Carpet Shampoo
For decades, carpet shampooing was the most effective way to get dirt and grime out of carpet. Grime, a combination of dirt and oil, is particularly hard to liberate from any type of textile. Without the help of a chemical to hold the detritus in suspension until it can be removed from the area, it will latch onto the fibers in another location. Shampoos with a lot of lather removed grime and pull it to the top of the carpet where it can be siphoned off.
One problem with the process is that it can leave a soapy residue behind. If you feel the soap scum in a bath tub ring, you’ll notice that it’s sticky and gooey. That’s what’s often left on carpet using a simple shampooing method. Over time, that soapy residue can attract dirt and dust, mat carpet fiber, and change the color of carpet.