Vacuuming helps remove dirt from carpets, but stains and other problems may require more aggressive treatment. These top methods for effective Residential Carpet Cleaning El Dorado Hills CA will get your rugs looking like new again.
For greasy spills, Tarbox recommends mixing a bit of grease-cutting dish soap with water and spraying the stain. After blotting the area, she suggests rubbing in a bit of baking soda before vacuuming it up.
Squeegee
Over-the-counter carpet shampoos and affordable machines can make short work of banishing loose dirt, but sometimes even a simple hand-held tool can do the trick. The window squeegee you probably use to clean your windows can be used on your floors, and several users swear by it for the way it gets rid of pet hair (which is notoriously difficult for vacuums to get) and other debris that is trapped in carpet fibers. The squeegee also gives you a more precise clean than vacuuming because it allows you to easily get close to edges and corners.
Vinegar is a popular kitchen staple for many purposes, but some people might not realize that it can be used to fluff up high-traffic areas of your home’s carpeting. A diluted mixture of equal parts water and vinegar can be sprayed onto the carpeting, and once the mixture is absorbed, the squeegee can be run over it to lift any dirt particles and restore the carpeting’s texture.
If you have pets, it’s almost a sure thing that your home’s carpet will eventually be a victim of an accident. Tarbox says that a very simple, nontoxic solution can remove most stains from carpets: spray the area with a mixture of 50/50 water and white vinegar, and then wipe it up with a dry white cloth. This solution may not be as effective on stubborn stains as a commercial carpet cleaner, but it’s much safer for your children and pets.
Another use for the squeegee is to banish those pesky impressions that can form in high-traffic areas of your carpet from heavy furniture. Simply place a regular ice cube on the area and let it set until it melts. This will re-shape the dents in the carpet and leave it looking like new.
For more involved or stubborn stains, you can try various carpet cleaning methods at home, such as hot water extraction, often referred to as steam cleaning. This process uses a chemical solution to liquefy oil-based dirt and other soils, which is then sucked up along with the liquid. This is one of the most recommended methods by carpet manufacturers, and it can be done by using a professional machine either from a truck-mounted unit outside your house or, in cases where this type of machine cannot reach, a portable system brought inside.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can be a good natural cleaning solution for carpets. It is cheap, safe to use, and does not contain harmful chemicals that can damage or fade carpet fibers. It can also be effective against grease and other oily stains, as well as strong odors. Baking soda can be mixed with water to form a paste and applied to a stain, or sprinkled over the entire carpet as a deodorizer. This can be done regularly to keep the carpet clean and fresh.
It is important to vacuum the carpet before using baking soda, as it can attract dirt and dust particles from the surface. This makes the overall cleaning process more effective. It is also a good idea to make sure that all household members know that the carpet will be covered in baking soda so that they can avoid tracking it in.
If a stubborn stain or strong odor is present, first sop up the liquid or greasy residue with a paper towel. Next, apply a generous amount of baking soda to the affected area of the carpet and rub it in. Be careful not to rub too hard, as this can damage the fibers of the carpet. Let the baking soda sit on the carpet for at least 15 minutes, and then vacuum it. Repeat as needed until the odor or stain is removed.
For non-greasy stains or odors, it is recommended to allow the baking soda to remain on the carpet for upwards of 3 hours. For a particularly stubborn grease stain, allowing it to stay overnight may be necessary.
Besides being an effective cleaner, baking soda can also help control carpet dust mites, which are microscopic creatures that feed on dead skin cells in the carpet. These creatures can cause asthma and other respiratory problems, so it is a good idea to keep them under control as much as possible. In addition to regularly vacuuming the carpet, it is also recommended to sprinkle it with a bit of baking soda once a week or so, as this will help keep it clean and smelling fresh.
Vacuum
Vacuuming is one of the best ways to keep carpets clean. It removes dust, dirt, and debris that can cling to the fibers and cause damage. It also helps to extend the life of the carpet by reducing wear and tear. It is a good idea to vacuum carpets regularly, at least once a week. It is important to use the proper attachments for cleaning under furniture and in corners where dirt likes to collect. Vacuuming also helps to keep the air in the room cleaner by removing dirt and allergens.
Vacuuming also helps to remove spills and stains from the carpet quickly. Blotting a stain with a cloth or paper towel can help reduce its spread and soak up some of the liquid before it has a chance to sink into the fibers. If you have trouble removing a stubborn stain, try simmering a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water on the stove before spraying it onto the carpet. This will remove the odor and help to extend the life of the carpet.
A vacuum cleaner with a beater bar or rotating brush will work well on polyester carpets and will pick up more debris than a vacuum cleaner with a hose and suction nozzle. A rotating brush also works better on pet hair than a suction nozzle. It is a good idea to vacuum pet hair and dander from the carpets regularly to help prevent the buildup of these particles which can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
It is also a good idea to use a vacuum with a throw zone to avoid causing damage to the carpets and floors. The throw zone should be marked and all physical items should be placed behind it. This will prevent the vacuum cleaner from catching and damaging things that are not supposed to be in the room.
Once the carpet is dry, a little bit of baking soda can absorb odors and make the room smell better. This is especially useful for rooms where there are pets or smokers. The smell of tobacco or pet odors can linger on the carpet long after a person has left the room. Baking soda is easy to store and is very effective for absorbing these odors.
Hot Water Extraction
The hot water extraction method is a favorite amongst professional carpet cleaners and one of the best methods for rejuvenating heavily soiled carpets, removing stubborn stains, and leaving them smelling fresh. It’s also a safe cleaning method that eliminates toxic cleaning chemicals that can lead to health problems.
A powerful machine heats the water and mixes it with a special detergent, which is then sprayed onto the carpet and agitated with a brush or other mechanical device to loosen dirt and oily residues. Then, a powerful vacuum extracts the hot water and loosened dirt from the carpet fibers, instantly returning them to their clean, pristine state.
This process is far more thorough than shampoo or dry cleaning, as it penetrates the carpet’s inner fabric to leave it smelling fresh and looking renewed. It’s also very effective at removing smelly odors that are usually impossible to get rid of with other methods.
Another benefit of this cleaning method is that it doesn’t leave behind any detergent residue, which can quickly attract dirt and make your carpets dirty again. This is why it’s so important to work with a professional who will follow the right process for your specific carpet type and stain.
Many people attempt to do this type of carpet cleaning on their own with steam cleaners, but amateurs can often make mistakes that will cause their carpets to be over-saturated with moisture and left vulnerable to mold growth. Hot water extraction, on the other hand, ensures that your carpets are completely dry before a technician leaves the premises. That way, you can walk on them immediately and don’t have to spend the rest of the day tip-toeing around wet floors. It’s a much safer option for kids and pets too.