There are five key components to carpet cleaning. According to Joe Versluis with U.S. Products, these can be referred to by the acronym DASCH — or the "dash" approach to carpet cleaning.

"Giving it an acronym helps clarify for both carpet cleaning technicians and facility managers exactly what is involved to keep carpets clean and healthy."

Here is what DASCH stands for:

D: The "D" refers to dry soil removal, which is accomplished usually by vacuuming. According to Jeff Bishop of Clean Care Seminars, Inc., "it is unreasonable to suggest that dry soil removal is not essential to perform before wet cleaning begins."

A: "A" refers to agitation and is fundamental in all cleaning to loosen soils. In carpet cleaning, according to Bishop, it helps ensure uniform chemical penetration and distribution for more effective cleaning.

S: "S" is for soil suspension, which occurs once dry soils have been removed from the carpet. The goal of soil suspension is to separate soil from carpet fibers so it can be removed in the extraction process.

C: The proper use of effective chemicals, the "C" in our acronym, is essential to successful carpet cleaning. Chemicals are used to prepare the carpet for cleaning, according to Bishop, reducing surface tension and dissolving and emulsifying soils, which can then be removed by the carpet extractor.

H: The "H" stands for heat, which is vital in effective carpet cleaning. "Heat enables faster, more efficient cleaning than cold water," says Bishop.

"The way it is often explained is that heat accelerates the activity of the cleaning chemicals," says Versluis. "This helps the technician significantly, allowing the hot-water extractor to do more of the heavy lifting when it comes to carpet cleaning."

U.S. Products is a  manufacturer of carpet, upholstery, drapery, stone, concrete, tile cleaning and restoration equipment, tools and chemicals for the floor care professional.