When it comes time to do your spring cleaning, or any other deep cleaning, in your home, it is probably a good time to clean your floors. Carpet steam cleaning is a great way to freshen the carpets and rugs in your entire house, get rid of deep and difficult stains or remove pet dander and allergens.
Benefits of Steam Cleaning
There are many benefits to cleaning your carpets. Vacuuming and spot treating alone will not give you the same results as using a carpet cleaner. Benefits include:
- Deeper cleaning of the carpet fibers
- More thorough stain removal
- Removing odors and giving carpets and rugs a fresher scent
- Removal of allergens, dirt and pet dander
Materials Needed
As with any project around the home, it’s best to get your materials and supplies in order ahead of time. You may already have some of the products on hand that you need to clean your carpets. Others you may have to purchase, borrow or rent. If you live in a home with many carpeted rooms, it is probably more economical to buy a carpet cleaning device. If you have a smaller home or apartment, a hand-held unit can be great, or renting is a cost-effective option. For the carpet cleaning process, it is recommended that you have:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Carpet cleaner machine
- Furniture sliders
- Carpet cleaning detergent, pre-treater and measuring device
- Water
- Towels
Step 1: Moving the Furniture
To get the most out of your carpet cleaning experience you should remove any furniture or belongings from the room you wish to clean. It is best to move everything out at once into another room in your home if you have the space. If you live in a smaller home or apartment, then moving furniture into one half of the room at a time can work.
If you are shifting to one side of the room, be sure to clear the entire area of any furniture, electronics and other belongings. If you have pets, this may also be a good time to make sure they are secured in another part of the house with their food and water.
Step 2: Preparing the Carpets for Cleaning
Once the room or area is clear from any furniture or belongings it is time to prepare the carpets themselves. Before carpet steam cleaning, you should vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove any loose dirt and crumbs. This makes the carpet cleaning process easier and more effective.
When the carpet is free of dirt and debris you can pre-treat any difficult or particularly deep stains. You can buy a stain removal chemical from the store or try a do-it-it yourself option for this phase of the cleaning. Sometimes dish or laundry soap and warm water is enough to break up certain stains. You can also try vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda for deeper stains or odors.
Step 3: Preparing the Carpet Cleaner
If you rent a carpet cleaner or borrow one from a friend or family member, make sure you read the instructions on what detergents and solvents are recommended and which ones to avoid. Some may recommend a specific brand, but most machines can work with any type of carpet cleaning solution. You may even be able to mix your own solution if you want to work with natural ingredients or ones you have around the house. The instructions will also tell you how much cleaner to add as well as the amount of water you need.
Be sure to read all of the instructions, such as how to fill the container with water, when and how to dump it and how to operate the machine itself. Each one will be a little bit different and, depending on the machine’s capacity for water and cleaner, will be able to cover a certain amount of square footage before you need to change the water.
Step 4: Steam Cleaning
The next step in the carpet cleaning process is to do just that: clean the carpets. Carpet steam cleaning generally uses similar motions to that of vacuuming. You may have to go over areas more than once, especially the higher traffic regions of your carpets. Make sure you’re pressing the right buttons to release the cleaning solution into the carpet and then again to suck the now dirty water back up into the machine.
Start in the far corner of the room so you don’t have to walk back over the wet carpets. Be sure to get every inch of the carpets and to not miss any spots. If you have had to move the furniture into another part of the room, stop about halfway through. After the carpet is dry you can move the furniture back and start on the other half. If you are working in a small room, opening a window can help with fumes if you are sensitive to the smell of the cleaning solution.
Step 5: Drying the Carpets
If you notice any spots that are extremely wet, use a towel to soak up the excess water. You can use portable fans and ceiling fans to help quicken the drying process. Opening windows or turning on the air conditioner can also help dry the room faster and lower the humidity in your home.
Make sure the carpets are completely dry before you walk on them or replace any furniture. If you have to walk on the carpets before they are dry, make sure to wear clean socks or cover your feet with plastic to prevent your feet from getting wet or from soiling the floor before it dries.
Step 5: Aftercare
After the carpets are dry you can move the furniture back. You will want to continue to treat any spills or stains as soon as they happen to make sure your carpets stay looking nicer for longer. You should steam clean your carpets annually at the very least, but doing it more often will keep your floors and home looking great throughout the year. If you clean the carpets in the spring and in the fall it is usually nice enough to open up the windows, helping with fumes and drying.
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