Cleaning Carpets After A Fire
Wet carpets should be quickly separated from padding to
prevent padding dyes from wicking up and causing
permanent stains. A professional would next use a water-
lift vacuum, but a good substitute is to turn on electric
fans and open windows to provide good air circulation as
an aid to speedy drying. Open windows and fans help if
temperatures are warm enough and air outside is dry. In
cold, damp weather, if house does not have any openings
(such as broken-out windows) borrow, rent, or buy one or
more dehumidifiers (depending on size of wet area in
house) to pull water out of surfaces and materials.
Carpets and rugs should then be shampooed with dense
detergent suds and very little water. Cleaning experts
have recommended steam extraction by professional truck-
mounted units, with higher horsepower than home rental
units, to clean and extract carpets much more thoroughly
than shampooing the surface. Professionals use special
deodorant shampoos in rotary carpet-scrubbing machines
and they also have facilities to stretch shrunken rugs.
It will be difficult for most home-owners to replace
wall-to-wall carpet.