Steam cleaning is a popular way for homeowners who want to refresh their carpets without breaking the bank. It provides the promise of chemical-free cleaning and the satisfaction of doing it yourself. However, what seems like a simple task may be a disaster waiting to happen.
You already invested in your home’s comfort and appeal when you bought carpets. What might damage them are honest mistakes that stem from unknowing. That is why we have compiled seven common mistakes that homeowners like you might commit when trying to steam clean your carpets using a steam mop.
Skipping the Pre-Cleaning Process
Are you diving straight into steam cleaning without preparation? This is so wrong. It needs preliminary work for it to be effective. You would not paint a wall without cleaning and priming it first, would you?
Why Prep Matters
Many people mistakenly believe that steam cleaning alone will take care of the carpet debris. This is not true. If you proceed directly with steam mopping, you are only pushing surface dirt deeper into your carpet fibres. The result, permanent staining and damage.
What to do
Do not just push furniture to one side. Clear the area completely. If a piece of furniture remains on a damp carpet, it might leave rust/wood stains and an uneven clean. Notice why professional cleaners insist on completely cleaning the room before they begin.
Before any moisture touches your carpet, make sure that the surrounding area is free of dust. Dust the skirting boards, ceiling fans and remaining furniture. Do not skip this step if you don’t want residual dust to settle on your freshly cleaned carpet. The worst thing that could happen is dust mixing with the steam and forming a grimy residue. Get your vacuum cleaner and give your carpet multiple passes.
We are not done yet. Test a small, inconspicuous area first to check if there is colour bleeding, shrinkage, or fibre damage. Remember that different carpet materials react differently to heat and moisture, something professional cleaners assess before beginning any treatment.
Using Excessive Water or Steam
The old saying “less is more” could not be more applicable for steam cleaning carpets. The belief that more water and steam will clean the carpet more is wrong. Oversaturation may cause long-lasting damage to your carpets and even to the structure of your home.
The Dangers
Too much water soaking into your carpet does not just wet the fibres that you see. It also penetrates deep into the backing and padding underneath. If excess moisture is trapped beneath the carpet, mould and mildew may grow.
The backing of oversaturated carpets may get separated from the carpet fibres. The damage is irreversible and you might need to replace the carpet completely. Don’t get overzealous when cleaning to avoid this consequence.
When carpets are cleaned properly, the drying time may be around 6 to 8 hours. Now the problem is, when you use excessive water, it can take up to days. Do not wonder if there is an unpleasant smell or there’s mould. If you are not so sure about the amount of water to use, it is best that you outsource this task to carpet cleaning services in Singapore.
Signs of Oversaturation
- You hear squishing sounds when walking on the carpet
- Damp feeling even after a full day
- Musty odours
- Wrinkles/ripples in the carpet
- Discolouration of skirting boards or walls
Rushing Through the Process
Just because we live in a fast-paced world doesn’t mean we should do the same with carpet cleaning. Rushing the process is a recipe for disaster.
Do not underestimate the time required for proper steam cleaning. Moving quickly might seem efficient for you, but think like professional cleaners. They know that slow and steady wins the race. According to experts, a good rate of speed is taking one step every two seconds.
What happens if you’re moving too fast…
Here are some possibilities:
- If the steam barely touches the surfaces, you did not address the deep-seated grime which has been the main goal in the first place. You only wear down your carpet from within because of the trapped dirt.
- If you move too fast, you won’t be able to properly extract all the water. It will leave excess moisture in your carpet. Cleaning service providers have the appropriate equipment with optimal suction, something most residential
- Making quick passes over the carpet could mean that you are missing the areas that really need cleaning. For instance, on surfaces with stains and that are frequently walked on.
Improper Chemical Usage
Steam cleaning using steam mops is not as simple as adding water and detergent. It’s far more complex. Another mistake you could make is either of these two: mixing incompatible chemicals or using incorrect cleaning solutions.
Common Mistakes in Chemical Handling
You should not make the dangerous assumption that any cleaning product will work in a steam cleaner (e.g., adding dish soap, laundry detergent, and all-purpose cleaners). We don’t want to create excessive foam that might damage the machine, leave a sticky residue that attracts more dirt, or cause discolouration/bleaching of fibres.
Even mixing seemingly harmless solutions like vinegar and some detergents can produce dangerous fumes when heated by the carpet steam cleaner. These natural cleaning solutions that we know are not always the best choice. They may react unexpectedly with previous cleaning treatment or may not be as effective as we expect them to be.
Ignoring Carpet Type and Material
This is one of the most overlooked aspects of carpet steam cleaning. Carpets are different and what works for one type could damage another permanently. If you are unsure, seek the service of professionals.
Why Carpet Type Matters
Every carpet fibre type reacts differently to external conditions—heat, moisture, and the cleaning solutions used.
Natural Fibres like Wool, Cotton, and Silk
- Highly sensitive to heat
- Can shrink
- Absorb more water
- discoloured/weakened by harsh chemicals
- Need specialised cleaning solutions
Synthetic Fibres like Nylon, Polyester, Olefin
- More resilient to heat but can melt under extreme temps
- Less absorbent (means faster drying)
- Better resistance to chemical cleaning solutions
- Each type has its own cleaning requirements
Poor Drying Practices
After investing time and effort in steam cleaning your carpet, proper drying might seem like an afterthought. But don’t get there. It can undo all your hard work and may create more problems than you started with.
Common Drying Mistakes
Here we’ve listed some of the mistakes that many people have been, and probably, will still make in the future if not corrected.
- Rushing to put back the furniture; the result can be:
- Permanent indentations
- Permanent stains from rust
- Dyes leached from wooden furniture
- Mould growth because of trapped moisture
- Insufficient ventilation
- Not using fans or AC to circulate air
- Keeping windows closed in appropriate weather
- Not running ceiling fans
- Ignoring humid weather conditions that extend the drying time
Attempting to Remove Tough Stains
The most obvious thing one would do upon seeing stains on their carpets is to tackle them aggressively using a carpet steam cleaner. But don’t be reckless! You might damage your carpets doing this and make it hard for professional cleaners to remove the stain.
Why DIY stain removal won’t work
The heat from steam may set some stains permanently. It is also possible that the solution you will use will bond the stain to the fibres. Or worse, you may aggressively scrub the carpet. This is a no-go!
Problematic Stains
- Red wine and beverages
- Pet accidents
- Oil-based stains
- Dye-based stains
- Unknown substances
- Old, set-in stains
Conclusion
Using carpet steam cleaners is appealing to many, because who doesn’t love saving money, right? But the risks usually outweigh the savings. For now, you might be able to avoid the seven mistakes that we have just discussed. What’s next?
Free your mind from the worries of cleaning your carpets and let professional cleaners do this task for you. The next time that you are tempted to rent a steam cleaner, contact us instead. After all, when it comes to carpet care, we are one of the best in the cleaning industry.
