There’s no place like home Your house is where you relax, unwind and recharge your batteries each weekend. A place to share food, drink and laughter with your loved ones. A place to raise kids, cuddle your pets and put your feet up. It is an equal parts retreat, headquarters for life and a place to enjoy all year round.
However, there’s one thing that can make you feel uncomfortable at home, and that’s dirt, grime, dust and general untidiness. A dirty house is by no means enjoyable to relax in, especially if the carpets are dirty. That’s why in this article we’ll share tips on the best steam cleaner for hard floors and carpets. Furthermore, we’ll share a steam cleaning starter guide and teach you how to deep clean a carpet.
Table of Contents
Best Steam Cleaners – Find One for You
There are a few steam cleaners on the market, each with its own pros and cons. There are variants for each in terms of cost, efficiency, cleaning quality and ease of use.
We recommend looking at some reviews, asking friends and family and coming to a decision about the best one for your specific needs. The best one is the one that suits your cleaning needs and your budget.
How to Deep Clean Your Carpets
Okay, now we’re into the reason why you’re reading. Let’s learn how to give your carpets a deep clean that will restore them to their former glory and spotlessness.
Move the Furniture
The first step is to move any furniture sitting on the carpets out of the way. So, move any cabinets, bookshelves, wardrobes, drawers, tables, and other furniture items out of the way.
This is so you can get to all areas of the carpet. If you leave the furniture there, you will find that you have dirty patches where the furniture was after you’ve finished cleaning. These patches will stick out like a sore thumb when and if you move the furniture around.
Vacuum Next
Before getting the steam cleaner out, the second thing to do is to give your carpets a thorough vacuum. You’ll want to give them a more prolonged vacuum than usual to ensure you’re getting all the accumulated dirt and debris. Set the vacuum to a powerful setting and go to work.
If you use a cordless vacuum, you might even find that you go through a full battery charge before you’re finished. That is fine, just charge it again and use it when ready.
Make sure that you get into all the corners, nooks and crannies with the appropriate tool. And when you’re finished, give your carpets a close inspection to ensure that you’ve vacuumed up all loose dirt and debris.
Spot Spray Stains
The next step is to look closely for stained areas. Give them a good misting with a stain remover spray. Let it soak for ten or fifteen minutes, then blot the spot with a clean, damp cleaning rag or cloth. Start from the outside and work your way in.
Once you’ve done this, give the area another vacuum for good measure.
Start Steam Cleaning
Now it’s time to get the steam cleaner out and begin steam cleaning your carpets. First, add any cleaning products that the manufacturer recommends. Make sure to use their brand and specified products, such as a foamer or carpet detergent. Follow instructions carefully to ensure you add the right amount.
Now it’s time to fire it up. Don’t use a vacuuming motion and speed – you want to take it a bit slower. Use long, slower strokes and really drag the steam head or nozzle across the carpet in smooth, even motions.
How Often Should I Steam Clean My Carpets?
This is a good question and will depend on each household. As a rule of thumb, once a year is a decent interval that will ensure your carpets stay fresh and clean. You’ll definitely extend the carpets’ lifespan this way.
However, if your carpets see heavy use, such as if you have a large family or multiple pets or messy kids, then you may want to up the frequency of your steam cleaning. In this case, every six months might be a better interval.
Other Things to Consider
There are other things to consider when it comes to keeping your carpets so fresh and so clean. One strategy that works well is to enforce a shoes-off policy for your home. Pop a shoe cabinet or rack at your front door, and anyone who comes in, family or otherwise, kicks off their shoes and pops them on the rack.
This will reduce the amount of dirt, dust and debris that gets carted into the house, and therefore your carpets will stay cleaner for longer.
A Carpet Clean Conclusion
In this helpful article, we’ve shared the steam cleaner starter guide and have taught you how to deep clean your carpets. By now, you’re a seasoned professional, so get that steam cleaner out and get to work!
