Summers and holiday homes are the epitome of joy, relaxation, and family time. But with the influx of guests comes the challenge of keeping your home, especially your carpets, clean. Fear not, as we are here to share carpet cleaning hacks that will help you maintain a clean and vibrant home throughout the season.
Embrace the Magic of a Proper Vacuum Schedule
One of the best carpet cleaning hacks is to implement a proper vacuum schedule. Don’t underestimate the power of this seemingly simple tool.
- Frequency is key: For high-traffic areas, vacuum daily if possible, or at least three times a week. For less-trafficked areas, once or twice a week should do.
- The right technique: Move the vacuum both back and forth and side to side. This ensures you’re attacking the dirt from all angles.
- Take your time: Slow and steady wins the race. A slow vacuum pace allows the suction to remove more dirt and allergens.
DIY Spot Cleaning: Treat Stains the Right Way
Stains are inevitable, especially in summer homes buzzing with activity. Here’s how to tackle them effectively.
- Act fast: The faster you treat a stain, the better the chances of removing it completely.
- Blot, don’t rub: Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain, soaking it up, while rubbing can cause the stain to spread.
- Homemade solutions: Mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water. This solution works wonders for coffee, wine, and food stains.
The Power of Baking Soda
Baking soda is a powerful, natural carpet cleaner and is an excellent deodorizer. Here are some carpet cleaning hacks with baking soda.
- Freshen up: Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet, leave it overnight to absorb odors, then vacuum it up the next morning for a fresher carpet.
- Tough stain removal: Mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar to make a paste. Apply to the stain, let it dry, then vacuum.
Deep Cleaning for Longer Life
To maintain a clean, fresh look and extend the life of your carpet, deep cleaning is necessary.
- Professional deep clean: A professional deep clean every 12-18 months can remove deep-seated dirt and grime, providing a fresh start to your carpet.
- Rent a carpet cleaner: If professional cleaning is not an option, consider renting a carpet cleaner. They are typically available at local supermarkets or home improvement stores.
Maintenance is Paramount
Between cleanings, maintenance will keep your carpets looking their best.
- Use rugs and runners: These not only add to your home’s aesthetics but also protect high-traffic areas.
- Shoes off policy: Encourage guests to remove shoes at the door to minimize dirt.
- Immediate spill cleanup: Spills are inevitable. Quick action can prevent a permanent stain.
Carpet Cleaning Hacks: Should You Steam Clean Your Carpets this Summer?
Steam cleaning might seem like an efficient solution to get rid of built-up dirt and grime from your carpet. But many homeowners are unaware of the downfalls of steam cleaning. Steam cleaning is certainly not a carpet cleaning hack to use this summer! Here are several risks associated with steam cleaning your carpet:
The Risk of Mold, Mildew and Bacteria
The steam cleaning process involves a high amount of water, which can leave your carpet damp for a long period, creating a perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria.
- Water recovery: Even the best steam cleaning machines are unable to recover all the water used during cleaning, leaving behind residue that can cause unpleasant odors.
- Water intrusion: This dampness can also affect your baseboards and subfloors, leading to swelling and potential damage requiring costly repairs.
- Modern carpet material: Many modern carpets are made from recycled plastic which is hydrophobic, making water absorption a challenge. Water used in steam cleaning may not be fully absorbed and instead seep into the carpet backing.
Machine and Training Issues
Not all problems arise from the cleaning method itself, some come from the tools and people involved.
- Machine malfunctions: If your steam cleaning machine is not in optimal working condition, it can lead to carpet oversaturation.
- Inadequate training: Unfortunately, many cleaning companies do not provide adequate training for their technicians. Inexperienced cleaners might cause more harm than good to your precious carpets.
Water Waste and Excess
Steam cleaning uses a tremendous amount of water. Only about 80% of the water used can be recovered, leaving 20% of it in the carpet’s backing. This excess water could potentially lead to mold and mildew growth, becoming a serious health risk.
Wicking and Reappearing Stains: Unexpected Steam Cleaning Outcomes
While steam cleaning is popular for deep cleaning carpets, it might not leave them as clean as you’d like. This process can sometimes result in a phenomenon known as “wicking,” leading to the re-emergence of stubborn stains.
The Science of Wicking
Wicking occurs when liquid travels through a porous material, such as your carpet fibers. During steam cleaning, the hot water extraction process loosens dirt and grime. This mix is then vacuumed up along with the excess water. However, water can sometimes seep deeper into the carpet fibers and padding, carrying dissolved dirt and stain particles with it.
Caution: Don’t Use too Much Water to Clean Your Carpet
One of the ultimate carpet cleaning hacks is avoiding the use of too much water. While steam might give the illusion of clean carpets, this often isn’t the case.
Traditional steam cleaning methods involve the use of large amounts of water, often over 1 gallon of water per minute. This is because the process involves saturating the carpet with hot water and detergent, which is then extracted along with dirt and debris. Unfortunately, this wasteful process drains valuable water resources. Furthermore, it also increases the drying time and can lead to mold growth and other issues.
Using excessive amounts of water for cleaning has a significant environmental impact. Primarily, it leads to a depletion of water resources. This is especially problematic in areas that are prone to drought or have limited access to clean water. Meanwhile, it can contribute to pollution and contamination of water sources. This is because of the chemicals and
Get The Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Method for Your Home this Summer
Hydra Clean Northwest has developed an innovative carpet cleaning method that uses 95% less water than typically required by traditional methods. The process includes a high-powered, truck-mounted extraction method that uses dry steam. It kills and extracts the majority of germs, bacteria, and dust mites deep inside carpet fibers. The result is fresh, clean, and sanitized carpets for your home — all while using less water.
Need an eco-friendly way to clean carpets with high foot traffic? Contact us at Hydraclean Northwest today.