Residential Carpet Cleaning – Key Things to Know
Do you need a residential carpet cleaning service? Spots or dingy tracks on your carpet can make you feel like the entire house should be cleaned from top to bottom.
If you plan to refresh your floors, here are a few things to consider before you start.
Important Carpet Maintenance Tips
How can you extend the lifespan of your carpet? With regular care, you can help your carpet stay fresh and new. Carpets in your home are an investment, and here’s how to protect it:
- Vacuum your carpet weekly and more often in high-traffic areas in your home.
- Make sure you vacuum thoroughly. It’s not just about running the vacuum once; you should go over each area multiple times to remove as much dirt as possible.
- Solvent retardants can be applied to freshly cleaned carpets to prevent dirt from settling in.
- Remove your shoes before walking on the carpet.
- Schedule a professional residential carpet cleaning at least once a year.
How to Get Spots Out of Carpet at Home
Spills and stains are a part of life. Despite our best efforts to prevent messes, muddy footprints and spilled glasses of wine are bound to happen.
So, if stains do occur, how do you remove them? Regular vacuuming can extend your carpet’s life and keep it looking fresh, but you’ll need a bit more effort and the right tools for stains.
For most carpet stains, you can try this simple method, which is effective on everything from wine spills and pet accidents to dirt tracks:
- Take two empty spray bottles. Fill one with cold water, and in the other, mix a quarter teaspoon of mild dish soap with one cup of warm water.
- Spray the soapy solution onto a clean cloth, not directly on the carpet. You want to clean the stain without soaking the carpet. Dab the damp cloth onto the stain (avoid pressing). Blot away moisture with dry sections of your cloth when the stain starts to fade. Continue dabbing until the stain disappears.
- Spray another cloth with water to remove the detergent solution from the carpet. Blot with a dry cloth to absorb moisture.
- Place a stack of towels over the damp spot and put a heavy pot or pan on top. Leave it overnight to draw out any excess water.
- Fluff the carpet fibers with your fingers in the morning, then let the air dry completely.
How to Remove Coffee Spots from Carpet
When a coffee cup spills, there’s that sinking feeling. Will the stain come out? Here’s how to handle coffee spills effectively.
Like coffee stains on clothes, the faster you act, the better. Quickly blot the coffee with cloths or paper towels.
- Pour a small amount of water over the stained area to dilute it.
- Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with half a teaspoon of dish soap in a bowl. Apply the solution to the stain with a sponge or a light-colored towel. Let it sit for 1-5 minutes.
- Blot up the solution with a clean towel, then use a damp cloth with water to rinse any remaining cleaner. Dry as you would with any other area.
Testing a small, hidden carpet area is wise to ensure the peroxide doesn’t discolor it. If you’ve spilled coffee with cream, you may need an enzymatic cleaner to remove the protein in the cream.
How to Remove Old Spots from Carpet
Have you discovered an old spot under the coffee table or stains left by previous occupants? Don’t worry; you can still remove set-in stains with the right approach. Here are some options:
- Spray a solution of 2 cups of water, one tablespoon of dish soap, and one tablespoon of white vinegar on a clean cloth. Blot the stain, working from the outside toward the center. Then, blot with a dry cloth. Use a spray bottle of water to rinse the cleaner, then blot dry.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the spot and let it sit for a few minutes. Vacuum it up, leave it there, then mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the area (and baking soda). Let it sit for a few hours, scrub the vinegar and baking soda mixture, and vacuum again.
Let the Professionals Take Care of It
Do you have several set-in stains or heavy traffic patterns that need attention? It might be time to let professionals handle your residential carpet cleaning.
If you’re looking to clean the carpets in your home, let the experts take care of it for you. Even if the rest of your home is spotless, dirty, or odorous, carpets can make it feel like there’s more cleaning to do.
That’s why we’ve mastered effective carpet cleaning. Many companies use harsh methods that can strain your carpet fibers. Instead, we use a gentle water extraction technique that’s better for your carpet and more effective. We inject water into the fibers, breaking down dirt and grime so your carpets look their best.
Our skilled, insured, and bonded technicians are ready to give your carpets the care they need. Explore our customer reviews and get a free estimate online today.