6 Quick Steps to Steam Clean Carpet – A Beginner’s Guide

Do you want to comfort yourself with coziness? Carpeted floors are an ideal place to do so, but if you want a neat rug area then you must know the right way to steam clean carpet.

Many homeowners are worried about cleaning their home carpets. Removing stains from carpets looks quite a hectic job. Mostly these carpets get dirty quickly.

One option is to wet your carpet with any cleaning solution, but it may drain the quality. If you are cleaning your carpets daily, then you have to do this task deeply, which is not a thing to do. Ultimately, the softer rugs will become stiffer.

At the end of this exciting guide, you will understand the perfect process of steam cleaning carpet. These guidelines are followed by most pro carpet cleaners and are the trademark of this tricky job.

Let’s get started!

 

Steam Cleaning a Carpet – Complete Guide

Below is a step-by-step guide on the process of steam cleaning carpet to remove all dirt and stains from your rugs. You can apply these methods to all the carpet spots and enjoy a new look at your favorite sitting place.

Make sure you have read all the information in this section carefully and follow these steps in the same sequence:

Step 1. Make Space in the Room & Move Furniture

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No matter what carpet you have in your rooms, you have to clear all the furniture to apply the best possible way to steam clean the carpet.

Now remove all the toys, books or other necessary items placed on your carpet floor. If there is still any bulky furniture in this room then protect the legs by putting any foil sheet underneath it.

Step 2. It’s Vacuuming Time

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Here comes the vacuuming step. You have to remove all the dust particles, debris, or hair from the fibers of your carpet. The vacuum machine will collect all the tiny dirt particles hidden inside your rugs. It is better to perform this step twice.

In the first round, move the machine gently on the top surface of the carpet and pick all types of dirt particles.

In the second step, move the vacuum in opposite direction. If there is any missed debris or part of the stain, then the machine will collect it in the second phase.

Step 3. Spot Cleaning

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Stain spots are always a significant headache on your lovely carpets!

A carpet cleaning tool with steam will work for you. If you have pets or kids in your home, you may see more spots. You can sink these stains deeper with fiber and use a steam cleaning machine to effectively remove them.

Apply the tool only to the spots which are annoying you. It will quickly remove all the tougher stains from your lovely upholstery.

Step 4. Assemble the Steam Cleaner

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Notice the water tank of your steam cleaner!

You can add dish soap or white vinegar to this water tank. Any homemade carpet cleaning solution can also work perfectly here. It is better to avoid any harmful chemicals here.

Take care of the top surface of your rug and always use lighter ingredients. This type of solution is also safe for your children too.

Now completely assemble your steam cleaner and get ready for the next step!

Step 5. Start Steam Cleaning the Carpet

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Next! Gently run the steam cleaner on all the areas of your rug. Never forget the corners or underneath the heavy furniture. Move-in one direction; go from the front to the back in all corners. Overlap all previous lines halfway.

You can overrun the same area twice or depend on the quantity of steam cleaning solution. Start with a new line before ensuring that you never miss any debris or stain spot.

Similarly, you can move to other rooms and ultimately all carpeted areas of your home with a steam cleaning tool.

Step 6. Allow the Carpet to Dry

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Steam cleaning always left moisture on the carpet. It is visible on top of your carpet, and you can notice it. If you want to dry it quickly then simply apply direct or fan air to clear all moisture from it.

This drying process is necessary for the end, otherwise, your luxurious rug will create a dirty odor in your living area.

Few Tips for Steam Cleaning Carpet

Always avoid boiled or hot water in steam cleaning carpets. Bleaches are also not suitable for soft flurry carpets. Excessive use of shampoo or detergents can also be harmful to your carpet.

Don’t force things!

If you have thicker carpets, they will reflect lots of resistance. And if you deal with such stuff with harder hands, the top surface of your carpet will damage.

Also, If you see any stains, don’t rely on your steamer to clean them. You can remove it instantly with any wet microfabric cloth.

How to Steam Clean Indoor/Outdoor Carpet?

Cleaning an indoor or outdoor carpet only takes a little bit of effort and time to save yourself from various problems.

However, before starting the cleaning, you should be aware of the components of your rug. They are usually made of polypropylene so that they can last long.

Whether you have wool carpets or shag carpets, only by looking after their cleaning you can keep them in their original form.

Applying a vacuum to the rug regularly and ensuring that it remains dry can save you from complicated cleaning processes.

Long story short, let’s move to Steam clean indoor/outdoor carpet instructions or methods.

Method 1. Shake the Carpet to Pull Out Dirt

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The first process is for those who don’t have a vacuum and are looking for ways to clean carpet without it. The process involves shaking the carpet so that all the dirt and dust pull out from the rug. The dirt and dust make the carpet look dull.

If avoided for a long time, the damage becomes permanent. Hence, don’t forget to shake your carpet regularly whenever you find the time.

Method 2. Use a Vacuum for Thorough Cleaning

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What can be better than using a vacuum for indoor-outdoor carpeting to get rid of all the dirt and debris? Using a vacuum doesn’t require a lot of time and effort.

Applying it twice or thrice a week is enough to make your rugs tidy. If your carpets remain dirty for a long time, mold may occur but using a vacuum reduces the chances of mold

Decay usually occurs underneath the rug due to moisture or debris. If you keep your rug wet or dirty for a long time, it can appear within 48 hours. Hence, using a vacuum or a broom is necessary to avoid this issue.

Method 3. Remove Solids from the Carpet

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Sometimes the food or chewing gum falls on the rug and if not cleaned instantly, it becomes solid. You can use a knife or any other tool to scratch it to remove that.

However, before using a knife or any other device, use warm water with soap as it helps to pull off the solid easily from the rug.

However, if the stains are deep and can’t be cleaned with water and soap, you need more than that. Take a bucket with water and add any effective detergent that is suitable for your rug.

You can go for acidic-based products specially designed to remove stains from the carpet. Each product comes with specific instructions that you should follow.

Method 4. Use Sponge to Remove Stains

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Using a scrub or hard tool destroys the carpet so never go for such things. It is better to use a sponge that helps to get rid of stains in a better way. You can also use a wet towel or wet tissue paper on the stain.

If there are tomato strains on the carpet, use a club soda that is also known as sparkling water. Club soda helps eliminate all tomato stains from the rug.

Use a wet towel on the stain and apply the soda by dipping the towel in the bucket. Within minutes, you can remove them. One tablespoon of club soda is enough to remove the stain.

Method 5. Use Vinegar or Baking Soda

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Sometimes, the stains are too hard to remove with the steps mentioned above. For this purpose, use white vinegar and baking soda on the affected area and use a wet towel to get rid of them.

You can also make a paste of vinegar and salt to pull out debris or stains.

Method 6. Remove Mold with a Bleach

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As defined above, mold usually occurs due to moisture or germs if left untreated for a long time. You have to make sure that mold has been thoroughly removed from the rug.

For this purpose, get your hands on a diluted bleach that helps to remove debris. However, use the bleach by following the instructions mentioned by the manufacturer.

Don’t use the bleach by mixing another cleaning detergent, and don’t forget to wear gloves while using bleach for your safety.

However, if you want to only go for steam cleaning, here is the process.

Method 7. Steam Clean the Carpet

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You don’t need to steam clean the carpet now and then. It needs to be done only once a year to keep your carpet in its original form. Using too much steam on the rugs damages them.

However, if you have pets at home, you should go with this method after every 3 or 4 months. Steam cleaning perfectly removes all pet hair from the carpets that are sometimes not visible to the naked eye.

Method 8. Fold Your Carpet

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The best way to clean outdoor carpets is to fold them when you are not using it. In the outdoor area, the carpets attract dirt and dust easily, so better to turn over the carpet to save them from instant dust.

Once you have rolled it, find out the place where carpets are saved from any moisture. It is one of the best ways to protect your rugs from stains or debris.

Pros & Cons of Steam Cleaning Indoor/Outdoor Carpet

Let’s point out a few pros and cons of steam clean indoor/outdoor carpets.

Advantages

• Deep Cleaning: For deep and thorough cleaning there is nothing better than steamers that make sure to pull out every tiny particle along with pet hair from the rug.
• Kill Bacteria: The bacteria which occur due to dirt and debris can be killed by using handheld steam cleaners. All types of bacteria, mold, and germs can be eliminated with steam cleaning.
• Pet-Friendly and Child-friendly: If your home is full of children and pets, you don’t need to think twice before using a clean steamer. Once you have used it, you don’t need to apply any chemicals to the carpet to get rid of stains.
• Easy to Maintain: It is easy to maintain the steamers. You only need to wash filters or pads before using them for the second time. It doesn’t require any additional cost as well.
• It Adds Value: If you want your carpets to be in their original color and form, better use steam cleaning instead of chemicals.

Disadvantages

• High Price: Because of excessive features and long-lasting investment, it is expensive as compared to other methods. However, once you have purchased the steamer, you will never have to spend additionally.
• You Can’t Use Excessively: The methods mentioned above can be practiced now and then but you can’t use a steamer more often. As described earlier, you can steam clean the carpet once a year and in case you have a pet, you can do it after 4 months.
• Takes Time to Dry: Though the cleaning process doesn’t require a lot of effort you have to wait for a while to let your rug completely dry. Using a wet carpet can cause other issues.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Can Steam Cleaner Be Used on Carpet?

There are plenty of steam cleaners that are specifically designed for carpets. It is better to use these utilities. The traditional carpets can also be used for these purposes if applied to the rug area with the right care.

Is it Better to Shampoo or Steam Clean Carpets?

If you are asking for one option between these two, steam cleaning is a much better option. A perfect steam cleaner will not only clean your rug area but also maintain its attractiveness to the best level.

How Often Should a Carpet Be Steam Cleaned?

Although it depends on the carpet type, you should still consider a deep cleaning session of your carpet every 12 to 18 months.

What Happens When You Steam Clean the Carpet?

Most carpet fibers encourage germs to grow up. A detailed steaming session with the right tool will kill these germs from your rug surface and remove the bacteria from its hidden parts.

How Can I Get My Carpets Really Clean?

You should use natural ingredients to clean your rug area. The mixture of salt and vinegar is the best hack for this purpose. It will make your carpet tidy and gives you a germ-free rug area.

Conclusion

Still, wondering about how often should you steam clean your carpet?

Steam cleaning your indoor-outdoor carpet is the gentlest exercise to do. You can do this practice once a week or depend on several persons and preventative measures you are adopting.

Most steam cleaners for carpets are designed to remove moisture and pick up the tiny dirt particles hidden inside your rugs. You have to move these steamers gently to remove all these messes from your carpet.

What else do you want to know about home cleaning? Mention your choice in the comments section.