Keeping home carpets clean is important to maintaining a healthy environment. Dirt and allergen particles from carpets can enter the air causing poor air quality, that can aggravate allergies asthma and other breathing problems. Home carpet cleaning removes dirt, debris and allergens from carpet fibers. Generally, vacuum carpets on a regular basis, such as once or twice a week, but heavy traffic areas may need vacuuming more often.
If carpets become heavily soiled, steam cleaning may be necessary.
Vacuum Carpet
Before vacuuming carpets, make sure to remove all clutter from carpets. This is especially important in children’s bedrooms where small toys or toy parts may litter carpet. Some small items, such as paper clips, rubber bands and marbles can damage vacuum cleaners.
Removing dirt or loose soil that remains on carpet surfaces prevent it from penetrating deep into the carpet or embedded by foot traffic.
When vacuuming, use a slow, deliberate forward motion pushing the vacuum cleaner a few feet at a time, then reverse the direction. The vacuum cleaner will operate more efficiently to remove dirt and allergens.
While vacuuming, if a stain is found, it is important to attempt stain removal as quickly as possible. Usually, the longer a carpet stain remains, the more difficult it is to remove. If liquid from the stain soaks into the carpet padding, mold can grow which can contribute to poor air quality.
Have a particularly troubling stain? Check out this post, to learn how to remove carpet stains!
Steam Cleaning Carpet
Steam cleaning carpet is a way to deep clean heavily soiled carpet. Steam cleaning involves high temperature and pressure to clean carpet. Purchasing or renting a steam cleaner, sometimes called wet-clean machine, from a grocery or hardware store, will be necessary for the do-it-yourselfer. Professional carpet cleaning companies are available for people who want carpets deep cleaned, but do not have the time for a carpet cleaning project.
Remove all furniture before beginning the steam cleaning process, so the entire carpet is available for cleaning.
Vacuuming the carpet before steam cleaning is important to remove any loose dirt and debris.
Pre-treat any stains on the carpet before beginning the steaming process. Read the directions for operation of the carpet steamer and clean the carpet.
Allow at least 24 hours for the carpet to dry before walking on it. If possible, open windows to allow air to circulate and help with the drying process or turn on a fan to circulate air for faster drying.
Vacuuming and steam cleaning remove dirt, debris and allergens from the carpet fibers. Since steam cleaning carpet is more time consuming than vacuuming carpet, many people choose to employ professional carpet cleaning companies for steam cleaning. Keeping home carpets clean by vacuuming regularly and steam cleaning when necessary will contribute to maintaining a healthy environment.
