How to Clean Carpets
Introduction
Carpets can be one of the most expensive and time-consuming things to clean in your home. Not only do you need to deal with the fact that they attract dirt like a magnet, but they also take up a lot of space and can be difficult to move around when cleaning. But don’t worry! With some simple tips, you can keep your carpets looking like new even after years of use.
Vacuum ahead of time
Vacuum before you start. It’s important to get rid of the dust and dirt before you start, because it will just get tracked back in when you’re done. If you have a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush (like this), then use that on your carpets–but don’t use one on shaggy carpets!
Choose the right cleaner
- Choose a mild, non-toxic cleaner. You want to avoid using harsh chemicals that could potentially damage your carpet or cause it to fade.
- Avoid white vinegar and ammonia cleaners on carpets because they can permanently stain the fibres.
- Avoid cleaners with bleach or ammonia, which can cause discoloration over time.
- Don’t use toxic cleaning products like paint strippers on your carpeting either–they’re just not worth it!
Steam clean
Steam cleaners are perfect for removing dirt and stains from your carpet. They’re also great at sanitizing the area, which is important if you have kids or pets that like to go outside and get dirty. However, steam cleaners can damage delicate fabrics like silk or wool so it’s important not to use them on these types of materials. If you have new carpeting less than 6 months old, don’t steam clean either–it could ruin the backing material on your carpeting!
If all this sounds good but slightly intimidating (and let’s be honest: it probably does), there are plenty of options out there for hiring professionals who will do all this work for you!
Spot clean stains
It is important to test the stain remover on an inconspicuous area of your carpet before using it on a large area. If the stain remover does not remove the stain or discoloration, you may need to call a professional carpet cleaner for help.
If your carpet is dry-clean only, use a dry spotter; if it can be washed with water (or steam cleaned), try using mild detergent and warm water.
Avoid using white vinegar or ammonia on carpets because they can permanently stain the fibres.
Avoid using white vinegar or ammonia on carpets because they can permanently stain the fibres.
- Vinegar is a mild acid that can damage the carpet’s fibers if left in contact with them for too long.
- Ammonia is an alkaline substance that can leave a permanent stain if not thoroughly removed. It also has an unpleasant odor, which will linger in your home until you replace or clean your carpeting again (and maybe even then).
Cleaning your carpets requires time and patience.
Carpets can be a significant investment, and they’re not cheap to replace. If you want your carpets to last as long as possible, it’s important that you take good care of them. The best way to do this is by cleaning them regularly.
Here are some tips on how to clean carpets:
- Vacuum your carpeting at least once per week with a quality upright vacuum cleaner or even better with an attachment for your handheld vacuum that works well on hard floors or rugs/carpets (the kind that looks like a mini-vacuum). This will help keep dirt from building up and causing stains in the fibers of your carpeting over time.* Use hot water mixed with detergent when washing large areas of soiled floor coverings such as those around sinks or bathtubs.* Cleaning solutions should contain no bleach since this ingredient may deteriorate certain types fo materials used in home decorating projects such as wallpapers.* Never use ammonia based products because they can react chemically with certain dyes used for coloring fabrics after cleaning has been completed; leading towards discoloration which would require replacing rather than just repairing damaged areas using patchwork techniques
Conclusion
Carpeting is a great way to add warmth and comfort to your home. It can also help protect your floors from moisture damage, which makes it important that you take good care of your carpets. The best way to do this is by regularly vacuuming them and occasionally steam cleaning them if necessary. If there are stains on the carpet or they just don’t look clean anymore then spot cleaning with an appropriate cleaner should do the trick – just be sure not use ammonia or vinegar which will permanently stain those fibers!
