The Complete Beginners Guide to Carpet Cleaning
Today I will give you the complete beginners guide to carpet cleaning. This guide will give you the tools and knowledge you need to be an expert, without having to pay LARGE amounts of money.
Carpet cleaning can be broken down into 4 simple steps:
How to combat stains
What chemicals to use
How frequent must carpet be cleaned
General maintenance and upkeep
How Do I Combat Carpet Stains?
I think you would agree with me when I say that carpet stains can be frustrating and extremely difficult to clean. However; knowing the basic rules when it comes to carpet stains can be helpful, and in some cases save the carpet from being stained permanently.
Here are the basic guidelines for cleaning carpet stains:
Always dab the stains with a towel, never rub, this could worsen the stain
Try to remove as quickly as possible, allowing the stain to sit will make it worse
If you do not have a special cleaning product, try using ¼ cup white vinegar and 1 tbsp. of dawn dish soap, then mix it with water
While most stains can be removed, some require expert technical skill and products
What Chemicals Should I Use?
With so many different options, it can difficult to know which chemicals/products to use for your carpet. Knowing which chemicals work best on your carpet, can save you time and money.
Here are some basic guidelines when it comes to carpet cleaning chemicals:
Most carpet stains are acidic: food, beverages, and body fluids, therefore; they require a neutral solution (pH of 7 or above) to remove
Most common household cleaners including: borax, baking soda, and mild dish soap have a pH of 7 or above and work well with removing stains
Make sure carpet cleaning chemicals are SAFE for kids and pets
Consider investing in a small stain removal machine, which can be efficient in removing stains from your carpet
The Ultimate Carpet Cleaning Guide
Carpet cleaning was my obsession. Once upon a time carpets ruled my home. Only the kitchen and the bathroom escaped my carpet frenzy. I loved the way they the carpet felt under my bare feet
I loved the way they looked (when they were stain free and freshly vacuumed). Now my love has waned. Maybe I just need a change. or maybe I’m tired of being nervous when someone is over for coffee. or maybe I just need new carpets.
“Cleaning this carpet should be a part time job all on its own”, I would say loudly in the hopes that a certain person would take a hint and maybe hire someone to do the dreaded task for me. Alas, my wailing has fallen on deaf ears. So I continue my carpet maintenance regime to keep my carpet looking presentable and help it to last longer.
Maybe you’re not like me. Maybe you still totally love your carpets. Or maybe you are like me and your love has waned. Either way, as long as you have carpets adorning the floors of your home there are some cleaning duties that you can do on a regular basis to keep your carpet looking good.
Carpet Cleaning Tips – Create a carpet cleaning schedule.
Your carpet cleaning schedule should include, how often you intend to vacuum, what is your carpet cleaning system and when and who will implement your system. Dust accumulation is your carpet’s enemy. Regular vacuuming will reduce the dust level in your carpet. Two of the most popular carpet cleaning systems are carpet steam cleaning (hot water extraction), and dry carpet cleaning. The use of either of these methods when done properly will remove oils, greases and whatever stains that find themselves on your carpet.
Carpet care guide
You’ve invested in a brand new carpet, and now it’s time to look after it to keep it looking its best for years to come. Cleaning your carpet regularly will help to keep it in a good condition, saving you money in the long run, as well as preventing any nasty smells, allergens or bacteria.
Top Tips for a new Carpet
Placing doormats at all of the entrances to a home will help to trap dirt and moisture.
Vacuum daily if possible during the first few weeks. Loose fibres can work their way to the surface, and these will be removed by vacuuming
If a piece of the carpet fibre stands proud above the surface, it should be trimmed to the level of the other tufts. Never pull it out.
Routinely vacuuming will help to prevent dirt and grit from getting into the carpet fibres and also helps to keep the tufts upright.
There may be a slight odour after a new carpet is fitted. This may be caused by the carpet, the underlay or any adhesives which have been used. Ideally, the room should be ventilated by opening windows and doors and the odour will normally disappear within a few days.
A vacuum cleaner fitted with a beater bar and/or brushes is recommended for cut pile carpets. A vacuum cleaner without a beater bar or brushes is best for loop pile carpets.
How to clean Polypropylene Carpets with a bleach mix
Important: The only carpet that is safe to use a bleach mix on is a 100% polypropylene carpet. Always check with your Carpetright store if you are not sure of your carpets make up. Bleach will lift colour from wool, cord or any other carpet type so it’s really important to make sure your carpet is definitely made only from polypropylene if you don’t want patches
For particularly stubborn stains like ink, red wine and ground-in mud on polypropylene:
1. Always wear rubber gloves when working with bleach and a mask to protect your respiratory system from the caustic fumes. If possible open a window.
2. Use a solution of 50% thin domestic bleach/50% tap water in a spray bottle.
3. Evenly cover the stain and leave for 30 – 60 minutes.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water.
5. Use a brush if needed to remove any stubborn dirt.
How to clean a pet stained carpet
1. Look for an enzyme-based solution suitable for your carpet’s fibre type.
2. Test the product on a small patch of your carpet to make sure that the colour isn’t affected. If all is well, apply to the damaged area.
3. Once the solution has worked its magic you can either have your carpet commercially cleaned or rinse with water.
4. There are domestic carpet washers which you can buy or hire to tackle small stains, as well as vacuums for pet hair which are specifically designed to pick up animal hairs.
Carpet cleaning buying guide
Carpet cleaning goes one step further that vacuuming alone to wash your carpet fibres and remove ground-in dirt and stains. Vacuums, even the best ones only get some of the dirt is deep in your carpets. The carpet cleaning process is engineered to reach the dirt vacuums leave behind, with some carpet cleaners leaning carpets up to 10 times cleaner than vacuuming alone*. Although deep cleaning does so much more than vacuuming, the actual effort needed is about as easy as vacuuming.
How does it work?
Carpet cleaners use a combination of clean solution, powerful scrubbing brushes and vacuum suction. Carpet cleaners inject a mixture of cleaning solution and water deep into your carpet fibres. Brushes then agitate, scrub and loosen the dirt and/or stain and then the powerful vacuum suction lifts it away.
What is deep down dirt or ground-in dirt?
Deep down dirt and ground in dirt isn’t just the dirt from your shoes or the dirt that you see when you vacuum. What you don’t see are the invisible particles like skin cells, pollen and food particles that are left behind by vacuuming.
Your carpets can hold as much as one pound of soil per square foot before it is even noticeable! Regular carpet washing reduces the wear by removing fine debris and large dirt particles that scratch and dull your carpeting, which can accelerate wear and tear. Plus, you not only save money & time by doing it yourself but also protect the investment you have made in your home, keeping your carpets looking newer for longer!
How often should I deep clean?
It is recommended that carpets should be deep cleaned at regular intervals to maintain good indoor air quality. Carpet cleaner manufacturers recommend you deep clean your carpets at least 2 times a year. If you have children, pets, allergies or smoke, you should wash your carpets with a carpet cleaner at least 4 times a year with continuous spot cleaning in between.
The Consumer’s Guide To Effective Carpet Cleaning
Firing up our petrol powered, van mounted machine, it’s easy to take for granted the sheer power, heat and reliability we have on tap these days.
Step back a century and carpet cleaning and stain removal methods appeared crude and, at first glance, somewhat comical (think brushing carpets with tea leaves and freshly cut grass and mopping up stains with beef gall and split loaves of hot bread!)
Nevertheless, carpets and rugs were always fastidiously and proudly maintained and any spillages and stains quickly treated. And besides, isn’t there something inherently satisfying about restoring (and preferably maintaining) a quality rug or carpet, rather than casually discarding and replacing it?
It is thought that the first truly “on-location” carpet cleaning companies emerged in the mid 1930’s as fitted wall to wall carpets gained in popularity. But it was perhaps with the advent of hot water extraction cleaning machines in the 1960’s when carpet cleaning became more sophisticated, effective and reliable.
So, here’s what we believe to be the most effective and thorough method of delivering the hot water extraction method when cleaning wall to wall carpets, and the equipment options available and employed by modern-day carpet cleaning companies.