In this carpet cleaning method, dry absorbent compound is sprinkled over carpet or worked into the carpet with a machine or a brush. The purpose of this powdered insoluble cleaner is to attract and absorb soil. Some also are designed to absorb pet urine and cover up the urine odor. Mechanical agitation from a brush works the cleaner through the carpet.
These products usually contain an absorbent carrier, water, detergent, solvent and perfume fragrance. The theory is that the liquids dissolve the soil and this soil + detergent + solvent mixture is absorbed into the powdered absorbent carrier and is then vacuumed up. They are often used with a detergent prespray in heavily soiled areas.
The absorbent cleaner most commonly is organic, but may also be polymers. The compound is supposed to absorb the dislodged soil and is then vacuumed away. Carpet must be thoroughly vacuumed before and after cleaning.
Very thorough vacuuming should be used to ensure that most of the carrier comes out of the carpet. With the extremely fine powder types, indoor air quality can be reduced. If a white powder starts appearing on shoes and cuffs of pants, too much was used and it was not thoroughly vacuumed up. A common problem is for this white powder to reappear after wet extraction cleaning.
This cleaning method has the advantage of no drying time for interim maintenance, since little water is used. This makes it a common maintenance cleaner.
Host®, Capture®, Love My Carpet®, Arm and Hammer® and Carpet Fresh® would be included in this category.
Do Powdered Carpet Deodorizers Work?
NO! Powdered carpet deodorizers do not permanently remove pet urine odor because they don’t actually remove the source of the smell. To remove odors in the carpet, you MUST remove the source! Using a powdered carpet deodorizer will only temporarily remove the odor, but that smell usually returns because the source of the odor is still there. Why? Because the urine is often in the carpet backing and even the carpet pad! Urine spots have to be decontaminated and cleaned properly and thoroughly in order to get rid of the smell - often requiring the use not only of specialized urine deodorizers that actually destroy the urine either by enzymes or by oxidizers and sometimes even requiring the use of a Water Claw® Sub-Surface Spot Lifter to flush the urine out of the backing and pad.
Advantages to the Absorbent Powder Cleaning Method:
- Fast drying time - the area can be used immediately after the cleaning process. This is a major advantage for 24-hour year-round always-open facilities such as casinos.
- Does not require special, expensive equipment.
- Safer for delicate carpets and rugs such as silk, wool, sisal and jute.
- No browning.
- No wicking.
- No reappearing spots.
- Without using water, dry carpet absorbent powder cleaning can also help prevent mold and mildew growth on carpets or rugs.
- There is no danger of causing delamination of the carpet backing due to overwetting during cleaning.
- Resoiling is reduced because no sticky detergents are used.
- Because no water is used, this dry carpet cleaning method requires zero drying time resulting in the cleaned area able to be used immediately after cleaning.
- Since no water is used, there is no danger of rippling of the carpet as there is when carpet is left too wet after poor extraction cleaning.
- “Idiot proof”. Very little training needed.
- Very little and inexpensive equipment required to start a cleaning business with this method.
- Some leave a pleasant odor and are useful for pet urine.
Disadvantages to the Absorbent Powder Cleaning Method:
- Absorbent powder will pile up in the carpet over time causing more dirt.
- Absorbent Powder Carpet Cleaning Method is totally unsuitable and unsafe for people allergic to dust as it causes dust build-up.
- Does not deep clean the carpet fibers - just surface cleans at best because it does not fully reach the base of the carpet.
- This carpet cleaning method won’t remove most dried stains.
- Unlike hot water extraction carpet cleaning, absorbent powder carpet cleaning does not sanitize carpet.
Related Articles and Information:
- Comparison of Carpet Cleaning Methods
- Enzyme Pet Urine Deodorizers
- Urine Stain in Carpet
- Urine Stain Removal - for the homeowner
- VIDEO: How to Remove Pet Urine Spots and Stains from Carpets & Rugs
- VIDEO: OS-1 Pet Urine Odor and Stain Remover from Pro's Choice
- White Powder Residue After Extraction Cleaning Carpet