Low-moisture Carpet Cleaning Proves Environmentally Friendly, Reduces Downtime

The third and final part of this three-part article describes the other advantages of low-moisture carpet cleaning.

It’s wise to explain to the customer the benefits of low-moisture carpet cleaning, such as its superiority in cleaning carpets that contain mostly surface dirt, says Davies.

“People who aren’t advocates of low moisture would say that we’re not deep cleaning,” he says. “I would answer by saying, ‘We don’t need to be deep cleaning. If the soil isn’t down at that level, let’s not introduce it to that level with lots of water and chemicals.’”

Another benefit in commercial environments, such as retail stores, is little downtime.

“We would clean a store [with low-moisture equipment] in the evening or in the morning just prior to opening, and people could walk on the carpet, and there would be no safety risks,” says Davies. “The carpet would be basically dry and clean and in good physical appearance.”

There are other, less visible benefits as well. For example, since less moisture is needed, there’s less of a risk of creating harmful bacteria levels, says McDonald.

The lesser impact on the environment is also an advantage, says Gelinas. In drought-stricken areas, the reduced water usage of low-moisture carpet cleaning is a major selling point. When using a truckmount for hot-water extraction, the extraction turns fresh water into chemically treated water, which then needs to be disposed of properly.

“You’re taking hundreds and hundreds of gallons of pure, fresh, drinkable water and turning it into contaminated, chemical-laden sewage compared with low moisture, which uses very little water and the dirt can be extracted through post-vacuuming as dry soil,” says Gelinas.

Low-moisture carpet cleaning also reduces the headache of recurring stains that reappear due to wicking, when soil at the base of the carpet moves up the fiber during the drying process.

“Recurring spill stains are a huge problem in all commercial buildings that are cleaned with hot-water extraction,” says Gelinas. “Low-moisture methods can eliminate that problem entirely if it’s done effectively.”

Despite all the benefits, BSCs should not exclusively market low-moisture cleaning.

Instead, the best way for a BSC to earn the trust of customers is to simply offer a variety of methods, including low-moisture carpet cleaning, to suit every situation. Since hot-water extraction can remove the greatest amount of soil in a single cleaning, this traditional method is “always going to be king,” says Gelinas. But BSCs should evaluate the carpet and choose whatever method will provide the best outcome.

“Do a free demo and show them how good their carpet is going to look,” he says. “That’s the best way to sell.”

Susan Thomas Springer is a freelance writer based in Sisters, Oregon.