Carpet Cleaning Tips and Ticks

Ordinary vacuuming should be done frequently and this will help lengthen the time between cleanings. It is important to keep a close eye on the overall quality of your rugs. Please note that the mat is designed to hide dirt. So if your carpets look dark or dirty, call a carpet cleaning company you trust. Your best bet is to not let your carpets get to this point. When properly cleaned and maintained, the life of your rug is dramatically extended and can keep it looking its best for years to come.

Removing stains, spills, and stains should be part of cleaning your carpet. Some of these tips can also be applied to commercial carpet cleaning, fabric panel cleaning, and commercial upholstery cleaning programs.

Carpets and rugs can be challenging to clean and remove stains. Professional carpet cleaning services can be expensive and difficult to fit into your schedule. Renting a carpet cleaning machine is a bit cheaper, but you also have to buy the shampoo to put them on. However, you can make your own carpet cleaner, one that can be used in most rental machines, in your own carpet cleaning machine, or simply with a bucket and sponge. You can clean all over carpet, high traffic areas, or just remove spots or stains.

Here’s what you need to know about do-it-yourself extraction cleaning:

· Remove furniture from carpeted area. If the furniture is too heavy, place a plastic wrap under and around the legs of the furniture.

· Vacuum thoroughly. This can have the biggest impact on the whole process!

· Carefully follow the instructions of the machine. Do not add other chemicals or dilute it too much to try to make your cleaner stronger.

· Only use a cleaning solution that works with your pump.

· Start at the furthest point from the entrance and work backwards so you can exit when you’re done. Don’t clean yourself in a corner!

· Be patient and do not over-wet the mat. Extract as much water as possible. Don’t rush this step.

· Wait until the carpet is dry before re-arranging furniture or walking on the carpet. This step can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours.

· Ventilate the area. Open windows if outside weather conditions permit, or set the air conditioner to a moderate temperature (72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit). Never close off a room with a wet carpet. You want the fastest drying time possible, to prevent mold growth and allow for earlier use.

If you have light-colored carpeting and/or a house full of children or pets, you may want to purchase your own professional-style model designed for home use. Home cleaners can save you money in the long run compared to hiring a professional several times a year. Keep in mind, however, that the unit you buy may not have the cleaning power that professional models have.

Most home carpet cleaning systems are water extraction units that are also known as steam cleaners. They work by injecting a solution into the carpet pile, then feeding the dirty solution into the machine. To avoid the hassle of dragging a hose around the house, opt for a model that doesn’t require a clean water connection. Also, choose the most powerful machine you can afford to ease the burden of water extraction. When using a steam cleaner, do not over-wet rugs. Excess moisture can damage the rug backing and backing, causing shrinkage, fading, and odor.

When you hire a professional carpet cleaning service, you can choose between steam cleaning and dry extraction cleaning. Each method, if handled by a qualified professional, will do wonders for dirty carpets. The professionals not only have much more powerful equipment than you’ll likely buy or rent, but they’re also much more experienced with stain removal. Prices can vary widely for essentially the same service, so shop carefully.