When it comes to carpet cleaning the ability to deeply clean the fibres is only one factor. Carpet cleaning with hot water extraction is more environmentally responsible than hot water washing as there is no chemical heating used. As steam cleaning uses hot water heated up to nearly boiling and then forced through a vacuum, it can sometimes take much longer for the carpet to completely dry after treatment. Depending on the quality of the cleaner and how badly stained the carpet is, it can often take an hour to several hours.
Cleaning Methods
However, steam carpet cleaning is still the most popular method of cleaning. There are other techniques available, but these tend to be less effective. For example, some carpet cleaning machines use a combination of solvents and heaters to give effective deep cleaning. The problem is that these can be potentially dangerous for children and pets.
The only way to make sure you get good results and you’re not putting yourself or your family at risk is to do your carpet care at home. This way you can ensure the best cleaning possible and you can avoid any accidents. If you’re using shampoo based carpet cleaning products and detergent to clean carpets, then the only real way to ensure you don’t get a stain is to clean carpets by hand. This can be a painful task!
You should remove all the dirt from the carpet by either vacuuming or wiping it with a white cloth. Next, use a plastic brush or metal spatula to clean the surface of the carpet. Use as little pressure as possible to avoid breaking the fibres. Then vacuum the remaining dirt and soil from the carpet by moving in a circular pattern. You should be concentrating on the areas where the fibres are broken.
Once you’ve done this, you should apply a product containing a cleaning solution and carpet bleach or spotter. These cleaners are not suitable for cleaning stains but will help lift dirt and dust from deep inside the carpet. Make sure you follow the instructions on the label, particularly when using products containing chemicals. The chemicals can react with the padding, upholstery or baseboards, so you must follow the package directions carefully.
At Home
When doing this process on your own at home, you can use any detergent you want. There are plenty of excellent carpet detergents available, especially in specialist brands. Many come with a variety of different options including those that clean just certain stains, ones that tackle hard water stains and those that target odours. Whatever you choose, make sure you test a small amount on a hidden spot before applying it to a larger area – some substances can react with the padding, upholstery or the baseboards and damage your carpets.
To remove a chocolate brown stain, mix a small amount of vinegar, a small amount of cold water and a small amount of baking soda together and then apply it to the affected area of your carpet. Rub vigorously and then rinse. This mixture can also be applied to stains on wooden floors and even fabric (if you’re being bothered by yellowish stains). If you have an odour that is easily removed with vinegar, you can add a little of that to the water for the gum process.
For deep stains, you can use your homemade solutions to remove them. Sprinkle some baking soda into a bucket of warm water and then dip white paper towels or cotton balls into the solution to soak up the stain. Leave it to soak for a few minutes, then rinse out with warm water. Be sure to do this for all the stains on your carpet so you can get rid of them for good!