Best Carpet Cleaning Tips

Carpet is a wonderful floor covering, offering more warmth and color to your rooms.

The problem is, carpets get dirty – fast – and they can be expensive to have cleaned professionally.

Forget the hassle and expense of calling out the pros to handle your mess.

These are the best carpet cleaning tips I know that will help you clean with out having to call a professional.

The Type Of Carpet And The Type Of Stain Matters

Never attempt to clean your rugs and carpets before figuring out exactly what they are made from. The cleaners (and even cleaning methods) you use will depend a great deal on what type of carpet you have.

For instance, wool carpets can not be cleaned using heat; but other types clean up best using heated water and specific cleaning agents. The type of stain matters too; blood stains will become permanent if they are cleaned with warm or hot water. Certain dye stains require an alkaline cleaner in order to be removed.

So, determine what types of stains you will be removing from your carpet. Dirt and grime is one thing, but if your carpet has food and beverage stains, you may need a more heavy duty cleaner.

Think about what might be stuck on your rug before determining how to proceed.

Once you have determined what type of carpet you have and the kinds of stains that you need to remove, it is time to begin.

Vacuum Thoroughly

Start the cleaning process with a good vacuuming. Vacuuming your rugs thoroughly will help keep dust, dirt and bacteria from accumulating inside your carpets.

Pre-treat All Stains

Next, pre-treat any spots or stains with the appropriate cleaner. Blot the affected area with a spot remover or pre-treatment application (never rub).

Here are few ways to treat specific types of stains:

• Blood – mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water.
• Ketchup -- Sponge a mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups water into rug.
• Chocolate – apply a mixture of 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water to the spot. Rinse with clear water.
• Crayon – begin by placing a blotter over the crayon stain and pressing it with a warm iron until the blotter absorbs the melted crayon.
• Mud – first, let mud dry completely, then brush to loosen from carpet fibers. Vacuum loosened debris. To remove crushed in mud stains, blot the affected area by mixing 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Let dry and vacuum. Repeat if necessary.
• Vomit – Dilute with baking soda and water. Then apply a mixture of 1 part ammonia and 10 parts water. Rinse with cold water, let dry, and then vacuum.

One you have handled those tough stains, it is time to deep clean your carpet.

Begin by testing the cleaner you have chosen on an inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t cause any fading and staining.

Then, move as much furniture out of the room as you can. Read and follow all manufacturers directions on the rug cleaning solution and carpet cleaning machine. Use single strokes with little pressure. Do not over-saturated.

Let air dry for up to 24 hours (don’t walk on the rug during this time), then vacuum and replace the furniture.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your carpets may seem like a big job, but if you take the time to learn the best method to cleaning your specific rugs, then you will find the job easier than you ever thought.

Just wait until you see how beautiful and new your carpets look after a through cleaning – it will make you think you had new carpets installed throughout your home!