Cleaning your carpet is a fundamental part of keeping your home aesthetically pleasing and smelling its best. A worn, dirty carpet can be an eyesore and cause severe damage to the flooring underneath.
Maintain the appearance of your carpet by deep-cleaning it once or twice a year. Even if you don’t own a carpet cleaner, there are ways to deep clean at home without one.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming is essential for clearing away dirt and dust in your home and stopping mold and mildew growth. Additionally, vacuuming helps prevent stains from forming on carpets and floors. Vacuuming has many benefits that you should consider when investing in vacuum cleaners:
For optimal results, vacuum your carpet regularly – at least twice a week if you have children or pets. Furthermore, use a lint roller to eliminate crumbs from shoes and other items.
Carpets can also be cleaned without the help of a vacuum by using a broom and dustpan. This method works best for low-pile or shag carpets.
If your carpets are high-pile, consider investing in a vacuum tool with bristles that can loosen dirt within the fibers. These can be found at many home and department stores and online retailers.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can effectively remove stains and odors from carpet due to its deoxidizing power.
Pet stains and food messes can also be eliminated using this method. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and let sit for several hours or overnight.
Once the baking soda has settled, vacuum it away for a clean and refreshed carpet!
Steam cleaning can be a great alternative to bleaching carpets. Not only does it not damage or bleach the fabric, but it’s safe for pets too!
When using baking soda, do not leave any on your carpet for more than three hours. Doing so may cause the stain to come out even more robust!
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is a widely-used method for carpet cleaning. Not only does it eliminate dirt, germs, bacteria, and stains from your carpets, but it can also extend their life expectancy.
Steam cleaning is a method that uses hot water and an effective cleaner to penetrate deep into carpet fibers, sucking up dirt, stains, bacteria, mold, mildew, and odors.
Begin your steam cleaning session by moving furniture away from the area you plan to clean and mop up any spills on the floor. Doing this will give you optimal results from your steam cleaner, as it can access all carpet areas without getting stuck or dripping on furniture.
First, push the cleaner forward slowly, then drag it back to extract as much water from the carpet as possible. Go slowly enough that the machine has time to soak up water but not so slow that too much moisture remains behind, which can lead to mold or mildew growth later.
Drying
Once you have deep cleaned your carpet, it is essential to dry it quickly. Doing this prevents the mat from developing a damp or musty smell when used again in the future.
One of the most efficient methods for drying carpets is by opening all windows in the room and letting in the fresh air. However, this method depends heavily on weather conditions – if high humidity levels are present, this might not speed up dry time any faster.
Another way to expedite the drying process is by using a dehumidifier in the area where your carpet lies. Plug in the dehumidifier and turn on your ceiling fans to create air currents.
Dehumidifiers can be especially useful when your carpet has been water-damaged in an extensive area. A dehumidifier will eliminate moisture from your carpet and the padding beneath it.
