Bonnet cleaning is a minimum moisture carpet cleaning method. All you need for Bonnet cleaning is a pad made from cotton, rayon and polypropylene and a rotary shampoo machine. Bonnet cleaning is one of the simplest carpet cleaning methods to learn. Primarily there are three procedures for using the bonnet method.

• As in all carpet cleaning methods, the carpet should be sprayed with a quality preconditioner and allowed ten to twenty minutes to soak time to start loosening dirt and stains. The first procedure involves spraying a detergent solution onto the carpet pile. The solution should be applied in sufficient quantities to wet through the fibres. Using more solution may extend drying time but extra detergent may be necessary to attain the desired results. If too little solution is used, the resistance may cause pile distortion. Detergents have a fairly low price so you don’t need to worry about how much detergent you use.
• The second procedure used in the bonnet method involves the use of a rotary shampoo machine and a moistened rayon, cotton, and/or polypropylene pad. This pad is attached to the rotary machine. The rotating pad is used to agitate and aid in suspension of soils. The bonnet pad absorbs these soils and therefore should be cleaned or replaced regularly. If the pad becomes saturated with soil, the soil is then transferred back to the carpet pad.
• Since the rayon pad may not be totally effective in the complete extraction of soil, today's detergents are engineered to hold onto soils after they have dried. As a result, a third procedure may be necessary to extract the remaining soil. By thoroughly vacuuming the area, after the area is dry, much of the remaining soil can be removed.

The Bonnet method is among the easiest methods to learn and the method can be very effective for carpet cleaning in particular. The following steps should be followed when using the Bonnet method:

1. The area to be cleaned should be thoroughly vacuumed using proper vacuuming techniques.
2. Apply a top quality preconditioner and allow ten to twenty minutes of settling time. The preconditioner should begin the suspension and emulsification process. A heavier application of preconditioner should be applied to heavily soiled areas.
3. Mix the carpet cleaning solution according to the manufacturers' directions. Use a measuring cup to prepare the solution. Mixing chemical concentration too strong may cause a resoiling problem and mixing too little chemical may reduce clean ability. Increasing the concentration of the solution will not enhance the carpet cleaning results.