An Expert’s Guide to Cleaning (Extremely) Dirty Carpet
Are you tired of looking at the same dirty spots on your carpet? Is your carpet still dirty after cleaning it? Have you noticed that the carpet is becoming more discolored? If so, then you need to look into specific techniques for dirty carpet cleaning.
Doing so can help you find the right ways to get rid of those pesky stains. Now, instead of staring at dirty carpet all day, you will see a home that’s totally renewed.
See below for an in-depth guide for tips and tricks on cleaning a very dirty carpet. Be sure to consider them all as you try to bring the carpet back to its former glory.
1. Identify What You’re Up Against
Whenever you notice a dirty carpet, there’s one of two things that you’re dealing with. It is important to know the difference between carpet spots vs. carpet stains.
Being able to identify which one you’re up against will help you know how to effectively clean the area.
A carpet spot is a faint discoloration that lies on the outside of the fibers of the carpet. It is much easier to clean, as you can use a carpet cleaning solution to get rid of it.
Carpet stains are when the fibers of your carpet have been completely sabotaged. If not cleaned right away, they can actually become a permanent stain. If you’re dealing with stains, you will want to call in a professional cleaning service to take a look.
2. Vacuum the Area
Too many homeowners elect to clean a carpet stain or carpet spot by spraying the Resolve on it right from the get-go. However, doing so can actually make matters way worse.
The solution might actually collect the dirt on your carpet and soak it into the fibers, thus creating a carpet stain.
To prevent that from happening, be sure to vacuum the area first. Take the vacuum and slowly move it back and forth between the discolored area. This will soak up all the dirt to prevent further staining.
Be sure to vacuum the area on two separate occasions: once when you first notice the stain and a second time before you go to clean it up.
3. Spray and Let Soak
If you don’t already have it, be sure to equip yourself with some powerful deep stain carpet cleaning solution. Many experts recommend the Carpet Miracle deep stain and odor remover or the Bissell Deep Clean Pro carpet shampoo.
Start by spraying the entire area of the stain/spot with the cleaning solution, covering about one foot in diameter from the center of the stain. That way you can prevent the stain from spreading (assuming it’s relatively new).
The key is to let the solution soak in the carpet fibers, so you’ll want to let it sit for about 25 to 30 minutes. Too many people make the mistake of scrubbing at it right after they lay it down, which prevents the solution from giving its full effect.
If the stain is in a high-traffic area, then be sure to place a towel over the stain so that people know to refrain from stepping on it.
4. Dab With a Towel
Yet another common misconception of cleaning carpet stains is when people choose to scrub at it with a towel after the solution has been applied. Doing so might risk scrubbing the stain further into the fibers of your carpet.
Instead, exchange brute force with patience. Take a towel (one that you don’t mind getting dirty) and dab at the stain. If you’ve let the cleaning solution soak in for long enough, you’ll notice that the stain will start to soak into your towel.
Apply a bit of pressure as you dab away at the stain. Be sure to focus on the area around the stain as well.
If you notice that the stain isn’t coming up or being removed, then you’ll have to try a more aggressive approach. Grab a small bowl and pour some alkaline cleaner inside of it. Dab a brush into the cleaner then scrub away at the stain.
5. Vacuum Again
Once the stain is starting to vanish or become less noticeable, it’s time to vacuum the area again with a wet/dry vacuum. If you don’t have one, you should be able to rent one for this occasion.
Before you vacuum, be sure to rinse out the stain with some water, this will bring the solution (and hopefully more of the stain) to the top of the carpet.
Directly after that, use your wet-dry vacuum to soak up the area until it’s completely dry. Always have the suction facing the bottom of the carpet and slowly move it towards your body to get the best results.
Don’t get discouraged if the stain is still there after you’ve gone through all of these steps. If the stain has been there for a while, it might take a few rounds of cleaning to get rid of it. Wait for the area to dry, then repeat this process the next day.
Use This Dirty Carpet Cleaning Technique to Your Advantage
Now that you’ve seen an in-depth guide on how to perform effective dirty carpet cleaning for your house, it’s time to get to work.
Remember that this process could take a few rounds to get the best results. If after a few times the stain still isn’t going away, you’ll need to contact a professional service to get the job done. They’ll have more resources to do so.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on cleaning dirty carpet, as well as many other amazing topics that you will find helpful.