Ever clean a carpet, love how it looks, and then watch it go dingy again a few weeks later? Usually the cleaner isn't the problem. The problem is the step you skipped at the end.
The P&S 3-step carpet system uses three products, each with one job: Terminator, Carpet Bomber and Finisher. Use them in order, and the carpet doesn't just look clean the day you finish. It stays clean.
Why one cleaner isn't enough
Carpet dirt comes in two kinds, and each one needs a different chemistry to break it down:
- Organic dirt: anything that was once alive, like food, drinks, body oils and pet messes. Enzymes are the right tool for this.
- Inorganic dirt: soil, dust, grit and grime that isn't organic. An alkaline (high-pH) cleaner handles this.
The system hits each kind with its own cleaner, then resets the carpet's pH so nothing is left behind to work against you.
Step 1: Terminator breaks down organic dirt
Terminator is an enzyme-based cleaner. The enzymes literally eat away organic dirt, so the longer it sits, the better it works. Don't rush to the next step.
- Apply Terminator to the carpet.
- Rub or agitate it in a bit so it gets down into the fibers.
- Give it time to sit before moving on to step 2.
Step 2: Carpet Bomber lifts inorganic dirt
Next comes Carpet Bomber, the alkaline (high-pH) part of the system. Once the enzymes have taken care of the organic dirt, Carpet Bomber goes after the inorganic dirt: the soil and grime the enzymes don't touch.
Agitate it in the same way so it reaches everything.
Step 3: Finisher, the step everyone skips
Finisher is an acidic rinse that neutralizes the alkaline cleaners and brings the carpet back to a neutral pH. You don't always need it. But if you used Terminator and Carpet Bomber, you need Finisher.
Here's why. If you skip it, you leave the carpet alkaline. That leftover residue is great at waking up extra dirt and attracting new dirt, so the job that looked perfect when you finished won't look finished for long.
Rub Finisher in to make sure the acid fully neutralizes the alkaline. That's what turns a clean that looks good today into one that lasts.
Quick recap
|
Step |
Product |
What it does |
Key tip |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Terminator |
Enzymes break down organic dirt |
Agitate it in and let it sit |
|
2 |
Carpet Bomber |
Alkaline cleaner lifts inorganic dirt |
Agitate so it reaches everything |
|
3 |
Finisher |
Acid rinse neutralizes pH |
Never skip it after steps 1 and 2 |
Get the full system
Terminator, Carpet Bomber and Finisher are all available at Daily Driven Supply Company. Grab all three so you can run the full process on your next carpet job.
Want to see it in action? Watch our short video walkthrough of the P&S 3-step carpet system, and save it for your next deep clean.