DIY carpet cleaning (& why it’s best to leave it to the professionals)
Taking care of your carpets may not be a priority when decorating your home.
To keep your home in good condition, add carpet cleaning to your list of tasks. Clean carpets have a positive and significant impact on a home. The walls look brighter and fresher. As the unifying design element between rooms, they create a sense of cohesion and flow.
This allows the furniture and other décor to stand out. Carpets make a home more inviting, relaxing, and cosy. However, when they are dirty or stained, it can be very annoying. Clean and comfortable carpets enhance the atmosphere of a home.
To restore the harmony, the carpets need to be cleaned. If you intend to spot clean a carpet, be prepared to clean the whole room. While you may successfully lift a localized carpet stain, the difference between the 'non-cleaned' carpet may be significant.
10 DIY carpet cleaning tips:
- Identify the cause of the stain, different types of stains require a different cleaning approach.
- Before you apply any product, make sure the carpet is thoroughly vacuumed to remove any dirt and debris.
- If you know what has caused the stain, treat the stain or spot with an appropriate carpet stain remover. Choose a carpet cleaning solution suitable for your carpet type, and always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Always test an inconspicuous area of the carpet to ensure the chemicals do not discolour or damage the carpet fibres.
- Hire a carpet cleaning machine? Read the instructions! Ensure to use the correct attachments and settings for the carpet type. Doing so will ensure your carpets are cleaned properly.
- Work in small sections to deliver even coverage and thorough cleaning. Beware of overlapping the same areas of carpet – you do not want to excessively soak it.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue or cleaning solution.
- Remove as much water as possible. A wet-dry vacuum is the ideal but blotting with clean towels can be useful.
- Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it or replacing furniture. Use a fan or open windows to help the area dry more quickly.
- Old stains may require multiple attempts to completely remove them, so be prepared to repeat the process if necessary.
Disadvantages of DIY carpet cleaning
Our name, Christchurch Carpet Cleaning, suggests that we are professional carpet cleaners. We naturally recommend carpets be cleaned by experts when needed. We often receive requests to fix DIY carpet cleaning jobs in both commercial and residential properties. Here are the most common issues we encounter:
· Inconsistent or poor results
In simplest terms, you will not be able to achieve as good results as a professional carpet clean.
Poor quality equipment: The machines available for hire are rarely maintained to the standards of professional carpet cleaners. Professional equipment typically has more power than the average vacuum cleaner. It can heat the water for better efficiency, and it has better suction. Plus, store-bought cleaning solutions are not premium grade.
Human error: Poor DIY carpet cleaning results are often the result of human error. Instructions for the machine and cleaning solutions are commonly provided. However, it takes time and experience to develop optimal practices. Thus, the results of a beginner may be inconsistent across the carpet.
· The reappearance of carpet stains
Its not uncommon for carpet stains to reappear after a DIY carpet clean. Hired machines are often not looked after adequately to maintain the machine’s capabilities.
Too much water being used: during a DIY carpet clean a lot of water is used, often drenching the carpets. Oversaturated, the water filters down to the underlay where the water mixes with the deep-set stain and becomes dirty. If the water is not removed the water is soaked up the fibres of the carpet (wicking) and the stain reappears. Wicking is the most common cause of stains reappearing after you’ve cleaned the carpet.
Inadequate rinsing: Inadequate rinsing can cause a sticky deposit. This is because the cleaning solutions used are alkaline. People may think the old stain has reappeared, but it is actually likely to be new debris sticking to the residue. This re-soiling often takes a couple of weeks to reappear. \You’ll notice it first in high traffic areas such as in front of the sofa or across the hallway.
· DIY carpet cleaning is time-consuming
If you are hiring a machine to clean your carpets, the clock starts ticking as soon as you collect the machine. You have a limited time to complete the carpet cleaning process, but it’s important not to rush the process.
- You must allow enough time to allow the steam to penetrate the carpet fibres but not take so long the carpet is saturated.
- The thorough removal of the residual detergents is a step you cannot afford to speed through.
- DIY machines typically leave carpet damp for several hours or even days. This means you have to wait longer to use the rooms, but more importantly, you risk mould developing which can impact your health and cause an unpleasant odour.
TIP: Before you collect the machine, empty the rooms you are cleaning of the big furniture, so you have more cleaning time.
· A risk of permanent damage to carpets
This ties in closely with human error because by paying extra care and attention permanent damage to the carpet could be avoided.
Too much cleaning solution: If you are faced with a stubborn stain, the temptation is to chuck more cleaning products on it; however, this rarely is a success. Excessive use of cleaning products can discolour carpets, damage fibres and cause threadbare patches or even be toxic to humans and pets. Carpets will need to be replaced.
Carpet shrinkage: This occurs through unprofessional cleaning through inefficient tools or just a lack of expertise. Carpets are susceptible to shrinkage are:
Wool carpets with a layer of jute backing which shrinks when too wet. When the jute foundation shrinks, the whole carpet is damaged and needs replacing.
Polypropylene fibre with a layer of jute backing which also shrinks when wet. The polypropylene does not absorb any water, so the jute gets saturated quickly.
In any economic climate it’s wise to seek money-saving alternatives, but carpet cleaning is one best left to the professionals. Christchurch Carpet Cleaning use the latest professional carpet cleaning equipment to deliver fantastic results. We provide affordable carpet cleaning Christchurch and Canterbury-wide, so you don’t have to risk damage to your carpets, your health (or your sanity!).
You will be astounded how clean and fresh your house feels with professionally clean carpets. Contact us today for a chat and quote, we’ll have your carpets restored in no time.
