What to Put in a Carpet Cleaning Machine

You may have seen the television commercial in which a child excitedly announces the family dog's "new trick." The boy's mother disdainfully views the dog dragging his bottom across her clean carpet. You may not have pets, but consider the substances that are tracked in on your family and visitor's shoes. Everything from automotive fluids to dirt and mud to animal droppings could be ground into your carpeting, making occasional deep cleaning imperative.

Types

There are a few different types of carpet-cleaning machines. One that you probably use on a regular basis is a vacuum cleaner. For deeper cleaning, though, there are three basic types of carpet-cleaning machines. Handheld cleaning devices are available for spot cleaning. Shampooers spray water and cleaning solution onto the carpet, massage it in and then extract it along with dirt and debris. Steam cleaners rely on hot water and steam to loosen and remove ground-in dirt from the carpet.

Function

Carpet-cleaning machines that use steam do a good job of working dirt out of a carpet. Using soapy solution in them, though, can actually trap dirt in the carpet and attract even more after you clean. Instead of using the brand-name cleaning solution, try a mixture of 2 gallons of very hot water (you may want to heat it on the stove) and 1 cup of white vinegar in the machine. This mixture will help remove soap residue from previous cleanings, as well.

Effects

Homeowners often buy upright carpet shampooers that look and work very similar to an upright vacuum cleaner. While there are many brands of carpet shampoo on the market, you may want to make your own that is free of harmful chemicals, is inexpensive and does a great job. In a 1-gallon container, mix 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tsp. of mild liquid dish detergent and enough very hot water to fill the rest of the gallon container.

Considerations

The best way to keep your carpets looking clean and new is by vacuuming frequently. According to the Textile Cleaners of America, nearly 90 percent of the dirt in the average home is tracked in on shoes. They also report that regular vacuuming can remove nearly all of it. Invest in a decent vacuum with a HEPA filtration system and vacuum high-traffic areas twice a week, less-used areas at least weekly, and upholstery, window coverings and other areas at least once a month.

Benefits

Treating a stain as soon as possible after it occurs gives you a much better chance of removing it completely. Keeping a spray bottle of spot-treatment solution (you can use the shampooer recipe listed above) and a stack of clean, white cloths readily available will help. Blot as much of the stain dry as you can, spray with the solution, blot again and repeat until the stain is gone.

Resources

• Carpet Cleaner Reviews