Many Bay Area residents are understandably reluctant to have an unknown carpet cleaner in their home during the current COVID-19 lockdown. One option for carpet cleaning during the coronavirus shelter-in-place is to clean your carpet yourself. DIY Carpet Cleaning.
My first advice is don’t. Call a pro. Sure you can rent a Rug Doctor, but it’s like power washing your patio with a garden hose. Just not as powerful. Call a pro that uses very low moisture (VLM) carpet cleaning (like Advanced Dry Carpet Care: (707) 575-0114). If you can’t find a VLM cleaner in your area, employ a cleaner that uses hot water extraction (HWE), also known as the truck-mount system. This is the method used by Stanley Steemer, Coit and most smaller carpet cleaning pros. It’s a traditional, common method for carpet cleaning, though not the best.
But if your budget or health concerns won’t allow for calling a pro, follow these guidelines for safe and effective DIY carpet cleaning.
Gather what you’ll need:
- Vacuum cleaner
- Carpet extraction cleaning machine (ex. Rug Doctor)
- Carpet cleaning detergent
- Hot water
- Fans
Do it right and you can see dramatic results!
Ready? Here’s a step-by-step guide for effectively cleaning your carpet yourself:
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly while it’s dry. Once soil is wet, it is more difficult to extract.
- Pre-treat spots and traffic lanes with detergent and water mix. Brush the solution into the carpet and allow 10-15 minutes dwell time.
- While you’re waiting, mix detergent and hot water and pour into the machine.
- Use the machine according to its instructions to apply cleaning solution and extract.
- Open windows and point fans at the carpet, especially the traffic lanes.
- If spots remain, try cleaning them with a stronger detergent, like Folex. For a simple 3-Step Spot Cleaning video and instructions, go to: advanceddry.com/spot/
- Keep everyone off the carpet until it’s dry. This includes pets. If you can’t wait, wear clean socks to avoid re-soiling.
- Your carpet should be dry within 24 hours. If it takes longer than 48 hours, definitely call a pro. Mildew is forming and mold may follow, which will ruin your carpet.
Avoid common mistakes:
- Avoid using a detergent that is not designed for carpet. You may get the dirt out, but not the suds. The remaining sticky residue will result in re-soiling.
- Avoid using too much water. Some people, seeing that one pass does not get the carpet clean, go over it a second and third time. These machines add water/solution, but do not extract much. More passes leaves more water and the risk of mildew and mold.
- Don’t bother with the home models from Bissel, Hoover, etc. They squirt water/solution on to the carpet but have weak extraction. Weak jets + weak suction means you’ve only added water and soap to dirty carpet.
Call or Text for Professional Carpet & Rug Cleaning
We know every business is hitting you up for a survey, but ours is really brief. Would you let us know how we did with your carpet, area rug, upholstery or tile and grout cleaning. Even if you’re dissatisfied – especially if you’re dissatisfied, we’d like to know. We’ll do whatever we can to make it right.
A man called me from Santa Rosa with a special need. He has ten large wool rugs which he takes out to the Mojave Desert where he sets up a post-apocalyptic bar. He lays the rugs down on the desert floor so people didn’t have to walk on the sand. These rugs fill up with sand, especially since they would get three or four sand storms every season. He was wondering what would be the best method for getting the sand out of the rugs. He explained the rugs were not expensive and he didn’t want to spend money on it. He didn’t want my services, just my advice.
