Carpets become dirty very quickly, due to people wearing their shoes in the house, spilling drinks, dropping food and pets who have accidents. Carpet cleaning has become a necessity in most homes, especially those with children or pets. It can be performed by a professional service, or you can do it yourself.
Cost is definitely the biggest consideration when choosing a carpet cleaning service. The cost varies greatly depending upon the the type of cleaning they perform and the size of the company. Truck-mounted carpet cleaning services charge more than those with portable units. Smaller companies usually utilize portable units and are often the cheapest. Truck-mounted shampooers are the most effective at removing deeply embedded dirt, as they are more powerful.
It is easy for the average person to clean their own carpets. Carpet cleaning machines can be rented or purchased. When renting a carpet shampooer, look for either hourly or daily rentals, depending upon your needs. You can rent carpet shampooers at grocery and drug stores for a reasonable price.
Carpet cleaning machines are now sold in sizes not much bigger than a regular vacuum cleaner. Steam cleaners are lightweight and easy to maneuver, making cleaning your carpets as easy as shampooing. Personal carpet cleaning machines require you to fill them with hot water and carpet shampoo. Some carpet shampooers come equipped with attachments for cleaning furniture and automobiles.
Before you clean your carpets, move all your furniture out of the room. Shampooing your carpets with the furniture in place can cause a variation in the shades of the carpet. After removing the furniture, thoroughly vacuum the room.
Clean the carpets using a slow, smooth, back-and-forth motion. Release the carpet cleaner during the forward motion, then pull back slowly, to rinse the carpet. Absorb the water from the carpet by running the carpet cleaner over the same spot without releasing the carpet cleaner or rinsing the carpet. This should be done at least four times, to prevent the water from absorbing into the carpet pad.
Allow the carpet to air dry for at least twelve hours. Open up the windows of the house and run a fan. After the carpet is thoroughly dry, run a vacuum to fluff the carpet fibers. Never vacuum the carpet if it is damp, as there is a risk of electrocution, or shorting out your vacuum. Move the furniture back into place.