No matter how much effort we put in cleaning the carpets, there are always some stains that happen over time from daily use. If you want to revitalize your carpet and thinking about how to steam clean your carpet at home, this is the guide for you. Carpet steam cleaning is best performed by carpet cleaner service, but if you attempt to do it yourself, we have suggestions to make the process more effective.
Why Carpets Look Dirty Over Time
While the carpets are initially manufactured to be stain-resistant, over time, the protective coating gradually erodes, rendering the carpet more prone to stains. This diminished layer clings to stains more tenaciously than before, causing quicker accumulation of dirt. This, in addition to just daily wear and tear, causes older arpets to look worse and worse over time, requiring more care. Professional steam cleaners when cleaning often use an agent which recoats the fibers of the carpet to prevent accumulation of dirt. In addition, stains that were not treated may be permanent and impossible to remove.
Carpet Steam Cleaning Do’s
Remove Dust from the Carpet Before Steaming
This is the most common mistake people make when attempting to clean a carpet themselves using a rented tool – they begin with the assumption that their rented steam cleaner will eliminate everything. During the cleaning process, the machine may actually push the dirt and dust that were originally on the surface deeper into the fibers of the carpet, making it even more challenging to remove. At that stage, you’ll need to call a professional carpet steam cleaner to handle the removal for you. To prevent this issue, it is recommended to eliminate dust before commencing the cleaning process using the most powerful vacuum available to you.
Pretreat your Stains
It's important to pretreat your stains with the best stain remover you can find. OxyClean is a great overall stain remover that you can use on most organic and inorganic stains. If you are dealing with makeup, grease, paint, or other petroleum based products, you may need a POG stain removal chemical. These are solvent based chemicals designed to emulsify the grease and products.
Take Your Time
Taking slow passes on the steam cleaner will ensure that the carpet is properly rinsed If you move too quickly, you won’t pick up enough dirt. Do a 50-50 method, meaning on every new pass, go over 50% of the previous pass. This will ensure that there are no gaps in cleaning.
Add Baking Soda to Your Carpet Steam Cleaner
Usually, the steam from the carpet steam cleaner is sufficient to tackle strong stains and bacteria. However, if you still notice a slight odor emanating from your carpet, adding a spoonful of baking soda to your carpet cleaning machine may work wonders. Ensure not to use more than a teaspoon, as exceeding this amount can damage carpet tissues and leave a residue
Carpet Steam Cleaning Don’ts
Avoid Using Strong Chemicals
There are various types of carpet steam cleaning products available on the market. However, not all of them are the same or suitable for all types of carpets. Domestic cleaners are not always effective against old stains, so homeowners may assume that adding stronger stain-removing chemicals to the water might be helpful in removing the stains. This may seem like a smart choice, but it can lead to more damage to your carpet. Using eco-friendly or green cleaners is always recommended for effective cleaning.
No Steam Cleaning on Humid Days
One of the most important things to remember for the longer life of your carpet is to avoid steam cleaning it during hot and humid summer. Dry and hot days are usually the best times to steam clean carpets, as it is easier to air out your carpet, making it dry faster. Steam cleaning your carpets on hot days helps prevent your house from becoming somewhat steamy as a result of your carpet cleaning efforts. Furthermore, if the carpet does not dry fast enough or becomes too saturated with water, mold can grow ,leading to unpleasant odors, damage to the fibers, and discoloration. If you do do it on humid days, make sure to have the AC on to a high cold setting to dry out the air.
Avoid Excessive Pressure or High Temperatures
More isn't always better when it comes to professional steam cleaning. Avoid using excessive pressure or too high a temperature on delicate or sensitive carpets. Doing so may result in damaged carpets and an unsatisfactory cleaning experience. Stick to the recommended settings and be gentle with your carpets.Exercise caution by avoiding the use of excessively hot water on certain fabrics, as heat can damage and distort some fibers. It is essential to read the label while carpet or upholstery cleaning when using a steam cleaner to ensure that you are using the correct temperature setting. Remember that hotter is not always better.
Do Not Over-Wet Your Carpet
When using a steam cleaner for the first time, you might mistakenly inject a lot of water into the carpet. This could be because you are moving too slowly, or the vacuum on the machine is poor, or the water pump is too aggressive for the vacuum. Rental may not check the quality of the internal parts of these machines so these occurrences may happen. Overwetting your carpet could cause it to mold and could also damage the subfloor, causing warping if it is plywood. Be sure to check the rug after you make a pass on your carpet cleaner to ensure it is not soaking wet. It should be just damp.
In case you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, call us! We offer rug cleaning NY services and are your local professional steam cleaner. Call us for a free quote!
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the most common mistake people make when attempting to clean a carpet themselves using a rented tool – they begin with the assumption that their rented steam cleaner will eliminate everything.
However, not all of them are the same or suitable for all types of carpets.
Using eco-friendly or green cleaners is always recommended for effective cleaning.
Steam cleaning your carpets on hot days helps prevent your house from becoming somewhat steamy as a result of your carpet cleaning efforts.
Domestic cleaners are not always effective against old stains, so homeowners may assume that adding stronger stain-removing chemicals to the water might be helpful in removing the stains.
Usually, the steam from the carpet steam cleaner is sufficient to tackle strong stains and bacteria. However, if you still notice a slight odor emanating from your carpet, adding a spoonful of baking soda to your carpet cleaning machine may work wonders.
More isn't always better when it comes to professional steam cleaning. Avoid using excessive pressure or too high a temperature on delicate or sensitive carpets.
One of the most important things to remember for the longer life of your carpet is to avoid steam cleaning it during hot and humid summer. Dry and hot days are usually the best times to steam clean carpets, as it is easier to air out your carpet, making it dry faster.
More isn't always better when it comes to professional steam cleaning. Avoid using excessive pressure or too high a temperature on delicate or sensitive carpets. Doing so may result in damaged carpets and an unsatisfactory cleaning experience.
