Carpets are a big investment and also a major decorating element in our homes. As such, they should receive the necessary care to keep them clean and fresh. In this article, we've compiled the most essential carpet cleaning tips, which will make your carpet last longer.

Vacuum frequently

The Importance of Regular Vacuuming

Vacuuming your carpets frequently is crucial for maintaining cleanliness and extending the life of your carpet. Aim to vacuum at least once a week. For homes with pets, increase the frequency to 4-5 times a week to manage pet hair and dander effectively.

Maintain Your Vacuum Cleaner for Optimal Performance

For the best results, regularly maintain your vacuum cleaner:

  • Empty the Canister: Make sure to empty the vacuum canister when it's half full to maintain suction power and efficiency.
  • Replace the Air Filter: For bagless vacuums, replace the air filter every 2 months to ensure optimal performance and air quality.

Daily Pet Hair Management

Pet owners should take extra steps to manage pet hair:

  • Daily Fur Collection: Use a wet glove or a squeegee to collect pet fur from the carpet. This helps prevent fur from becoming embedded in the fibers.
  • Reduce Grease and Dirt Build-Up: Frequent vacuuming helps to minimize grease and dirt accumulation, which can lead to unsightly stains and wear.

Dealing with Greasy Stains

Address greasy stains promptly with these methods:

  • For Fresh Stains: Sprinkle baking soda or salt on the stain to absorb the grease. Allow it to sit for several hours before vacuuming.
  • For Older Stains: Use a mixture of dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water. Apply the solution to the stain, blot, and then rinse thoroughly.
7 tips for carpet cleaning 1

Blot stains immediately

Virtually all types of stains can be removed if attended on time. Most can even be removed through domestic means. In terms of serious issues like paint, curry stains, engine oil marks and such, it's best to contact professionals.

And please know - never rub spots in order to remove them. The correct procedure is to blot the stain towards the centre, using a white cloth or a paper towel. A great way to follow up is to rinse the carpet with cold or lukewarm water after blotting.

Always pre-test your carpet cleaner

Before you start cleaning the carpet with various cleaning solutions, it is good to test their effect on the carpet fibres. Different carpets have different properties and require different cleaning remedies. If you're unaware of your carpet type, get in touch with the manufacturer or call a professional cleaning company. Once you are aware on what to use for the clean, we still recommend doing a test on an invisible area.

What vacuum should I use

Do not overdo with detergents or shampoos

Professional cleaning companies often struggle when cleaning a stain which was already treated by the customer. It's even worse when a number of cleaning solutions were applied to the stained area. And if not rinsed properly, they will leave watermarks that will be difficult to clean even with a commercial steam cleaner.

Pay most attention to high-traffic areas

Areas like your living room, stairs and hallway receive a lot of foot traffic. As a result, it's necessary to care for them more often than the bedrooms, for example. Another way to preserve your carpet from wear and tear is to place runners and rugs on said places. Just remember to also hoover the carpet underneath the area rugs when you do your regular cleaning.

How do you get grease stains out of the carpet

Use only quality cleaning products

Dealing with carpet stains isn't an easy task, especially if you don't own a carpet cleaning machine. This is why it's very important to have quality stain removal products if you want to clean the carpet yourself. The following products/ home remedies are our specific recommendations for you today:

  • pet stains - Bissell Pet Pro Oxy Stain Destroyer
  • red wine stains - distilled white vinegar
  • blood stains - 3% hydrogen peroxide
  • furniture dents - ice cubes

Place mats and shoe racks

We've all been a witness to someone coming in from outside with dirty shoes and leaving a mess on the carpet. Dirt can cause serious stains on your carpet, which even professionals might not be able to remove. Entry mats are known to be quite affordable, and can be found at most supermarkets as well. And if your family consists of 2-4 members, getting a new shoe rack shouldn't also break the bank.

Tips for cleaning

Why you should use professional carpet cleaners?

Professional carpet cleaners utilize the renowned hot water extraction cleaning method a.k.a. steam cleaning. With it, cleaning experts are able to consistently remove stains from: coffee, tea, ketchup, soup and even paint. Professionals also deal with harmful allergens stuck deeply inside your carpet, such as dust mites, pet dander, mould, etc.

Neglecting to clean your carpet professionally poses a health risk to your family and to the carpet itself. The recommended frequency for steam cleaning services is 2-3 times per year, depending on how crowded it is at home. Meaning, families with more than one child and pet-owners should definitely have their local cleaners on speed dial.

Read also: Clean The Different Types of Carpets

Bonus tips

Do I need to do anything before the cleaner arrives?

  • Moving of furniture

It's advisable to clear out the rooms as much as possible before your carpet cleaner arrives. Ideally, the cleaner should just be able to get onto it once on site.

  • Vacuuming the dirt

Upon inspecting the carpet condition, hoovering would be the very first step of the cleaning procedure. So no, you wouldn't need to vacuum your carpet before the cleaner arrives. You should only do it if you wish to save some time.

  • Pre-treatment

No cleaning company will ask or advise you to treat the carpet prior to their arrival. At most, they may request to spray over the stain with water just to keep it damp. If the stain in question is already dry, you shouldn't bother trying to ease the expert's job.

Carpet Steam Cleaning

Carpet Shampooing vs. Steam Cleaning: What’s the Difference?

Carpet Shampooing: Method and Limitations

Carpet shampooing involves using wet vacuums and specialized carpet shampoos designed to lift stains and dirt from the carpet fibers. Here’s how it works:

  • Method: Carpet shampooers apply a foamy or liquid shampoo to the carpet, which is then agitated by the machine to lift dirt and stains. The equipment's low suction power means the shampoo is not always fully extracted from the carpet.
  • Limitations: The result can be overly damp carpets with sticky residues. These residues can attract more dirt and sometimes cause a lingering damp smell. Additionally, the lack of thorough drying can lead to potential mould or mildew growth.

Steam Cleaning: Advantages and Process

Steam cleaning, commonly used by professional carpet cleaning services, involves high-end machines that use steam to clean carpets. Here’s what sets it apart:

  • Method: Steam cleaning machines operate with multiple power and heat settings, and typically weigh around 60 kilos. They use hot water and steam to deeply clean the carpet fibers. The steam helps dissolve dirt and stains, which are then extracted by the machine.
  • Advantages: Steam cleaning equipment generally has higher suction power, which effectively removes more dirt and moisture from the carpet. The cleaning products used are usually mild, eco-friendly, and highly effective. Professional technicians are skilled in advanced techniques for removing various odours and stains.

Key Differences Between Shampooing and Steam Cleaning

  • Suction Power: Steam cleaners typically have higher suction power compared to shampooers, which helps in more efficient moisture and dirt removal.
  • Residue and Drying: Shampooing often leaves behind sticky residues and a damp carpet, while steam cleaning extracts most of the moisture, leading to a quicker and more thorough drying process.
  • Expertise: Professional steam cleaning technicians possess extensive knowledge of advanced stain and odour removal techniques, which can achieve superior results compared to DIY carpet shampooing.

Explore more tips and guides on our blog for maintaining your carpets and choosing the best cleaning methods for your needs.

Check also: Choose the Ideal Carpet for Your Home