Carpets can get dirty over time especially when it’s been stained repeatedly. Of course, you’ll obviously do some cleaning to get it sorted out and when you’re confronted with heavy stains, you might try to use everything at your disposal to get rid of it.
When cleaning your carpet, you must be careful of what you use and how you do it because there are things that could make the situation even worse. So, before you apply your cleaning products or use those fancy methods you’ve seen online, you need to be aware of these things.
Vigorously scrubbing a carpet stain
Vigorously scrubbing your carpet will damage carpet fibers. Not only is vigorous scrubbing an ineffective way to get stains out of carpet, but doing so will most likely push the stain deeper into the carpet. Scrubbing also damages the carpet fibers by untwisting them and causing them to fray. It is much safer to use a blotting action. Source: Clean Link
Avoid using these products:
- Bleach
Bleach is a powerful chemical with many uses and it is very effective for getting stains out of clothing. It should never be used to treat carpet stains however because the chemicals will strip the color from the carpet fibers and ruin the appearance of the carpet. - Abrasive Cleaners
Abrasive cleaners are useful for cleaning stains from hard surfaces but are usually too harsh for softer surfaces such as carpet fibers. These cleaners could cause the carpet fibers to fray or tear which greatly diminishes the look and the longevity of your carpet.
- Laundry Detergent
Some homeowners may be tempted to use laundry detergent to remove a stain from the carpet but it is not as effective on carpet as it is on clothing. The main problem with using laundry detergent on carpet is that it suds up which may create a bigger mess that is difficult to clean. Source: Restoration Master
Buffers in Cleaners Can Change PH Levels
While PH levels are important, choosing a cleaning solution solely on the basis of PH alone is not good enough. There are many active chemicals that companies put into soaps, and these “buffers” can change the PH level in your solution. Getting a cleaner with fewer buffers is very important for carpet cleaning in order to get the desired outcome.
- Over-Shampooing: Putting too much shampoo into your carpet makes it hard to properly rinse it all out and vacuum. The chemicals left behind can damage your carpet, and leave residue behind that turns your carpet into a dirt magnet.
- Using Too Much Water: Soaking your carpet in water isn’t the solution to getting a clean surface either. Not only do you run the possibility of growing mold & mildew, but your carpet could shrink which will cause it to tear at the ends. In any case, if you are DIY’ing your carpet, it’s important to dry your carpet as fast as possible. Turning the fan on, vacuuming out excess water, and making sure the air isn’t humid is a good start.
- Too Much Deodorizer: We all want our carpet to smell its best when we have guests, but it isn’t a substitute for cleaning. In fact, the powder can get stuck in your carpet fibers making your carpet look dull and messy. If your vacuum can’t remove it, it could build up over time making the situation worse. Source: Theochem
Hopefully, you haven’t applied any bad practices to your carpet yet and that you have read these warnings prior to doing so. If ever some of the stains you have are too difficult to get rid of, just remember that there are professionals like us who can do the job for you. Just give us a call!
