Professional Carpet Cleaning Course Study Guide

Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Study Guide

• The National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) was established in 1968.
• It's the only nationally recognised trade association for carpet, hard flooring and soft furnishings cleaning.
• A three-day Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Course provides basic cleaning knowledge.
• Course completion and passing the exam makes one eligible to apply for NCCA membership.
• Successful candidates receive an email notification and invitation to join the association.
• The course materials include a study guide and a comprehensive training manual.
• The study guide explains difficult concepts and technical terms encountered on course.

Course Syllabus

• Cleaning Survey: Includes identifying required equipment and reasons for conducting a full survey.
• Fibre Identification: Covers fibre classification, properties, and identification methods.
• Carpet Constructions: Explains woven, tufted and bonded carpets, with specific cleaning issues for each.
• Fabric and Upholstery Constructions: Outlines various fabric types like velvet, flatweave, tapestry and stitch-bond and relevant cleaning considerations.
• Upholstery Cleaning Demonstrations: Practical application of upholstery cleaning techniques.
• Chemistry of Cleaning: Includes pH, cleaning agents, additives, and basic stain/spot removal methods.
• Health and Safety: Focuses on legislation, working practices and professional standards (PAS86 and NCCA Code of Practice).

Cleaning Principles and Methods

• Soil definition: "Any unwanted materials in the fabric/carpet". Includes insoluble, water-soluble and solvent-soluble soil.
• Dry soil removal: Involves using an upright vacuum cleaner with a beater bar.
• Soil suspension (CHAT): Emphasises chemical action, heat, agitation and time, as key elements in the process.
• Soil extraction: Details methods like wet extraction (steam cleaning), using bonnets, adsorbent pads and dry foam techniques.
• Dry compound cleaning: Includes spreading a carrier with solvents and surfactants, working it in, and then vacuuming it out.
• Setting the pile (nap): Techniques for removing marks, improving appearances and assisting drying.
• Drying: Outlines the use of ventilation, air movers and heating to reduce drying times.

Chemistry of Cleaning

• pH: A scale ranging from 0-14 measuring acidity or alkalinity. 7 is neutral.
• Explanation of how pH affects different products and colours: Alkaline products neutralize acidity while acid products help adjust solutions to bring pH below 7.
• Examples of different solutions and their pH values: Includes examples of solutions like battery acid, baking soda, etc.

Fibres

• Natural fibres: Examples include protein fibres (wool, silk) and cellulosic fibres (cotton, linen, jute, sisal).
• Synthetic fibres: Includes nylon, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, viscose.
• Fibre dissolving and damages: Provides factors like damages by chemicals and other materials
• Fibre Facts descriptions: Includes descriptions on how the fibres react when exposed to various elements such as bleach, acid, alkalis etc.

Carpet Construction

• Woven carpets: Describes how warp and weft fibres are used in the construction.
• Tufted carpets: Explains how pile fibres are held in place using primary and secondary backing.
• Bonded carpets: Describes the gluing process and use of primary and secondary backing.

Fabric Construction

• Different types of fabric construction, including plain weave, flatweave, velour/velvet, jacquard, stitch-bond, chenille, bonded/flock and microfiber.

Health & Safety

• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE): Discusses essential safety precautions.
• Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and storing them on-site where the products are.
• Residual Current Devices (RCD): Importance of using them.
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH): Covers hazardous substances in detail.
• Additional safety tips: Includes advice on extending cords, keeping equipment clean and safely working from wet surfaces to dry surfaces.

Terms and Glossary

• Key terms and definitions related to cleaning processes (e.g., bleaching, brighteners, browning, catalysts, etc.) and materials, like compounds, mixtures, solution, suspension, emulsifier and surfactant.

Mission Statement (NCCA)

• NCCA aims to establish and maintain high professional cleaning standards within the carpet, soft furnishings, leather and hard floor cleaning industry. Their goals are to secure the reputation of the industry and protect their customers.

This study guide covers essential concepts for the Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Course, offering insights into cleaning surveys, fibre identification, and carpet constructions. Completing the course qualifies candidates for NCCA membership, providing opportunities for professional advancement in the cleaning industry.