August 23, 2024

How to Clean Your Carpets at Home The Right Way

They’re the foundation of our cozy movie nights, witness to countless takeout feasts (oh, guilty!), and sometimes unfortunate landing zones for coffee mishaps. They are carpets in the busy New Yorkers’ apartments, and they take a beating.

While we love the warmth and character cozy rugs and carpets bring to our apartments, keeping them clean and allergen-free can feel like a never-ending battle.

This carpet cleaning guide will tell you how to spruce your carpets like a pro, without backbreaking scrubbing and wrestling with all those hoses and attachments. We promise to remove all the pain!

Benefits of Regular Carpet Cleaning

Carpets are the unsung heroes of our homes, absorbing the hustle and bustle of daily life. Regular cleaning isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s essential for maintaining a healthy and happy living space. Here’s why:

Fresher air. Carpets trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. Regular cleaning removes these pollutants, promoting healthier breathing for you and your family.
Longer carpet life. Dirt and grime act like sandpaper on your carpet fibers. Regular cleaning removes these abrasive particles, extending the life of your carpet and saving you money on replacements.
Allergy relief. For those with allergies or asthma, clean carpets are essential. Reducing allergens can significantly improve your quality of life.
Enhanced home aesthetics. Clean carpets instantly elevate your home’s appearance, making it feel classy and more inviting.
Spotless appearance. Spills and accidents happen. Regular cleaning helps prevent stains from setting in, making them easier to remove.

Regular vacuuming is a great start, but for a truly deep clean, you’ll need to go the extra mile.

Whether you’re dealing with allergy sufferers or simply want to prolong the life of your carpet, a clean carpet is a happy carpet.

How Often Should You Clean Your Carpet?

Vacuum at least once a week. For most households, it is enough. If you have pets, kids, or experience high foot traffic, consider increasing this to two or three times a week.
Deep clean every six months. This can involve steam cleaning or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service like White Glove Cleaner.
Spot clean immediately. Tackle stains as soon as possible to prevent them from setting in. Fresh stains are easier to treat!

The type of carpet and your household’s lifestyle will influence your cleaning schedule. For delicate or vintage rugs, professional cleaning might be the safest option.

Essential Carpet Cleaning Tools

Here’s a basic toolkit to get you started:

Vacuum cleaner (with attachments, for removing surface dirt and debris).
Spray bottle (for mixing cleaning solutions and applying them to the carpet).
Microfiber cloths (for wiping up spills and applying cleaning solutions).
Scrub brush (helps tackle stubborn stains and loosen embedded dirt).
Old towels or rags (for blotting up spills and drying the carpet).
Clothes steamer (optional, for deep cleaning and refreshing your carpet).
Bucket.
White vinegar.
Baking soda.
Salt.
Dish soap.
Carpet stain remover.

In the next section, we’ll dive into specific DIY cleaning methods to tackle those pesky stains and restore your carpet’s luster.

Preparing Your Carpet for Cleaning

Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s essential to prepare your carpet for optimal results. Here’s a quick checklist:

Read the care label to get specific cleaning recommendations. This will help you avoid damaging the fibers.
Test your cleaning solution in an inconspicuous spot to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or damage. Wait a few hours to check for any adverse reactions.
Clear the area. Move furniture and other obstacles to gain better access to the carpet.

Removing Dirt and Dust

Before you can clean your carpet, you should remove all the dirt, dust, and debris first. This can be done easily with a vacuum cleaner. Equip it with the right attachments to tackle different areas, from stairs to corners. Focus on high-traffic zones and areas prone to pet hair or crumbs.

If you’re vacuum-less, don’t despair. For low-pile carpets, a stiff-bristled broom and dustpan can work wonders. However, for thicker carpets, you might need a bit more elbow grease.

Remember, thorough removal of surface dirt is crucial for deeper carpet cleaning.

How to Effectively Remove Pet Fur from Carpets?

Pet hair can be a relentless enemy in the battle for a clean carpet. Here are some tips to help you stay ahead of the shedding game:

Regular grooming. Brushing your pet regularly helps reduce shedding and minimize the amount of hair that ends up on your carpet.
Lint roller. A lint roller is a quick and easy way to pick up pet hair from carpets, furniture, and clothing.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Use a vacuum with strong suction and attachments designed for pet hair removal.
Rubber gloves. A damp rubber glove can be surprisingly effective at grabbing pet hair. Simply run your hand over the carpet to pick up loose fur.
Specialized tools. Investing in a pet hair removal tool designed specifically for carpets can be a game-changer in the fight against pet hair.

How to Disinfect Carpet?

While vacuuming removes surface dirt, a deeper clean is often necessary to eliminate bacteria and germs lurking in your carpet fibers. Distilled white vinegar can be a natural and effective disinfectant.

Mix your solution. Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Mist the carpet. Liberally spray the vinegar solution over the entire carpet surface.
Let it sit. Allow the solution to penetrate the carpet fibers for about 15-20 minutes.
Blot and dry. Blot the carpet with clean towels to remove excess moisture. Allow the carpet to air dry completely before walking on it.

Alternatively, you can combine water and vinegar in a bucket and apply it on the carpet with a scrub brush, gently massaging it into the fibers.

Important note: Always test the vinegar solution in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration or damage to your carpet fibers.

Removing Carpet Stains

Accidents happen, and your carpet often bears the brunt. But with the right approach, you can tackle even the most stubborn stains.

Act fast. The quicker you address the spill, the better your chances of complete stain removal. Blot the area with a clean, absorbent cloth to remove excess liquid. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain.
DIY stain removers. For many common stains, a simple mixture of white vinegar, water, and a touch of dish soap can work wonders. For tougher stains, consider using a commercial carpet cleaner specifically designed for the type of stain.
Gentle extraction. After applying the cleaning solution, use a clean, white cloth to blot the stain repeatedly. Avoid saturating the carpet, as excess moisture can damage the carpet fibers.
Patience is key. Some stains may require multiple applications of the cleaning solution. Allow the area to dry completely between applications.

In the next section, we’ll delve into specific stain removal techniques for common culprits like red wine, coffee, and pet accidents.

Spot-cleaning Pet Accidents

Carpet stains left by pets look horrible but are surprisingly easy to remove:

Blot up pet urine FAST using paper towels or a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain.
Apply a DIY vinegar stain remover. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Liberally apply the solution to the stained area, ensuring the carpet is thoroughly saturated. Let the solution sit for a few minutes before blotting it up with clean towels. Vinegar’s acidic properties help neutralize odors and break down urine stains.

Pro tip: For stubborn stains or persistent pet odors, consider using an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet accidents. These cleaners contain enzymes that break down the stain and odor molecules.

Cleaning Carpets with Baking Soda

Baking soda’s natural alkaline and deodorizing properties make it a perfect tool for deep carpet cleaning, refreshing, and removing greasy and non-greasy stains like those left by red wine, for example.

Here’s how to deep-clean carpets with baking soda (moderate dirt and stains):

Combine equal parts baking soda and salt. This duo is a powerful weapon against dirt and odors.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over your carpet, working in a grid pattern for thorough coverage.
Mist the baking soda with water using a spray bottle. Avoid oversoaking the carpet (it mustn’t be dripping wet).
Scrub the mixture into the carpet fibers using a soft-bristled brush. This helps loosen dirt and ground-in grime.
Leave the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes.
Vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda will absorb odors and lift away dirt, leaving your carpet fresh and clean.

For Red Wine Stains, Follow These Tips:

Blot the red wine stain carefully to absorb as much wine as possible.
Sprinkle with baking soda to cover the stain.
Cover with a warm, damp cloth.
Leave overnight.
Vacuum the area to remove baking soda residue.

Cleaning Carpet with Vinegar

White vinegar is a powerful natural solution not only for carpet disinfection but also for stains (including coffee ones!) and regular dirt. Here’s how to harness vinegar’s power for a spotless carpet:

Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
Generously spray the vinegar solution onto the carpet, ensuring even coverage. For larger areas, work in sections to avoid drying before you can blot.
Let the solution sit for about 5-10 minutes to break down dirt and grime.
Blot, don’t scrub. Blot away the solution and loosened dirt with a clean microfiber cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this can damage the carpet fibers.
Rinse and dry. Rinse the cloth in pure water and wipe the carpet by turn until the vinegar residue is gone. Allow the carpet to air dry completely before walking on it.

Removing Coffee Stains:

Blot as much as possible with a dry rag or paper towels. Use pressure (you can even stand on the rag).
Mix 1 quart of warm water, one tablespoon vinegar, and ½ teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent in a spray bottle.
Mist the stain to soak it in this solution for 20 minutes.
Rinse with pure water using a microfiber cloth and let the area air dry.

Keeping Your Carpet Clean Longer

Preventing dirt and grime from embedding in your carpet is key to maintaining its appearance and extending its lifespan. Here are some proactive steps:

Create a barrier. Place doormats both inside and outside your home to trap dirt and moisture before they reach your carpets.
Kick off those shoes. Encourage a “no shoes” policy in your home to significantly reduce dirt and grime tracked in from outside.
Regular vacuuming. Consistent vacuuming is crucial. Aim for at least twice a week, increasing frequency in high-traffic areas or homes with pets.
Spot clean immediately. Spills and accidents are inevitable. Address stains promptly to prevent them from setting in.
Maintain your vacuum. Regularly clean or replace vacuum filters to ensure optimal performance.
Consider rug pads. Rug pads help prevent slipping and extend the life of your rugs by providing a protective cushion.
Rotate your rugs. Periodically rotating your rugs helps distribute wear and tear evenly.

Steam Cleaning… Is it a Good Idea?

We are sorry to say this, but… not all stains can be removed by vinegar or baking soda. Persistent and old ones will need a stronger solution.

It is common to believe that steam cleaning is the most effective way to clean carpets and keep them stain-free. However, in untrained hands, such a technique can result in a phenomenon known as wicking and make old stains “return”.

As cleaning pros, we have all the cutting-edge cleaning equipment and expertise to deep clean carpets (including by steam cleaning) safely and for good.

Call us today to book deep carpet cleaning to restore your carpet to its former glory!

Book a Cleaning in NYC Today!