Despite the efforts of cleaning our carpets, they are still prone to dirt, spills, and stains. We do whatever it takes to keep it clean by using home remedies and even seeking professional help.
If you prefer to DIY your carpet cleaning, how sure are you that the methods or solutions that you’re using aren’t causing them any harm? Not being aware of this will do more harm than good and you don’t want that to happen, especially if it hasn’t been too long since you have it installed.
To make sure you’re doing carpet cleaning the right way, you need to be aware of these dos and don’ts.
DO pre-spray
Always use a pre-spray first before applying other products. Pre-sprays work by releasing some of the dirt in the carpet so that the chemicals applied afterwards are much more effective. Use the correct pre-spray for the strength you require, as well as the type of carpet material. Our Pre Sprays increase in strength, with 1 being the most gentle and therefore safe for all carpets & upholstery, and 3 being the strongest solution. We advise non-professionals to use Pre Spray 1, the safest solution but still effective. Let the solution soak in and brush the area to release the dirt. Clean with your chosen shampoo in your machine straight away.
DO hoover your carpet
Always hoover the carpet first to get rid of any dirt, sand and grit. Not hoovering beforehand can result in a much dirtier carpet if you try to clean it with carpet cleaning chemicals. It will be much easier and more effective if hoovered before cleaning. Source: Dirtbusters
DO use shaving creams to remove stains
Stains and spills are common in every household. You may use several remedies like mixing water and detergents to clean your carpet, but we advise you not to do so. This remedy is going to damage your carpet even more and lighten the stain instead of permanently removing it. Now this may sound a bit strange to you, but it is observed that shaving creams are one of the best carpet cleaners for ordinary stains on your carpet.
Shaving creams can remove any type of stain in just a few hours. Whenever you need to clean a stain on your carpet, apply shaving cream on the stain and leave it for about 30 minutes. Once the cream is laid down, you can clean it away with a dry and clean cloth. After that, you can spray that area with vinegar and finish off by wiping it away with a clean cloth. Let it cool and dry, brush the carpet’s strands and you will see that the affected area is exactly the same as others.
DON’T rub stains
All women start panicking when they find a stain on their new or old carpet. In the flurry to clean, they start rubbing them. You may not know this, but it spreads the stain instead of making it go away. One must never rub carpet stains, but dab them. Dab stains with cleaning solutions and a clean cloth. The main thing is blotting; it puts some pressure on the stain and soaks the moisture inside. Source: NYC Steam Cleaning
DON’T let stains sit
There’s nothing worse than staring at an embarrassing carpet stain for years then realizing you could have removed it if you acted quickly. You can spot clean your carpet with DIY treatments like club soda. Pour a small amount of club soda on the stain and blot it dry with a fresh towel.
DON’T wear shoes
Shoes track in dirt and worse from outside, and end up leaving your carpets messy and unsanitary. Leave your shoes at the door. If you like the feeling of wearing shoes inside, then invest in a clean indoor pair or wear clean slippers. Source: JaDoc Inglis Carpet & Rug Care
Cleaning your carpet shouldn’t be a risky job if you know the dos and don’ts. If you have any more questions or perhaps you need a professional’s assistance, we’re always here for you. Just give us a call!
