Carpets offer various benefits you simply cannot achieve with other flooring options. They not only add beauty and style to the space but also provide protection, warmth, comfort, and improved air quality. It is important to keep them clean since they take high foot traffic and unintentional spills. They wear out if dust, grime, and stains are left on the carpet fibres. Do not wait until they get severely damaged and stained before you decide to clean them. Do regular vacuuming, spot-cleaning, and deep cleaning to help extend the longevity of your carpets.
How Often Should Carpets Be Cleaned?
Consider vacuuming your carpets at least once a week when there is low foot traffic. Otherwise, you should vacuum at least twice a week, if not more. Cleaning regularly cuts down on allergens and dirt, especially if you have children or pets running around. When it comes to deep cleaning, you must consider cleaning your carpet at least every six months to remove allergens, dirt, and grime. This schedule can vary depending on several household factors. You may need to deep clean your carpets more regularly if you have children or pets. Spot-clean immediately after you notice a spill on the carpet.
What Are The Equipment And Materials Needed For Cleaning?
Here are the equipment and materials you will need for cleaning an indoor/outdoor carpet:
- Vacuum (with upholstery attachment)
- Spray bottle
- Microfibre cloth
- Bucket
- Scrub brush
- Hose or pressure washer
- Steam carpet cleaner
- Enzyme-based stain remover
- Paper towels
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
How To Clean Indoor Carpets
For every type of carpet cleaning, there are specific steps to follow to ensure dirt, grime, and allergen removal.
Treating Spills & Stains. It is important to address spills and stains immediately. Blot out liquids using paper towels or microfibre cloth. For solid stains, such as mud or dropped food, use the edge of a dull knife or a card to pick up the solids. Rubbing a stain causes them to penetrate the fibres more deeply. There are different ways to spot-clean various types of stains.
Vacuuming or Sweeping. An indoor carpet can avoid becoming deeply embedded with dirt and dust by routinely vacuuming or sweeping at least once a week. Excessive accumulation of dirt causes odour and abrasive action, wearing down the fibres faster. Set the vacuum to the lowest setting when you clean. This is because indoor carpets have a very low pile (how short or long the loops of fabric are). Vacuum or sweep slowly in both vertical and horizontal directions after moving furniture and other items away from the carpet.
Deep Cleaning. Vacuum thoroughly to remove loose dirt or soil and spot-treat stains using a carpet cleaner or an enzyme-based stain remover. Stains from oil, tar, and ones caused by pets require specialised cleaning by professional cleaners. To deep clean an indoor carpet, in a spray bottle, combine one part distilled white vinegar with three parts cold water. Spray the vinegar solution into the carpet in a 3-ft-by-3-ft area, working your way around, until it is very damp. Do not drench. Let the solution sit on the carpet for five minutes for the soil to start breaking down. Blot the solution and the soil with a microfibre cloth and rinse the cloth with clean water. Wring it out well and change the water frequently as it becomes dirty. Lastly, let your carpet completely dry out before using it.
How To Clean Outdoor Carpets
Your outdoor space is a place where family, friends, and guests can socialise and enjoy each other’s company. Thus, it is inevitable that your outdoor carpet will get dirty. Follow these steps to learn how to clean your outdoor carpets:
- Shake out the carpet outside. Shaking it out is the fastest way to get rid of any surface dust, leaves, or any other debris.
- Vacuum all dirt with an upholstery attached to the vacuum if needed.
- Mix warm water and half a handful of dish soap in a bucket. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and bleach as they may damage your carpet or rug.
- Using the scrub brush, scrub the carpet until it is clean. If there are tough stains or spots that are not coming off, you may use the enzyme-based stain remover.
- Place it on an inclined surface and rinse with a garden hose or pressure washer (if you have not cleaned it for a while). Ensure that you clean all the soap off. You may set it against a wall so that gravity helps the water drip off.
- Let it air dry for several hours or sit outside in the sun. pat your carpet down with paper towels to prevent mould growth.
- Vacuum the area around before putting back down your carpet. This will save you some extra cleaning.
What Are Simple Ways To Keep My Carpets Clean?
Here are some tips to keep your indoor/outdoor carpets clean.
- Treat stains and spills as soon as you notice them.
- Vacuum or sweep area rugs and carpets more frequently to deal with wicking (stains and dirt reappearing on the carpet surface because they were not totally removed during cleaning).
- Use door mats to reduce the dirt and allergens absorbed by the carpet.
- Immediately hang area rugs to dry if they become wet to avoid mildew formation.
- Use steam carpet cleaner to clean indoor/outdoor carpets and directly follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
Conclusion
Due to its comfort and appearance, many people choose to have carpets installed in their homes. While it is an excellent choice as a flooring material, it needs regular maintenance from a professional carpet cleaner to ensure the family’s safety and comfort and the longevity of your indoor/outdoor carpets.
