What is the Proper Way of Cleaning the Carpet?

What is the Proper Way of Cleaning the Carpet? Learning how to clean the carpet in your home or office can be a taxing endeavor. Studies suggest that regularly cleaning the carpet is beneficial to the health of you and your family. The buildup of dust, food particles, pet dander, and dead skin cells not only produces a variety of stains and odors. But also increases the potential for the growth of bacteria and allergens.

While many leading cleaning experts suggest thoroughly cleaning any carpet in your home once per calendar year, the frequency at which you should be cleaning the carpet is heavily dependent on your lifestyle.

Do you have many young children frequenting your carpeted areas? Do you have any animals such as dogs or cats who may leave behind pet hair and odors galore? All of these factors play a role in how often you should whip out the trusted steam cleaner or soap and bristle brush and go at it. So, What is the Proper Way of Cleaning the Carpet?

Different kinds of carpet require different methods of cleaning

The length, material, density, and weight of your carpet impact the method and effort required to clean it. The higher quality of carpet, the denser and weightier it typically is. Knowing what kind of carpet you are cleaning is essential when choosing which products to use in the process.

Tighter, more durable carpets such as olefin or triexta can withstand a rough scrubbing with a coarse-bristled brush and chemical-rich soap. While other carpets such as woolen or polyester will require a gentler method such as steam cleaning. The most common types of carpet include;

• Nylon Carpeting: Nylon is an excellent option for people with busy, bustling homes. Nylon can withstand years of wear and tear without actually tearing. And provides an affordable, durable carpeting option for all lifestyles.

• Polyester Carpeting: Another popular option. This carpeting offers similar benefits as nylon including durability and stain resistance but at a higher price point. Polyester is slightly more delicate than nylon, often “clumping” if not cleaned and cared for properly.

• Triexta Carpeting: Triexta carpeting is the most common carpeting material seen in residential homes. It offers protection against spills and stains but costs more than nylon or polyester.

• Wool Carpeting: The carefully woven carpet fibers of wool carpeting is excellent for resisting dirt. But not excellent for those on a budget. Wool is the most expensive carpet option and requires gentler cleaning with a spot cleaner or steam cleaner.

• Olefin Carpeting: A less common carpet, Olefin is commonly used for outdoor carpeting or kitchen area rugs. As it is water-resistant and durable.

Products and Tools

Believe it or not, owning a steam cleaner or carpet shampoo machine is not essential when deep cleaning any carpet in your home. If you are in possession of a few simple kitchen items, you may have all the ingredients for a spotless carpet right at your fingertips. Do you own dish soap, white vinegar, and baking soda?

If so, you’re in luck. Many recipes for carpet cleaner include these key ingredients and will leave your carpet smelling fresh, and looking even fresher.

If you do choose to use a machine for cleaning the carpet, there are several excellent options on the market. Consider purchasing a lighter, portable carpet steamer to lessen the toll steam cleaning can have on your shoulders and back muscles. In addition to the machine itself, be sure to purchase any special concentrates and inserts for the machine that your home will need.

For example, if you have any pets using the carpet you should consider buying a urine odor-eliminating steam additive. Or a grease and dirt pretreatment if you regularly have those “oops” moments with food and snacks on the carpet.

The last essential tool when it comes to carpet cleaning is a vacuum. Although steam cleaners and hand scrubbing is an effective cleaning measure, the process is much more effective when you begin with a vacuumed surface. Whip out the vacuum and suck up any leftover cereal or sneaky trail mix that got left behind!

Proper Way of Cleaning the Carpet with A Steam Cleaner

Most often, people lean towards the ease of a steam cleaner when doing an annual carpet cleaning. If you choose to go this route, beginning with a vacuumed carpet is key. Once the carpet is vacuumed and ready for the steam cleaner, your job is mostly done.

It is important to clear any large furniture before using a steam cleaner. Not only does this step allow for easier access to carpet that is usually hidden by furniture, but it also prevents any spills or steam damage to leather or delicate furniture.

The process of using a steam cleaner is simple. Firstly, ensure that the steam cleaner is filled with clean, filtered water. Many vendors that rent steam cleaners suggest giving the machine’s water tank a soapy rinse before use. But this is an unnecessary step if you own a personal steam cleaner.

Putting clean water in the machine allows for it to function at maximum efficiency. And also prevents any blockages and damage to the machine itself.

The steam cleaning process is simple, requiring just one arm and a decent amount of patience. Slowly stroke the machine over the desired areas of the carpet, allowing the steam to travel through the carpet fibers and lift any dirt or dander from within the fabric. Going too quickly prevents this from happening, and may reduce the effectiveness of the steam clean.

Go over any trouble areas such as grease spills, dirt smudges, or pet urine on the carpet for an additional 15-30 seconds. The more intense the stain, the more times you are going to want to gently stroke the head of the steam cleaner over the stain until the carpet fibers are free of debris.

Don’t have a steam cleaner?

Not having a steam cleaner is not a deal-breaker when it comes to thorough carpet cleaning. With a simple at-home recipe for carpet cleaning solution and a bristle brush, you can achieve similar results for half the price. If you are someone willing to get on your hands and knees and scrub, this steam-free option is perfect for you.

Dig into your pantry and retrieve the baking soda, fill a bucket with lukewarm water, and add a tablespoon of your trusted dishwashing detergent. Fill the bucket until bubbles form.

For looser, plusher carpets such as shag carpeting or synthetic fur carpeting, a softer bristled brush will be sufficient for reaching into the crevices of the long fibers. For short, tight carpet such as nylon looped carpet, a hard bristle brush is adequate, as these carpets are less likely to deform due to too much pressure or moisture.

Use firm, circular motions until the carpet appears sudsy, being careful not to oversoak the carpet down to the padding or underfloor. Oversoaking your carpet can lead to uneven drying and potential mold buildup between layers of fabric.

Regardless of the method used, be sure to allow the wet carpet to dry adequately. Turning on ceiling fans, opening a window for fresh air. And leaving open screens and doors is an easy way to speed up the drying process.

Not allowing the carpet to dry will result in mildew forming between the carpet fibers. This is a more pertinent concern with long, dense carpets. Most often, carpets cleaned with a steam cleaner require less drying time. Because steam cleaners suction moisture back within the device itself, while hand scrubbing the carpet requires 2-3 hours of drying time.

What is the Proper Way of Cleaning the Carpet? – Conclusion

Whether you are using a professional steam cleaner or scrubbing your carpet, a clean carpet is in your future. Regardless of your home is filled with high-density woolen carpet, or durable and light triexta carpet, there is a method for carpet cleaning that is suitable for you!