vapors. Use appropriate PPE as 25

prescribed by the SDS. Dry solvents can affect adhesives used to join the primary and secondary 26

backings of tufted carpet. Overuse or misuse of dry solvents can result in localized delamination 27

and sprouting of tufts. Apply dry solvents to the spot or stain only; 28

▪ non-volatile dry solvent (NVDS) or paint, oil and grease remover (POG): non-volatile solvents do 29

not evaporate quickly at room temperature and may not evaporate completely. Because it does not 30

evaporate quickly, NVDS will remain active on the spot longer than VDS. NVDS formulations are 31

used for removal of paint and heavy oil and grease deposits. NVDS should be removed from the 32

pile yarns by rinsing with a VDS or with a dry compound; 33

▪ citrus solvent: this unique type of NVDS is derived from essential oils and solvents found in citrus 34

fruits. Citrus solvents should be rinsed after use or removed with a dry compound, as they often 35

contain ingredients that are not volatile; 36

▪ encapsulation spotter: this type of crystallizing spotter can be used for spotting and to deter wicking. 37

▪ dry compound: this type of material typically contains liquids which can be used to loosen and 38

absorb both water soluble and dry solvent soluble spills and spots, and helps to deter wicking; 39

▪ poultice: this material can be used to absorb both water soluble and dry solvent soluble spots and 40

chemical residue to deter wicking that can result in "reappearing spots; 41

▪ alkaline detergent spotter (ADS): alkaline detergent spotters are used to remove spots caused by 42

many food spills and other common household soils. They can be effective for removing protein-43

based spots and stains, such as blood, chocolate, grass stain, milk, and egg, especially when 44

such stains are fresh; 45

▪ tannin spotter or acid spotter: used for removing tannins, a natural dye found in plants, especially 46 the leaves and bark. Acid spotters are useful in removing watermarks, coffee, urine, feces, and 47 other specific organic spots. These spotters assist in removing alkaline spots and the correction of 48 yellowing, or browning, which is associated with cellulosic fibers. Other uses include neutralizing 49 fibers after the application of alkaline spotters and accelerating the action of reducing agents, and 50

▪ aerosol freezing spray: this is to be used for the removal of gum. This product can be sprayed onto 51

the gum, freezing it, and then allowing a short amount of time for the gum to be chipped from the 52

carpet. 53

54

12.8.2 Specialty Spot and Stain Removal Products 55



1

Specialty spot and stain removal agents are formulated to remove specific types of stains that cannot 2 always be removed with standard spotting products. Whenever a specialty spotting agent is used, it is 3 important to follow the label directions, pretest the solution in an inconspicuous area, and use appropriate 4 safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, or respirators, when required. 5 6 These agents often work by producing a chemical reaction, rather than a physical change. Chemical 7

reactions can remove color or otherwise damage fibers; therefore, caution is advised when using these 8

products. 9

10

▪ rust remover: a variety of rust removal products are available. More aggressive products can pose 11

a significant hazard to the cleaning technician or others who come in contact with the product. If 12

misused, such products can also damage other nearby surfaces, including glass. Available 13

products include strong acids such as hydrofluoric acid and phosphoric acid, or less reactive and 14

safer acids such as oxalic acid or ammonium bi-fluoride formulations. Rust is formed by oxidation. 15

Some rust removers employ the opposite reaction, reduction to remove rust stains. Rust removers 16

should be rinsed after use, and in some cases neutralized, depending on the manufacturer product 17

label instructions; 18

▪ oxidizing agents: oxidizing agents work by chemically changing the staining agent to a colorless 19

compound. Oxidizing agents are often referred to as bleaches. They should be used only by trained 20

individuals and even then, only after testing for colorfastness. Oxidizers can eventually remove 21

color from some carpet types. Ultraviolet light is sometimes employed to accelerate the action of 22

an oxidizer. They can corrode metals and can degrade natural fibers with concentrated or repeated 23

exposure. Examples of oxidizers used for spot or stain removal include: 24

o hydrogen peroxide: clear, self-neutralizing bleach that should be kept in tightly capped dark 25

bottles and stored in a cool place, as exposure to heat and air will decrease its 26

effectiveness, and 27

o sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate: powdered oxidizers that convert to hydrogen 28

peroxide when mixed with water. This oxidizer should be kept dry until ready for use. Hot 29

water activates and releases oxygen to a staining material. Some formulations may leave 30

a white, powdery residue. 31

▪ reducing agents: in layman’s terms, reducers remove oxygen by adding electrons to a dye stain to 32

render it colorless. Reducing agents can be accelerated by heat or acids. When accelerated, they 33

produce toxic gases often associated with a rotten egg smell. They should be used only in well-34

ventilated areas by trained workers wearing appropriate PPE, and only after thorough testing on 35

the carpet or rug to which they are being applied, and 36

▪ enzyme digester: enzymes are chemicals that break down complex protein or other organic matter 37

that is insoluble in normal detergent solutions. They can be powerful agents in breaking down urine, 38

blood, eggs, milk, fats, and complex starches. The cleaning technician should avoid inhaling 39

powdered enzymes. 40

41

12.10 Recurring Spots, Stains and Wicking 42

43

12.10.1 Recurring Stains 44

45

Certain residues that are not visible after normal cleaning or spotting procedures can cause a spot or soiled 46

area, which exhibits darkening of carpet face fibers. This can occur almost immediately, within hours, or 47

even days later. It is usually attributed to soil particles wicking to the surface of the carpet, invisible soil-48

attracting residues from spots, or it can be caused by residues of cleaning products themselves. Water-49

soluble color components may be removed or rendered invisible, but clear oils often are missed, because 50

the spotting chemical or process used may have no oil emulsification properties. 51

52

12.10.2 New Spots 53

54

Some spots that are identified by carpet owners as recurring are actually new spots in the same place 55

caused by the same activities that produced the original spots, such as coffee spills near an office 56



coffeemaker. A simple pH test before and after spotting procedures, and spot-location mapping, are 1

examples of documentation that can be used to differentiate between a recurring spot and a new spot. 2

3

12.10.3 Soil Wicking 4

5

Wicking is a term used to describe the upward migration of water-soluble materials on carpet fiber surfaces 6

during drying. Wicking is a cause for recurring spots and stains. 7

8

Cleaning, which is not always effective at total soil removal, can leave a certain amount of soil at the base 9 of yarns and on carpet backing. Often, wicking is responsible for carrying soil from the base of yarns and 10 backing materials to yarn tips, where it becomes a visible problem. 11 12

A solution for wicking spots can be absorption into a terry towel that has been weighted, or with pressure 13

added, or a dry compound whose intended purpose is for use in the textile floorcovering maintenance 14

industry. An encapsulating spotter can be sprayed onto areas that have a potential for wicking. This reduces 15

or prevents staining material from wicking to the surface. 16

17

18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56



13 Residential Cleaning 1

2

13.1 Introduction 3

4 Carpet is one of the largest investments that a homeowner makes. In order to gain the maximum use life, 5 it makes sense to maintain the appearance and serviceability of that carpet for as many years as practical. 6 In the home environment, it is recommended, the cleaning technician consider the following factors when 7 determining the cleaning needs of the consumer: 8 9

▪ owner-occupied homes versus rented homes or apartments; 10 ▪ number of occupants: ages, lifestyle, and health concerns, and 11 ▪ pets. 12

13

13.2 Actions upon Arrival at the Residential Site 14

15 13.2.1 Positioning the Production Vehicle 16

17

Caution shall be exercised when positioning the vehicle so that exhaust is not directed toward or too close 18 to the entry, open windows, or the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) intake, allowing carbon 19 monoxide to enter the building. This precaution includes engines with exhausts that may be used during 20 the course of cleaning (e.g., generators, truck-mounted extractors, etc.) 21 22 Where hoses cross, entry pathways into a residence, trip hazard warning signs shall be used. Special 23 ramps or bridges should be used to provide safe passage over public walkways when needed. It is 24 recommended, the cleaning technician communicate with customers to confirm that production vehicles 25 are parked appropriately. Use or obstruction of public property shall follow federal, state, provincial, and 26 local laws and regulations. Ask the customer if the work truck or van is blocking any of their vehicles that 27 may need to move during the visit and rearrange accordingly before setting up. 28 29 13.2.2 Initial Needs 30

31

The cleaning technician can initially carry to the customer’s door small equipment items, as appropriate. 32 This can include a vacuum unit that often is the first piece of equipment used, along with other cleaning 33 tools or equipment (e.g., sprayers, finishing tools, spotting kit, repair kit). 34 35 It is recommended, the cleaning technician wear non-slip shoe covers or have a second set of slip-on shoes 36 to wear outside the cleaning area. 37 38 13.2.3 Introduction and Customer Briefing 39 40 It is recommended, the cleaning technician meet and begin communicating with customers before cleaning 41 commences. It is also recommended that service provider uniforms and proper identification be worn at all 42 times when working in a customer’s home. 43 44 The cleaning technician should pre-inspect the area to be cleaned. When practical, it is preferred that the 45 client accompany the cleaning technician during this process. If problems (e.g., excessive soiling, heavy 46 wear, discolorations, or unknown stains) are noticed or, if questions arise about the work to be done, they 47 should be discussed, documented, and resolved before cleaning commences. 48 49 50



Also, it is recommended that customers who will not be present on residential job sites be asked in advance 1 about: 2 3

▪ how to access the property (e.g., keys, alarm codes); 4 ▪ contact information in case questions arise; 5 ▪ where pets, if present, have been confined; 6 ▪ provisions to secure personal valuables (e.g., jewelry, coin collections, credit cards) and breakable 7

items on furnishings that may have to be moved to access carpet underneath, and 8 ▪ how to secure the home when cleaning is complete (e.g., leaving keys, resetting alarms, adjusting 9

ventilation to assist drying as appropriate). 10 11 13.2.4 Potential Damage and Challenges Caused by Pets: 12 13 Pet damage or contamination presents challenges beyond normal carpet cleaning, which require 14 specialized treatment. Challenges can include: 15 16

▪ the extent of urine penetration into carpet backing and cushion, tackless strip, baseboards, 17 ductwork, and subfloor often creates challenges that carpet cleaning alone cannot remedy; 18

▪ customers should be informed that discharge from animals (e.g., urine, feces, and vomit) require 19 specialized treatment and can permanently discolor and damage all carpet fibers. All of these 20 substances can also create offensive odors that may be difficult to remove; 21

▪ pet damage or contamination correction can incur additional costs, and permanent remedies for 22 pet stains and odor cannot be guaranteed as long as pets remain in the home; 23

▪ because of other absorbent materials found in home such as draperies, dry wall, acoustic ceiling, 24 furniture etc., and their ability to absorb the urine odor, the cleaning technician should not guarantee 25 100% odor removal if all affected materials are not treated, and 26

▪ while the cleaning technician may have the tools and training to address such damage, the client 27 should be advised of possible additional costs involved and the difficulty guaranteeing permanent 28 remedies as long as pets occupy the home. 29

30 13.2.5 Other Pet Problems 31 32 Dogs and cats’ claw at carpeting and can create damage not readily noticed by the owner. A thorough 33 inspection of the home before cleaning can enable the cleaning technician to point out such damage and 34 note its presence on his work order. Damaged areas may be repaired by carpet repair specialists. 35 36

13.3 Processing the Job 37 38 13.3.1 Evaluating and Protecting the Structure and Furnishings 39 40 Before beginning the carpet cleaning process, the cleaning technician should evaluate the workspace and 41 make initial decisions regarding how the structure and furnishings will be protected during the visit and 42 how to improve job efficiency. 43 44 Whenever furnishings are moved onto damp carpet and there is potential for damage, the cleaning 45 technician should prevent contact between the furnishing(s) and the damp carpet by placing the appropriate 46 protective tabs or blocks under the legs or bases. Objects that prevent the carpet from drying should not 47 be placed back on a carpet until it is completely dry. 48 49 During this survey and evaluation, small furnishings can be repositioned out of the way, as appropriate. 50 Various accessories that make it easier to raise or slide furniture can be used. If furniture tabs or blocks are 51 necessary, appropriate quantities can be placed on top of furniture that will be moved from its original 52 location to access carpet underneath for cleaning. Work efficiency may be increased when cleaning 53 progresses from the farthest point from entry and then moves back towards the entry point. 54 55 13.3.2 Vacuuming 56



1 Vacuuming should be performed in accessible areas. It is recommended when carpet styles exhibit 2 crushing, matting, or tangling in entry, pivot, or high-traffic areas, that dry dry pile lifting precede or be 3 combined with dry vacuuming. Particular attention should be given to areas where abrasive soils tend to 4 build up, such as in entry areas. 5 6 Counter Rotating Brush (CRB) machines equipped with catch trays are an effective substitute for a standard 7 Pile Lifter style vacuum. 8 9 It is also recommended that the dust, hair, and lint accumulation at wall edges, gullies, and corners be 10 vacuumed, being careful to not damage the baseboards or walls. The cleaning technician should perform 11 this perimeter vacuuming before preconditioning. A non-metallic grout brush or specialized crevice tool can 12 be very effective at helping remove embedded debris from edge and corners, especially along carpeted 13 staircases. 14 15 13.3.3 Preconditioning 16

17

Preconditioning aids significantly in suspending soils before physical removal takes place. 18 The cleaning technician may treat each area in succession with liquid, dry compound, or foam 19 preconditioner, based on the requirements of the cleaning method or system employed. Furniture normally 20 is not moved to precondition underneath unless extreme soiling is evident or unless service provider policy 21 dictates otherwise. When a cleaning technician chooses to rinse with an acidic rinsing agent or with fresh 22 water alone, preconditioning agents may need to be applied to most, if not all the exposed carpet. It is 23 recommended, when the cleaning technician chooses a preconditioner that requires wet extraction, they 24 apply it to only the amount of carpet that they can agitate before the preconditioner dries. If the customer 25 pointed out a spot(s) where a large liquid spill occurred and the spot disappears during the preconditioning, 26 it is recommended, the cleaning technician mark the area with a coin, washer, etc., to remind themselves 27 to thoroughly flush and extract that area. 28 29 13.3.4 Agitating 30 31 Following preconditioner application, the cleaning technician may agitate the carpet with an appropriate 32 brush, groomer, or mechanical tool. Mechanical agitation (e.g., rotary, or cylindrical brush action) may be 33 especially appropriate in heavily soiled areas to maximize soil suspension. The cleaning technician should 34 ensure that no significant damage will occur to the fibers from mechanical agitation. The cleaning technician 35 should consult manufacturers recommendations when possible. 36 37 Rotary jet extraction is a good option for extreme soil conditions. The cleaning technician should follow up 38 with a wand to clean edges, corners, under furniture and to provide additional dry stroke to the overall area. 39 40 13.3.5 Equipment Considerations 41 42 It is recommended, the cleaning technician uses care when equipment, accessories, and tools are being 43 moved into and within the home. Any electrical cords, solution lines (especially metal quick connects), 44 vacuum hoses, etc. should be positioned carefully with due consideration for safety hazards and the 45 potential for damage to furnishings, doorframes, painted surfaces and heat damage from direct contact to 46 the carpet. 47 48 Plastic or fabric corner guards should be placed where there is risk of damage to walls from vacuum and 49 pressure hoses. 50 51 Equipment, tools, and containers of cleaning solutions should not be placed directly on moisture-sensitive 52 floorings (e.g., wood, laminate, hard floor finishes, natural fiber carpet or rugs not being actively cleaned) 53 that may be easily stained, discolored, or damaged. It is recommended that the cleaning technician use 54 floor runners to protect even durable flooring materials (e.g., wood vinyl, ceramic tile, stone) that are 55 sensitive to damage from cleaning solutions. 56



1

13.4 Completion Procedures 2 3 13.4.1 Cleaning Evaluation and Post-Inspection 4 5 After cleaning, the cleaning technician should thoroughly inspect the carpet as outlined in Section 11, Pre-6 Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Inspections. This inspection includes: 7 8

▪ inspecting for incomplete spot removal; 9 ▪ inspecting traffic lanes, pivot points, and entry areas for satisfactory appearance, and 10 ▪ inspecting for excessive dampness. 11

12 Obvious conditions, such as permanent stains, traffic lane distortion, shading, fading, or physical damage 13 should be brought to the attention of the customer and documented in writing on work orders or job 14 evaluation forms. 15 16 13.4.2 Application of Optional Carpet Protectors 17 18 Carpet protector should be applied following carpet manufacturer’s recommendations or when the cleaning 19 technician and homeowner agree that additional protection provides a good value. Carpet protector 20 application shall follow the chemistry manufacturer’s label directions. Uniform application with even, 21 overlapping passes should be achieved. Carpet protector may be applied using a variety of spray 22 applicators. Care should be taken to avoid overspray. 23 24 Following protector application, grooming is recommended on most residential carpet styles, for uniform 25 distribution. The cleaning technician shall wear proper personal protection equipment as indicated on the 26 safety data sheet. 27 28 13.4.3 Carpet Grooming 29 30 After using some cleaning methods and after applying post-cleaning treatments, if any, some residential 31 carpet should be groomed or finished (e.g., brushed with the flagged nylon bristle type, or combed with a 32 rake style), for several reasons: 33 34

▪ to eliminate tangling of pile yarns; 35 ▪ to distribute post-treatments (e.g., carpet protectors); 36 ▪ to present the cleaned carpet’s best appearance for customer viewing, and 37 ▪ to expedite the carpet drying process. 38

39 If carpet grooming is warranted, it is suggested the cleaning technician complete as much of the clean-up 40 and final detail work inside the job site as is practical before grooming the cleaned carpet. 41 42 13.4.4 Waste Disposal 43 44 Recovered cleaning waste shall be disposed of properly, according to all applicable laws and regulations. 45 Normally, this means liquid disposal into a sanitary sewer system or, especially where hazardous materials 46 (HAZMAT) may be involved, at a licensed disposal facility. The cleaning technician should never rinse or 47 dispose of wastewater from equipment in sinks that are used for food preparation or other sanitary 48 purposes. In the event that waste disposal is not possible on location, the waste should be returned to the 49 company facility for proper filtration and disposal. 50 51 13.4.5 Project Completion 52 53 Project completion steps may include: 54 55

▪ final repositioning of furnishings; 56 ▪ ensuring furniture is properly tabbed or blocked, if necessary; 57



▪ additional grooming if needed; 1 ▪ properly reloading all equipment and supplies into the vehicle; 2 ▪ activating in-house drying aids (e.g., fans, HVAC) if necessary and appropriate and with customer 3

consent; 4 ▪ turning off lights in cleaned areas unless requested by customer to do otherwise, and 5 ▪ ensuring that doors are locked and alarms are set, as appropriate. 6

7 13.4.6 Customer Communication 8 9 Upon completing the job, the cleaning technician should communicate with the customer in person, or by 10 other means. When possible, customers should be briefed on the outcome of the job and to include: 11 12

▪ problem spots or stains that could not be removed; 13 ▪ physical damage to pile fibers, yarns, or other carpet components; 14 ▪ discolorations noted during cleaning; 15 ▪ any changes to ceiling fans, HVAC systems, windows left open, etc. to help expedite drying; 16 ▪ furnishings that were impractical to replace; 17 ▪ damage that occurred during cleaning; 18 ▪ the customer removing any furniture tabs or blocks after drying is complete; 19 ▪ items that need to be returned to the carpet, such as unfinished wood furnishing, chair mats or 20

additional floor coverings only after the carpet is thoroughly dry, and 21 ▪ answering customer questions. 22

23 Communication with customers before departure should also include, as appropriate: 24 25

▪ safety hazards that might exist (e.g., slip and fall hazards at transitions from carpet to hard 26 surfaces); 27

▪ approximate, anticipated drying times; 28 ▪ the need to minimize traffic on damp carpet to prevent re-soiling and damage to carpet fibers; 29 ▪ keeping young children off the carpet until dry; 30 ▪ how to contact the company if questions about the work arise, and 31 ▪ maintenance and cleaning guidance. 32

33 13.4.7 Odor Concerns 34 35 When odors are detected, it is recommended, the cleaning technician inform customers of any problems, 36 and what remedies are available. 37 38 Odors can occur from sources other than bodily discharges (e.g., hair, dander, and body oils from dogs and 39 cats). Elevated heat and humidity created from the cleaning process can amplify odors, so they are more 40 evident during and after cleaning and during warm, humid conditions. It is recommended that the cleaning 41 technician educate the customer that odors can be perceived to be coming from the carpet can actually 42 also be present in other absorbent items in the home such as furniture, baseboards, dry wall, window 43 coverings, bedding as well as the HVAC system. 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

55

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14 Commercial Cleaning 1

2

14.1 Introduction 3

The best approach is to consider maintenance and cleaning during the selection process of the textile 4 floor covering. Immediately after installation, the cleaning technician should be consulted by the building 5 manager to address these considerations and institute a plan to minimize the impact of soiling, which will 6 extend carpet use-life and maintain a healthful environment. By developing a textile floor maintenance 7 and cleaning program, in-house and contracted, a cleaning technician can greatly prolong the aesthetic 8 life which is a primary concern to all facility managers. The textile floor manufacturer's cleaning 9 guidelines should be requested and reviewed when developing maintenance and cleaning programs. 10

14.2 Developing and Implementing a Commercial Textile Flooring Maintenance and 11

Cleaning Program 12 13 It is recommended that a realistic budget for carpet maintenance and cleaning programs be established 14 during the carpet specification phase. Typically, savings on premature replacement costs offset the cost of 15 these programs. 16 17 The frequency and timeliness of each part of the program are also important. The program should be 18 reviewed periodically to determine its effectiveness and to make necessary adjustments. 19 20 Refer to the chart at the end of this section for more detailed instructions in developing a proper textile 21 maintenance program. 22 23 14.2.1 Soil Prevention 24 25 Soil prevention procedures are not the responsibility of textile floor covering cleaning technician. However, 26 to extend the performance and use life of textile flooring, cleaning technicians may advise property owners 27 or managers of soil prevention strategies. 28 29 The cleaning technician should promote a holistic approach which can include: 30 31

▪ sweeping, vacuuming and pressure washing parking/loading areas and sidewalks, and 32 ▪ regularly maintained walk off matting, exterior and interior where appropriate that scrape, scrub 33

and wipe the bottom of occupants’ shoes; 34 35 14.2.2 Routine Textile Floor Cleaning 36 37 Routine cleaning includes processes intended to prevent soil from building up in carpet and to minimize its 38 impact on the carpet’s appearance and maximize its use-life. Dry vacuuming or pile lifting, and spot cleaning 39 activities are typically performed weekly, daily, or more frequently. 40 41

▪ dry vacuuming or pile lifting: accomplished at a regularly scheduled frequency, or as needed, to 42 reduce the potential effects of dry soils on the carpet and the indoor environment. Different levels 43 of traffic and soiling help determine vacuuming and pile lifting frequencies. Areas needing particular 44 emphasis include, but are not limited to: 45

o entry foyers: soils that are not contained by entry mats will eventually wind up in the carpet 46 immediately inside entrances to buildings. Entry foyers are an example of a soil-prone area 47 where vacuuming or pile lifting frequency may need to be increased; 48

o reception areas: the cleanliness of lobbies and reception areas has a direct impact on 49 carpet use-life. They may need to be vacuumed daily or even more frequently; 50

o elevator cabs and lobbies: carpeted elevator cabs and lobbies are high-traffic, frequent-51 pivot areas. They may need to be vacuumed or pile lifted daily or even more frequently, as 52 necessary; 53



o corridors, hallways and common areas: confined traffic-flow corridors may need to be 1 maintained as often as daily during the week with regular vacuuming or pile lifting; 2

o less frequently used areas: private offices, meeting rooms and board rooms can be 3 vacuumed on a two or three-times-per-week schedule, and 4

o periodically, maintenance personnel should focus on high soil load areas, in corners, 5 around wall perimeters and behind and under furnishings using appropriate vacuuming 6 tools and equipment. 7

▪ carpet spotting: routine spot or spill cleaning is normally performed by the building maintenance 8 personnel. The longer that certain spots remain on carpet, the greater the potential for permanent 9 staining. Also, the longer a spot residue remains on/in the carpet, the more soil it usually attracts. 10

▪ it is recommended that facility service providers and management be informed of the importance 11 of timely spotting and utilizing proper spotting products and procedures. 12

13 14.2.3 Interim Textile Floor Cleaning 14 15 The objective of interim textile floor covering cleaning is to maintain appearance, and to extend the time 16 period between deep cleaning. The cleaning technician should follow manufacturer’s recommended 17 cleaning intervals. Interim cleaning may be performed in all exposed carpeted areas or performed with a 18 focus mainly on soil-prone areas. The frequency of interim cleaning depends on such factors as the size of 19 the facility, the carpet’s location, color, use, the type and buildup of soil, and the effectiveness of routine 20 cleaning efforts and frequencies, both outside and inside the building (e.g., parking lot and entry 21 maintenance, vacuuming, pile lifting, and spotting). In addition, it is recommended that the objectives of 22 building managers or office facility managers be taken into consideration. Refer to Section 8, Methods and 23 Systems of Cleaning for additional information. 24 25 14.2.4 Deep Cleaning 26 27 Deep textile floor covering cleaning: (i.e., deep or corrective cleaning to return the carpet to a relatively 28 clean condition) uses systems that rinse out or extract out accumulated soils and cleaning residues at a 29 higher intensity to maximize removal of embedded soils. Frequencies of deep cleaning carpet overall or in 30 soil-prone areas depend on factors such as effectiveness of maintenance, location of carpet, traffic 31 intensity, or use. Refer to Section 8, Methods and Systems of Cleaning for additional information. 32 33

14.3 The Holistic Approach 34 35 Maintaining and cleaning of carpet should be viewed holistically by the building manager, in relation to total 36 building system maintenance. If one system is neglected, others may suffer over time. Various broader 37 maintenance activities, or lack thereof, affect each other: 38 39

▪ HVAC maintenance: the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system should be subject to 40 frequent inspection and filter cleaning or replacement, and 41

▪ general housekeeping: restrooms, food service areas, and specialized work areas should be 42 cleaned daily, or as required. 43

44

14.4 Cleaning Frequency 45

46 Variations in the manufacture and use of carpet may require deviations to frequency recommendations. 47 Reviewing the carpet manufacturer warranty specifications is recommended. 48 49 Carpet that is subjected to heavy soiling or use, particularly high-traffic areas, or carpet installed in buildings 50 occupied by persons with allergies or respiratory problems may need to be cleaned with greater frequency. 51 52 Property managers and facility managers should not wait until carpet appears soiled before beginning a 53 planned program. The presence of visible soil in the carpet is an indication that irreversible fiber damage 54 may already be taking place. 55 56



Commercial Carpet Cleaning Frequency Chart 1 2

TRAFFIC SOIL RATING*

[FOOTSTEPS PER WEEK]

DRY VACUUM AND/OR PILE-LIFT

SPOT CLEANING

INTERIM CLEANING

DEEP CLEANING

Light

<1500

First floor Daily Above first floor 2-3x weekly

Daily as needed

1-2x annually Soil prone areas as needed

Annually or more as

needed

Medium 1500-5000

First floor ** Daily Above first floor 3-5x weekly

Daily as needed

6-12x annually Soil prone areas as needed

1-6x Annually Bi-Weekly in soil

prone areas.

Heavy 5000-15000

First floor *** 2x daily Above first floor Daily

Daily as needed

12-26x annually Soil prone areas particularly

3-26x annually

Weekly in soil-prone areas

Extreme >15000

First floor entry mats Multiple times daily

Daily as needed

12-52x annually

12-52x annually 2-3x weekly in

winter conditions

3 * Although these are general traffic rating guidelines, document users should be aware that areas can differ 4

significantly in traffic, soiling rates, and use. Common sense, experience, and good judgment help dictate the 5 best textile flooring maintenance program. Among other things, facilities should be assessed based on use, 6 climate, and desired appearance level. 7

** Generally, entries and first floors of institutional or commercial buildings receive much more exterior soil and 8 debris tracking than those above the first floor. Similarly, entry areas at stairways or elevators experience heavier 9 soil tracking. Dry vacuum/pile lift with equipment that has rotary brush agitation. 10

*** In most commercial buildings, heavy-traffic areas (e.g., entries, lobbies, hallways, classrooms, food service 11 areas, office areas directly off manufacturing floors) should be vacuumed and/or pile-lifted daily. 12

13

14.6 Commercial Carpet Maintenance Procedures 14 15 14.6.1 Outsourced Professional Commercial Carpet Maintenance Preparations 16 17 When the cleaning is being performed by an outsourced cleaning technician that is not part of the building's 18 maintenance staff, preparations should include: 19 20

▪ review manufacturers’ warranty specifications, if possible; 21 ▪ review work orders and fully understand the requirements of the cleaning assignment; 22



▪ complete a route survey to the property; 1 ▪ determine building access points for equipment entry or set up; 2 ▪ obtain building keys and security codes, as necessary: 3 ▪ obtain the names of contact persons with whom to communicate; 4 ▪ Identify viable water sources, and 5 ▪ consult local wastewater disposal regulations. 6

7 14.6.2 Preparations for the In-House Commercial Cleaning 8 9 When the cleaning is being performed by a cleaning technician that is part of the building's maintenance 10 staff, preparations should include: 11 12

▪ review manufacturers’ warranty specifications, if possible; 13 ▪ obtain proper access to all designated areas to be cleaned; 14 ▪ review work orders and fully understand the requirements of the cleaning assignment; 15 ▪ consider supervisor communications regarding special requests, and 16 ▪ consult local wastewater disposal regulations. 17

18 14.6.3 Workplace Evaluation 19 20 The cleaning technician should evaluate the designated workspace prior to cleaning. Report any site issues 21 related to safety, pre-existing conditions and damage. Identify soil loads to determine the best process to 22 be used. It is recommended to determine who is responsible for replacing all waste receptacles, chair mats 23 or moved items. 24 25 14.6.4 Cleaning Sequence and Efficiency Considerations 26 27 Based on job specifications, some items may be moved during different phases of the cleaning operations, 28 if practical, to allow access to carpet underneath for cleaning. It is recommended that the cleaning 29 technician move furnishings to expose carpet, as practical, and to provide more working room for cleaning 30 activities. During the site evaluation, it may be efficient to reposition small furnishings and chair mats out of 31 the way, as appropriate and as approved. If furniture tabs or blocks will eventually be necessary, it may be 32 convenient to place sufficient quantities on top of furniture that will later be moved. 33 34 Whenever furniture items are moved onto damp carpet, the cleaning technician should evaluate furniture 35 legs or bases for the potential for moisture absorption, or for creating or forming stains or rust on damp 36 carpet. Some commercial furnishings have stainless or plastic protectors on legs in contact with carpet. If 37 in doubt, cleaning technicians should promptly place appropriate tabs or blocks beneath furniture legs or 38 bases to prevent contact between the furnishing and the damp carpet. Dragging furniture on textile floor 39 covering may cause friction burns or pile distortion. 40 41 With a multi-person cleaning crew, it can be more efficient to clean behind furniture before cleaning high-42 traffic areas. Additionally, a cleaning technician, if present, may perform a variety of other tasks to maintain 43 job efficiency and productivity, such as: 44 45

▪ furniture moving and repositioning; 46 ▪ repositioning power cords and equipment; 47 ▪ tabbing and blocking furniture, if necessary, to prevent wood stains from bleeding into carpet; 48 ▪ specialized spot cleaning; 49 ▪ filling and emptying of cleaning equipment; 50 ▪ minor repairs, such as removing loose carpet fibers; 51 ▪ placing air movers to expedite drying in initial areas being cleaned, if needed; 52 ▪ placing slip and fall warning signs and positioning towels, mats or runners in the appropriate areas, 53

especially transitions from soft to hard surfaces, if necessary; 54 ▪ equipment reloading or unloading, and 55 ▪ mixing and preparing any post-cleaning treatments, where applicable. 56

57



Equipment or tools that can drip or leak should not be placed on moisture-sensitive surfaces (e.g., wood, 1 laminate. hard floor finishes, natural fiber carpet or rugs not being cleaned) that may be easily stained, 2 discolored, or damaged. Care should be taken to protect any surfaces that may come in contact with 3 cleaning equipment. 4 5 It may be more efficient for cleaning to start from the farthest point from the entry and progress back towards 6 the entry point. 7 8 14.6.5 Dry Vacuuming and Pile Lifting 9 10 Corded commercial vacuum and pile-lifting cleaning equipment should be plugged directly into grounded 11 electrical outlets. Multiple outlet strips or surge protector strips should not be used. Dry vacuuming should 12 be accomplished in accessible areas. When carpet styles exhibit crushing, matting, or tangling in entry, 13 pivot, or high-traffic areas, it is recommended that pile lifting precede or be combined with dry vacuuming. 14 It is recommended that additional vacuum attention be given to areas where abrasive soils tend to build up, 15 specifically entry and high traffic areas. It is also recommended that the filtration soil, dust, hair, and lint 16 accumulation at wall edges, in corners and under furniture be vacuumed, being careful to not damage the 17 baseboards or walls. 18 19 14.6.6 Preconditioning 20 21 The cleaning technician should carefully treat each area in succession with liquid, encapsulant or foam 22 preconditioner, based on the requirements of the cleaning method or system employed. Refer to Section 23 8, Methods and Systems of Cleaning for additional information. It is recommended, the cleaning technician 24 choose a preconditioner that requires wet extraction, they apply it to only the amount of carpet that they 25 can agitate and extract, before the preconditioner dries. 26 27 14.6.7 Agitation 28 29 It is recommended, the cleaning technician agitate preconditioned carpet with an appropriate brush, 30 groomer, or mechanical tool (e.g. rotary or cylindrical brush action machine). Heavy-traffic areas should be 31 thoroughly agitated, especially in entry areas, to maximize soil suspension and lift the pile. Mechanical 32 agitation can be especially appropriate in heavily soiled areas and in large open areas where it can increase 33 productivity. 34 35 14.6.8 Cleaning Evaluation and Post-Inspection 36 37 After cleaning the designated carpeted area(s), the cleaning technician should thoroughly inspect the carpet 38 as outlined in Section 11, Pre-Cleaning and Post-Cleaning Inspections. This includes: 39 40

▪ inspecting for incomplete spot removal; 41 ▪ inspecting traffic lanes, pivot points, and entry areas for satisfactory appearance, and 42 ▪ inspecting for excessive dampness. 43

44 If possible, these conditions should be corrected before leaving the job site. Other obvious conditions, such 45 as permanent stains, traffic lane distortion, shading, fading, or physical damage should be brought to the 46 attention of the property manager or other appropriate authority and documented in writing on work orders 47 or job evaluation forms. 48 49 14.6.9 Application of Optional Carpet Protectors 50 51 Refer to Section 13.4.2, Application of Optional Carpet Protectors for information. 52 53 14.6.10 Waste Disposal 54 55



Recovered cleaning waste shall be disposed of properly, according to all applicable laws and regulations. 1 Normally, this means liquid disposal into a sanitary sewer system or, especially where hazardous materials 2 (HAZMAT) may be involved, at a licensed disposal facility. The cleaning technician should never rinse or 3 dispose of wastewater from equipment in sinks that are used for food preparation or other sanitary 4 purposes. In the event that waste disposal is not possible on location, the waste should be returned to the 5 company facility for proper disposal. 6 7 14.6.11 Finalizing 8 9 If a multi-person crew is present and available for such tasks, the finalizing process may begin while the 10 final cleaning steps are being performed. 11 12

▪ the cleaning technician should perform a general wipe-down of the exterior of each equipment item 13 and otherwise prepare it for proper reloading or storage, as necessary; 14

▪ any building areas used for water access, chemical mixing, or waste disposal should be left in a 15 clean, orderly state; 16

▪ the cleaning technician should perform a final repositioning of furniture, if necessary; 17 ▪ the cleaning technician should ensure that furniture is properly tabbed or blocked, if necessary; 18 ▪ all equipment, tools, and supplies are properly reloaded or stored, except any items such as drying 19

aids or hazard indicators that may have other removal arrangements; 20 ▪ lights should be turned off, as appropriate or as required; 21 ▪ doors should be closed and secured, if required, and 22 ▪ security systems should be reset, if required. 23

24 14.6.12 Completion Procedures 25 26 When the cleaning job is complete, the in-house cleaning technician(s) should make a report or otherwise 27 communicate any relevant post-inspection issues to the appropriate authority. Likewise, the outsourced 28 cleaning technician(s) should communicate with the customer, preferably before departure, if practical. If 29 unable to communicate with the customer in person, an outsourced cleaning technician, or their service 30 provider’s administrative representative, should contact the customer by another method to conduct a 31 briefing. Relevant items and items required per the post-inspection that should be discussed include: 32 33

▪ any safety hazards that might exist (e.g., slip and fall hazards at transitions from carpet to hard 34 surfaces); 35

▪ approximate drying times to anticipate, if any, if wet cleaning methods were used; 36 ▪ any need to minimize traffic on damp carpet to prevent re-soiling if wet cleaning methods were 37

used; 38 ▪ recommended maintenance and cleaning frequencies; 39 ▪ contact information if questions about the work performed arise; 40 ▪ information on location of tripped electrical circuits or blown fuses, if applicable; 41 ▪ furniture tab or block removal, if applicable; 42 ▪ problem spots or stains that could not be removed; 43 ▪ physical damage to pile fibers or other carpet components; 44 ▪ discolorations noted during cleaning; 45 ▪ spots that have reappeared after cleaning; 46 ▪ HVAC systems, or other systems, left running to help expedite drying; 47 ▪ furnishings that were impractical to replace; 48 ▪ any damage that occurred during cleaning, and 49 ▪ report on heavily soiled traffic lanes, pivot points, and entry areas for satisfactory appearance. 50

51

52

53

54

55



1

Development of a Textile Floor Covering Maintenance 2

3

Development of a Textile Floor Covering Maintenance

The Intention of this chart is to serve as a step-by-step summary guide in developing a customized system to clean any textile floor covering. Knowledge of cleaning systems, cleaning principle, objectives, expectations, and business practices is pre-requisite to ensuring that objectives and expectations are met.

Step 1: Pre-Inspection and fact gathering.

• Expectations

• Objectives

• History of Cleaning

• Carpet Construction

• Carpet Condition

• Building Access and Security

• Air Circulation

• Frequency of Cleaning

• Budget

• Location of Carpet

• Equipment

• Technician Experience

• Sustainability

• Safety / Health

• Carpet Use

• Traffic Patterns

• Utility and Water Location

• Waste Disposal

Step 2: Apply soil prevention techniques and then select cleaning objectives.

Routine Cleaning Interim Cleaning Deep Cleaning (Minimizing the effects of soiling) (Appearance Management) (Maximum Soil Removal)

Step 3: Select method (s). Methods are mechanics and/or chemistry used to achieve the desired results.

Absorbent Pad Dry Compound Encapsulation Foam Extraction Shampoo Water-Rinse Extraction Extraction Extraction Extraction Extraction

Step 4: Develop a system. A Carpet cleaning system is the implementation of principles, procedural components, and methods used to achieve desired levels of cleaning.

Select Principles of Cleaning: Note: Production rates and results will vary, depending on factors such as proper inspection, technicians’ experience, system efficiency, and environmental conditions.

Dry Soil Removal Dry soil removal is the necessary first cleaning step of any system and may be accomplished with vacuums, pile lifters, or counter rotating brush machines.



Soil Suspension Soil suspension may be accomplished when an appropriate pre-conditioner or compound is applied to the carpet and allowed to dwell, as necessary. Agitation with a grooming brush or rake, rotary or counter rotating brush machines may be required.

Extraction The process of removing soils, contaminants, residues and soluble materials.

Grooming Grooming may help speed the drying process and removes cleaning marks from cut pile carpet.

Step 5: Customization of a maintenance program.

Monitor and customize the plan, as necessary. Adjustments or modifications in cleaning methods, intensity, and frequency are likely to affect both short and long-term objectives.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38



15 Area Rugs 1

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15.1 Introduction 3 4 Identifying and cleaning area rugs is both an art and a science. New types and construction of rugs brought 5 into the market require the cleaning technician to stay abreast of changes in the industry. 6 7 Rug cleaning principles provide guidelines for simplifying what can be detailed and complex procedures. 8 These procedures require knowledge, training, and experience, which may influence the approach to 9 cleaning an individual rug based on fiber content, construction, and pre-existing conditions. The cleaning 10 technician should use professional judgment to determine how to apply the S100 Standard a case-by-case 11 basis; however, carelessness is never acceptable and common sense and professional judgment should 12 prevail. 13

14 The information contained in this section is meant to clarify rug cleaning processes and requirements, but 15 not intended to replace area rug training, seminars, certification, books or workshops. 16 17

15.2 Fibers and Dyes 18 19 When inspecting rugs, the cleaning technician should determine if a rug is made with natural (i.e., protein, 20 cellulose) regenerated cellulose (i.e., rayon), or synthetic fibers; or a combination thereof. Reading labels, 21 when present, and performing fiber identification tests (e.g., chemical, burn, or microscopic) can help 22 determine fiber content. The cleaning technician should select cleaning agents and methods for the fibers, 23 dyes and construction of the rug being cleaned. 24 25 Protein fibers (e.g., wool and silk) can degrade and some dyes can bleed in the presence of high alkalinity, 26 and wool can felt when subjected to aggressive agitation. Chlorine bleach can completely dissolve wool 27 and silk; reducing or oxidizing agents can cause color loss or color change. 28 29 Cellulosic, or plant-based fibers, include seed fibers, such as cotton; bast fibers, such as linen, jute, ramie, 30 and hemp; leaf fibers, such as sisal, abaca, and sea grass; or fruit fibers, such as coir and pina. Cellulosic 31 fibers can shrink or brown when exposed to water especially if drying time is prolonged. High-alkaline 32 cleaning products can also contribute to browning, and strong oxidizing or reducing materials can cause 33 color loss on cellulosic fibers. 34 35 To minimize dye migration when cleaning rugs, the cleaning technician should use cleaning products that 36 have been tested and approved as safe for use on protein, cellulose, man-made, and even synthetic fibers. 37 38 During cleaning, rugs that have been tea-washed, painted, or otherwise color enhanced may lighten, 39 experience dye migration, or have the color completely removed during the cleaning process. Color 40 enhancements may or may not be discernible during the pre-cleaning inspection. If discernible, it is 41 recommended, the cleaning technician use less invasive cleaning procedures. It is understood certain types 42 of soil may dictate the need to use more aggressive cleaning procedures. 43 44

15.3 Rug Construction 45

46 The cleaning technician should inspect rug construction to help determine the appropriate cleaning method. 47 Rug construction methods may include: 48 49

▪ machine-tufted, 50 ▪ hand-tufted, 51 ▪ machine-woven, 52 ▪ flat-woven, 53 ▪ hand-knotted and 54 ▪ various specialty rugs. 55



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15.4 Chemistry of Rug Cleaning 2

3 Altering the pH of fibers can destabilize the dye-fiber bond and cause bleeding. The solution’s pH and more 4 importantly its alkalinity (i.e., the stability of the pH) are very important factors in safely cleaning natural 5 fibers such as wool and silk. The cleaning technician should use products that are appropriate for the fibers 6 being cleaned. 7 8 Buffers are additives that stabilize the pH of a detergent after dilution, thus allowing for higher dilution ratios. 9 Concentrations of buffered alkaline agents in a cleaning product can cause a pH shift in the fiber which can 10 result in dye migration. Simply knowing a cleaning product’s pH does not indicate if it has been highly 11 buffered. 12 13

15.5 Pre-Cleaning Inspection 14 15 The cleaning technician should perform a pre-cleaning inspection of each rug, identifying, documenting, 16 and discussing pre-existing conditions and potential issues with the customer, to help avoid 17 misunderstandings. 18 19 When inspecting for pre-existing damage, look carefully at both the face and back of the rug. Typically, the 20 back reveals the rug’s original colors, which helps determine if the rug’s face has faded due to exposure to 21 sunlight or through chemical washing. Animal urine and other liquid stains are not always visible from the 22 front. Moth damage can show from either the front or the back. It is also easier to see and feel previously 23 repaired areas from the back. There are many possible types of damage or potential issues in addition to 24 the few listed here. Attending a rug class is one way to learn more about rug pre-inspection. 25 26 It is recommended that additional services requested by the customer be documented in writing. In addition, 27 a waterproof tag for customer identification should be attached to the rug. 28 29 15.5.1 Colorfastness Testing 30 31 It is recommended, the cleaning technician perform a colorfastness test before cleaning. However, there 32 is no guarantee dyes will be stable during the cleaning process. 33 34 Colorfastness testing can be accomplished using the intended cleaning solution mixed according to label 35 directions. Colorfastness testing should be performed in an inconspicuous area (e.g., back or side), and 36 sufficient time allowed to determine dye stability. 37 38 If dyes prove to be unstable, it is recommended, the cleaning technician test again using a different cleaning 39 solution. Minimum moisture methods may be required to achieve acceptable cleaning results without 40 causing color migration. 41 42

15.6 Rug Cleaning 43

44 It is recommended that rug cleaning be performed in a specialized facility, rather than on-location, since in-45 plant cleaning is able to provide a more thorough cleaning and provides greater control over cleaning 46 variables. Occasionally, circumstances can dictate cleaning a rug on-location, but it is recommended that 47 this be the exception, rather than the rule. 48 49 Rugs in residences that are subjected to light traffic and soil should be cleaned on a regular basis. Rugs in 50 commercial buildings that are subjected to heavy traffic and soil should be cleaned more frequently. 51 52 The principles of cleaning (e.g., dry soil removal, soil suspension, suspended soil removal, grooming, and 53 drying), based on the condition of the rug, should be used on all rugs in conjunction with the appropriate 54 cleaning methods. 55



1 The steps of rug cleaning outlined below include methods suitable for on-location cleaning. Expectations 2 and risks should be fully explained to the client. If a rug is being cleaned on-location, the cleaning technician 3 should be careful to protect underlying floors with tarps, plastic or other means. The cleaning technician 4 should also be sure the rug is able to dry within a reasonable length of time given the specific circumstances. 5 6 15.6.1 Cleaning Method Selection 7 8 If inspection and testing reveal that a rug has unstable dyes, or if aggressive cleaning is likely to result in 9 damage or other problems, minimum-moisture cleaning methods can be the most effective. However, if 10 pre-cleaning inspection and testing reveal the rug’s dyes are stable and the rug can withstand more 11 aggressive cleaning, systems using a combination of methods or immersion cleaning may be most 12 appropriate. 13 14 Choosing the most appropriate method for an individual rug takes both training and experience. More 15 invasive methods can produce better results, but they also can increase the potential for problems or cause 16 permanent damage to the rug. 17 18 Low-moisture methods may include: 19 20

▪ dry compound extraction; 21 ▪ absorbent pad extraction; 22 ▪ foam extraction; 23 ▪ shampoo extraction using rotary or cylindrical brush systems; 24 ▪ encapsulation cleaning; 25 ▪ dry solvent cleaning, using specialized equipment or by hand; 26 ▪ mist and extraction, and 27 ▪ in-plant dry cleaning. 28

29 Restorative cleaning methods may include: 30 31

▪ water extraction; 32 ▪ pressure washing; 33 ▪ laundering 34 ▪ full immersion cleaning, with manual or automated equipment, and 35 ▪ combination systems. 36

37 Generally, the more water used in the rug cleaning process, the greater the risk of dye migration, shrinkage, 38 or texture distortion. A more thorough cleaning method will result in less detergent residue, which might 39 avoid rapid re-soiling, alkaline buildup, dry rot, yellowing or browning. While cleaning efficiency can be 40 enhanced with hot water, overall risks incurred may not justify its use on all rug types. 41 42 An in-plant method offers the cleaning technician the greatest control over the cleaning process. 43 44 The most thorough method for rug cleaning is immersion, followed by removing excess water with 45 extraction, compression rolling, or the use of a centrifuge. However, immersion cleaning requires more 46 space, equipment, and expertise. 47 48 15.6.2 Dry Soil Removal 49 50 The process of loosening and removing dry soil from rugs is frequently termed “dusting.” A variety of 51 equipment and procedures are available to complete this step. Dusting methods include commercial 52 vacuum, portable duster and installed dusting equipment. After dusting, the face of the rug should be 53 vacuumed to remove loosened soil. Compressed air dusters use high pressure, high-CFM airflow to force 54 dry soil from the rug, which shall be used with appropriate environmental and safety precautions, federal, 55



state, provincial and local laws and regulations including proper PPE (e.g., respiratory and eye protection, 1 dust capture system). 2 3 15.6.3 Soil Suspension (Separating Adhered Soil) 4 5 Soil suspension can include the use of pre-conditioners, pre-cleaning spotting, and fringe cleaning. 6 Depending on the cleaning procedure used, a preconditioner, followed by appropriate agitation, increases 7 cleaning potential for soiled rugs. Some spots, such as grease, wax, and ink should be removed before 8 application of water-based cleaning products; however, most particle soils and water-soluble spots can be 9 removed during the cleaning process. 10 11 15.6.4 Suspended Soil Removal 12 13 Following the soil suspension, the cleaning technician should select procedures that maximize soil removal, 14 but are not so invasive that they damage the rug. There is no single way to clean all rugs. Soil removal can 15 be accomplished by thorough rinsing, flushing, wash tubs, in-plant equipment, truck mounted or portable 16 extraction, and low moisture methods when appropriate. The principles, however, remain the same: dry 17 soil removal, soil suspension, and suspended soil removal including cleaning procedures that maximize 18 removal of suspended soil. 19 20 15.6.5 Grooming 21 22 The pile should be groomed in the direction of the pile lay. Direction of pile lay should also be considered 23 when rolling a rug. If the rug has a fringe, it should also be groomed before it dries. 24 25 15.6.6 Drying 26 27 Thoroughly drying area rugs should be the final step of the cleaning process. Low-moisture methods, by 28 their nature, dry faster, while full immersion cleaning may require extended drying. Drying can be 29 considerably expedited using air movement, dehumidification, sunlight, and/or heat. The cleaning 30 technician should take care to use expedited drying when cleaning rugs on-location. 31 32 15.6.7 Quality Control 33 34 Quality control is an important part of the cleaning process. Quality control inspections are usually 35 performed after the rug has dried and may require: 36 37

▪ final vacuuming to remove dust, lint, or wicked soil; 38 ▪ possible re-cleaning, as required; 39 ▪ specialized spotting; 40 ▪ fringe treatment; 41 ▪ dye-bleed correction, and 42 ▪ making repairs to any other anomalies which appeared or occurred as a result of cleaning. 43

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