Introduction
It’s been said that your carpet is the biggest air filter in your house, which is unfortunately true. Everything from pet hair to dirt and dust to mites all collect in the fibers of your carpet. While regular vacuuming helps, a good deep clean with a steam cleaner is recommended at least annually to keep carpet lasting a long time.
Step by step
If you’ve ever pulled up an old carpet, you know how much dirt and grime collects in and under them.
In addition to the DIY approach, we recommend you alternate this task with a professional carpet cleaning every 12-18 months. A professional is able to complete a more thorough cleaning than a homeowner.
You’ll likely need to rent a steam cleaner for this job. We recommend you rent a professional grade unit. If you plan to purchase a unit, expect to pay around $400 for a high quality unit such as the BISSELL Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine listed in the Tools section.
Plan your cleaning for a day when humidity is low, as it will help dry the carpet faster after cleaning.
Below is a video from Bissell that shows how to do this simple cleaning task.
- Prep the area
Run the vacuum as you normally do and move any furniture as needed. Place plastic bags around wood furniture legs to avoid water damage from the cleaner. - Spot Treat
Any obvious stains are best spot treated prior to the deep clean with a good quality spot cleaner. Spray on the spot and scrub with a nylon brush. - Pick up the rental cleaner
Expect to pay $30-50 per day for a professional grade cleaner. These are typically available at home improvement centers. - Test the cleaner
Before cleaning a large area, mix the solution of water and cleaning solution per the manufacturers directions and test it on small area. Allow the area to dry, using a blow dryer to expedite if needed, and make sure the solution didn’t leave any residue or discoloration. Be sure not to use too much cleaning detergent as it can leave a residue in the carpet. - Run the cleaner with detergent
Complete one room at a time. Most quality units need to be pushed to lay down water and pulled back to suck it back up. - Run the cleaner with vinegar
When you’re done cleaning with the solution, run a rinse cycle with a slightly acidic solution of 1 cup vinegar per 1 gallon of water to neutralize any remaining detergent. - Wrap up
Avoid walking on the carpet if possible while it dries. Return the rented cleaner. To help expedite drying, turn offyour air conditioning for a few hours, allowing the temperature to drift up a few degrees, and then turn it back on and drop the temperature down to 70 degrees. This extended run time will allow the A/C unit to “wring out” humidity in the air. After this exercise, return your A/C to it’s recommended set point of 78 degrees. Continuing to run the unit at a low set point or turning on the heat will not assist drying. Expect the carpet to take 8-14 hours to dry complete. - Ongoing Maintenance
The best method to ensure your carpet is kept clean and fresh looking is regular vacuuming. High traffic areas such as hallways should be vacuumed twice a week, while most areas can be cleaned once a week. A no-shoes policy is also recommended. Clean up any spills immediately and treat stains with the spot cleaner.
Consider purchasing floor protectors to place under any heavy pieces of furniture such as couches, tables, beds, or pianos. These help distribute the weight over a larger area and decrease the damage done by crushing the carpet fibers for an extended period of time. - Mark Complete!
We'll remind you to complete again next year.