Don't Forget to Shampoo the Carpet!
Successful Spring Cleaning Includes Shampooing the Carpet
Mar 14, 2009
With the arrival of spring, it's time for serious spring cleaning. Once the shelves are dusted, the bathroom is scrubbed from sink to floor, and the kitchen sparkles, turn the attention to the carpet. Despite regular vacuuming, traffic and daily wear causes carpet to look dingy. Now is the time to let off a little steam and bring your carpets back to life.
Shampooing the carpet also improves your family's health. Consider the dirt and grime that cross your carpet every day. Tiny bits of dirt and creepy bacteria end up buried in the rug's knap. Whenever a person walks across the carpet or runs the vacuum, particles filter into the air. A regular shampooing of the carpet not only keeps the rug clean-looking, it also reduces the risk of health problems caused by dirt and bacteria.
Preparing the Shampoo AreaIf you rent a steam shampoo machine, it generally comes with cleaning products, usually at an additional cost. If a person owns a steam cleaner, make sure cleaning products comply with the machine's specifications. If it is the first time the rug has been cleaned, test an area in an out-of-the-way corner. Dip a clean white cloth into the shampoo and scrub it into the carpet. After a few moments, dip a different corner of the cloth into water. Rub this into the same place. Continue until the cleaning product is removed from the carpet. Now, rub the spot with a dry cloth until it is damp. Check for any discoloration.
Vacuum the carpet thoroughly prior to shampooing. A clean carpet means the shampooer can focus on stain removal.
Easy Steps to a Clean Carpet
Following a few recommended steps will ease the process and keep your carpet looking new. First, spray the high traffic area with pre-spray. Target dirtier or stained areas. Increasing the amount of water applied to a stain only soaks the carpet, making it more difficult to dry.
According to the Lexvac Company, use only the prescribed amount of shampoo and water. Be sure to apply even pressure and move the machine evenly across the floor. This allows for a thorough cleaning. Once the carpet is shampooed, go over it again with the machine on dry. This soaks up excess water. If the carpet isn't dried, mold can spread in the padding and carpet, and the sub-floor may be damaged. After the last pass, carpet should feel dry to the touch.
If possible, open windows or turn on a ceiling fan. Carpets generally dry in eight to ten hours.
Taking care of your carpet on a daily basis always helps, but a thorough spring cleaning gives new life to your carpets.
