Carpets are a big part of your home’s interior and they get dirty very quickly. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean your carpets.
Fortunately, there are several ways to do so. From renting a carpet cleaner machine to having a professional deep carpet cleaning done, there’s something for everyone.
1. Vacuuming
Vacuuming is an essential part of any cleaning routine, and it should be done regularly to prevent the build-up of dust, dirt, dander, and other pollutants in your carpet. It also helps improve the air quality in your home by removing allergens and other harmful substances that can affect your health.
A vacuum cleaner is a special machine that is designed to remove dirt and other particles from your carpet and other hard surfaces. It works by sucking the dirt and dust up from the floor, allowing it to fall out into a bucket.
When vacuuming your carpet, it is important to go slowly and move the vacuum in a compass pattern. This will help you to get the deepest clean possible. It is also a good idea to overlap your strokes when you are moving the vacuum across a row of carpet fibers.
You can increase the effectiveness of your vacuuming by using the right attachments. This will allow you to reach places that the vacuum head can’t get, like around baseboards and underneath heavy furniture.
Using the correct tools will also make it easier to change the direction you are moving the vacuum in. This will help you stand the pile upright and prevent matting.
Before you begin, make sure to pick up any small items or sand particles that could damage the carpet or the vacuum cleaner. You should also keep the power cord out of your way to avoid causing any accidents.
When you are vacuuming, it is best to use the highest suction setting possible on your machine. The higher the setting, the more dirt and dust the vacuum will pick up.
If you want to increase your vacuuming speed, try moving objects out of the way ahead of time and switching to different attachments. This will make your job go faster and more effectively.
A high-quality vacuum can be a lifesaver when it comes to cleaning your carpet. It is especially useful when it comes to removing dry soils that are embedded in your carpet’s fibers. This type of soil can be difficult to remove with an extractor, so vacuuming will help loosen and “fluff” the fibers so it is easier for an extractor to get them out.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great natural cleaner that’s effective on many different kinds of stains. It’s cheap, safe to use, and is non-toxic. Plus, it’s also a natural deodorizer!
However, it is also important to note that baking soda can be dangerous for your carpets if you use it too frequently. It will eventually wear away at your carpet fibers and the padding beneath it, leaving you with a carpet that’s not as attractive or long-lasting.
To prevent this from happening, you’ll need to avoid using baking soda for your carpets in the first place. Instead, use it as an odor absorber and for stain removal.
For example, if you spill any sort of liquid on your carpets and leave it there for too long, baking soda will help absorb that moisture and get rid of the smell. Then, you can vacuum it up.
Another good way to use baking soda is to sprinkle it on areas that may have pet odors or other messes, especially in areas where pets spend a lot of time. This will keep the odor from spreading and your space smells fresher for longer.
You can even add essential oils like lavender, lemon, orange, and mint to your baking soda mixture for a little extra aromatherapy! Just be careful not to use these essential oils on the sensitive skin of children or pets, as they can cause irritation.
Once you’ve cleaned up the stains with baking soda, it’s important to rinse the area thoroughly. This can be done with a spray bottle, but make sure that you don’t let the baking soda sit too long or it will absorb the remaining grease.
Next, blot the stain with a rag or paper towel. This will remove as much of the grease as possible, but it’s also important not to rub the stain as that will only set it.
Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the affected area and allow it to sit overnight. This will help the baking soda absorb more of the grease and make it easier to remove.
3. Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a powerful way to remove deep-seated dirt and grime from your carpet. It can also help you re-energize your floors, especially in high-traffic areas.
The process uses hot water and a cleaning solution, both of which circulate in the machine. This means that it’s a much deeper method than a vacuum, and it is also faster.
However, you must follow certain precautions in order to ensure that your carpets get the best treatment. First, you must make sure that your carpets are clean and dry before you start the cleaning process.
Next, you must clear the room of all furniture and other items. This will prevent the moisture from damaging your furniture and also protect wood pieces, mirrors, curtains, and other decorative pieces.
If you have tables and chairs that are too heavy to move, place squares of wax paper or foil under the legs to protect them. Or you can work on half of the room at a time and let the rest of the room dry before moving furniture back into it.
Once the room is clear, you can use the machine to apply the cleaning solution and hot water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions about how much water and cleaning solution to use, as well as what kind of detergent to use.
As you work, use a slow but steady pace so the machine can “scrub” the carpet. This will allow the machine to release a lot of the water and leave behind as little moisture as possible, which can lead to mold and mildew later on.
You should take a step or two about every 2 seconds, which gives the machine enough time to suck up the water and pull it back out of your carpets. The water in the cleaning solution can then be diluted with a rinsing solution to eliminate any remaining residue.
Steam cleaning can be a great way to disinfect your carpets and remove the bacteria that can cause allergy attacks. It is also a great way to keep your floors looking good for years to come.
4. Stain Removal
If you’ve ever had a pet accident or spilled coffee or wine, you know that those stains can be tough to get out of carpet. Luckily, there are some simple carpet stain removal techniques that can get the job done quickly and easily.
Stains come in different types, including water-soluble stains, protein-based stains, and oil-based stains. Each type of stain has a specific cleaning process that can remove them from your carpet without ruining its appearance.
The first step is to determine the type of stain. For example, a food dye or juice stain can be removed with soap and water, while a grease or dirt stain will require something more powerful.
Regardless of the type of stain, it’s important to treat it with caution, especially for older stains. The reason is that when carpets sit for a long time, stains can become set in, and it’s much harder to remove them than if the carpet was just cleaned.
To treat a water-based stain, mix equal parts of cold water and mild dishwashing detergent, like Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Soap. Spray the stain with the solution and blot it up using an absorbent cloth. Once the stain has soaked up, rinse it with cold water and blot again to get rid of any soapy residue.
In the case of a protein-based or oil-based stain, mix a little vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Pour the solution over the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before blotting it up with a clean cloth.
You may also want to use a commercial pet stain remover. These are available in most hardware stores, and are designed to work on certain animal stains. However, Leverette suggests that you can make your own by mixing one-part distilled white vinegar with one-part cool water and spraying it directly on the stain. She says that the spray will saturate the carpet, and that it’s best to soak up as much of the liquid as possible by blotting the area with a wet paper towel or old cloth.
