Regardless of how much effort you put at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually experience spills, drops and dirt from all kinds of sources. That is why we have prepared expert advice for carpet cleaning. This article will guide you on how you can clean your carpet and ensure that it looks fresh as new.
1. Act Fast
You need to react as soon as you notice a stain on your carpet. There is a very high possibility that you will be able to remove it very easily and without causing further damage to the carpet. However, the longer you wait the more it will react with the carpet and become hard to get rid of. So what exactly should you do?
# Blot the dirt; don’t rub or scrub it
When you rub or scrub a stain, you will not only damage the carpet’s fibers but you will also create a fuzzy area of dirt. When blotting, start from the outer edges of the stain as you progress towards the center so as to avoid spreading it.
# Don’t dig or scoop
If the dirt is solid, use a spoon to scrape it towards the center of the spill and onto a piece of cloth. If you dig or scoop it you might work the dirt particles into the carpet and make them stubborn stains.
2. Do-It-Yourself Cleaning
You might want to consider cleaning carpet stains yourself before you resort to expensive professionals. We strongly recommend that you learn the various cleaning solutions so that you handle stains effectively as soon as possible. Here is a list of expert advice on how to go about it:
# Try water before any other cleaning agent
A good number of stains will come out when cleaned with plain water alone. Use a dry and clean cloth to blot the dirt until you remain with the part that has worked its way into the carpet. Switch to a damp cloth (soaked in water) and blot the surface continuously until the stain disappears. Make sure to change the cloth as often as necessary.
# Test commercial products
Shift to commercial cleaning agents if the stain is too tough for plain water. However, make sure you test it first on an inconspicuous area because some products are known to damage or dirty the carpet even more.
# Use vinegar or club soda
Some common stains (like beer and wine stains) can be removed using a mixture of vinegar and water. Use equal amounts of both. Alternatively, you can try a mixture of club soda and water. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture and use it to blot the area. Repeat and change clothes until it is sufficiently clean.
# Hydrogen peroxide is a great alternative
Other stains (like blood) cannot be removed by vinegar or club soda but they can be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide. Apply it directly to the stain and then use towels to dab the foam that will form.
# Try organic cleaners for pet accidents
Pet poop and pee can be cleaned effectively using organic carpet cleaners. They are very cheap solutions (as cheap as $10) that can be bought from local stores. All you need to do is apply the cleaning agent and scrub the spot until the stain goes away.
# Shaving cream will come in handy
Carpet cleaning experts concur that ordinary shaving cream can clean a number of general stains. Apply it directly, let it set for approximately 30 minutes, and then blot the resultant mixture away using a dry cloth. Finish by spraying the affected area with a mixture of vinegar and water and then wipe it away thoroughly with a clean and dry cloth.
# Freeze gum
If someone steps on chewing gum, simply get some ice and freeze it for about 30 seconds. Lift up the glob and then cut the strands of carpet (as close to the gum as possible).
# Heat wax
If candle (or any other) wax drips onto the carpet, get a piece of cloth and iron box and use them to heat it until it melts. Place the cloth on the affected spot and then use the hot iron box to melt the wax. Finally, use a butter knife to scrape it off in a gentle manner.
# Be patient
Most of the methods require you to repeat a particular process over and over again. Do so until the stain is gone and the spot is dry.
3. Call the Professionals
Don’t hesitate to call carpet cleaning professionals if the DIY methods fail to work. You might have little to no control over the cleaning process once you submit your carpet to professionals but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some influence. Expert advice holds that you should:
# Get the best company that you possibly can
Chances are you will get what you pay for. If you want effective and efficient services then don’t shy away from high-end carpet cleaners. Generally speaking, prices vary depending on which part of Singapore you live.
# Examine the company
Compare and contrast customer reviews and general opinions before you settle for any particular cleaning company.
4. Clean Regularly
This is arguably the most important part of this carpet cleaning guide. Regular cleaning will leave it looking clean as new and for that reason it will last very long. You might not be able to deep-clean it often but you can do it at least once in every two or three months. Deep cleaning involves applying a cleaning agent to the carpet and spraying it with high-pressure water using water-jet nozzles. What you can do on a more often basis is vacuum cleaning. In fact, high traffic areas (like entrance areas) should be vacuumed at least once or twice per week to reduce dirt build up. Consider the following if you want to do it efficiently:
# Get the height of the vacuum right
It will damage carpet fibers if it is too low and it won’t pick up dirt effectively if it is too high. To get the right height, raise your vacuum to its highest setting and then switch it on. Lower it slowly until it starts to tug itself forward.
# Clean bags or filters
For maximum efficiency, replace or wash filters after every three months for bagless vacuums and replace vacuum bags when they are three-quarters full.
# Vacuum the carpet after removing stains
That will pick up any dirt that might have remained after the stain has been removed.
# Let it dry
Your carpet should dry thoroughly to avoid cases of mold and mildew.
Conclusion
As you might have noticed from this expert advice piece, carpet cleaning is not so hard. In fact, you only need to have the right information. Know the types of stains and how each one can be removed. Most importantly, learn how to clean it as frequently as possible and it will always be clean as new.
