Truck Mounted Steam Cleaning Power... What?
If you have dirty carpet, the bottom line is you want a clean carpet, regardless of the way it gets cleaned. As professionals in the carpet cleaning business, we often get caught up in the method of cleaning rather than just focusing on the clients’ needs, which is CLEAN CARPET.
When I started in this business 13 years ago, I started with a small machine that fit in the back of a Ford Ranger pickup truck. And I cleaned carpet. The equipment was not spectacular, but I did a very good job, and my business grew. I upgraded equipment and all along, and the results for my clients were the same, CLEAN CARPET.
It turns out, the biggest factor in getting a clean carpet is the PERSON CLEANING THE CARPET, not the equipment being used.
But, to put some questions to rest, here is some information on the two basic types of carpet cleaning, both do a good job and are based on the same concepts. I’m going to explain both quickly so as not to bore you with technical details.
Hot-Water Extraction Cleaning Method #1 Portable Unit
Here you have a self-contained cleaning unit that has a water pump and vacuums. Usually, the operator pre-vacuums the carpet and moves furniture prior to cleaning. Then, the carpet is pre-sprayed with cleaning agents to loosen embedded dirt and spots. Finally, hot water is used to flush out the carpet, and rinse it clean. Some portable units, (like ours) use a water heater to assist in cleaning.
This method is not as powerful as a truck mounted unit, but you can get excellent cleaning results using this system. Over the years, we have modified our equipment for even better performance. Often, the technician is the difference, since someone doing a sloppy job will be just as sloppy using a truck mounted system.
Hot-Water Extraction Cleaning Method #2 Truck Mount Unit
A truck mounted unit is just that, a carpet cleaner mounted in a truck. Whats the big deal you ask? Well, not as much as many carpet cleaners would have you believe. The end result is clean carpet, for you, but many of the benefits of using a truck mounted unit have to do more with the operator rather than the end result for clients. Again, many carpet cleaners will disagree with me, but its really the technician that does the cleaning that makes the difference.
Overall, a truck mounted system is powerful, the one we use has an incredible amount of power, and heat, to flush the dirt out, just like a portable system. We are able to clean many more jobs in a day with a truck mounted system than we can with a portable system. So, it has many great benefits for us as carpet cleaners in terms of production.
Well, there you have it. Do you really care? Probably not. You just want a clean carpet. We can deliver that as an end result, no matter what system we use, the biggest factor again, is, the person doing the work. That is what makes all the difference.