It is already a rule of thumb among carpet owners that if you want to maintain and preserve the condition of your carpet, you will need to vacuum it regularly. However, even with regular vacuuming, there will come a time when this cleaning procedure will not be enough, especially when dust and dirt have already sunk very deep in between the carpet fibers, so that they could not be sucked out.

If your carpet has reached this state of dirtiness, it is definitely the time to do steam carpet cleaning

Steam Carpet Cleaning

In steam carpet cleaning, you use a special cleaner called a steam cleaner machine. It works by using a cleaning solution and heated water to loosen dirt and debris from the carpet padding and fibers. You don’t even need to buy your own steam cleaner machine. There are carpet cleaning companies that rent them out to customers.

How do you go about steam cleaning your carpet? Just take note of this step-by-step procedure.

1. Remove all the furniture inside the room that contains the carpet that you will be steam cleaning. This is especially important if you have wall-to-wall carpeting.
2. Remove all small items, like pins, nails, paper clips, shredded paper, and tacks, which can damage both your vacuum cleaner and the steam cleaner machine.
3. Thoroughly vacuum your carpet to remove much of the dust, dirt and debris.
4.  If there are individual stains in your carpet, get rid of them with spot remover. However, if your carpet is heavily stained, spray it with carpet pretreatment solution. Let it set for around 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Because you will need to steam clean every single inch of your carpet, you will need to divide it into sections with masking tape.
6. Take the water tank from the steam cleaner. Fill it up with warm tap water. Next, take the formula tank and fill it up with carpet cleaning solution. Read the manual carefully as to exactly how much water and cleaning solution you should pour inside the respective tanks.
7. Plug the steam cleaner into the appropriate outlet and switch it on. Wait for 1 minute as the heater in the cleaner heats up the tap water.
8. As you start cleaning, press the button that will release the steam and the cleaning solution. This button can usually be found in the handle of the steam cleaner. Move the cleaner in slow vertical up and down strokes. Do not overwet your carpet.
9. Switch off the button for the steam and cleaning solution. Again, move the cleaner in slow vertical up and down strokes so that you can remove all excess cleaning solution, pretreatment spray and water. Once you are finished with one section, move on to the next until you have steam cleaned your entire carpet.
10. When you are done, take the steam cleaner outside and dump out all the dirty water. Clean the machine based on the instructions in the manual.
11. Let your carpet dry in the air or with the help of a ceiling fan before putting the furniture back on top of it.

Learn more helpful procedures on steam cleaning your carpet today!

A lot of homeowners love the beauty and the soft, cushy feel of a carpet underneath their feet. Especially if they don’t like the way their floors look, they choose to cover the entire floor with wall-to-wall carpet. But then, they would soon discover to their horror that they need to clean their carpet. How is it possible to clean up wall-to-wall carpeting effectively without missing a spot?

Here’s the step-by-step procedure on cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting.

Pre-Cleaning Preparations

1. The first time that you purchased your carpet, already inquire with the distributor or a professional cleaner on what are the best cleaning solutions to use. These would include spot and stain removers and carpet shampoos.
2. If there are individuals with allergies in your home, you might want to buy extra hepa bags for your vacuum. Hepa bags can kill dust mites, carpet beetles and other pests that have gotten in your carpet.

Cleaning Procedure

1.  Remove every piece of furniture that is sitting on your carpet. Take them outside or put them in another room.
2. Inspect your carpet carefully for any items that can damage your vacuum cleaner, such as bits of paper, paper clips, string, coins, tacks or nails.
3. Do an initial sweep of your carpet with a vacuum cleaner to remove all dust, dirt and debris. Switch to a hose attachment to suck out the dust and debris where the carpet touches your wall.
4. If you find spots or stains in your carpet, use the cleaning solution that was recommended to you by the cleaner. Another way to remove stains is with the help of a carpet shampoo machine. Once the stain is removed, you can hasten drying with a fan or hair dryer.
5. Divide your carpet into sections. You can use masking tape for this. Start by vacuuming one section using vertical up and down strokes followed by overlapping diagonal strokes. This will help you to get all the dust and dirt out. Make sure that you vacuum a section carefully and thoroughly before moving on to the next part.
6. Before you place the furniture back on top of the carpet, make sure that you dust and clean the solid surfaces and legs and vacuum the upholstery. This way, any dirt and dust that is still present on the furniture will not fall on your carpet.
7. If your carpet is too dirty or shows signs of discoloration, it is best to get professional help from a carpet cleaner.

Learn more about how to clean wall-to-wall carpets today!

For residents living in areas that are prone to flooding, owning a carpet can be a huge pain in the neck, especially if flood waters somehow manage to get inside the house and drench the carpet in muddy water and sewage.

While most carpet owners would prefer to throw out water damaged carpets, there are many who would want to save them, especially if the carpet is a family heirloom or a priceless antique.

If your carpet has been water damaged, you need to do a lot of things in order to save it. Not properly fixing the problem can result in carpets emitting a foul, musty smell or, worse, ends up becoming a growth bed for molds and mildew.

Before you start work on your carpet, you need to determine what type of water has seeped into it. If the water damage has been caused by “clean” water, such as that coming from a leaking faucet or an overflowing bathtub, you don’t have to worry about contaminants. You only need to extract the water with a pump or shop-vac and let it dry.

On the other hand, if your carpet was damaged by gray, brown or even black flood waters, it may have been seriously contaminated. Rather than have it become a health hazard in your home, it is more advisable to throw it away.

If your carpet had been damaged by flood waters but not so extensive, here is what you need to do…

1. Get as much water out of the carpet as you can with the help of a shop-vac or pump.

2. Inspect the padding of the carpet. If it has been ruined by the flood waters, throw it out.

3. Wash the carpet using mild wool detergent until the water runs clean.

4. Once you have finished washing it, carry it outside and let it dry in the air. Make sure that your carpet is lying flat.

5. Once the carpet is dry, inspect it carefully again. If there are still stains or there is a foul smell coming off from it, you might need to repeat the above steps or, better yet, take it to a professional carpet cleaner for a more thorough cleaning.

6. If you were forced to remove the ruined carpet padding and throw it away, take the carpet to a carpet repair shop and have a new padding placed.

7. Before re-installing your carpet, make sure that the floor is totally clean and dry.

Learn more useful tips on how to clean water damaged carpets today!

Did you know that there are some carpets that are not actually intended for installing on the floor? These carpets on walls or simply “wall carpets” are meant to be decorative pieces. You have probably seen a number of samples of these carpets. Most wall carpets are of the exotic Persian variety. There are also some cute novelty carpets that resemble paintings.

One carpet would have kittens playing on a similarly patterned rug. Undeniably, one of the most popular designs of wall carpets depicts dogs gathered around a table playing Poker. Wall carpets are not just intended for decoration. Some homeowners have discovered that carpets on walls can help to improve insulation and quality of sound.

Carpets on walls obviously will not get stepped on unlike regular floor carpets. However, they need to be cleaned and maintained in the same way as carpet flooring.

Here is the procedure on maintaining and cleaning wall carpets…

1. When mounting a wall carpet, never place it in a spot where it will be exposed to bright sunlight. This will prevent the colors from fading. Also, do not install it in places that are humid or damp so that the carpet will not be damaged by prolonged exposure to moisture.
2. To prevent dust from accumulating on your wall carpet, dust it briskly with a feather duster every day. Do not pound on the carpet, however, so that the fibers do not get depressed.
3. Using a hand vacuum cleaner, vacuum your wall carpet on a weekly basis. Take note that the fibers on a wall carpet may be thicker than a regular floor carpet. Divide the carpet into sections, making sure that you vacuum each section thoroughly before moving on to the next.
4. Every month, it may be necessary to remove the carpet from the wall in order to give it a more thorough vacuuming with a floor vacuum cleaner. Make sure that you wipe the wall with a moist cloth so that dirt and dust will not stick to the bottom of your carpet. Dry the wall completely before installing the carpet back.
5. If your carpet is mounted on a wooden wall, make sure to check the back of it periodically. There might be termites or carpet beetles that have accumulated behind it which may damage both your carpet and your wall. If there is insect infestation, call up a professional cleaner immediately. They have the right pesticides to use which will not damage your carpet.
6. Bring your wall carpet to a professional cleaner yearly. The cleaner will not only deep clean and shampoo your carpet, they will spray retardants to give it a much longer life.

Learn more tips on how to clean and preserve your wall carpets today!

Antique handmade carpets are priceless keepsakes especially for individuals who can purchase them at their horrendous price tags or those who have inherited them from a deceased loved one. Although handmade carpets are considered to be more durable than their commercially made counterparts, you need to maintain them properly so that they will last for additional decades.

Here are some tips that you need to keep in mind so that you can preserve your antique carpet in its pristine condition.

Get the Wrinkles Out

Because of its great age, your antique carpet is sure to be delivered to your home rolled up or, worse, folded. But when you unfurl it, you will discover that it has a lot of wrinkles. You need to get the wrinkles out immediately because it may cause tremendous wear on the ridges and edges of the carpet. To get the wrinkles, roll it up as tightly as possible without tying it. You can press it between two heavy pieces of furniture for a couple of hours. Slowly unroll the carpet. If there are still wrinkles, continue doing this procedure until the carpet is completely smoothened out. For persistent wrinkles, get a steam iron and set it to wool. Lightly press it over the carpet to remove the wrinkles.

Regular Vacuuming

If you want to maintain your carpet and hopefully preserve it for posterity, you need to vacuum it on a weekly basis or more frequently if it gets stepped on a lot. Vacuuming will remove dirt which can sink deep into the carpet and tear at the fibers. Also, regular vacuuming is necessary to get rid of beetle or moth larvae that have settled in between the carpet fibers. As a final reminder, do not use power brushes on an antique carpet. The hard bristles can practically strip the fibers from your carpet.

Clean Up Spills

Spills are the bane for owners of antique carpets. If there are any spills on your carpet, you need to clean it up immediately. As the spill gets absorbed by the carpet fibers, the greater is the likelihood that the stains will become permanent. Always blot up the spill or stain with clean white rags or paper towels starting from the edges going toward the center. Never rub at the stain. These two procedures will prevent the stain from spreading outward and thus getting bigger. Water-soluble stains can be removed by alternately dripping water to the spot (for diluting the stain) and blotting it with paper towels. Urine stains are to be removed with a diluted mixture of white vinegar and water followed by blotting with paper towels. For tough stains, it is best to bring your carpet to a professional cleaner.

Learn more tips on how to clean up your antique carpet today!

Despite all the care and maintenance that you put into preserving your carpet, there will come a time when vacuuming would no longer be enough to restore it to its original pristine condition. If your carpet has become very difficult to vacuum, you might need to give it a thorough deep clean.

4 Reasons To Do Deep Cleaning in Carpets

There are four specific factors that will indicate to you that your carpet would need deep cleaning. First of all, the fibers of your carpet have become matted and is sticky to touch. Secondly, your carpet no longer has the same color as when you first purchased it. Thirdly, you will find circles of grime around the chairs or furniture on top of the carpet. Last but not least, clouds of dust fly from your carpet when you just walk or run over it. All of these factors is indicative of the need to deep clean your carpet.

Matted and Sticky Fibers

Deep cleaning your carpet would require agitating the fibers up to the backing with a special shampoo and then rinse it away with an extraction fluid. Let us take a look at the basic steps on deep cleaning your carpet.

Losing Color

Before you actually start deep cleaning your carpet, always ensure that it is colorfast. To do this, moisten a white towel with the cleaning solution that you are going to use. Apply it to an area of your carpet that is not noticeable. You will know that you are using the right cleaner if no color from your carpet sticks to the towel.

Grime Around Furniture

Next, remove all of the furniture that is sitting on top of your carpet. If there are some furniture that cannot be removed, cover the legs and with plastic or lay plastic film or foil under the bases to prevent stains from getting into the carpet. Vacuum your carpet thoroughly. Remove any spots and stains prior to shampooing your carpet.

Clouds of Dust

Read the instructions of your carpet shampoo or cleaner and apply it accordingly. Commonly, these cleaners are best applied using gentle single strokes. Never apply heavy pressure, especially if you are using a carpet shampooing machine. Since there are going to be splashes of shampoo foam and cleaning solution on your furniture, make sure that you wipe it away from the woodwork and legs in order to prevent damage.

After shampooing your carpet, fluff up the damp fibers so that it is standing against the nap, using a white towel applied with gentle strokes. This will facilitate drying of your carpet. Open all windows and/or switch on ceiling fans to speed up the drying process. Do not step on the carpet until it is completely dry.

Learn more tips on how to deep clean your carpet today!

No two stains on a carpet should be treated equally. There are so many types of stains, and there is no single remedy for all of them. In order to get rid of stains on your carpet, you need to know what caused them and what would be the best way to get them out.

Since there are just too many things that can cause stains in your carpet, this article shall concentrate on the specific stains that you are most likely to encounter.

Cleaning Fruit Stains in Carpets

Fruit stains, whether from the fruit itself or from commercially prepared juices, are very difficult to remove if it has been absorbed by the carpet. You need to work on the spill immediately before the stain becomes permanent. First, blot out the fruit juice and scrape away fallen fruit bits. Prepare a cleaning solution made out of 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 teaspoon mild detergent and 1 quart of warm water. Simply apply the solution on the stain and let it air dry. Once dry, vacuum it gently. If the stain persists, do the procedure all over again.

You can use the above cleaning solution to remove similar stains caused by coffee, chocolate, gravy, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. This is also the solution to use when there is mud on the carpet. However, in cases of persistent mud stains, you will need to use additional dry-cleaning fluid. After application, blot it up and let it air dry. Again, vacuum your carpet gently.

Unlike other food stains, catsup can be troublesome to remove because of its thick consistency and vivid red color. When catsup has gotten into your carpet, prepare a cleaning mixture of 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups water. Use a sponge to get it into the stain. Wring out the dirty sponge in a basin and repeat the procedure until the stain has been completely removed.

Cleaning Urine and Vomit in Carpets

Bodily fluids can be very difficult to remove from your carpet. Aside from any stains that may be left by urine or vomit, you also have to deal with any foul odors emanating from it. If there is blood or urine in your carpet, again, blot as much of it as you can. Again, prepare a cleaning solution of 1 teaspoon each of white detergent and mild vinegar in 1 quart of warm water. Apply the solution to the stain and let it air dry. Once it is partially dried up, apply dry-cleaning fluid. Completely dry your carpet with gentle vacuum strokes.

If it is vomit, you need to act very quickly. Blot up as much of the vomit as you possibly can. Dilute the spot with a mixture of baking soda and water or you can use club soda. Prepare a solution of 1 part ammonia in 10 parts water. Apply this solution on the stain and then rinse it off with cold water. Air dry your carpet and then vacuum it gently.

Discover other tips on how to clean other stains on your carpet today!

Carpet cleaning in Columbus Ohio can prove challenging because of the humid climate in this the United States’ fifteenth largest city.

Plus, you also have the matter of two rivers – the Scioto and Olentangy – and smaller tributaries which have caused some floods. So, if you are thinking of carpet cleaning in Columbus Ohio, you need to find a cleaning company that will not only clean your carpet, but should also be equipped to perform restoration work in case of flood damage.

If you are looking for companies that offer carpet cleaning in Columbus Ohio, you will come up with a long list while doing a Google or Yahoo search alone. However, do not just read the testimonials that have been put up in the cleaning company’s website.

Naturally, they would only post positive testimonials, so that you cannot determine the accuracy of the claims. You can try asking from neighbors and friends if they have a carpet cleaning company that they could recommend to you. Another good option is to check out reviews and rankings on Google and Yahoo.

To start you off on your search for great carpet cleaning in Columbus Ohio, here are three companies that came up with five-star feedback on Yahoo Reviews.

(Disclaimer – This post is NOT sponsored by the companies that will be mentioned below. If you believe that there is a better one, please hit the comment section or let me know directly – admin at carpetcleaningtipswebsite.com)

Martin Carpet Cleaning

Martin Carpet Cleaning (http://www.martincarpetcleaning.com) is one of the oldest family-run businesses in Columbus, having been in operation for 120 years.

To this day, the company remains one of the most highly trusted and recommended in the city. Just because they are over a century old, it doesn’t mean that their cleaning techniques are old-fashioned. On the contrary, Martin Carpet Cleaning has been keeping up with the times, developing techniques on how to clean carpets made from various materials. At present, the company is widely known for their commercial floor mat cleaning as well as residential carpet and area rug cleaning. If you want centuries of expertise in carpet cleaning, you might want to go for Martin Carpet Cleaning.

Carpet Cleaning Columbus

Another company that has gained consistent rave reviews is Carpet Cleaning Columbus (http://www.carpetcleaningcolumbus.com). For those who want to preserve the quality of the interiors of their home, and not just their carpets, Carpet Cleaning Columbus utilizes advanced cleaning machinery and solutions. These machines and cleaning solutions are all eco-friendly so that you are guaranteed to have a healthy home environment. Some homeowners harbor doubts about the effectiveness of “green” carpet cleaning solutions in removing tough stains.

Carpet Cleaning Columbus, however, guarantees that the equipment and cleaning solutions can remove the toughest stains from any type of fabric or material. They have also included in their services powerful vacuum cleaning to remove dust and dust mites from carpets of residents with allergies in the city. Why not visit the website of Carpet Cleaning Columbus today and discover for yourself the many cleaning services that they have to offer?

Crystal Crystal Carpet

Last but certainly not least you have Crystal Crystal Carpet (http://www.crystalcrystalcarpet.com/). This company boasts of the only “Low Moisture – Deep Scrub Carpet Cleaning Service” in Ohio. This is especially perfect for carpets in homes that are prone to humidity or floods.

What is involved in this service?
Crystal Crystal Carpet uses a cleaning solution that dries into 100 percent crystal form. Unlike wet solutions that leave sticky and soapy residues on your carpet, the company’s cleaning solution dries in two hours and the crystal residues are just simply vacuumed away. Such is the effectiveness of their methods that Crystal Crystal Carpet is highly recommended by the EPA.

Learn more about these companies offering carpet cleaning in Columbus Ohio today!

The search for carpet cleaning in Raleigh NC (North Carolina) can be simply accomplished just by surfing through the World Wide Web. For every homeowner, cleaning the carpet can be a difficult, tedious and back breaking work. The residents of Raleigh, North Carolina are no exception. For this reason, homeowners are at a quandary on finding the best carpet cleaning in Raleigh NC.

In truth, finding really good companies offering carpet cleaning in Raleigh NC is not very difficult. Simply doing a Google or Yahoo search will already give you hundreds of carpet cleaning companies offering their services in the city alone. But, how can you determine which company will give you the kind of service that you need?

Carpet Cleaning in Raleigh, NC Testimonials

The general rule of thumb is to never be taken in by testimonials that are on their websites. Start by asking friends and acquaintances if they can recommend some carpet cleaning companies to you. If you prefer unbiased opinions, take note that on Google Search, some listed companies offering carpet cleaning in Raleigh NC have accompanying Google Reviews. These reviews are made by genuine customers who choose not to provide their testimonials on quality of service in the company’s website. By reading these reviews, you will have a more honest assessment of the various services being offered. Another great website from which you can read reliable reviews is Angie’s List at http://www.angieslist.com/. In fact, Angie’s List has become THE premiere site for various company services so that carpet cleaning companies strive to be included in this prestigious listing.

If we are to perform a rundown of the various carpet cleaning companies in Raleigh NC, there are some companies who have gained excellent reviews from both Google Reviewers and Angie’s List.

Listings of Some Carpet Cleaning in Raleigh, NC

First and foremost among them is Carpet DryClean (http://www.carpetdryclean.com). The company uses non-toxic, organic and biodegradable materials in cleaning carpets. Because they don’t use water or shampoo, there is less exposure to toxic chemicals, making their cleaning materials and methods friendly to both babies and pets.

Another highly recommended company is Phoenix Cleaning Solutions (http://www.phoenixcleaningsolutions.com). A family-owned business servicing the areas of Raleigh, Apex and Cary, Phoenix Cleaning Solutions has become a trusted name, because of their efficient cleaning equipment and materials which can restore to pristine condition exquisite Oriental and Persian rugs.

You also have the Professional Carpet Cleaning Systems in Raleigh NC (http://pcsraleigh.com), which utilizes specific carpet cleaning methods for particular jobs. If you want to learn exactly how your carpet will be cleaned, the professional cleaners at PCSRaleigh.com can explain to you their cleaning methods.

Last but not least you have Triangle Green Carpet Cleaning (http://trianglegreencarpetcleaning.com/home.html). Boasting the services of company owner and Master Cleaner (20 plus years of expertise) Dave, Triangle Green Carpet Cleaning guarantees that they only use eco-friendly solutions that leave no harmful residues on your carpet. In fact, they are the company to call especially if you want to keep your home allergen- and dust-mite free.

Learn more about carpet cleaning in Raleigh NC today!

The best carpet cleaning machine is what many homeowners are looking for, considering the fact that carpets are one of the pieces of décor that are very difficult and tedious to clean. Thankfully, the Good Housekeeping Research Institute has conducted a very thorough evaluation of the various carpet cleaners that their manufacturers have been dubbing as the “best carpet cleaning machine“. Did they leave up to their claims? Read on to find out.

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute had set out several criteria to determine the best carpet cleaning machine. These criteria would include convenience of use (in terms of control), concision of instruction manuals, ability to pick up dirt, and additional features. Surprisingly, none of the carpet cleaning machines that the Institute has evaluated can be called the “best carpet cleaning machine” because of some flaws. But, you can already determine which carpet cleaning machines would be most appropriate for your use.

If you want a machine that will give you a deep and thorough cleaning of your carpet, you can do no wrong with the Bissell ProHeat 2X Healthy Home Deep Cleaner (Price $330). The Institute found this machine to be the best to use if your carpet sees heavy traffic. It has excellent dirt and water pick up (so that the carpet dries up faster). It also has only one tank for recovered and clean water. The Bissell also has a built-in heater that heats up the cleaning solution, so that you have better cleaning performance. If you are often bothered by spots and stains, the Bissell can spray concentrated streams of cleaning solution directly on the spot. The only disadvantage to this machine is its weight, making it difficult to push around the house.

Another good machine that the Institute has evaluated is the Hoover Platinum Collection Carpet Cleaner F7412900 (Price: $400). Although this machine is heavy and can be hard to push around the house, this is the best carpet cleaning machine to use if you have wall-to-wall carpeting. It has a powerful suction action that can pick up both dirt and water. Like the Bissell, this machine also has a heater that heats up the cleaning solution for better cleaning of your carpet as well as a concentrated spot-cleaning future. The Hoover is a user friendly machine in that it has a LED headlight that will expose stains that you don’t usually see with the naked eye, like pet urine. It also has a status light which will inform you if your recovery tank needs emptying or you are running low on cleaning solution.

If you feel that these machines are too heavy for you to use, you can go for the Bissell QuickSteamer PowerBrush Deep Cleaner (Price: $110). It has the same great extraction power as the heavier Bissell ProHeat 2X Healthy Home Deep Cleaner; it is able to pick up dirt and water, making for faster drying of your carpet. It is also very easy to empty and fill the tanks. Unlike the Bissell ProHeat, the QuickSteamer’s compact size makes it very easy to maneuver. However, its smaller size means that you can only clean two rooms at the most before needing to refill it again.

Discover the best carpet cleaning machine for your household chores today!