How to Clean Your Carpet: 4 Tips and Tricks to Achieve Professional-Level Results
28th April 2022
Carpets and area rugs add warmth to any space. Whether it’s a residence or commercial structure, this type of floor covering makes rooms feel cozier.
A carpeted floor is also safer since it reduces slips and can cushion the fall to minimize injuries. Plus, carpets help reduce noise pollution and clear the air by trapping irritants away from the breathing zone.
To get the most out of the benefits they offer, you need to make sure you know how to care for your carpet flooring in Dubai. On that note, we’ve compiled four cleaning tips and tricks that can help you achieve professional-level results.
1. Steam-clean your carpet occasionally.
Professional carpet cleaners use a method called “Hot Water Extraction,” the most thorough deep-cleaning process for carpets. This uses high-pressured steam to break down deep-seated dirt and germs in the floor covering.
Before the water is extracted using a vacuum, carpet cleaners brush a cleaning agent through the area to break up any existing dirt. Hot water extraction occurs after the cleaning agent has worked through the carpet.
You may need to rent a heavy-duty steam cleaner for this, though a steam mop or a clothes steamer could also be excellent alternatives.
This cleaning method can be applied to any type of carpet, be it Betap Vienna carpets with dense loop piles or a Modulyss Leaf floor covering with a tufted 1/12-inch loop.
Important: Because it uses moisture, steam-cleaning may take much longer to complete than other carpet care methods. On average, you may need one hour to clean an entire house, plus two more to make sure that the carpet is totally dry. This is also why we recommend doing this only once a year.
2. Dry-clean as much as possible.
Since carpets are essentially made of fabric and take time to dry when exposed to moisture, many house caretakers and commercial space managers opt for a more frequent dry clean to maintain wall-to-wall carpets and area rugs. This cleaning technique reduces the risk of smelly molds that could also wear down the carpet.
Technically called “Absorbent Compound” cleaning, the dry-cleaning method entails applying a powder-based cleaning agent to the bottom of the carpet. The product used is usually made from biodegradable materials that act like micro-sponges which absorb dissolved dirt effectively. This loosens the dirt and makes the entire cleaning process much easier.
Professionals use a machine with a motorized counter rotating brush to expose the carpet fibers for this method. This step allows the cleaning compound to settle deep within the carpet for more thorough cleaning results.
While it can be used for any type of carpet, this cleaning method is the best option for rugs and floor coverings with high piles, like our ROLS Luna wool carpets.
3. Go easy on the carpet shampoo.
Professional cleaners also use carpet shampooing to get rid of dirt and pathogens that get stuck in the carpet fibers. However, we do not recommend using them in your DIY carpet cleanup.
You see, experts use special tools and high-pressured equipment to ensure that the shampoo is rinsed off thoroughly from your carpet. Without proper equipment (and the skill and experience in performing the task), you may not be able to remove all the shampoo when you do it yourself.
Remember that soap residue attracts dirt like a magnet, which means using carpet shampoo too often (and on your own) may be counterproductive for maintaining your floor covering.
Practice spot cleaning to keep your carpet clean instead. (More on dealing with stains below.)
4. Deal with stains ASAP.
Carpets that come in light shades, like the VM Carpet Lyyra collection, are more susceptible to staining than dark-dyed ones such as Suminoe LX series carpets.
So, besides installing them in strategic areas (less exposure to dirt), make sure you deal with potentially staining spills on your light-colored carpet as soon as possible.
Blot out liquid spills using paper towels or clean white cloth. This will prevent the color from juices, wine, or any other fluid from seeping deeper into the carpet’s fibers.
For thicker forms of dirt like mud, use the edge of a dull knife or credit card to lift away the solid components of the stain.
After the initial clean-up, follow up with the proper stain removal method below based on the type of substance spilled on the carpet:
Coffee
- Dip a clean sponge, soft-bristle-brush, or white cloth in a dishwashing detergent-and-water solution (two teaspoons to two cups).
- Working your way inwards, brush or wipe the stain, so it doesn’t spread further into the carpet.
- Blot the area with a dry cloth.
- Repeat the process as needed to get more of the stain transferred from the carpet.
- Once you’re confident you have already blotted away everything that can be removed, “rinse” the spot using a clean cloth dipped in plain water.
- Let the stain air dry (no direct heat) before vacuuming the area to lift the carpet fibers.
Red Wine
- Dilute the remaining red wine stain with cool water and continue blotting.
- Apply a 3-to-1 baking soda and water paste mixture onto the carpet stain. Let it dry before vacuuming the dried-up paste.
- If you see any remaining stain, use a carpet stain remover. Follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to use it.
Pet Accidents
- For animal excrement, urine, or vomit, spray a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and cool water on the affected area until saturated.
- Brush off the stain using an old soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure you lift the carpet or rug if it’s placed over a hardwood floor.
- After brushing, blot away or vacuum the liquid and stain before leaving it to dry.
- Once the carpet is dry, sprinkle the area with baking soda. Then, spray or pour a hydrogen peroxide-water solution (1/2-to-2 cup ratio) and work into the carpet’s fibers with a brush.
- Blot or vacuum excess liquids before letting it dry.
Caring for Carpets Like a Pro
Besides adding aesthetic value to a property, carpets offer plenty of benefits for homeowners and commercial space tenants alike. Care for your floor coverings like a pro with the tips we provided here.
Can’t find the perfect carpet for your office or home? Send us a message for recommendations and interior design trends to help you decide.
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