7 Major Carpet Cleaning Mistakes and What to Do Instead

Regular vacuuming will keep your fitted carpets looking great all year round. You should clean them every so often to keep them spotless.

If you are about to clean a carpet yourself, you should make sure you avoid these common mistakes:

Getting the Carpet Too Wet

If you oversaturate your carpet with moisture, the underparts will become wet. That means it may never dry properly, leading to rot and mould. Getting the top fibres too wet will be damaging, especially for natural fibres like wool. This may lead to discolouration. 

Instead, you should use a wrung-out cloth or a sponge to clean your carpets. If there is any water dripping from the cloth or sponge, then it’s too wet already. If you accidentally get the carpet too wet, you should blot the area with a dry towel or a paper towel.

Scrubbing Over Blotting

Scrubbing carpet fibres may cause damage, especially if using hard-bristled brushes if the scrubbing untwists. Scrubbing may push dirt deeper into the fibres of your carpet, so this will only end up making it harder to clean. Call professional cleaners instead, as you may ruin your carpet otherwise. Don’t use a colourful cloth, or it may transfer colour to your carpet. What you should do instead is blot with a cloth or a sponge. Gentle rubbing may also work with fitted carpets, as long as it’s not too much. Don’t be tempted to scrub if the stain remains.

Using the Wrong Carpet Cleaner

The wrong cleaning solution may cause severe damage to your carpet. Examples can be seen with carpet cleaners made for synthetic carpets, while others are made for natural fibres. Instead, you should make sure you understand the type of carpet you have and find the right solution that fits it. If unsure, you should go for a milder, all-purpose cleaner, but research what works best beforehand.

Not Doing a Spot Test

Doing a spot test first is essential, especially if you are cleaning a new carpet or using an unfamiliar cleaning solution. Better to damage a small patch than to ruin the whole carpet. The wrong answer may cause bleaching and fibre loss. You should test the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Try on a hidden patch of carpet under your sofa, for example. Give it a few hours and see if there is any discolouration happening before you move on to the whole carpet.

Overusing Carpet Deodoriser

You should avoid using too much carpet deodoriser. Overuse may lead to buildup, which will leave your carpets looking dull. Carpet deodorisers come in sprays and powders, but you should use them sparingly. A properly cleaned carpet won’t need a deodoriser, but it may require an odour neutraliser for smells like pet urine, which should also use sparingly.

Using Faulty Cleaning Tools

Hiring carpet cleaning equipment is not an ideal solution, especially if you don’t have any hiring experience. Using cheap or faulty carpet cleaning tools may lead to poor results, fibre damage and patchiness. You should leave the carpet-cleaning machines to the professionals with the needed experience. Hire a company and use one with good reviews to get the job done for you.

Not Hiring a Professional When Necessary

Though you may feel the urge to save money, your carpet may need a deep clean. The best solution is to hire a professional carpet cleaning service in such cases. Fitted carpets must be cleaned at least once a year, especially if you have children or pets. Neglecting your carpets for years will ruin their fibres through ingrained dirt and flattening.

© Carpet Cleaner Ltd