Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Washing Tips

Carpeting absorbs a lot of household dirt and grime. Carpet Cleaners Joondalup removes accumulated soil, reduces odors, and extends the life of your carpeting.

Avoid scrubbing stains; rubbing drives the dirt deeper into the carpet fibers—instead, blot stains.

carpet cleaning

Dry or low-moisture cleaning methods use specialized machines and cleaning compounds to remove stains from your carpets without excessive water.

If you suffer from itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion, your allergies may be to blame. Even if your carpets are clean, there could be allergens lurking in and around the fibers. Dust mites, pet hair and dander, human hair and shed skin cells, pollen, dirt, and mildew can all trigger reactions in sensitive people. When these substances get trapped in your carpets, they can become airborne with every footfall or body movement, making it easy for you to breathe them in.

Allergies are much easier to deal with when you keep your carpets clean regularly. You can do this by hiring a professional carpet cleaner or doing it yourself with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. This will trap as many allergens as possible before releasing them into the air. You can also use a hypoallergenic cleaning solution without dyes, perfumes, and other ingredients that may trigger allergic reactions.

The type of carpet you have also has an impact on your allergies. Wool, for example, tends to hold on to allergy-causing debris more than nylon does. If your carpets are damp, they can become home to mold and mildew, major allergy triggers.

Dirty carpets can hide a lot of potential allergens, which makes it hard to know when they need a cleaning or other maintenance. This is especially true if you have dark-colored carpets, which tend to hide dirt and grime more than light-colored ones do.

If you have dark-colored carpets, vacuum them often and consider having them professionally cleaned at least twice yearly. In addition, make sure you keep your bathroom tidy to avoid a buildup of moisture that can promote the growth of mildew and other allergens. If you have light-colored carpets, try to vacuum them every week and use a HEPA filter when you do so. You can also try applying a deodorizer that contains tannic acid, which is known to break down dust mite droppings and neutralize the protein that triggers allergies in humans.

Dirt on carpeting isn’t just dust, hair, and food particles. It can also be skin cells and ground-in dirt that can scratch and wear down your carpet’s fibers and backing. Regular carpet washing keeps these soils from becoming embedded and prevents them from attracting other dirt and stains.

It’s important to vacuum frequently, especially in areas of heavy foot traffic. But even with frequent vacuuming, some soil can become deeply embedded. To remove this:

  1. Start by pretreating the spot with water and vinegar.
  2. Dip a cloth or rag in this solution and gently blot the stain.
  3. Blot it dry with another clean white cloth.
  4. Continue until you can see that the stain has been completely removed.

Some stains are too stubborn to be cleaned with this process and require more extensive treatment. If this happens, consult a stain removal chart for the appropriate cleaning chemicals. But before using any chemical, test it for colorfastness on an out-of-the-way area of your carpet.

This is particularly crucial for protein stains, such as blood or coffee. If these stains are left too long, they will set and be almost impossible to remove.

Once you have a spot that needs further treatment, apply your cleaner to a clean white cloth and work it into the stained area. Gently blot the area until you can’t see any more stains transfer from the carpet to the cloth.

You may need to repeat this process before the stain is fully removed. You can also try a solution made of one-quarter teaspoon of non-bleach detergent mixed with two cups of cold water. This works well for many water-soluble stains, including juice, wine, and food dyes.

Stains are a natural part of life, and while you can’t stop people from spilling coffee or staining their feet with muddy shoes, you can try to prevent the mess from reaching your carpets. Try implementing a no-shoes-in-the-house policy and stow extra slippers and flip-flops near the door. Placing doormats outside each entrance will help keep mud and dirt off your carpets.

If you spot a stain on your carpet, you should act quickly. Stains are much harder to remove the longer they sit on carpet fibers. The right cleaning solution can make all the difference in how well the stain comes out. Always test any cleaning solution on an inconspicuous part of your carpet before using it on a large area. Blot, don’t rub: A cloth or paper towel should lift as much of the stain as possible. Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deep into the carpet’s fibers.

The best solution for water-soluble stains is to use a mild detergent mixed with white vinegar. This is safe for wool blends and will not harm the color of the carpet. For more stubborn stains, try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water on solution-dyed carpets (like polypropylene). Always check the carpet fiber label before using any cleaner that contains chemicals.

For non-water soluble stains, you can try some common household products that are safe for most types of carpets. Hydrogen peroxide works wonders for old stains, but it’s important to perform a spot test on your carpet before using it. You can also try a mixture of 2 cups of water and a tablespoon of dish soap for tougher food or juice stains.

You can also try traditional and ecological cleaners like tea leaves or crushed coffee grounds for ground-in stains, turpentine for oil, or diatomaceous earth and sand for insect infestations. You can even iron out candle wax stains by placing a towel over the stain and steaming it with your clothes iron until the melted wax absorbs into the towel.

You can also find eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaners at most home improvement stores. These cleaning products are safer and great for protecting your family’s health. If you have a permanent stain that can’t be removed, you may need to patch the carpet or cut out the affected area and replace it. This is especially true if the stain is from red wine, ink, or coffee.

A large leak or flood can be a serious problem for carpets. In addition to destroying the carpet itself, it can ruin floorboards and wood trim and create a dangerous environment for mold. Mold is not only hazardous to building occupants, but it can also affect the structural integrity of the house.

Water-damaged carpet can be saved if it is treated immediately. The first step is to find and fix the source of the water. If the leak isn’t fixed, it could return, causing further problems after cleaning the carpet. Once the source is taken care of, it’s time to dry.

The goal is to have the carpet completely dry in six to eight hours. This can be accomplished by opening windows and using fans and dehumidifiers. Wait to replace furniture or walk on the carpet until completely dry.

If you clean your carpets, ensure the carpet is fully dry before vacuuming. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum, or hire a professional to do the job for you. Standard vacuums do not work well in wet conditions and can spread the water and contaminants around rather than extracting them.

Once a stain has had some time to react chemically with the fibers of your carpet, it can be much harder to remove. As soon as a stain occurs, blot it up with a dry kitchen roll or a white towel to minimize its impact. If the stain is still present, use a blotting action to absorb the liquid from the carpet.

After a good shampooing, the last thing you want to do is add more dirt and debris by over-vacuuming or using a carpet brush. Be sure to vacuum every week, at least once for each person living in the home.

The main issue with water damage to carpeting is that mold can quickly grow if it doesn’t get treated within 24 to 48 hours. Water can also rot wooden support beams, damage drywall, and warp and stain other flooring materials. If a plumbing leak is not repaired immediately, it can cause severe and costly damage to the entire building structur