Carpets can bring warmth, softness, and coziness into a home. However, they also become dirty quickly, picking up dirt, grime, and bacteria from open windows, muddy shoes, and dropped food. You should be especially mindful of messes if you’re renting with pets. If you want to increase the longevity of your carpet, remove allergens clinging to the fibers, and improve the cleanliness of your home, consider deep cleaning your carpet. But before you start, ensure you’re using the right cleaning products and methods.
If cleaning your carpet seems like too daunting of a task, remember to break it up into sections. So whether you’re living in Seattle, WA, or renting an apartment in Boston, MA, here are expert carpet cleaning tips to help make your home shine.
Hire a professional every year, but clean it yourself as well
Clean your carpet or area rugs as often as you want – there is no such thing as overcleaning if you clean properly. Carpet and area rug manufacturers recommend having your carpet cleaned every 12-18 months at a minimum by a certified carpet care professional. If you’re cleaning it yourself, here are some typical cleaning mistakes to watch out for:
- Over-agitation: Scrubbing too hard can cause damage or piling. Don’t use aggressive brushes or cleaners.
- Over-wetting: Water can build up if your equipment doesn’t have proper suction. This traps moisture, which leads to mildew and mold growth. Use an air mover to reduce drying time and possible over-wetting. – The Wiz Team
Vacuum your carpet before shampooing it
To clean your carpet as effectively as possible, start by thoroughly vacuuming it before shampooing. Pay special attention to the areas at the edges of the room, as they are most likely to collect dust. – Valencia Pro Cleaning Agency
Treat stains with care
Removing stains from your carpet can be difficult. An important carpet cleaning tip is ensuring that you don’t scrub the stain in more. Instead, pat and scrub to absorb as much of the stain as possible with a microfiber cloth as soon as you can. Microfiber cloths are ideal because they can hold up to seven times their own weight in water (newer ones are better than older ones).
Now that you’ve absorbed most of the stain, you have two plans of attack:
- Plan A: Mix a cup of water with 3-4 drops of dishwashing soap. Rub this into the stain with a clean microfiber cloth and then rinse with another clean cloth. Make sure to remove all of the soap.
- Plan B: Pour baking soda over the stain and then wipe it away with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid. Ensure the area is completely dry. – Susan’s Green Cleaning
Clean stains quickly
Act swiftly on carpet stains by gently blotting from the edges towards the center. Avoid rubbing, which may damage fibers. Importantly, prior to using any cleaning solution, test it on a small, hidden area to prevent potential discoloration or damage. – Blue Cap Carpet Cleaning
Never use bleach or harmful chemicals
If the carpet or rug is dry, vacuum it thoroughly and be sure to use gloves. If you spill liquids, blot them up immediately using a towel or wet vacuum, making sure not to scrub. Never use bleach-based products, and don’t soak the carpet with cleaning solutions. Always vacuum once a week at least; this will make your carpets stay cleaner for longer and will also increase the life of carpets. – Housekeeping WA
Keep your vacuum cleaner clutter-free
Clean your vacuum cleaner. Empty the bag or dust container, clean the filters, and remove hair and fluff from the floor scrubber. You can remove up to 50% more dirt from your carpets by de-clogging your vacuum cleaner and restoring its full suction capacity. – Housekeep
Create a quarterly deep-cleaning schedule
Make sure to create a quarterly deep-cleaning schedule. While it may not seem like your carpet needs a deep cleaning, we can assure you that it does. A cleaning schedule helps extend the longevity of the carpet and saves you money in the long run. Regularly cleaning deep stains and soils extends your carpet’s life and keeps a clean and healthy environment. – Service Keepers Maintenance, Inc.
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