Whether you are having a big party or it's just time for a thorough house cleaning, these carpet cleaning instructions will provide you with the knowledge to get the job done right.
Carpet Cleaning Instructions
When cleaning your carpet, follow these carpet cleaning instructions to make sure stains are removed as well as leaving your flooring feeling clean and fresh.
Vacuum
Vacuuming is the first step in cleaning your carpets. You want to remove as much loose dry dirt as possible so that it will not be set into the carpet while cleaning. Vacuum the carpet from several directions (horizontally and vertically) to fluff up the carpet fibers and remove the most debris.
Inspect For Stains
Crawl or walk around the entire carpeted area looking for stains. Determine what type of stains you find or what caused the stain and use the cleaning method best for that type of stain.
Treat the Stains
It is best to treat stains as quickly as possible after they occur, to prevent the stain from setting into the carpet fibers. If the stain occurred sometime in the past, you should still try to remove it. Different types of stains require different treatments.
Gum or Melted Wax Stain
- Place some ice cubes in a plastic bag
- Hold it on the gum or wax for a few minutes
- Remove the ice and pick off the hardened wax or gum
Red Wine Stains
If someone spills wine or dark or purple juice, quickly pour a large amount of salt on it to absorb the liquid before it enters the carpet fibers.
Pet Stains
Pet stains are harmful to your carpet because of the almost permanent odor that is left behind. Treat pet stains with an enzyme cleaner especially formulated for pet odors.
Kool-Aid Stains
Pour salt on any spilled Kool-aid as soon as you can to absorb the liquid before it enters the carpet fibers. If it is dried Kool-Aid, mix a small amount of liquid dish detergent with warm water and pour it on a white cloth. Dab the cloth over the Kool-aid to pull it out of the carpet. Steam the stain with an iron on lowest setting placed on top of a wet cloth over the stain to see if it will pull the color out of the fibers. Be careful not to melt the carpet with the iron.
Store Bought Carpet Cleaning Sprays
In the home cleaning section of your grocery store you will find many options for carpet cleaning. To use one of these spray on carpet cleaners follow the above steps in preparing your carpet for cleaning and then follow the instructions on the container.
Carpet Cleaning Machines
Renting or purchasing a carpet-cleaning machine is a good option if you have heavy traffic areas in your home or are concerned with germs in dirty carpet. Steam cleaners are a good option in carpet cleaning machines because they do not soak your carpet, but lift the dirt out of the fibers with steam. When using a carpet-cleaning machine, prepare your carpet for cleaning using the above steps. Rent or buy carpet-cleaning machines through these companies:
Final Tips
Your carpet is one of the biggest investments you make in your home. Keep it clean by first preventing spills and stains and then quickly and regularly cleaning it. Following are a few final carpet cleaning instructions.
- Many experts recommend vacuuming your carpet once a day in heavy traffic areas.
- Gently scrub a stain with a brush or cloth so you won't rough up and destroy the carpet fibers.
- Dab or press the clean cloth on the stain to pull the stain out of the carpet.
- When using any carpet cleaner, test a small inconspicuous part of your carpet before cleaning to make sure your carpet is colorfast.
- Let your carpet dry for at least overnight before allowing people to walk on it.
- Do not over saturate your carpet as this may cause mildew and mold.
