Cleaning carpets and upholstery can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, it doesn't have to be. Using a carpet cleaning machine is the most effective way to get your carpets and upholstery looking like new. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the surface of the carpet, then mix carpet shampoo with warm water and add it to a spray bottle. Spray the cleaning liquid onto the carpet, brush it with a carpet brush, and dry the area.
After scrubbing, use old towels or rags to clean up any loose soil. It's OK to leave some baking soda in the fibers, but use a vacuum to remove any remaining baking soda. Vacuuming slowly with overlapping strokes will pick up dust, dirt, and particles so that the carpet steamer can more easily reach deeper debris. For particularly persistent stains, visit The Carpet and Rug Institute's online resource on “stain solution” to find the stain and a suggested solution. Before starting with a carpet cleaner, pre-treat the carpets with a detergent solution. Then introduce a very hot rinse solution under high pressure into the carpet and vacuum it up.
Plan to thoroughly clean your carpets every six months, whether you steam clean them yourself or hire a professional carpet cleaner. Allowing dust and dirt particles to remain in the fibers of the carpet makes them appear opaque and retain odors. To prevent this from happening, spray vinegar onto a hidden area of the carpet to check its color strength before starting the deep cleaning process. Most carpet manufacturers recommend professional hot water extraction as the primary cleaning method for synthetic carpets. When you hire professionals, your options are carpet cleaning with steam or dry extraction. If you're using a steam mop, use the microfiber head or a rug accessory to cover the baking soda mixture on the carpet.
Professionals have more powerful equipment than you're likely to buy or rent, and they generally have much more experience removing stains from carpets. You can also deep clean carpets and wall-to-wall rugs with some simple products and tools that you probably have in your pantry. Carpet cleaners for the home can save you money in the long run compared to hiring professional carpet cleaners several times a year.
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