Basic Fundamentals of Carpet Cleaning.

What are the Basics of Cleaning Carpets?

The basics of carpet cleaning are pretty much common knowledge. You follow manufacturers recommendations. Vacuum regularly, clean carpet spills and stains as soon as possible to avoid permanent staining and have them professionally cleaned periodically.

Besides vacuuming regularly, it’s important to know the basics of stain removal as well as you don’t want to mar the beauty of a good carpet.

Some of the most common substances used in carpet cleaners are vinegar, baking soda, salt, corn starch, hydrogen peroxide or through the use of other naturally occurring substances.

Many stains can be removed without the need to call in the pros, as they can be expensive. So, let’s move on to the basics of cleaning carpets.

The Basics of Carpet Cleaning

Dirt damages carpet. It weakens the fibers caused by friction. If you don’t have a good quality carpet pad, even walking on the carpet can cause some damage. Walking crushes the fibers so opt for quality padding.

So how can you keep your carpets looking great for years to come? Start by vacuuming on a regular basis.

Vacuuming Basics

If your family is small and consists of two people, you can get away with vacuuming once a week. If you have a large family, you may need to vacuum two or three times a week. Add in pets and you may need to vacuum quite a few times more during the week.

1. If your vacuum has height adjustment, make sure it’s set accordingly for the carpet you are vacuuming.
2. Start vacuuming from the back of the room moving out towards the entrance. Vacuum slowly and overlap so you cover the whole floor especially in high traffic areas.
3. It’s a good idea to vacuum under furniture so periodically move furniture away from walls.
4. If you have stairs in the house, it might be a good idea to purchase a quality handheld vacuum so you don’t have to lug the upright up and down the stairs.

Steam Cleaning Carpets

If you have invested in quality carpets and padding, you should have them professionally cleaned at least once a year.

If the carpet and padding in your house are builders’ grade and hasn’t been upgraded yet, it still needs to be cleaned but to save money, you can use a rental machine. Builders grade carpets are not meant to last years no matter how careful you are.

And remember which ever method you use, keep windows open and keep rooms well ventilated until carpets are dry. No need to worry about mold or mildew happening.

Spots and Spills and Stain Removal Basics

Spots and spills and stains happen on carpets, it inevitable. Spots and spills are those you clean as soon as they happen and are easier to clean.

A stain is what occurs when a spot or spill is left to sit for a longer period of time and this can be more challenging to clean.

The Basics

The quicker you act, the more success you’ll have with stain removal.

• If a spill is solid, carefully scrape it up first.
• If it’s a liquid spill, carefully blot it dry with clean absorbent paper towels or clean rag. Repeating until no liquid is coming up.
• Do not rub as this can cause the spill to become larger and can damage carpet fibers.
• Always blot the stain, working from the outer edge in towards the middle.
• Change absorbent material as needed.
• Spot test new cleaning methods in an inconspicuous spot first.
• If you’re using a store bough stain removal product, always follow the instructions.
• After any stain removal treatment, lightly rinse with clean water to remove any cleaning residual.
• Place a clean dry towel or paper towel over cleaned area until dry.