Disappointed with a Dirty Carpet? Follow These 8 DIY Steps for Deep Carpet Cleaning!
Rainy days in Columbia can really test the limits of your carpets.
Can you even imagine how mucky and grimy your carpets can get if you, your kids or pets accidentally walked on your carpet with dirty shoes or paws?
You’ll soon realize vacuuming or regular cleaning only removes the dirt on the surface.
Did you know that a substantial amount of dirt is masked in the carpet fibers, which makes it dull as it ages?
Apart from the unappealing carpet, another major concern is the ill-effects it will have on your health.
The dirt shelters harmful bacteria and germs which can be sickening.
Cleaning the upper layer of the carpet doesn’t eliminate the dirt hidden deep within.
This is why it becomes imperative to opt for deep carpet cleaning once in a while.
How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Carpet?
Some carpets get dirty in weeks, while others look fresh and new for even a few months.
It all depends on the amount of traffic your carpet receives and the way you maintain it.
Houses with pets, kids or those with guests coming over every now and then require frequent cleaning.
The deep carpet cleaning frequency will increase with the increase in traffic.
As a thumb rule, you should deep clean your carpets at least once a year.
Here are some simple steps for deep carpet cleaning that can give you astonishing results without spending hundreds of dollars.
8 Steps for Deep Carpet Cleaning
1. Clear Out the Cleaning Place
The first step is preparation.
Clear your carpet of all small or big things that will come in the way of cleaning. Pick up all toys, shoes, papers, and also shift all the movable furniture to another room.
2. Vacuum Upper and Underside of the Carpet
Vacuum your carpet thoroughly covering the upper and the underside as well.
Flip the carpet to vacuum the underside, flip it back to the original position, and vacuum once again.
3. Work on the Stains
Just like you try to remove the tough stains on your laundry, the same is applicable for cleaning carpet stains.
Make a mixture of 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup borax and apply this paste on the stains.
Let it sit until it dries and then vacuum it up.
4. Rent a Carpet Cleaner
Rent a light and deep cleaning carpet cleaner from grocery or hardware stores.
Remember the weight of the carpet cleaner will increase once you add water. So buy a lighter one in the first place.
Also, ask if you can add your own cleaning solution or if the cleaner requires only specific ones.
5. Do a Patch Test
You may not know what cleaners can work well on your carpet and what may damage it.
So it’s always recommended to do a patch test before you start cleaning the whole carpet.
Select an area which is covered by furniture and check for color fastness or change in carpet texture.
6. Deep Cleaning Process
#ProTip
Start away from the door so that once you clean the carpet you don’t step on the cleaned carpet.
Buy a cleaning solution or make your own version of deep cleaning carpet shampoo using natural ingredients like vinegar and warm water.
Use a cup of vinegar for every 2.5 gallons of water.
Pour the required amount of hot water and cleaning solution to the tank. Divide the carpet into small sections and clean it thoroughly.
Repeat the process and focus more on high traffic areas.
7. Rinse
Once you are done with running the cleaner multiple times on the carpet, replace the dirty water with a new batch of hot water.
Give your carpet a final rinse and let it dry.
#DIYTip
The water used for carpet cleaning is full of dirt and chemicals, and shouldn’t be poured down the drain.
Most times, the store from where you have rented the cleaner takes the responsibility of disposing the water.
If not, you can take help from a local water treatment facility and ask them about disposing the dirty water.
8. Let the Carpet Dry
The carpet will take several hours to dry.
You can speed up drying by letting air circulate in the room. Just turn on the fan and open the doors and windows to let the carpet dry completely.
Remember to keep pets and children away from the wet carpet as it’s more susceptible to dirt.
Once it dries, your carpet will be sparklingly new.
If the above steps seem difficult to follow, you can always get in touch with a professional carpet cleaner in Columbia or nearby areas.