How to clean carpets

A clean carpet is essential for both the appearance of your home and your health. Dirty and dull carpets can disrupt the fresh atmosphere of your space, while allergens and dust can lead to respiratory issues. There are various methods to clean carpets, depending on the type of stain or dirt on the carpet.

Prepare the room before vacuuming. Remove toys, papers, or any other objects that might obstruct the vacuum’s path.

• Check for small items, like coins, that could potentially damage the vacuum.
• Don’t forget to look under furniture.
• Start by dusting off light fixtures, furniture, window sills, and baseboards. Any dust that falls will be cleaned up afterward.

Attach a detachable nozzle to vacuum hard-to-reach areas. The edges of the carpet and baseboards tend to gather dust and should be cleaned first.

• If you cannot move the furniture, use a small nozzle designed for cracks to clean underneath couches and other objects.

Vacuum both horizontally and vertically across the room. Start by vacuuming the entire room from front to back, then repeat the process from left to right. Carpet fibers are often twisted, so by vacuuming both ways, you can ensure you reach every part of the fabric.

• This method is especially helpful for homes with pets, as it helps remove fur and dander.

Vacuum regularly. The "frequency" of vacuuming depends on several factors. In general, it's recommended to vacuum at least once a week for a one-person household or a home with a pet weighing about 9 kg. For example, a two-person home with two cats should vacuum three times a week. Remember, one of the main purposes of vacuuming is to remove pet hair and dander. Larger pets typically shed more fur and skin flakes than smaller ones.

• If your carpet collects visible dust or pet hair before the scheduled cleaning day, forget the recommendation above and vacuum more often.

Use a clean white cloth. Towels with patterns or dyed fabrics may transfer color to the carpet, making the problem worse. Colorless paper towels also work well.

• First, use a clean white cloth to blot the fresh stain. Then use another clean white cloth to remove any remaining stain after the initial blotting.
• Avoid using stiff bristle brushes or regular brushes, as they can damage the carpet fibers and cause them to fray.
• This method for handling localized stains is intended for fresh spills on a small area of the carpet, not as a regular carpet maintenance technique.

Select the appropriate carpet cleaning product. There are many carpet cleaning products available, usually in spray or aerosol form for easier spot treatment. While there are many "all-purpose" products to choose from, it is important to read the label carefully to ensure it is suitable for the type of stain and carpet. Remember, stains caused by bodily fluids may require special handling.

• For fresh blood stains, use cold water or hydrogen peroxide to blot the blood. Avoid warm water as heat can cause the blood to set. For dried stains, first blot with hydrogen peroxide, then use an enzyme cleaner.
• For pet urine, use a specialized enzyme cleaner. If unavailable, ammonia solution can be used to blot fresh stains, followed by a cleaner and warm water. Tough stains can be removed with a vinegar-water solution in a 1:3 ratio. As with fresh stains, continue treatment with cleaner and water.

Test the cleaning product on a small, hidden area of the carpet. Follow the instructions on the bottle and test in an inconspicuous spot. Some products may not be suitable for your carpet, so it's best to try first. A spot that's hard to see, like the inside of a closet, is ideal for testing the product.

• Do not test on a stain. The purpose of testing is to check the colorfastness of the carpet. If the dye spreads or the cleaner leaves a stain, consider trying a different product.

Moisten the stained area. Apply a small amount of the cleaning product to a clean white cloth, then gently blot the stain. Use just enough product to treat the stain.

• When cleaning carpets, using excessive cleaner won't necessarily improve the results. Leftover soap can attract dirt and may spread the stain.
• Avoid scrubbing the carpet. Pressing or scrubbing too hard can push the stain deeper into the fibers.

Rinse the carpet. Use a fresh, clean cloth and water to blot away any remaining soap from the treated carpet area. Do not soak the carpet in water, as this can cause moisture to seep into the padding below, leading to mold issues.

• Allow the carpet to dry completely. If the stain is large or you’ve used a lot of water, consider using a fan or a specialized carpet dryer to speed up the drying process.

Prepare the room for cleaning. If possible, clear all the furniture from the room. For large or heavy pieces that can't be moved, place plastic sheets under the furniture legs to protect them from water damage.

• If you don't have specialized plastic sheets, you can cut squares of aluminum foil or wax paper and place them under the furniture legs.
• Carpet cleaning, often referred to as "steam cleaning," is technically inaccurate because the machine uses hot water and cleaning products, not steam.

Prepare the carpet. Vacuum the carpet starting from the front and moving backward, then go from left to right. Ensure to clean the corners and any cracks.

• Address large stains directly on the carpet. Carpet cleaners can remove grime but may push the stains deeper into the fibers.

Rent or buy a carpet cleaning machine. Many home appliance stores offer carpet cleaning machine rentals and also sell suitable cleaning products.

• If you're renting a machine, make sure to clear the room first to avoid extra rental charges for long usage times.
• The ideal carpet cleaning machine should have an integrated drying system to keep the water warm. Always check the product description or consult a salesperson before renting or purchasing a carpet cleaning machine.

Plan your walking path carefully. After cleaning, avoid stepping on the carpet until it has completely dried. Be cautious not to trap yourself in a corner after finishing the cleaning. Start from the furthest point from the door and work your way toward the exit.

Prepare the solution according to the instructions on the bottle. Some cleaning products come with a carpet detergent or suggest combining it with another cleaning product available in the same store. In general, pour water and a small amount of detergent into the machine's water compartment.

• Don't use too much detergent, as it may damage both the machine and the carpet. Some experts recommend using slightly less detergent than what is suggested by the carpet cleaning machine's instructions.

Take off your shoes. The damp carpet will absorb more dirt, and cleaning won't be effective if you wear dirty shoes while tidying up. Instead, wear socks or wrap plastic bags around your feet or shoes. Specialized boots are also available as an alternative to regular shoes during the cleaning process.

• Some cleaning products may cause harm immediately after spraying. Therefore, it is not recommended to go barefoot.

Ensure the carpet cleaning machine extracts as much water as possible. In general, carpet machines are designed to spray water when pushed forward and to suck up water when pulled back. Pull the machine back slowly to allow it to extract as much water as possible.

• If the carpet is too damp or if water seeps into the padding, mold may form.

Let the carpet dry completely by ventilating the room. Open the windows and doors for proper airflow. Ensure the carpet is fully dry within 24 hours to prevent mold.

• If you cannot open the windows, set the air conditioner between 22-25°C and open the main door.
• You can use a carpet dryer, fan, dehumidifier, and carpet blower to speed up the drying process.
• The drying process can take 6-12 hours, during which time you should avoid walking on the carpet or moving furniture back into place.
• Plastic protectors on furniture legs can be removed once the carpet is completely dry.

Consider cleaning the carpet twice. Soap residue left on the carpet after steam cleaning will attract more dirt. To eliminate the soap completely, mix white vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio and run the cleaning process again. Vinegar will help remove the remaining soap residue.

• It is recommended to clean high-traffic areas twice a year, while carpets in low-traffic areas may only need cleaning once every 18 months. If light-colored carpets appear dirty, it is advisable to clean them sooner.

Keep items that are prone to staining away from the carpet. Soft fabrics, such as carpets, are typically harder to clean than hard surfaces like tile. This is one reason why many people avoid using rolled carpets in kitchens and dining rooms. It's best to eat and drink in areas without carpeting.

Take off your shoes before stepping onto the carpet. In many countries, like Canada and Japan, it's customary to remove shoes when entering the house. This practice is usually to prevent dirt from accumulating indoors. Consider removing your shoes and leaving them in a designated spot in the hallway. This will help eliminate the primary source of dirt and dust on the carpet.

Train your pets properly. Make sure your cats, dogs, or other small pets don't relieve themselves on the carpet. If your pet uses a litter box, place it in an easy-to-clean area, like a tiled floor or plywood. If the litter box must be placed on a carpeted area, use a small rubber mat under it. This type of mat will help contain any waste and prevent stains from forming on the carpet.

Remove stains as soon as possible. The quicker you remove the stain-causing substance, the easier it will be to clean. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove.

• If a colored liquid is spilled, blot the area with a clean white cloth to absorb the liquid. Make sure to press up and down instead of scrubbing, as scrubbing may spread the stain further.
• Vacuum small particles like dirt.
• Use a dull knife to scrape off solid substances like chewing gum or animal fat.

• Choose a time when no one will enter the room for 6-12 hours to perform steam carpet cleaning.
• If the carpet smells like pets, high temperatures during the cleaning process can cause the odor to sink deeper rather than eliminate it. Steam is not an ideal solution for cleaning pet urine stains. Instead, treat the stain with a specialized product that contains enzymes to help clean stains caused by pet waste.
• When treating stains or cleaning the carpet, avoid soaking the carpet in water. Water can seep into the carpet padding, leading to mold growth.