Your carpet can start looking dull and drab due to constant foot traffic and stubborn stains. But steam cleaning can restore your carpet to its original condition and keep it looking spotless for longer.
In this blog, our experts will guide you through the step-by-step process to help you steam clean your carpet effectively and make it look as good as new.
Simple Steps to Steam Clean Your Carpet
⇒ Clear the Area
Before steam cleaning your carpet, you should clear the area to prevent any obstacles to the cleaning and ensure the machine reaches every area of the carpet. So move the furniture to another room or divide the room into two sections and steam clean them separately.
⇒ Vacuum the Carpet Thoroughly
Vacuuming is one of the easiest ways of keeping your carpet clean. Therefore, before starting the cleaning, you need to give your carpet a good vacuuming. It will remove the dirt and dust gathered on your carpet and make steam cleaning easier.
Go over the entire carpet twice to gather all the dirt and debris, and pay close attention to the high-traffic areas. A thorough vacuuming also fluffs up the carpet fibres for an effective cleaning.
⇒ Fill the Machine with Water and Cleaner
The next step is to prepare the machine for cleaning. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them completely. The specific instructions may vary from model to model, but the basic idea remains the same.
Fill the machine with hot water and a cleaner recommended by the manufacturers. You should avoid using any other solution with the cleaner as that can damage the machine and carpet.
Test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area of the carpet to look for signs of wear and tear.
⇒ Clean the Carpet
Now, move forward to the most crucial part of steam cleaning.
- Start the cleaning from one corner of the room and make your way towards the other. Press the trigger and do one back-and-forth pass. Then, release the trigger and do another back and forth-on the same spot.
- The dirty water tank will fill up and appear brown.
- Ensure you give the machine enough time to suck up the moisture, as leftover moisture can cause mould growth under the carpet.
- But avoid resting the machine in the same spot for too long, as it can damage the carpet fibres.
- Repeat the process for the entire carpet till the water in the tank no longer appears dirty, indicating the removal of all dirt and debris.
⇒ Let It Dry Thoroughly
It can take a while for your carpet to dry after steam cleaning. Generally, the time is 6 to 8 hours but can change as per the weather and climate of your area. So avoid walking on the carpet when it is drying, as it will nullify your cleaning efforts by making the carpet dirty again.
You can speed up the process by cranking up the heat to 24℃ and turning on the floor fans. If you have small kids and pets, ensure they stay away while the carpet dries.
Bottom Line
You can easily steam clean your carpet with these effective steps. But when you rent the machine, remember to check it in the rental store, as faulty pieces can damage your carpet and lead to expensive replacements and repairs.