Hot Water Extraction

Deep Clean That Reaches What Vacuums Can't

Daily vacuuming removes surface debris. Hot water extraction removes what's been accumulating for months—embedded soil, allergens, and contaminants that live deep in carpet fibers.

Commercial Only
Recurring 3+ Days/Week
Specialty = Active Clients

Not Yet a Client?

Specialty services are available to our recurring janitorial or day porter clients. Interested in a complete facility care program? Request a proposal to discuss your full needs—including deep cleaning services.

What's Living in Your Carpet

Commercial carpet accumulates approximately one pound of soil per square yard annually in typical office environments. High-traffic areas can double or triple that rate.

Regular vacuuming—even excellent vacuuming—removes only surface-level debris. The rest migrates downward, embedding in fibers and backing material where it causes three distinct problems:

Premature wear

Abrasive soil particles grind against fibers with every footstep. Embedded dirt acts like sandpaper, wearing carpet from the inside. Dirty carpet wears out 2-3 times faster than properly maintained carpet.

Indoor air quality degradation

Carpets trap allergens, dust mites, bacteria, and pollutants—which is actually beneficial when they stay trapped. But foot traffic releases these particles back into breathable air throughout the day.

Appearance decline

The dingy, flat appearance of neglected carpet isn't just aesthetics. It's soil weighing down fibers, preventing them from standing upright and reflecting light properly.

Hot Water Extraction Explained

Often called "steam cleaning" though no actual steam is involved—this is the method recommended by major carpet manufacturers for deep cleaning commercial carpet.

The Process

1

Pre-inspection

We assess carpet type, fiber content, and specific concerns (stains, odors, heavy soiling areas)

2

Pre-vacuuming

Commercial vacuum removes surface debris for more effective deep cleaning

3

Pre-treatment

Enzyme-based solutions applied to break down oily soils and protein-based stains

4

Hot water injection

Water heated to 150-200°F (depending on carpet type) injected into carpet under pressure

5

Immediate extraction

Powerful vacuum immediately extracts water, suspended soil, and cleaning solution

6

Grooming

Carpet fibers set in proper direction for optimal appearance and faster drying

7

Drying

Professional air movers accelerate drying (typically 2-6 hours depending on conditions)

Why hot water extraction beats alternatives

Bonnet cleaning only cleans the top portion of fibers, pushing soil deeper

Dry cleaning compounds leave residue that attracts soil, requiring more frequent cleaning

Shampooing can leave sticky residue and requires longer drying times

Hot water extraction removes soil without leaving residue that accelerates resoiling

Stain Categories and Treatment Approaches

Stain TypeExamplesTreatment Approach
Water-soluble stainsCoffee, soft drinks, food dyesPre-treatment with appropriate spotters, followed by extraction. Success rate very high when treated promptly.
Oil-based stainsGrease, cooking oil, cosmeticsRequire solvent pre-treatment to emulsify oils before extraction.
Protein-based stainsFood, blood, vomitEnzyme treatments break down organic material. Avoid hot water initially as it can set protein stains.
Ink and dye stainsPen ink, marker, fabric dyeSpecialized treatments based on ink type. Some may be permanent but can often be significantly improved.
High-traffic darkeningWalkways, entrances, corridorsOften not staining but soil compaction. Usually responds well to thorough extraction.

Note: Not all stains can be completely removed. We'll give you an honest assessment before treatment and won't promise results we can't deliver.

Recommended Cleaning Frequencies

Traffic LevelEnvironment ExampleRecommended Frequency
LightExecutive offices, conference roomsAnnual extraction
ModerateGeneral office areas, break roomsSemi-annual extraction
HeavyLobbies, corridors, common areasQuarterly extraction
Very HeavyEntrances, elevator lobbiesMonthly extraction

Interim maintenance between extractions

Regular vacuuming (daily in high-traffic areas)

Immediate spot treatment for spills

Entrance matting to reduce soil introduction

The Drying Question

"How long until we can walk on the carpet?" is the most common question we receive.

Our answer: Light traffic typically possible within 2-4 hours. Normal use within 6-8 hours. We use professional air movers to accelerate drying and can schedule service timing to align with your operational needs.

Factors affecting dry time:

Carpet fiber type (synthetic dries faster than wool)
Carpet density and pile height
Ambient humidity and temperature
Air movement and ventilation
Soil level (heavily soiled carpet requires more water)

Flexible Scheduling

We can schedule evening or weekend service so carpet is completely dry before Monday morning occupancy.

After-hours

Evening service, dry by morning

Weekend service

Saturday/Sunday availability

Holiday scheduling

Minimal disruption timing

Section-by-section

For continuous operation facilities

Availability and Scheduling

Who can request carpet cleaning

This service is available exclusively to our recurring janitorial or day porter clients. Our ongoing relationship means we understand your facility, have established access, and can coordinate carpet work with your regular cleaning schedule.

Not yet a recurring client? We'd love to discuss a complete facility care program that includes deep cleaning services. View our services →

Frequently Asked Questions

How is hot water extraction different from steam cleaning?+
They're actually the same process—"steam cleaning" is a common misnomer. No actual steam is involved. Hot water extraction uses heated water (150-200°F) injected under pressure, then immediately extracted along with suspended soil. It's the method recommended by major carpet manufacturers for commercial deep cleaning.
Why do you recommend hot water extraction over other methods?+
Bonnet cleaning only cleans the top portion of fibers, pushing soil deeper. Dry cleaning compounds leave residue that attracts soil, requiring more frequent cleaning. Shampooing can leave sticky residue and requires longer drying times. Hot water extraction removes soil without leaving residue that accelerates resoiling.
Can you remove all stains?+
No—and we won't promise results we can't deliver. Some stains (particularly certain inks, dyes, and set-in stains) may be permanent. We'll give you an honest assessment before treatment. Many stains that appear permanent can be significantly improved, even if not completely removed.
How often should commercial carpet be professionally cleaned?+
It depends on traffic. Light-traffic areas (executive offices) typically need annual extraction. Moderate-traffic areas (general offices) benefit from semi-annual cleaning. High-traffic areas (lobbies, corridors) should be cleaned quarterly. Entrances and elevator lobbies may need monthly attention.
What should we do between professional cleanings?+
Regular vacuuming is essential—daily in high-traffic areas. Address spills immediately with appropriate spot treatment. Entrance matting significantly reduces soil introduction. These interim measures extend the time between deep cleanings and maximize carpet life.

What's Your Carpet Hiding?

When was your last professional carpet extraction? If you can't remember, it's overdue. Let's discuss incorporating deep carpet care into your facility program.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning | Hot Water Extraction | Anderson Cleaning