How to Clean Carpets

Use a clean white cloth. Patterned or dyed rags can spread color to the carpet, complicating matters. Colorless paper towels are also a suitable solution.

• First, you need to use a clean, white cloth to dry the new stain. Use an extra clean, white cloth to remove any remaining stain after blotting.
• Do not use a stiff bristle brush or a regular brush as they can damage the fibers of the carpet, causing it to fray.
• Local stain treatment applies to freshly spilled stains on a small portion of the carpet, not as routine carpet maintenance.

Choose the right carpet cleaning product. There are many carpet cleaning products available for sale. They usually come in spray bottles or cans for easier spot treatment of stains. While there are many “all-purpose” cleaning products to choose from, it’s a good idea to read labels carefully to determine which product is right for your stain and carpet type. Keep in mind that stains caused by bodily secretions often require special treatment.

• For fresh blood stains, you should use cold water or hydrogen peroxide to absorb the blood. Do not use warm water because the high temperature causes the blood to harden. For dry stains, first blot with hydrogen peroxide, followed by an enzyme cleaner.
• For pet urine, you should use a specialized enzyme cleaner. If you can’t find one, you can use an ammonia solution to blot the new stain, then use a cleaning product and warm water. Hard stains can be removed with a 1:3 solution of vinegar and water. As with new stains, you should continue to treat with a cleaning product and water. ^[4]

Try using the cleaning product on a small, hidden area of the carpet. Follow the directions on the bottle and test in an inconspicuous location. Some products may not be suitable for your carpet, so it’s best to try them first. Hard-to-see carpet locations such as inside wall cabinets are suitable for testing cleaning products.

• Do not test on stains. The purpose of the test is to check the color fastness of the carpet. If the stain spreads to the carpet or the cleaning product itself leaves a stain, you should try another product.

Wet the stained area. Apply a small amount of cleaning product to a clean white cloth and gently blot the stain. Use only enough product to treat the stain.

• When cleaning carpets, using more cleaning products is not better. Soap left on the carpet will absorb the dirt and leave the stain more widespread.
• Avoid scrubbing the carpet. Pressing or scrubbing hard can cause the stain to penetrate deeper into the fabric.

Wash the carpet. Use a new, clean, white cloth and water to soak up any soap residue left on the carpet that has just been treated. Do not immerse the carpet in water as water can seep into the pad underneath, causing problems with mold.

• Let the carpet dry completely. If the stain is large or you use a large amount of water, turn on the fan or place a dedicated carpet dryer next to it to ensure the carpet dries faster. ^[5]

Prepare the room for cleaning. If possible, you should clean all the furniture. For furniture that is heavy or takes up a lot of space and can’t be moved, it’s a good idea to put plastic pads under their feet to protect against water damage.

• If you don’t have a special piece of plastic, you can cut squares of foil or parchment paper and place it under the furniture legs. ^[6]
• Carpet cleaning is also known as “steam cleaning”. However, this term is incorrect because the machine actually uses hot water and cleaning products, not steam. ^[7]

Prepare the carpet. Vacuum the carpet, first from front to back, then from left to right. Be sure to vacuum both corners and cracks.

• Spot treatment of large stains on carpets. Carpet cleaning oil will remove stains but can make the stain deeper. ^[8]

Buy or rent a carpet cleaner. Many home appliance stores rent carpet cleaners and have a suitable cleaning product available.

• If you rent a carpet cleaning machine, you should clean your room in advance so that you don’t have to pay extra rental fees due to the long time of use.
• Ideally, the carpet washer should have a built-in drying core to keep the water hot. Read the product description or consult a salesperson before renting or buying a carpet cleaner.

Plan your path carefully. After cleaning, no one should step on the carpet until the carpet is dry. Be careful not to corner yourself after finishing the cleaning process. Start from the farthest part of the door and then work your way out.

Prepare the solution according to the instructions on the bottle. Some cleaning products are sold with carpet cleaning oil or recommended in combination with another cleaning product sold at the same store. In general, you should pour water and a small amount of cleaning product into the water tank of the machine.

• Do not add too much soap as it can harm both the machine and the carpet. Some experts recommend using slightly less detergent than recommended by carpet cleaners. ^[9]

Leave shoes. A damp carpet will absorb more dirt and the job won’t be done if you wear dirty shoes while cleaning. Instead, wear socks or wrap a plastic bag around your feet or around your shoes. Specialized boots are also available to replace shoes during cleanup.

• Some cleaning products can be harmful immediately after spraying. Therefore, it is not recommended to go barefoot. ^[10]

Let the carpet washer absorb as much water as possible. In general, carpet cleaners are designed to spray water when you push the machine forward and absorb water when you pull it back. Should pull the machine back slowly to absorb as much water as possible.

• Carpets that are too damp or water seeping into the pads of the carpet can cause mold. ^[11]

Let the carpet dry completely by venting the room. Open windows and doors for air circulation. Make sure the carpet is completely dry within 24 hours to prevent mildew. ^[12]

• If you can’t open the window, you should turn on the air conditioner at 22-25 degrees Celsius and then open the main door.
• Carpet dryers, fans, dehumidifiers and carpet fans can be combined to help the carpet dry faster.
• The drying process can take 6-12 hours and during that time, you should not step on the carpet or put furniture back in place. ^[13]
• The plastic protectors on the furniture legs can be removed when the carpet is completely dry.

Consider cleaning the carpet twice. Soap left on carpets after steam washing will attract more dirt. To completely remove soap, you should pour a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water into the machine and then repeat the cleaning process. Vinegar will help remove any remaining soap scum. ^[14]

• Carpets in high-traffic areas are recommended to be washed twice a year, while carpets in less-traffic areas may only need to be washed once every 18 months. If light-colored carpet looks dirty, you need to clean it soon. ^[15]

Place easily soiled substances away from carpets. Fabrics, such as carpets, are often more difficult to clean than hard surfaces like tiles. This is part of the reason many people don’t use roll rugs in the kitchen and dining room. It is best to eat and drink in places that are not carpeted. ^[16]

Take off your shoes before stepping on the carpet. In many countries like Canada and Japan, it is customary for people to take off their shoes when entering a home. This practice is usually to prevent dirt from accumulating in the home. ^[17] Consider removing shoes and placing them in a permanent location in the hallway. This will help eliminate the main cause of carpet dust. ^[18]

Train your pet properly. Make sure cats, dogs, or other small pets don’t “pee” on the carpet. If your pet has its own litter box, it’s a good idea to place the litter box in a place that’s easy to clean, such as a tile or plywood floor. If you must place the sand tray in a carpeted room, place it on a small rubber mat. This type of carpet both prevents waste from spilling out and prevents waste from causing stains on the carpet. ^[19]