Carpet Cleaning History
The carpet cleaning industry evolved from humble origins of mainly hired hands (cheap labour) and servants self cleaning to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today.
Carpets were initially cleaned by removing area rugs from the house and beating them on their back side with a carpet rod, rattan or wooden -rug beater to dislodge dirt. Other carpet cleaning techniques included sweeping the carpet with a broom which in turn led to the carpet cleaning sweeper in the late 1800's. Carpets were occasionally washed with homemade formulas. In the 1800’s druggets were also used. This heavy woolen cloth was placed under tables and other heavily tracked areas to prevent soiling.
Early techniques for removing ink, oil and grease stains entailed scrubbing the carpet with lemon juice and a hot loaf of crusty white bread. It was then rinsed thoroughly with fresh water and left outside to dry. Tea leaves were also employed for carpet cleaning; they were brushed into the floor. This process often stained carpets.
By the 1880’s more sophisticated carpet cleaning techniques entailed using water with bull’s gall and scrubbing it with a flannel cloth before rinsing it with fresh water. Refined oil products then came into use for removing stains. Clay paste mixed with water was also used for carpet cleaning; this technique sometimes caused color fading. Chloroform was employed as an alternative until it was found to cause damage to the central nervous system.
In the early 1900’s, carpet cleaning became a door–to-door business. In 1901 a horse drawn, gas powered carpet cleaning machine created by Cecil Booth was patented. Hoses from this wagon would snake through a window to where the carpet was being cleaned.
Portable cleaners came into existence in 1908 by William H Hoover. With the invention of the vacuum cleaner in 1920, people resorted to installing wall to wall carpeting in their homes. It wasn’t until 1947 that the carpet cleaning industry really took off. Wet shampoo rotary carpet cleaning techniques were employed until the 1970’s; this technique did not extract water, left residue and caused dirt to collect faster.
Today, both wet and dry carpet cleaning technique are used, the best method is often debated. The wet method is good for deep cleaning and can usually get up anything that isn’t permanent. This process requires more down time for the room being cleaned.
The dry carpet cleaning strategy incorporates a chemical based powder or material that is applied and brushed into the carpet. It then sits for a while to perform its chemical action before being brushed and vacuumed up. The down time for the room being cleaned using this method is reduced significantly.
The carpet cleaning industry continues to evolve into the dynamic industry that it is today with more innovations to come. Here at Walts, we employ the most current and innovative techniques you'll be proud of call us today and schedule an appointment for estimate. Call 916-415-1699 or 530-889-8603
The carpet cleaning industry evolved from humble origins of mainly hired hands (cheap labour) and servants self cleaning to the multi-billion dollar industry it is today.
Carpets were initially cleaned by removing area rugs from the house and beating them on their back side with a carpet rod, rattan or wooden -rug beater to dislodge dirt. Other carpet cleaning techniques included sweeping the carpet with a broom which in turn led to the carpet cleaning sweeper in the late 1800's. Carpets were occasionally washed with homemade formulas. In the 1800’s druggets were also used. This heavy woolen cloth was placed under tables and other heavily tracked areas to prevent soiling.
Early techniques for removing ink, oil and grease stains entailed scrubbing the carpet with lemon juice and a hot loaf of crusty white bread. It was then rinsed thoroughly with fresh water and left outside to dry. Tea leaves were also employed for carpet cleaning; they were brushed into the floor. This process often stained carpets.
By the 1880’s more sophisticated carpet cleaning techniques entailed using water with bull’s gall and scrubbing it with a flannel cloth before rinsing it with fresh water. Refined oil products then came into use for removing stains. Clay paste mixed with water was also used for carpet cleaning; this technique sometimes caused color fading. Chloroform was employed as an alternative until it was found to cause damage to the central nervous system.
In the early 1900’s, carpet cleaning became a door–to-door business. In 1901 a horse drawn, gas powered carpet cleaning machine created by Cecil Booth was patented. Hoses from this wagon would snake through a window to where the carpet was being cleaned.
Portable cleaners came into existence in 1908 by William H Hoover. With the invention of the vacuum cleaner in 1920, people resorted to installing wall to wall carpeting in their homes. It wasn’t until 1947 that the carpet cleaning industry really took off. Wet shampoo rotary carpet cleaning techniques were employed until the 1970’s; this technique did not extract water, left residue and caused dirt to collect faster.
Today, both wet and dry carpet cleaning technique are used, the best method is often debated. The wet method is good for deep cleaning and can usually get up anything that isn’t permanent. This process requires more down time for the room being cleaned.
The dry carpet cleaning strategy incorporates a chemical based powder or material that is applied and brushed into the carpet. It then sits for a while to perform its chemical action before being brushed and vacuumed up. The down time for the room being cleaned using this method is reduced significantly.
The carpet cleaning industry continues to evolve into the dynamic industry that it is today with more innovations to come. Here at Walts, we employ the most current and innovative techniques you'll be proud of call us today and schedule an appointment for estimate. Call 916-415-1699 or 530-889-8603