How to Clean Carpets

Carpet cleaning is an ongoing job. If you have children, pets, or high traffic areas in your home that are carpeted, then you’ve got a job for life. But, carpet cleaning doesn’t have to be daunting if you keep a handle on things. Here are some tips for how to clean your carpet.

Whether low pile or shag, carpets need regular cleaning to maintain their great look. Lighter colored carpets will need to be cleaned more often, but all carpets will need something done to if you’ve owned them for any length of time. Vacuuming is your first line of defense. Vacuuming once a week at least will keep crumbs and dirt from getting ground into your carpet fibers. Choose a vacuum with a high suction capacity. This type of vacuum will remove more dirt from your carpet with each pass you make.

Stains on carpets should not be allowed to set in. Use a spot remover and blot dry. If you must rub to work out the stain, start from the outside of the stain and work your way towards the center in a circular motion. This motion keeps the stain from spreading. If you have a dark colored carpet, spray the spot remover on an inconspicuous area of the carpet first to make sure that it is color-fast.

Vinegar and water (1:2) can be used on pet stains to remove the odor. Using a white rag, apply the mixture to the stain. Blot dry. Rinse with clean water. Blot any excess and let air dry. Repeat the steps as needed until the stain is gone. An enzymatic spray may be needed.

Mud is a nightmare to clean out of your carpet, especially the red clay variety. Cleaning mud stains takes less effort when they are fresh, but can still be cleaned after the mud is dried with a little elbow grease. Use liquid laundry detergent to treat the stain. The laundry detergent will release the stain from the carpet just like it does with stains on your clothes. Blot the area dry. Pour white vinegar on the stain. Blot the stain again with a clean cloth. Use more laundry detergent. Blot dry. Pour clean water on the area. Blot to remove any excess water and let dry.

Deep clean your carpet with a professional steam vacuum once every three months. If you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, enlist the aid of a professional. Deep cleaning gets at the dirt your regular vacuum cleaner cannot.

Keeping the carpet clean lowers the amount of allergens found there. This is important if you have children with asthma. Overall, cleaning your carpet properly makes the floor a safer place to be.