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Carpet Cleaning Guide

woman maintaining soft carpet with a vacuum

 

How To Clean Carpet

 

Carpet is an excellent way to add warmth and softness to any home. With the vast number of carpet styles and types of carpet available today, it’s no secret that carpet continues to be a top choice. While carpet has many advantages and some disadvantages, what you might be asking yourself is, “How do I care for carpet?” We have some recommendations, tips, and tricks on how to keep your carpeting looking fresh and clean. 

 

Are you tired of dirty carpets and unsightly stains ruining the look of your home? Fortunately, deep cleaning your carpet doesn't have to be a hassle, and you don't need a pricey steam cleaner to get the job done right. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to deep clean your carpet and keep it looking great for years to come.

 

1. Vacuum Thoroughly

 

Vacuuming your carpet regularly is essential to keeping it clean and free of dirt, dust, and debris. Aim to vacuum at least twice a week, focusing on high-traffic areas like hallways and stairs. Check your carpet manufacturer's guidelines for the recommended vacuum strength and type to use on your specific carpet. Remember to empty your vacuum before starting to ensure maximum suction power.

 

When vacuuming, go over your carpet in both horizontal and vertical directions to remove as much dirt as possible. Don't forget to move furniture around to access hidden dirt and prevent indents from forming.

 

2. Spot Clean Stains

 

No matter how careful you are, spills and stains are inevitable on carpets. To spot clean stains effectively, identify the type of stain and follow our carpet stain removal page for instructions. Common household items like vinegar, laundry detergent, and a damp towel can be used to remove stains quickly and easily. Always follow your carpet manufacturer's recommended maintenance guidelines to avoid voiding your warranty.

 

4. Deep Clean Your Carpet 

 

Over time, dirt, dust, and other contaminants can become deeply embedded in your carpet. To remove these contaminants, you'll need to deep clean your carpet. There are several ways to deep clean your carpet, including steam cleaning, shampooing, and dry cleaning.

 

Steam cleaning is the most effective method, as it uses hot water and cleaning agents to penetrate deep into the fibers of your carpet, loosening dirt and grime. This is followed by a high-powered vacuum that extracts the water, dirt, and cleaning agents, leaving your carpet clean and fresh.

 

 

4. Hire a Professional

 

Professional steam cleaning is an excellent way to give your carpet the ultimate deep clean. Most manufacturers recommend getting your carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, depending on the carpet type. Steam cleaning uses high-pressure steam and powerful vacuums to remove dirt, dust, and allergens from deep within the carpet fibers, leaving your carpet looking like new.

 

To ensure that you don't void your carpet's warranty, always follow the manufacturer's recommended carpet care guidelines. Investing in regular deep cleaning will not only keep your carpets looking great, but it will also extend their lifespan and save you money in the long run.

 

Preventative Carpet Care Tips

 

Preventative measures can go a long way in keeping your carpet clean.

 

 

How to Deep Clean Carpet

 

To deep clean your carpet without a steam cleaner, you can start by vacuuming up loose dirt and debris twice a week. Different fibers and manufacturers have different needs when it comes to the strength and type of vacuum. So before you begin, be sure to check your maintenance instructions to see what vacuums are approved for use on your specific carpet.

 

Vacuuming is crucial to maintaining carpet because it pulls up dirt that could be trapped in the carpet fibers, which is common in any household. In areas like hallways and staircases, there will be increased dirt because these are highly trafficked areas. Lower traffic areas like living rooms and bedrooms will also need to be vacuumed before you begin deep cleaning. While these areas of your home don’t see as much foot traffic, they are still likely to have debris trapped beneath the fibers that will need to be removed before you move on to the next steps of deep cleaning your carpet. One tip that can help you remove as much dirt as possible is to make sure your vacuum is empty. Full vacuums won’t suck up dirt as quickly or efficiently.

 

When vacuuming, always go in both horizontal and vertical directions. Stubborn dirt can be tough to remove, and it may require that you go over the same spot a few times. You may be surprised how much of a difference simply vacuuming your carpet in different directions can make.

Also, move furniture around so that you can get beneath couches, chairs, and other items where dirt can easily become trapped. Also, moving furniture permanently every few months is an excellent idea. It will help prevent your carpet from becoming permanently indented, leading to longer-lasting carpet that looks great for years to come.

 

How to Spot Clean Carpet

 

While spot cleaning may seem like a simple task, spot cleaning carpet to remove stains depends greatly on the type of stain on the carpet. To remove carpet stains and spot clean your carpet, your best bet is to determine what type of spill is on the carpet, and then use our carpet stain removal page. Our stain guide helps you remove specific stains from your carpet. This resource includes step-by-step instructions for removing common household stains like wine, coffee, and pet urine. With the Carpet One stain guide, you'll be able to tackle any stain that comes your way and keep your carpets looking like new.

 

Vinegar, a damp towel, and laundry detergent are just a few ingredients that can be used in a pinch. If you’re not quite sure what the stain is, there is also an “unknown” stain option that will give you some recommended tips and tricks on spot cleaning your carpet. Pay close attention to the directions, as you’ll either need to blot, rub, or scrape the carpet to get the best results for your spot cleaning carpet treatment. Always be careful when using a homemade solution, and consult your recommended maintenance guidelines by your carpet manufacturer to be sure that you don’t void your warranty.

 

How to Care for Carpet with a Professional Steam Cleaner

One of the most important things about maintaining your carpet is ensuring that you are following the carpet care that is recommended by the manufacturer. Following this carpet care will ensure that you don’t void the warranty of your carpet. It is usually to get your carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, depending on the manufacturer and type of carpet. Investing in professionally cleaned carpets is not only necessary to avoid voiding your warranty, but it’s also one of the best ways to get a deep clean.

 

Unlike vacuuming and spot cleaning, steam cleaning uses a different method to get the deepest clean for your carpets. The steam from a steam cleaner helps to break down dirt, dust, and other materials that are trapped beneath your carpet fibers, which are then removed by a high powered vacuum. Steam cleaning is an excellent way to bring life to your carpets, and can be done by carpet professionals in your area. 

 

 

Caring for Carpet

 

Whether you are investing in new carpet for your home and you are preparing to keep it as clean as possible or you’re looking to clean older, worn carpets, there are plenty of ways for you to get started. Vacuuming, spot cleaning, and preventing carpet stains are all excellent ways to clean, care, and maintain your carpet for many years. Steam cleaning is a great choice for the ultimate deep clean, removing allergens and trapped dirt.

 

To get carpets professionally steam cleaned and find out more about the best ways to keep your carpets clean, reach out to a Carpet One Floor & Home store near you today!

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