Clever Carpet Cleaning

Carpets in our homes take a lot of everyday wear and tear, from foot traffic, to pets, dust and grime. Often dirt is not visible, but there is more than likely some sort of filth deep in the fibres which breed germs and can become hazardous to your health.

It is always best to clean your carpets on a regular basis, as this will prevent you from having to use a stronger chemical product when you do clean your carpets which have a negative impact on your health and the environment. But before any chemicals are brought into the equation, the best form of cleaning is to vacuum.

Vacuuming

It’s a day to day chore that everybody hates doing, but it must be done in order to keep clean those carpets that collect everything and anything.  Choose a vacuum based on its power and not on price as suction power is the most important feature on a vacuum.

Tips:

• Set your vacuum to the correct height of your carpet pile
• Vacuum slowly making several crisscross passes
• To freshen your carpets, sprinkle baking soda and vacuum thoroughly

Cleaning

Most of the products on the market for carpet cleaning are relatively safe and have a minimal impact on the environment. Before purchasing any products make sure to read the label and make sure it is pet friendly before using it.
Try to avoid using carpet shampoos as it is nearly impossible to get all the shampoo out residue out of the carpet, even with rinsing. This residue only attracts the dirt even more and become dirtier much quicker in the weeks after shampooing.

If you do choose a carpet shampoos ensure they have the following characteristics:

• Very high foam levels to reduce wetting
• Very stable foam
• High lubricant level to reduce damage to the carpet fibres from the brushes
• It should dry to a non sticky residue

Dry Cleaning Methods

Steam Cleaning

This is the most popular method and includes hot steam and carpet steamer to remove dirt and grime. This is the only cleaning method classifies as “deep cleaning”. This process consists of spraying a solution of water and detergent into the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into a holding tank.

Compound Cleaning

In this method a dry absorbent compound is sprinkled over the carpet and worked into the carpet with a machine. The purpose of this cleaner is to attract and absorb soil. Mechanical agitation from a brush works the cleaner through the carpet. The theory is that these detergents dissolve the soil and the mixture along with the soil is then vacuumed up.

 
Stains
 

If you can react to the spill immediately – do so. In most cases this will prevent the stain from becoming permanent and will often save you from having to use a carpet cleaner.
Most stains come from outside, dragged in on the bottom of your shoes. Place a heavy duty mat by your front and back doors to ensure that if any dirt is brought in it can be minimised by this mat as opposed to your Persian carpet in the living room.

Tips:
 

• Liquid spills require immediate blotting action. Never rub them as this will drive the stain deeper and often spread it.
• Mud needs to dry completely before trying to remove it; otherwise this will just cause a bigger stain. After it has dried, lightly brush it and then vacuum well.
• Gum needs to be frozen solid before removal. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it directly onto the gum for about ten to fifteen minutes. Once the gum is frozen it can be peeled from the carpet.
• Click here for more stain removing tips.

Hire the Pros

If you are not comfortable, don’t have time or the equipment to clean your carpets yourself, then hire the pro’s. Many carpet cleaning companies will clean your carpets efficiently and for a reasonable fee.

Carpets are expensive to replace. Taking proper precautions to vacuum, clean and remove spills regularly will ensure that your carpet will last for years to come