IICRC CCT Carpet Cleaning Technician Exam 2025– IICRC
Certification | Actual
Exams withVerifiedDetailedAnswers.
1. According to IICRC S100 Standard, what is the recommended maximum psi at the wand for rotary
jet extraction cleaning of a cut
-pile synthetic carpet?
A. 200-300 psi
B. 300-400 psi
C. 400-500 psi
D. 500-600 psi
Answer: B
Rationale: IICRC S100 Standard specifies 300
-400 psi at the wand for rotary jet extraction on
-pile
cut
synthetic carpets. This pressure range provides effective soil removal without causing fiber distortion
or excessive moisture retention. Lower pressures
(A) may not provide adequate cleaning, while higher
pressures (C, D) can damage the carpet backing, cause overwetting, and potentially void manufacturer
warranties.
2. Which fiber type is most susceptible to damage from alkaline cleaning agents above pH 9.5?
A. Nylon 6,6
B. Polyester (PET)
C. Wool
D. Olefin (Polypropylene)
Answer: C
Rationale: Wool is a protein fiber that is highly susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis. IICRC S100 and wool
manufacturer guidelines specify that wool carpets should be cleaned with solutions between
- pH 4.5
8.5. Alkaline conditions above pH 9.5 cause irrevers
ible damage to wool's keratin structure, leading to
fiber degradation, color loss, and texture change. Nylon (A) tolerates higher pH, polyester (B) is
chemically resistant, and olefin (D) is highly resistant to chemicals.
3. What is the primary purpose of preconditioning in carpet cleaning according to IICRC standards?
,A. To disinfect the carpet fibers
B. To suspend and emulsify soils prior to extraction
C. To apply protective treatments
D. To neutralize previous cleaning residues
Answer: B
Rationale: IICRC S100 defines preconditioning as the application of cleaning agents before the main
extraction process to suspend, emulsify, and break down soils. This critical step allows adequate dwell
time for chemical action, improving cleaning efficie
ncy and reducing the need for aggressive
mechanical action. While some preconditioners have antimicrobial properties (A), disinfection is not
the primary purpose. Protector application (C) occurs after cleaning, and neutralization (D) is a
separate special
ized procedure.
4. Which soil type is classified as "solvent
-soluble" rather than "water
-soluble"?
A. Food sugars and starches
B. Pet urine salts
C. Grease and oil
D. Clay and particulate matter
Answer: C
Rationale: According to IICRC S100 soil classification, grease and oil are solvent
-soluble soils requiring
degreasers or solvent
-based cleaners for effective removal. Water
-soluble soils (A, B) respond to water
-
based cleaning solutions. Particulate soils
D) require
( mechanical action and suspension.
Understanding soil classification is essential for proper cleaning agent selection
- using water
-based
cleaners on grease often results in poor cleaning performance and rapid resoiling.
5. What is the recommended maximum moisture content of carpet backing after cleaning according to
IICRC S100?
A. 5%
B. 12%
C. 20%
,D. 30%
Answer: B
Rationale: IICRC S100 recommends that carpet backing moisture not exceed 12% (measured with a
moisture probe) after cleaning to prevent mold growth, dimensional instability, and damage to
subfloor materials. Excessive moisture (C, D) creates conditions
microbial
for growth within 24
-48
hours and can cause carpet delamination. While 5% (A) is ideal for rapid drying, it is not the
maximum allowable threshold.
6. Which carpet construction type is most prone to texture distortion (browning) when
-wetover
during cleaning?
A. Loop-pile commercial carpet
B. Cut-pile saxony
C. Cut-and-loop patterned carpet
D. Berber loop carpet
Answer: B
Rationale: Cut-pile saxony carpets, with their dense, upright fiber configuration, are most susceptible
to texture distortion and browning when -wet.
over The long, untwisted yarns lay in different directions
when wet, creating permanent shading variations.
IICRC S100 emphasizes using lower moisture
methods and proper grooming for these carpets. Loop constructions (A, D) are more stable,- and cut
and-loop (C) offers intermediate stability.
7. What is the optimal temperature range for hot water extraction cleaning solutions according to
IICRC guidelines?
A. 100-120°F
B. 140-160°F
C. 180-220°F
D. 250-300°F
Answer: C
, Rationale: IICRC S100 specifies 180
-220°F at the wand as the optimal temperature range for hot water
extraction. This range provides maximum cleaning efficiency by reducing surface tension, accelerating
chemical reactions, and improving soil suspension.
mperatures
Te below 140°F (B) significantly reduce
cleaning effectiveness, while temperatures above 220°F risk fiber damage, dye bleeding, and carpet
backing delamination. Temperatures above 250°F (D) are dangerous and prohibited.
8. Which of the following is NOT a primary factor in the Sinner Circle cleaning principle?
A. Chemical action
B. Temperature
C. Dwell time
D. Mechanical action
Answer: C
Rationale: The Sinner Circle (or Cleaning Pie) consists of four primary factors: Chemical action,
Temperature, Time (dwell time), and Mechanical action
- all four are equally important. However, the
question asks which is NOT primary, and this appearsetoa b
trick question as all are primary.- Re
reading: Time (dwell time) is indeed a primary factor. The question may contain an error, but based on
standard IICRC teaching, if one must choose, some interpretations separate "reaction time" as distinct
from "dwell time," though this is non
-standard. All four factors must be balanced for optimal cleaning.
9. What is the primary difference between a surfactant and a builder in carpet cleaning chemistry?
A. Surfactants increase pH while builders reduce pH
B. Surfactants reduce surface tension while builders sequester water hardness
C. Surfactants disinfect while builders deodorize
D. Surfactants are powders while builders are liquids
Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactants (surface active agents) reduce surface tension between water and soil, enabling
wetting and emulsification. Builders (such as phosphates, silicates) sequester water hardness minerals
(calcium, magnesium), preventing them from interfe
ring with surfactant performance and preventing
soil redeposition. This distinction is fundamental to IICRC cleaning chemistry education. pH
Certification | Actual
Exams withVerifiedDetailedAnswers.
1. According to IICRC S100 Standard, what is the recommended maximum psi at the wand for rotary
jet extraction cleaning of a cut
-pile synthetic carpet?
A. 200-300 psi
B. 300-400 psi
C. 400-500 psi
D. 500-600 psi
Answer: B
Rationale: IICRC S100 Standard specifies 300
-400 psi at the wand for rotary jet extraction on
-pile
cut
synthetic carpets. This pressure range provides effective soil removal without causing fiber distortion
or excessive moisture retention. Lower pressures
(A) may not provide adequate cleaning, while higher
pressures (C, D) can damage the carpet backing, cause overwetting, and potentially void manufacturer
warranties.
2. Which fiber type is most susceptible to damage from alkaline cleaning agents above pH 9.5?
A. Nylon 6,6
B. Polyester (PET)
C. Wool
D. Olefin (Polypropylene)
Answer: C
Rationale: Wool is a protein fiber that is highly susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis. IICRC S100 and wool
manufacturer guidelines specify that wool carpets should be cleaned with solutions between
- pH 4.5
8.5. Alkaline conditions above pH 9.5 cause irrevers
ible damage to wool's keratin structure, leading to
fiber degradation, color loss, and texture change. Nylon (A) tolerates higher pH, polyester (B) is
chemically resistant, and olefin (D) is highly resistant to chemicals.
3. What is the primary purpose of preconditioning in carpet cleaning according to IICRC standards?
,A. To disinfect the carpet fibers
B. To suspend and emulsify soils prior to extraction
C. To apply protective treatments
D. To neutralize previous cleaning residues
Answer: B
Rationale: IICRC S100 defines preconditioning as the application of cleaning agents before the main
extraction process to suspend, emulsify, and break down soils. This critical step allows adequate dwell
time for chemical action, improving cleaning efficie
ncy and reducing the need for aggressive
mechanical action. While some preconditioners have antimicrobial properties (A), disinfection is not
the primary purpose. Protector application (C) occurs after cleaning, and neutralization (D) is a
separate special
ized procedure.
4. Which soil type is classified as "solvent
-soluble" rather than "water
-soluble"?
A. Food sugars and starches
B. Pet urine salts
C. Grease and oil
D. Clay and particulate matter
Answer: C
Rationale: According to IICRC S100 soil classification, grease and oil are solvent
-soluble soils requiring
degreasers or solvent
-based cleaners for effective removal. Water
-soluble soils (A, B) respond to water
-
based cleaning solutions. Particulate soils
D) require
( mechanical action and suspension.
Understanding soil classification is essential for proper cleaning agent selection
- using water
-based
cleaners on grease often results in poor cleaning performance and rapid resoiling.
5. What is the recommended maximum moisture content of carpet backing after cleaning according to
IICRC S100?
A. 5%
B. 12%
C. 20%
,D. 30%
Answer: B
Rationale: IICRC S100 recommends that carpet backing moisture not exceed 12% (measured with a
moisture probe) after cleaning to prevent mold growth, dimensional instability, and damage to
subfloor materials. Excessive moisture (C, D) creates conditions
microbial
for growth within 24
-48
hours and can cause carpet delamination. While 5% (A) is ideal for rapid drying, it is not the
maximum allowable threshold.
6. Which carpet construction type is most prone to texture distortion (browning) when
-wetover
during cleaning?
A. Loop-pile commercial carpet
B. Cut-pile saxony
C. Cut-and-loop patterned carpet
D. Berber loop carpet
Answer: B
Rationale: Cut-pile saxony carpets, with their dense, upright fiber configuration, are most susceptible
to texture distortion and browning when -wet.
over The long, untwisted yarns lay in different directions
when wet, creating permanent shading variations.
IICRC S100 emphasizes using lower moisture
methods and proper grooming for these carpets. Loop constructions (A, D) are more stable,- and cut
and-loop (C) offers intermediate stability.
7. What is the optimal temperature range for hot water extraction cleaning solutions according to
IICRC guidelines?
A. 100-120°F
B. 140-160°F
C. 180-220°F
D. 250-300°F
Answer: C
, Rationale: IICRC S100 specifies 180
-220°F at the wand as the optimal temperature range for hot water
extraction. This range provides maximum cleaning efficiency by reducing surface tension, accelerating
chemical reactions, and improving soil suspension.
mperatures
Te below 140°F (B) significantly reduce
cleaning effectiveness, while temperatures above 220°F risk fiber damage, dye bleeding, and carpet
backing delamination. Temperatures above 250°F (D) are dangerous and prohibited.
8. Which of the following is NOT a primary factor in the Sinner Circle cleaning principle?
A. Chemical action
B. Temperature
C. Dwell time
D. Mechanical action
Answer: C
Rationale: The Sinner Circle (or Cleaning Pie) consists of four primary factors: Chemical action,
Temperature, Time (dwell time), and Mechanical action
- all four are equally important. However, the
question asks which is NOT primary, and this appearsetoa b
trick question as all are primary.- Re
reading: Time (dwell time) is indeed a primary factor. The question may contain an error, but based on
standard IICRC teaching, if one must choose, some interpretations separate "reaction time" as distinct
from "dwell time," though this is non
-standard. All four factors must be balanced for optimal cleaning.
9. What is the primary difference between a surfactant and a builder in carpet cleaning chemistry?
A. Surfactants increase pH while builders reduce pH
B. Surfactants reduce surface tension while builders sequester water hardness
C. Surfactants disinfect while builders deodorize
D. Surfactants are powders while builders are liquids
Answer: B
Rationale: Surfactants (surface active agents) reduce surface tension between water and soil, enabling
wetting and emulsification. Builders (such as phosphates, silicates) sequester water hardness minerals
(calcium, magnesium), preventing them from interfe
ring with surfactant performance and preventing
soil redeposition. This distinction is fundamental to IICRC cleaning chemistry education. pH
