How to Properly Clean Carpet

Because shoes, spills, and dogs expose your carpets to a variety of filth and grime, carpet cleaning is crucial. The life of any kind of carpet may be increased by regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, and thorough cleaning.

The Frequency of Carpet Cleaning

Regular vacuuming is essential, especially if you have kids or dogs. You should do this at least once a week, regardless of whether your home is completely carpeted or has area rugs. As soon as possible, spills and stains should be cleaned up.

At least twice a year, think about contacting a reputable carpet cleaning business or performing a thorough clean yourself.

Guides

Begin with a Complete Vacuum

Always begin with a powerfully suctioned vacuum. There are alternative methods for cleaning carpet if you don’t have a vacuum, such as using a traditional broom, carpet rake, or carpet sweeper.

Take your time moving furniture and other things from the carpet for the best vacuuming results. To achieve the best suction, adjust the vacuum to the right height for the type of carpet you have.

For optimum results, vacuum gently and multiple times over high-traffic areas. To gather pet hair, go over the carpet with a squeegee that has a rubber edge.

Clean Stains on Spot

Treating a carpet stain as soon as possible is the ideal course of action. If there is a spill of liquid, use paper towels or a white cloth to quickly absorb the moisture. To quickly begin treating the stain, use a carpet stain remover.

Use a dull knife or the edge of a credit card to lift away any more solid food particles or dirt stains. To remove particular types of stains, according to the guidelines provided in our stain removal chart following the first clean-up.

Vinegar Cleaning Techniques for Carpet

Combine one part white vinegar that has been distilled with three parts cold water. Refilling the bottle many times is necessary when washing a wall-to-wall carpet.

Wet the carpet. Apply the vinegar solution to the carpet in a tiny 3-by-3-foot area until it’s extremely wet. To keep track of the areas you have cleaned, use a grid. Take additional care while washing an area rug to prevent moisture damage to the floor underneath it.

Give the solution time to soak. For the purpose of dissolving the soil, let the solution sit on the carpet for five minutes.

Blot the mixture. Blot the dirt and the solution away with a microfiber towel. Get a bucket of fresh water available for the microfiber cloth to be rinsed. As soon as the water gets dirty, change it often.

Bring in some air to speed up the drying process. To improve ventilation, open the windows and doors and install oscillating fans. The carpet should not be used until it has completely dried. To avoid stains, cover the traffic routes with tarps or plastic sheeting if you must utilize the room while the carpet is still wet.

How to Use Salt and Baking Soda to Clean Carpet

After using a vacuum to remove any loose soil, treat obvious stains on the carpet by following the guidelines provided on a stain treatment chart.

Combine the baking soda and salt in a 1:1 ratio. You may use Kosher or ordinary salt, and then add cold water to a spray bottle.

Apply a generous amount of the mixture to the carpet. Working in a grid pattern, beginning in a corner and moving toward an exit, might be more manageable for you.

Use a spray bottle filled with regular water to mist the area. Although quite damp, the carpet shouldn’t be drenched.

Work the baking soda into the fibers with a scrub brush. To assist in lifting the soil, move in one direction and then at a 90-degree angle.

To remove the loose dirt, use old towels or rags. A small amount of baking soda should remain in the fibers. Let the carpet air dry entirely. To get rid of any last bits of baking soda in the fibers, use a vacuum.

How to Clean Carpet with Steam

After vacuuming and pretreating stains, you can use a clothes steamer or steam mop, which is often used on hard-surface floors, to clean carpets.

For the baking soda and salt mixture, use the same procedures. After sprinkling the mixture across the carpet, dampen it with steam rather than cold water.

Get the carpet steaming started. When using a clothes steamer, place the head of the steamer between six and twelve inches away from the carpet. If you’re using a steam mop, cover the baking soda mixture on the carpet with the microfiber mop head or a carpet attachment.

Let the carpet get fully moistened by the steam. Work the wet mixture into the fibers using a scrub brush.

To absorb the released dirt, use microfiber cloths or old towels. After letting the carpet air dry fully, vacuum up any leftover residue.

Additional Advice for Long-Term Carpet Cleaning

To collect dirt, place doormats both inside and outside of all entrance doors.

At the door, take off your shoes to avoid dragging in dirt.

Vacuum many times a week, and take care of stains right away.

To prevent dust particles from falling onto carpets, replace or clean the HVAC filters.

To ensure that your vacuum operates effectively, keep it clean and well-maintained.

To save carpets, give your dogs regular brushing and washing.