Carpet Cleaning Basics

Here’s everything you need to know for Carpet Cleaning 101:

[STEP 1] Before you vacuum — (1) pick up any small, hard objects (such as paper clips, coins, buttons, tiny toy accessories, etc.) that could clog or damage your vacuum; and (2) remove wastebaskets, chairs, and small furniture from the room (or at least place them on top of larger furniture) to minimize furniture moving while you’re vacuuming.

[STEP 2] Vacuum — You should vacuum your carpets at least once a week. Vacuum heavy-traffic areas daily with a lightweight vacuum. Before you start, make sure you don’t need to change your vacuum’s bag or empty its canister.

Move the vacuum over the carpet slowly, working in overlapping parallel strokes. Make several passes over each area to remove as much dirt as possible.

Use your vacuum’s attachments and extensions to reach ceiling dust and any spider webs. Use the crevice tool to clean around hard-to-move furniture and chair legs.

[STEP 3] What to do if there’s just been a spill — Act fast to prevent a stain. Blot the spill quickly with paper towels. Use a spoon to scrape away any residue. Cover the area with a clean white towel, put a sheet of plastic or aluminum foil over the towel, and lay heavy books on top. Check the area the next day.  If it’s still moist, repeat the process with a fresh towel.

[STEP 4] How to deal with stains – You have a few options: 

[OPTION 1] — (1) mix 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup (250 mL) of lukewarm water; (2) gently blot on with a sponge or paper towel and rub; and (3) rinse clean by misting the area with lukewarm water.

[OPTION 2] — (1) spray on carpet cleaner; (2) blot with a sponge or rub with a scrubber; and (3) rinse clean or allow to dry according to instructions on the carpet cleaner’s label. RESOLVE Spot & Stain Carpet Cleaner is effective against most food and grease-based stains.

[OPTION 3] — If all else fails and you need to hide the stain until you can call in a professional, toss an area rug over the stain—just make sure it lies flat so no one trips. 

[STEP 5] How to control carpet odor – (1) vacuum; (2) if it still doesn’t smell as fresh as you’d like, sprinkle baking soda evenly on the carpet and let it sit 15 minutes (or even overnight for really strong odors); and (3) vacuum up the baking soda the next morning.

If baking soda doesn’t do the trick, you can purchase a scented carpet deodorizer.  Your carpet will smell better—and so will your vacuum!  We like to spray hotel-strength Febreze on our carpets after vacuuming.

If there’s a lingering odor without a visible stain, you might want to check under chairs, couches, and beds that may be hiding your pet’s surprise.  To clean an animal’s mess, use Clorox Urine Stain & Odor Remover (it works on feces too). It will quickly eliminate (not mask) odors.

[STEP 6] Consider deep cleaning — When your carpets look darker than they should be, it’s time to hire a professional or deep clean them yourself. Before doing any of the following options, you should shift your furniture slightly and place the legs of each piece on top of small waxed paper squares or coasters (this will protect your carpet and keep your furniture legs from getting wet).

If you have a baby that still crawls living at or visiting your house, postpone deep-cleaning your carpets until the baby walks. The chemicals can be irritating or toxic to young children.

[DIY OPTION 1] — Brighten your carpet without shampooing — If your carpets aren’t wool, mix ½ cup clear ammonia and 1 pint water.  Test the solution in an inconspicuous area of the carpet. If there’s no color change, dip a sponge into the solution, wring it almost dry, and run it lightly over the carpet’s surface.

[DIY OPTION 2] — Rent a steam cleaning machine — Be sure to prepare your rooms in advance so you can do the job and return the equipment in one day to save money. Move the machine in a W pattern, releasing steam on push strokes and removing moisture on pull strokes. For heavily soiled carpets, repeat steps in the opposite direction.

And there you have it, our tips for Carpet Cleaning 101!

Do you have any carpet cleaning tips & tricks to add to our list?