Bonnet cleaning has been a controversial cleaning method. Some carpet manufacturers 
believe the method damages carpet yarns, and so threaten voided warranties if carpet cleaners use bonnets. Despite the flack, it is one of the five cleaning methods recognized by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
Bonnet Cleaning Before Hot Water Extraction
While bonnet cleaning before Hot Water Extraction is a less common method than bonnet cleaning following Hot Water Extraction. Bonnet cleaning before Hot Water Extraction can be effective with your larger commercial accounts. While both are effective methods in their own right, Hot Water Extraction is not as aggressive as Bonnet Cleaning when it comes to agitation, and certain oils found in carpets, particularly in commercial settings, are best removed by using a higher agitation to loosen up the dirt.
Bonnet Cleaning After Hot Water Extraction
A more familiar method to carpet cleaners involves using bonnet cleaning as an immediate follow-up to Hot Water Extraction. Hot Water Extraction without truck mounted or high powered portable machines can leave freshly cleaned carpets wet for periods of time that may not be satisfactory to your customer. Post-Hot Water Extraction bonnet cleaning, especially when using a cotton pad, can speed up drying time by soaking up excess water. Following up Hot Water Extraction with bonnet cleaning can also help to correct wicking problems.
Bonnet Cleaning as a Maintenance Clean
Bonnet cleaning along with Hot Water Extraction is a logical choice when it comes to maintenance or contract cleaning in commercial buildings. Bonnet cleaning can be used as a regular maintenance clean in between quarterly or half yearly Hot Water Extraction cleans (depending on the level of soiling). Bonnet cleaning offers the customer an in-between clean that can be quicker and less disruptive to the business and can be a cheaper alternative to Hot Water Extraction cleaning, but used in conjunction with Hot Water Extraction can keep there carpets looking great all year round.
Hydramaster Versatile RX20
HydraMaster's RX-20 is more than a carpet extraction system. The cleaning star can be replaced with an optional bonnet-driving head or hard floor head. Use a 17" carpet bonnet to effectively shorten drying-time after extraction and for the finishing of extracted olefin carpets. You can also choose from three hard floor heads ranging from soft scrubbing bristles to more aggressive bristles. You can effectively clean tile floors or concrete and maintain or strip wax from linoleum.
A Bonnet-Cleaning Tutorial
- There are a number of different methods of bonnet cleaning. This is just one suggestion.
- Vacuum the area before cleaning.
- Pre-spray spots with spotting solution and remove gum or other hardened substances.
- Mix prespray, 240ml of CCW Snapshot with 8 litres of hot water, in a pump up or electric sprayer.
- Spray the prespray onto a small area of the carpet then spray both sides of a queen bonnet (nylon and poly) bonnet with the cleaning solution (this helps lubricate the bonnet and carpet fibres). Place under the scrubber and work the area in circular motions. Flip the bonnet over and use the other side when it is visibly soiled. Replace with a clean bonnet when both sides are soiled.
- Allow 10 minutes dwell time do not allow prespray to dry.
- Dunk a clean king bonnet (cotton) into a bucket of acid rinse solution, add 60ml of CCW Snapshot per 10 litres of hot water, squeeze out any excess solution ensuring the pad is as dry as possible.
- Place under the scrubber and work the area in circular motions, covering each area twice. Flip bonnets over when visibly soiled and replace pads as they become dirty or rinse them out in acid rinse solution.
- Work in sections, repeating the process until cleaning is complete.
- Assist drying by use of dry cotton bonnets and airmovers. After the entire area is dry, vacuum it.
