Perhaps one of the most effective methods of cleaning a carpet is using the best steam cleaner. Also commonly referred to as carpet dry cleaning, this is a method that involves utilizing a hot water extraction solution of temperatures between 180 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which is designed to deeply clean a carpet.
Steam cleaning is typically done by professional cleaning companies; however, there are some individuals who prefer to take on this type of task themselves. If you are thinking of steam cleaning your carpet on your own, there are a few things that you will first need to take into consideration in order to ensure that the job is done as efficiently as possible.
Here are eight of the most important things to consider prior to steam cleaning your carpet on your own.
*When it comes to using your own machines to steam clean your carpet
these are considered to be much less effective at getting the job done as opposed to more professional machines. This is because of the fact that DIY steam cleaning machines typically will not heat the water to as high of a temperature, and as a result, the carpet will not be cleaned as effectively as it would be with a professional steam cleaning machine. Furthermore, DIY steam cleaning machines are not seen as being as powerful as their professional counterparts, meaning that they won’t be able to extract much of the dirt and water from the carpet as a result.
*Prior to starting any type of extensive steam cleaning work on your carpet
take the time to test the process on a small area of the carpet itself that generally isn’t seen by anyone. This will help to ensure that the carpet won’t discolor or burn in any way. Once you finish testing the area, if you don’t notice any issues, this will tell you that the steam cleaning process should be safe for you to perform on the entirety of your carpet. On the other hand, if you do notice any irregularities during or after the test, treat this as a sign that you will not want to steam clean the carpet on your own.
*Always take the time to thoroughly vacuum your carpet prior to performing any of your own steam cleaning work
Doing this will remove large soil particles, thereby making the steam cleaning process much easier. Additionally, you will also want to consider vacuuming after you have steam clean your carpet, waiting until the carpet itself is completely dry.
*Another useful consideration to make note of is to pretreat two different locations
all stains and any high-traffic areas involving your carpet. The most effective way to do this is to mix one drop of detergent with hot water into a simple spray bottle. Once this has been done, you will then want to lightly mist any areas that contain the most amount of dirt. Prior to beginning any steam cleaning on your carpet, allow the mixture to sit between five and ten minutes.
*If you are planning to do your own steam cleaning in a room where there are furniture pieces
you will need to take the time to either elevate them or remove them from the space completely. In the event that the pieces are too heavy to be moved elsewhere, there are alternative measures that can be taken in order to prevent finishes and paint from seeping onto the damp carpet. All that you will need to do in a case like this is to place either wood blocks, plastic film or aluminum foil squares both around and underneath the legs of every piece of furniture located in the area that will be steam cleaned.
*It’s always important to keep in mind that if you will be renting a steam cleaning machine to clean your carpet yourself
you will more than likely be running the risk of experiencing it potentially breaking down or not working well thanks in large part to general wear and tear. This is because many other people have likely used the same machine prior to you renting it, thereby decreasing its overall life expectancy.
*While a professional carpet cleaning company can certainly bring about better results steam cleaning your carpet on your own will obviously be a much cheaper option, especially if you are on a budget. In fact, renting a steam cleaning machine typically costs between $35 and $50 per day, thereby saving you upwards of hundreds of dollars that you would otherwise be spending on a more professional service. However, you will want to be sure that you will know how to do the job correctly prior to spending money on a rental.
*Failing to use a steam cleaning machine on your carpet yourself can result in all sorts of major issues
the most common being oversaturation of the carpet itself. In the event that this occurs and you end up waiting for more than 24 hours for your carpet to completely dry, there is an increased risk that either mold or mildew will end up developing in the carpet, which can then lead to an entirely new set of problems that you will end up having to deal with.
In the long run, while hiring a professional to handle the task of steam cleaning your carpet is always a much more effective option to consider, the option of taking on the job yourself is never one that should be frowned upon. Most of the time, as previously mentioned, the end decision comes down to an individual’s budget, which results in the decision to rent a steam cleaning machine to perform the task on their own. Of course, steam cleaning your carpet yourself can also provide a much deeper clean than a traditional vacuuming job ever could, which can help to truly revitalize the overall look and feel of the fibers, provided you perform the job correctly and efficiently. In the end, once the job itself has been done, there’s no doubt that you’ll immediately notice such an amazing difference.
