Carpets can take a beating. This step-by-step guide will help you to clean your carpets and make them look new again.
Carpets are a common item that people love and hate. They add texture, color and warmth to any space. However, they seem to absorb stains better than any other item in your home. They are also easily stained by food, drinks, and walking on them. They can trap allergens, which can worsen asthma. You’ll be glad to learn that there are many great stain removal products available.
We have all the tools, carpet cleaners and expert advice to help you restore your carpet to its former glory. These spring cleaning tips will make your home sparkle.
Carpet-cleaning supplies
Make sure you have all the necessary tools before you start cleaning your carpets. You may need these supplies depending on what type of cleaning you are doing.
- Vacuum
- Carpet-cleaning machine
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Carpet cleaner
- Rug brush
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber fabrics
How often should you clean your carpet?
Carpets naturally accumulate dirt and animal hair over time. Vacuum it frequently. It will depend on how often it is used, but you should vacuum it once or twice per month. A vacuum that has a suction attachment will clean your carpets more effectively than a regular rotary vacuum. This is depending on how often it’s used.
Deep cleanings should be done every few months. This will allow you to do more than a quick vacuum job, and make your carpets look brand new.
One caveat: Area rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting are not the same thing, so don’t assume that you can use the exact same cleaning methods. Before you start, make sure that your rug is able to withstand a thorough cleaning. Hand-washing a rug made from delicate materials or vintage rugs is a good idea. Washable rugs can be a convenient alternative.
Rotating your rugs is an important part of deep cleaning. Revival Rugs cofounder Ben Hyman says that it is a good idea to rotate your rug at least once per year to maintain even wear. A rug pad will extend the life of your rug. Let it get sunbathing once a year if it is a wool rug. But be aware of color fade. Hyman advises against steam cleaning as it can damage carpets.
Before you begin
Carefully read all labels before you create a plan on how to clean your carpet. The label will usually tell you if and how you should test your carpet in a small area.
After you have cleaned a small area of carpet, you should wait for a few hours so that there are no adverse reactions (such as a change to the color or texture) before you clean the rest.
How to clean a house during a routine cleaning
Asthma and people with allergies understand the importance routine carpet cleanings. However, even if you don’t get a symptom, it’s still important to clean your carpets regularly. You must also treat any spilled items immediately if they are on your carpet.
Vacuum your carpet
To remove dust and pet hair, vacuum your carpets and rugs once a month. If you are looking to deep clean your carpets or spot clean them, vacuuming first is a must. You may have difficulty removing stains from your carpets if debris is stuck to them.
Hyman suggests that you shake your rugs at least once a month. Flip your rug over every few months and vacuum the back. He says, “This will remove the grit from the foundation of your rug.”
Clean your carpets
Clean My Space’s Melissa Maker says it is important to learn how to clean carpets by hand. She will be a great resource for any carpet stain, such as gum or chocolate.
Take pet hair from a carpet
It can be difficult to get rid of pet hair. But there is a way you can save time and effort. Sprinkle some baking soda on the affected area . Finally, vacuum it . Baking soda will remove pet hairs from your carpet.
Take pet stains off a carpet
These stains can look and smell bad, but they are easy to clean up. Make sure to use a paper towel to remove as much urine from your carpet as possible. In a spray bottle, mix equal amounts of white vinegar and warm water. Spray the area with the mixture to eliminate the odor. This mixture should be blotted with a clean towel.
Take blood off a carpet
Nosebleeds, household injury… we get it. It is difficult to avoid bloodstains and even more difficult to remove from carpets. There are options.
Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dish soap to make this mixture. Use the mixture to wet a cloth and then use it to blot the stain. You can also use to remove bloodstains. Mix cold water with white vinegar and let it sit for a while before using a microfiber cloth or paper towel to wipe it off.
Wine from a carpet
This stain is especially common and can trigger panic. However, if you have spilled red wine, there may still be hope for your carpet.
To remove a red wine stain quickly, you need to blot it up. Sprinkle salt or baking powder on the stain and let it settle for a while before vacuuming it up. If the stain is still visible, you should use a special carpet-cleaning product like Puracy and Wine Away.
Paint a carpet.
What if your craft project went wrong? Although it may seem dark, removing paint is much easier than you think. This step-by-step guide will show you how to get paint off carpet. Is the paint oil-based, or water-based? It will be easier to clean up water-based paints, as many of them are water-soluble.
- Water-based colors: Use paper towels to wipe off any paint remnants. Then, use a dull knife or razor to scrape away the rest. Apply rubbing alcohol to a microfiber cloth dampened with water to any paint remaining on the carpet. Paint thinner can be applied if that fails.
- Oil paints To remove any excess paint, blot it first. You can use a dampened cloth with paint thinner, and perhaps a 1:1 mixture of dish soap and warmwater to remove the dried paint. You can protect your carpet with Scotchguard.
How to deep clean your carpet
Although vacuuming your carpets regularly is a great idea, it won’t give them a brand-new appearance. You should deep-clean them once a year.
Deep cleaning by hand
A carpet-cleaning machine will do the best job of cleaning your carpets. There are DIY solutions if you don’t have one or don’t want one to rent.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the carpet.
- Combine carpet shampoo with warm water. Then, pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray the cleaner all over the carpet.
- Use a carpet brush to clean your carpets.
- Blot the area.
- Use warm water to spray again.
- Blot the carpet once more.
It’s not easy, but it’s faster than renting or buying a carpet-cleaning machine.
Carpet-cleaning machines are a good choice
Although carpet-cleaning machines are often criticized for being bulky and heavy, smaller machines can simplify the process. You can rent a carpet-cleaning unit from your local home improvement shop if you don’t plan on using it as often or don’t have enough storage space.
According to Irene Mantakounis (associate director global upright deep cleaning at vacuum company Bissell), here’s how to deep clean your carpet using a carpet-cleaning device.
- Take out all furniture and other items from the carpet.
- To remove any dirt, vacuum the area.
- Stains that require extra attention should be treated (and make sure to color-test before you use a new cleaner).
- Select the cleaning formula you want to use (ProMax Clean and Protect).
- Start your engines! Start in the far corner of the room. This will ensure that you don’t get caught mid-room by wet carpet. Bissell suggests moving your cleaning attachment forward and backward, with the spray button down. You can continue this motion without pressing the spray button. Continue this process until you have cleaned the entire area.
- Rinse.
- Allow it to dry. Allow it to dry for four to six hours before you put your furniture back on the floor or walk on it.
Professionists to hire
Hire a professional if you don’t have the budget to rent or buy a machine or if there is a stain that’s really stubborn or you are worried about your carpet’s longevity. The best way to get rid of dirt and bacteria from carpet is to hire a professional. You might only need to clean your wall-to-wall carpet once a year if you have it.
However, professional cleaning will be more expensive. Companies often charge fees based on how many rooms they will be cleaning and how much square footage.
After you have learned how to clean carpets, it is time to learn how to clean other areas in your house.
