How to Keep Your Carpet Clean (Plus, Carpet Cleaning Methods Companies Use)

It is incredible how much dirt and soil remain in the carpet even after thoroughly vacuuming. It’s true that once dirt goes into the carpet, it doesn’t quickly come out. To enjoy a clean carpet for longer, you need to introduce some rules for all your house members. You need to know more about how to clean stains, remove carpet odours, which solutions are suitable for carpets, what carpet cleaning methods companies offer, and most importantly – how they work. Here are a few helpful tips on that topic:

Basic Carpet Care Tips

  1. First, introduce a no-shoes-indoors rule, and ensure everyone respects it. The less dirt gets into the carpet, the less you will have to clean.
  2. Frequent sweeping and vacuuming. Try to vacuum the carpet at least once a week and move the vacuum according to the placement of the carpet fibres to preserve their good condition for longer. Invest in a powerful, easy to use vacuum cleaner, and you’ll never regret the decision. The investment pays off in the first couple of years.
  3. Your choice of cleaning solutions is also essential. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, and always spot-test a new detergent before applying it to the entire carpet. Pick a hidden spot or a corner, apply a few drops of the detergent, and wait a few minutes. If you notice discolouration or any type of damage on the spot, don’t use this detergent further.
  4. Avoid placing carpets in high-traffic areas. They may look elegant in your bedroom or under the table in your living room. Still, if you place a carpet on your stairs or in the hallways, you probably won’t be able to deal with the amount of dirt it would collect every single day.
  5. Protect the carpet by strategically placing walk-off mats on both sides of doors or before stairs. They will collect some of the dirt and make the cleaning easier.

Common Carpet Stains and Removal Methods

No matter how hard you scrub a stain, it only pushes the spill deeper into the fibre and causes it to tangle. Blotting is a way more effective method of treating a stain. Use a clean towel or paper tissues to cover the spot and blot up the spill. Press down to soak up the liquid, and repeat by using dry towels until it is absorbed. Here are a few tips on how to deal with stains on carpets:

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Water-Soluble Stains

Ice cream, jelly, wet paint, alcoholic beverages, and milk can be easily removed with 1 tbsp of non-bleach detergent mixed with 1 litre of water.

Oily Stains

Fat, wax, and oil stains can be extracted from the carpet with a paper towel and an iron. Place it on the spot and iron it. The paper should absorb the oil, leaving the carpet fibres clean and dry.

Blood, Wine, and Coffee Stains

Mix 1 tbsp of ammonia in 1 cup of water and treat the stain with the obtained mixture. Works well for cleaning chocolate, mustard, tea, and vomit stains too.

Urine Stains (Pet Accidents)

Remove the excess by blotting. Then spread some baking soda on the stain and leave it for half an hour to absorb the remaining moisture. Vacuum the stain, then apply either an enzyme-based cleaner or some white vinegar diluted with water (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water). It will take care of the residual smell.

Mildew Smell

Buy a bottle of tea tree oil and mix a teaspoon of it with 2 cups of water. Spray on both sides of the carpet and wait until it dries. The odour will be gone after a while. Just make sure to keep pets and kids away until then.

Professional Carpet Cleaning Methods

Every carpet cleaning company uses expert equipment of choice in all their work. This includes industrial vacuums, special steam cleaning machines, rotary carpet cleaning machines, and all kinds of detergents suited for all types of stains. There are 4 general types of carpet cleaning services you can easily get:

Carpet Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning injects hot water, mixed with detergents, deep into the carpet using specialised machinery. Then the water is extracted with a powerful vacuum along with the dirt and soil from the carpet.

Benefits: Suitable for old stains, fights pet odour and provides a deeper cleaning. In comparison to the dry cleaning method, you can do it yourself by hiring a steam cleaning machine.

Negatives: Leaves your carpet wet for a few hours or even a day, depending on the quality of the machinery. Water oversaturation can lead to bad hygiene. You’ll be unable to walk into these rooms until the carpets are completely dry.

Carpet Dry Cleaning

Unlike steam cleaning, the dry cleaning technique focuses on chemical-based treatment. The process consists of scrubbing a mixture of chemicals into the carpet with a pad. The padded fabric takes the dirt. However, a good vacuuming should be performed afterward to suck up the remaining soil and chemicals from the carpet fibres.

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Benefits: It allows you to walk on your carpet right after the cleaners are gone. Cheaper than steam cleaning and has less water usage.

Negatives: It won’t remove stubborn or liquid stains. Appropriate for light-stained carpets, as it only treats the outer layer of the rug.

Bonnet Cleaning

The bonnet cleaning method is similar to dry cleaning, but it’s actually a wet process. First, the cleaning detergent is mixed with some carbonated water, and they spray the carpet with it. Then they use the bonnet machine, a big rotating buffer, to spread the cleaning product. The bonnet also has an absorbent pad on the bottom, which absorbs all the dirt. When the pad in question gets dirty, it can be replaced with a new one.

Benefits: The brush cleans the carpet very thoroughly. The carpet is left almost dry and completely germ-free.

Negatives: The machine can damage the carpet if not handled professionally.

Carpet Shampooing

This carpet cleaning method is also called foam extraction because a foam-based cleaning solution is introduced to the carpet. After that, they use motorized brushes to scrub the carpet and extract all the dirt and grime. When the foam does its job, they leave it to dry entirely while on the carpet. Once this happens, they use an industrial vacuum cleaner to extract everything.

Benefits: Low moisture method, quick results. 

Negatives: If not cleaned well, the shampoo can leave a stale smell on the carpet, and the moisture will attract more dirt. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, keeping your carpet clean is essential for maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment in your home or office. Regular vacuuming, prompt stain removal, and periodic deep cleaning keep your carpet looking and feeling fresh. Professional carpet cleaning companies use various methods, such as steam cleaning, dry cleaning, and shampooing. It is crucial to choose a process appropriate for your carpet type and consider the frequency of cleaning needed based on the level of foot traffic and other factors. By following these tips and utilising the services of professional carpet cleaners, you can prolong the life of your carpet and ensure a clean and comfortable space for your family, friends, and guests.