To ensure your carpet stays in the best condition, you need to deep clean it periodically along with vacuuming and regular maintenance. Deep cleaning removes the deep-seated dirt, stains, and allergens and maintains the spotless look of your carpet.
Here, we have discussed two excellent ways to deep clean your carpet at home, both with and without a machine. It will help you keep your carpet looking great for longer and protect it from wear and tear.
Steps To Deep Clean Carpets At Home With Machine
If you have a carpet cleaning machine at home or can rent one, do the following.
1. Prepare The Room & Gather Materials
Move the heavy furniture from the room to clear the space for cleaning. Also, check that no large objects are lying around before cleaning. Then, get the following items ready.
- A vacuum
- Microfiber Cloth
- Spray Bottle
- Steam cleaning machine
- Cleaning Solution (Store-bought/ homemade)
2. Vacuum To Remove Dirt and Dust
Start by vacuuming your carpet from end to end to remove the loose dirt and dust. Vacuum slowly and make multiple passes over high-traffic areas. Use vacuum attachments to reach the places you can’t with a vacuum head.
3. Pretreat The Stained Areas
After you finish vacuuming, identify the heavily soiled areas of your carpet and spray the cleaning solution on them. If you don’t want to use a store-bought cleaner, make your cleaning solution by mixing a tablespoon of laundry detergent with 2 cups of cold water. Pre-treating the stained areas will break down stains and make them easier to remove with the machine.
4. Prepare The Steam Cleaner
Next, get your machine ready to start steam cleaning the carpet. If you don’t have one, rent a carpet cleaner from your nearest Home Depot. Fill the machine’s tank with water and the cleaning solution as per the instructions on the machine. Test the equipment on a hidden area of the carpet.
5. Start Cleaning
After setting up the device, start cleaning from the opposite end of the room ( away from the door). Move the steam cleaner slowly around the room and clean in overlapping patterns. If the carpet is still visibly dirty, go over it a second time with the machine.
6. Let The Carpet Dry
It can take a few hours to an entire night for your carpet to dry depending on its size, humidity level, and temperature. Open all the windows in the room and turn on the fan to maximize the air circulation during this time. Prevent your toddlers and pets from walking over the carpets by putting up barriers.
Steps To Deep Clean Carpets At Home Without A Machine
You can still deep clean your carpet if you don’t have a steam-cleaning machine. Here is what to do.
1. Brush & Vacuum The Carpet
Brush your carpet before vacuuming. It will help you remove maximum dirt, dust, and grime by loosening them. Then, vacuum the carpet by following the same instructions mentioned in the previous part.
2. Make a Vinegar and Water Solution
Next, make a carpet cleaning solution by mixing 1 part white vinegar and three parts cold water in a spray bottle. Make it in a larger quantity if you plan on cleaning the entire carpet.
3. Treat Visible Stains
After preparing the cleaning solution, start by spraying it on visibly stained areas of your carpet. It will take more time to break down the different types of carpet stains from these areas. So, spraying the solution beforehand makes the removal much easier.
4. Spray The Solution Over The Carpet
Then, work in small areas at a time and spray the cleaning solution over the entire carpet. Only dampen the areas and avoid saturating them to prevent any future problems. Let the solution sit for at least 4-5 minutes before you proceed.
5. Blot The Solution
When the time is up, blot the solution away with a microfiber cloth. Keep a bucket of cold water by your side to rinse the cloth. Change the water when it gets muddy as you work on the carpet.
6. Allow The Carpet To Dry
Finally, let your carpet dry undisturbed for a few hours. Increase the airflow in the room by opening the windows and turning on the fans. You can also invest in a portable fan to further decrease drying time. Don’t let anyone walk on the carpet while it’s wet to prevent damage and mold growth.
