The Best Approach to Deep Cleaning Carpet

Importance of Deep Cleaning

• Most people deep-clean their carpets to make them look clean and smell fresh. But removing the soil that makes your carpets look dingy and smell less than pristine isn't just a matter of aesthetics; soil also causes your carpet to wear more quickly. Dirt, crumbs and other debris are abrasive particles that dig into your carpet fibers every time you walk on them, causing the pile to mat and thin. Regular deep cleaning keeps these particles to a minimum. In fact, some carpet manufacturers' warranties require that you deep-clean your carpets periodically.

Hot-Water Extraction

• A hot-water extraction machine looks similar to an upright vacuum cleaner, but it has water and cleaning-solution tanks instead of a dust cylinder. Some machines also have stationary or rotating brushes underneath to help remove surface soil, but Consumer Reports notes that these brushes aren't especially effective. You fill the tanks with hot water and a manufacturer-recommended cleaning solution. The machine combines the water and solution in the correct proportion when you release it into the carpet, then suctions it out again when you go over the wet area with the machine in extraction mode.

Preparation

• Although extraction cleaning is safe for most carpets, some natural fibers require special care. Wool carpet, for example, can shrink in hot water, so use cool water instead. Contact the manufacturer if you're in doubt, and test cleaning solutions in a hidden area before you begin. Then, vacuum your carpets thoroughly. Work front to back, then side to side, to remove as much loose dirt as possible. Next, use a spot cleaner according to the package directions to pretreat or remove stains.

Deep Cleaning

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for filling the machine's water and cleaning-solution tanks. Use the hottest water that's safe for your carpet. Once you've filled the tanks, you're ready to begin cleaning the carpet. Do so in two passes. For the first pass, set the machine to release the water and cleaning solution into the carpet. The second pass, with the machine in its suction mode, extracts the dirty liquid. Overlap each pass slightly to ensure even cleaning. If soil remains after you've finished, clean the carpet a second time rather than make multiple saturating passes. Place foil or cardboard squares under your furniture legs to avoid having stain rub off onto the damp carpet. Open doors and windows to help speed drying.