Thanks to advances in carpet cleaning equipment, methods of cleaning, and detergents/chemicals, you don’t have to worry about damaging your carpet during cleaning if you follow the care instructions included in carpet warranties.
What Does the Warranty Suggest?
Not sure how to clean your area rugs and carpets? Refer to the cleaning suggestions included in the warranty. With increased popularity of synthetic carpet, you can clean most carpets using high extraction equipment which relies mostly on hot water, diluted chemicals, and various speeds and swirling motions to extract dirt and other debris from deep inside carpets. You can rent these machines from carpet cleaning companies, grocery stores, or hire a company to come in and do it for you.
If you’re concerned about chemical residue left behind, use detergents made of natural plant extracts, or cleaning methods that dilute chemicals with lots of water.
Natural carpet fibers should be treated a little differently since wool and other natural fibers can shrink or wrinkle if too much water is used during cleaning. As a precaution, you should not clean natural fiber carpets yourself. Contact a cleaning company that specializes in these types of carpets. Dry cleaning or spot cleaning may be used instead of hot water extraction to prevent shrinking.
What about Mold?
We talked with ServiceKnight.com about carpet cleaning, and they said, “Hot water extraction requires additional drying time because of the amount of water used. In humid environments or places without proper ventilation, the chances of mold and fungus growth increases. Luckily, professional carpet cleaning companies have equipment (large fans, cleaning compounds that absorb water) to help speed up drying times.” A reputable company will also assess the environment first to determine if proper ventilation exists and what to do if not.
If you’re worried about mold and fungus growth, do not attempt to clean carpets with rented hot water extraction machines. But, if you do decide to use one of these machines, make sure to open doors and windows, use fans or place a dehumidifier in the room to prevent mold. Always allow carpets to dry thoroughly before putting furniture and other items back into the room.
Other cleaning methods such as encapsulation, dry cleaning, or dry compound cleaning may be used instead of hot water extraction as these methods do not require as much water, which lowers drying time.
Encapsulation cleaning uses chemicals which adhere to dirt and other debris effectively turning these materials into crystals. A vacuum is then used to remove them.
Dry cleaning does not require water but does rely more heavily on cleaning agents to remove dirt. If you don’t want to use a lot of chemicals on carpets, dry compound cleaning may be the solution. Carpets are scrubbed using biodegradable compounds and brushes to remove dirt.
Cleaning Area Rugs
Area rugs provide beauty and dimension to any room in your home. But keeping them clean, especially in high traffic areas can prove difficult even for people who clean constantly. Spot cleaning these carpets can help them look fresh and new until the next professional cleaning. Use a chemical cleaner or natural one made mostly of vinegar or plant extracts to remove surface stains. Use a soft cloth and gently blot the area to remove the stain and prevent matting or discoloration.
Have area rugs professionally cleaned once a year or if you’re having trouble removing deep stains.
How Often Should I Clean My Rugs?
The carpet warranty should provide recommendations as to how often you should have your carpets cleaned. Most carpets should be cleaned once a year or every 18 months. Not only does this help reduce dirt and allergens from building up in your home, regular cleaning can increase the life of the carpet and keep it looking as fresh and new as the day it was installed.
Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpet_cleaning
http://www.marthastewart.com/287421/an-owners-guide-to-rug-and-carpet-care
