Carpet Steam Cleaning

For many years, the only way to get carpeting steamed cleaned was to hire a professional company. While the results were usually excellent, the cost was high. Over time, the price of professional steam cleaning began to decline but considering how quickly some carpet becomes dirty, it can still be costly. Of course, in addition to the cost, there is also the need to schedule time to be home while carpets are being cleaned.

Clean it Yourself

Due to consumer demand, the number of steam carpet cleaners for the do-it-yourselfers has risen considerably. For years, the only type of carpet cleaner a person could buy used water. Some carpet types could handle water cleaning without worry of damage but when used often or on the wrong type of fiber, the carpet can begin to wear, buckle, and fade, and so on. Today, there are a number of excellent brands of steam cleaners sold at local retail stores for a price that most can afford.

Use Cleaners that Work

If you are tired of dirty carpet and have been considering a steam cleaner, then we recommend that you start by looking at top brands and those with a CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) Seal of Approval. The reason this is important is that these steam carpet cleaners have been designed to meet tough standards not only for the protection of your carpeting but also for effectiveness, and ease of use. The great thing about many of the carpet steam cleaners now on the market is that the results are just as good as you would get from hiring a professional.

Steam Cleaning Instructions

If you want to go this route, we want to provide you with some helpful tips on how you can get the most out of a home steam cleaning machine. These tips are listed in the sections below.

Move Furniture

Always move furniture out of the room or at least place a piece of plastic under the legs so you get a complete cleaning. This is very important, but also can be quite difficult. Be sure to keep the furniture out until the room is completely dry. It can be helpful to clean the room in sections if you don't want to move the furniture entirely from the room.

Vacuum Before

Before you start to steam clean the carpet, always vacuum. It is important to remove any dirt and debris prior so the steam machine can do its job. Vacuuming will make the seam cleaning more effective.

Read Machine Instructions

You also want to take a few minutes to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Every machine is slightly different and for the best results and a safe process, you want to learn tips and guidelines specific to the brand you purchased.

Use Machine Manufacturer Solution

Rather than use just any cleaning product, make sure you choose a brand that is from the same manufacturer. This is usually a good tip since the cleaning solutions are designed to work optimally with the machine you have selected. It is important to research the machines and solutions that work most effectively.

Open Windows

Even when using mild products, it is important to crack a window or open a door slightly for ventilation. This will help to alleviate the carpet cleaning smell. It will also help the room to dry more quickly and prevent mold or mildew. It is best to do a steam cleaning on a sunny, dry day.

Wait to Dry

Once you have finished steam cleaning your carpet, we suggest you wait a good 12 hours prior to moving the furniture back into the room. The time may vary, but the carpet should be completely dry. While to top of the carpet may feel dry, it makes sense to wait longer since there may still be water underneath that needs to dry.

Vacuum Again

Finally, go over the dry and clean carpet with the vacuum. This is important to remove any residue left by the drying process and also removes any dust that may have settled onto the carpet while it was wet.