Even though we don’t like to admit it, there are times when a simple vacuum is not enough to keep our carpets clean and fluffy. It is costly to hire a professional carpet cleaner, especially when you can do the same job yourself. Carpets will look great after you learn how to steam clean them correctly and use the best carpet cleaning products.
Steam cleaning carpets is not only for aesthetic reasons, but it also removes unwanted bacteria and dust mites from your home. These allergens can cause allergies such as itchy eyes, headaches, and itchy throats.
Regular steam cleaning is essential for keeping your home safe and allergy-free. These tips and recipes will help you steam clean your carpet.
Amazing Tips for Steam Cleaning Carpets
Deep cleaning is recommended by many carpet manufacturers, regardless of whether you are doing it yourself or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service.
High traffic areas should steam clean their carpets at least twice per year to keep dirt and grime out of the fibers. To keep your carpets clean and to prevent any carpet beetle infestations, vacuum at least once per week.
First vacuum the carpet
Vacuuming is the first thing you should do before you start the steam cleaning process. This is a crucial step to deal with carpet beetle problems. It removes as much dirt and dust from the floor as possible.
Ideal situation: Run the vacuum cleaner in a circular motion, at least twice. The first time, run the vacuum in one direction and then the other. This will loosen the carpet fibers.
You can ensure that dirt and grime don’t get back into your carpeting when steam cleaning. This allows the steam cleaner to penetrate deeper into the carpet fibers, allowing for easier access.
How to Steam Clean Carpet
The downside to steam cleaning is the high cost of the products. Instead of spending a lot on carpet cleaning products that are expensive, you can use laundry detergent. To get the best value for your money, you don’t have to use as much detergent.
Basic Carpet Cleaning Recipe
- 1 tsp laundry soap
- 1 quart water
These dimensions can vary depending on the size of your carpet steamer. You don’t want more detergent in the laundry detergent mix. A buildup of detergent residue or residue on carpets can eventually lead to mold.
Do not make the mixture too foamy. If the carpet is too foamy, it may need to be rinsed after cleaning. This can, as you might imagine when steam cleaning, make cleaning more difficult than necessary.
Vinegar Steam Cleaning Carpets
Use white vinegar to treat carpet stains. It is possible to spot treat carpets with the cleaner, but it is also possible to add the cleaner directly to the steamer.
Vinegar is an antimicrobial agent that can be safely used on carpets made from natural fibers.
Vinegar Stain Remover for Machines
- 2 tbsp dishwashing detergent
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 4 cups water
Combine all ingredients in the water tank to use this cleaning method. If the cleaner has a separate compartment to hold the soap, you can add the vinegar or dish soap there. Turn the steam cleaner on to the right temperature.
The recommended temperature is usually 212. This is because heat kills common allergens such as bed bugs and dust mites. Once your machine has reached the right temperature, you can treat your entire carpet.
Steam and vinegar are also effective in removing cat urine from carpets. Vinegar counteracts the urine’s ammonia to remove the stain as well as the unpleasant smell.
How to Steam Clean Your Carpets at Home
A key aspect of steam cleaning that is often overlooked is that you don’t always have to use a carpet-cleaner. Steam cleaning with no added chemicals is a great alternative to chemical-laden mops and does an excellent job on your carpets.
This method is ideal for getting rid of carpet beetles, and other small bugs. It is sometimes confused with hot water extraction which uses water and a cleaning solution to soak dirt into the floor.
Steam cleaning, however, uses only the steam to kill allergens and disinfect carpets. This method is green but it does not remove dirt and grime as well as a cleaning solution.
DIY Steam Clean Carpet Recipe
A mixture of Borax and vinegar is the best way to clean carpets at your home. This method is more effective if applied directly to the carpet surface, and not by putting it in the steamer. If the mixture is used in the machine, it will form a thick paste which can clog the tubes and filter.
Pre-Steaming Stain-Fighting Recipe
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/4 cup Borax
- 1/4 cup table salt
- 15 drops of lavender oil
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until you get a paste-like consistency.
Apply a thin layer of paste to the stained area. Next, scrub gently and make sure you get into the carpet fibers. Let the paste sit on the ground for a few minutes after you have finished scrubbing.
If necessary, you can substitute the Borax for baking soda. Both will leave your carpet fresh-smelling and deodorized. This works well on small areas and for large areas.
Use Peroxide Combo to Remove Tough Stains
A homemade carpet cleaner that uses hydrogen peroxide and fabric mildener can also be used to remove stains. This method works best for areas that receive more dirt and debris than others.
Hydrogen peroxide can bleach some fabrics so it’s best to only use it on carpets with lighter colors. Before you use hydrogen peroxide, make sure to test it in a small area.
Easy Recipes for Stains
- 1 1/2 quarts of hot water
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 1/2 tbsp distilled vinegar
- 1 1/2 tbsp liquid dish soap
- 5 drops essential oil
- 1 tbsp fabric conditioner
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl to make heavy traffic carpet cleaner. To prevent the soap from foaming up, add the soap at the end. For a deeper clean, use distilled water instead of tap water.
When the mixture is ready, add it to your water tank. Allow your carpet to dry overnight before you walk on it again.
Pet Messes Enzyme Cleaner
Sometimes, even though you try your best to be a good pet parent, our furry friends can get into trouble. These stains and odors can be hard to remove with regular cleaners, so you will need to use an enzyme cleaner.
Enzyme cleaners are used to remove all proteins from the floor, whether they be urine or vomit. The effects are even greater when combined with carpet cleaning machines.
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Enzymatic Cleaning Solution For Machines
- 7 tbsp brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 cups orange and lemon peels
- 4 1/4 cups water
This homemade carpet shampoo can be used for hand or machine cleaning. It is also great as a spot treatment. However, it needs to ferment before being used. Between making the solution, and actually using it, allow enough time.
Make sure to use a container that is large enough for the citrus peels when making the carpet steam cleaning solution. Mix the ingredients together, seal the cap and shake the container. After shaking the container, loosen the cap slightly. This allows the gaseous materials to escape from the container.
The pressure buildup can cause the entire contents of the bottle to explode. It should be kept somewhere it can’t be disturbed and allowed to settle for three months before you use it.
Commercial Carpet Shampoo
The store-bought cleaners that you can use to clean your carpets are effective and convenient. The chemicals that are used in the cleaner and on your carpet are not as easily controlled.
You have the convenience of having a cleaner available to you, without any additional preparation. One thing we overlook when steam cleaning carpets, especially with commercial cleaners, is the dampness. Most carpets dry in six to ten hours after steam cleaning.
This is a long time to leave chemicals on carpet. Avoid walking on these areas until your carpet is dry completely. This will ensure that you don’t absorb any chemicals from the cleaner onto the skin.
You should now be able to find your favorite method of steam cleaning carpets. You can use any recipe for steam cleaning carpets. Just keep switching them around until you find the one that you love the best.
These helpful tips will help you use your steamer without the need for a professional.
These carpet cleaning tips were a delight to read. Don’t forget to share your favourite method for carpet steam cleaning in sydney with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest.
