People admire the work you have done on the interior design of your home or office, but one look at the carpets and your visual efforts go down the drain. It may seem meaningless, but carpets can make or break a room when it comes to design and appearance. And keeping them perfectly clean is a way to offer the whole design experience.

Professional cleaning services use different types of cleaning techniques depending on the carpet type and how stained they are. One of these techniques is bonnet carpet cleaning, which is sometimes referred to as absorbent pad or spin pad cleaning. This method is an adapted version of hard floor buffing.

Read on as we share the entire process of bonnet carpet cleaning and what to know about it.

Types of Carpet Cleaning

First, let’s take a look at the different types of carpet cleaning techniques that are available. The choice of technique will greatly depend on the carpet material which requires a special approach. Other than the bonnet carpet cleaning technique, here are the other most common techniques used by cleaning providers.

Encapsulation Cleaning

Encapsulating cleaning is a low-moisture cleaning method with minimum downtime. This technique requires the use of chemicals worked into the carpet with the use of a machine. Once the chemical is absorbed, it crystallizes and turns into powder, encapsulating the dirt present in the carpet. When the process is complete, the powder with the encapsulated dirt is vacuumed.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction, is one of the most commonly used cleaning techniques. It uses high pressure and high temperatures to break down bacteria, dust mites, and dirt hidden deep inside the carpet.

A cleaning agent is applied and spread over the carpet to work on removing the contaminants. Once it works, the hot water is extracted through vacuuming. It is a longer cleaning process and requires an even longer time for the carpet to dry.

What is Bonnet Carpet Cleaning?

You surely noticed a person operating a buffer machine late at night in a hotel lobby during your travels. What they are doing is called bonnet cleaning. It’s a technique that uses little water and a special cleaning agent to get the job done. The secret is in the circular scrubbing motions to help loosen the dirt particles enough, so they can easily be absorbed.

It is somewhat considered a traditional cleaning method and the focus here remains on the carpet’s surface. Ranking it between ordinary vacuum cleaning and deep cleaning, bonnet carpet cleaning is often referred to as intermediate cleaning. Why? Because it doesn’t offer deep cleaning but rather cleans the surface of the fibers to give the carpet a “facelift”.

How Bonnet Cleaning Differs from Standard Cleaning

At first glance, bonnet and standard carpet cleaning don’t seem to be much different. In both techniques, chemicals and water are used to clean the carpet in depth. However, the key difference between the two approaches is in the amount of water used during the process.

Bonnet cleaning requires very little water during the process, while hot water is the main cleaning factor in a standard cleaning. Hot water is sprayed on the carpet and a vacuum cleaner is used to remove dirt and debris from the carpet.

Another difference is that standard cleaning relies heavily on the water temperature, which is considered the main dirt-removing agent. Now, this is not the case in bonnet cleaning which uses little water and special bonnet dirt-removing chemicals to make sure that carpets are clean.

Advantages of Bonnet Carpet Cleaning

Bonnet cleaning is very often used in commercial properties like offices, sports centers, hotels, and other places with high foot traffic. It is simply applicable anywhere. Let’s take a look at some benefits of bonnet carpet cleaning:

• Considered a very affordable investment;
• Very fast cleaning because only the surface is cleaned;
• Low cost of equipment;
• A fast drying period, usually up to 30 minutes;
• The faster service means charging lower fees;
• Fewer stains and spots return after cleaning;
• Excellent for fast cleaning in high-traffic areas.

Disadvantages of Bonnet Carpet Cleaning

Depending on the carpet type, fabric, and your needs, bonnet cleaning might not be fit for your carpet. Here are some of the disadvantages of using this particular cleaning method:

• Only the carpet surface is cleaned;
• Possible swirl marks left behind;
• Can leave solution residue that may be difficult to remove;
• Can push soil further into the carpet that may be hard to remove;

How to Clean Carpets Using the Bonnet Cleaning Technique

The key factors of bonnet cleaning are the supplies and equipment used. Once you have the right equipment, you can follow through with the steps involved in bonnet cleaning. If you don’t have qualified manpower for this type of cleaning, you can always call in a professional team that can do the job in no time.

Prepare the Equipment

Start with preparing the equipment. Attach a bonnet to the machine pad and make sure that all machine parts are properly secured and in place. Don’t begin the cleaning process unless you are sure that everything is well attached first. Use the right pads and brushes, too, suitable for the type of carpet you own. Using a different pad or brush can damage the carpet.

Prepare the Area for Cleaning

Just like you do for any other cleaning process, clear the area of any large and small objects that may be broken or stumbled upon. It protects the object and at the same time doesn’t slow down the cleaning process. Once the area is cleared, use a powerful vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and debris. Make sure to vacuum the carpet thoroughly and evenly, running over the areas several times.

Proceed to Bonnet Cleaning

Once all the dirt has been removed with vacuuming, there are two ways you can proceed to bonnet cleaning. One method is by spraying a diluted bonnet cleaner on the carpet and running the bonnet machine over the carpet. Once it dries, the remaining soil will crystallize and be encapsulated and will be removed during the subsequent vacuuming. Remember, you will need to replace the bonnet when it becomes soiled.

The other method involves ducking a mop into a previously prepared bonnet-cleaning solution. Wring out excess water and chemicals, attach it to the machine, and buff the carpet surface. Rinse the bonnet regularly and replace it if necessary. Again, the remaining soil will crystallize and be picked up by subsequent vacuuming.

Cleaning the Bonnet Equipment

Once the carpet has been cleaned, it is important to clean the machine and accompanying components. Rinse the washable parts with water and dry them well. Dispose of the used water in the tank and once everything is clean and dry, put each component back in its place. This is not one-time-use-only equipment and should be cared for properly. Once cleaned and stored, the machine will be ready for your next cleaning.

Carpet Advisors: Your Leading US Carpet Cleaner Service

When in doubt about which carpet cleaning company to use, Carpet Advisors is here to help. We are a directory-based website that has done the research and has selected the best carpet cleaning companies that you can choose from.

We base our research on feedback received from homeowners about what is important to them in the search for a cleaning service provider. Our research includes finding a local business, checking for outstanding reviews and reputation, and comparing and analyzing the costs of the services provided. The final step includes verifying the guarantees and warranties offered to make sure clients are protected.

Carpet Advisors saves you time in finding the right carpet cleaning provider in your area. If you live in the Athens, Naperville, Tucson, or Katy area, contact us today!

FAQ

What is a carpet bonnet used for?

Carpet bonnets are used during the bonnet carpet cleaning process. Bonnets are made of rayon, cotton, and polyester fiber blend and fit over the rotor of machines used for carpet cleaning. As essential tools, they deal with surface dirt and moisture when cleaning floors and carpets. During the cleaning process, they absorb a lot of moisture while gently lifting dirt found on the surface of floors and carpets. They are effective carpet cleaning tools when used in the right way. Attach them properly to the floor buffer to get the most out of the cleaning process.

What is the advantage of bonnet cleaning?

Bonnet cleaning is a technique most often used in commercial areas where there is a lot of daily foot traffic. One of the reasons why bonnet cleaning is popular is that it is a very fast and easy cleaning method. If you are running a busy office and don’t have much time to clean the carpets, bonnet cleaning is right for you. Once the carpets are cleaned, it takes about 30 minutes for them to dry and be ready for use again. Bonnet carpet cleaning is also a low investment and has low equipment costs that make it an affordable option for any business or individual.