How to Use a Carpet Steam Cleaner

Using a steam cleaner is a great way to get your carpets clean. Whether you own or rent one, a steam cleaner is less expensive than hiring someone to clean your carpets. Most carpet steam cleaners come with instructions but can be difficult to understand. The following steps can help you with a general overview of using a carpet steam cleaner.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hot water
• Steam cleaner
• Cleaning agent
• Garbage bags
• Socks

1. Remove everything from the room to prepare your carpet for cleaning. You can leave large items such as sofas or entertainment stands, but if these items are not removed some of your carpet will be cleaner than other parts which can result in discoloration of your carpeting.

2. Vacuum thoroughly all the areas you are going to clean.

3. Prepare the steam cleaner. Remove the water container from the cleaner and fill it with hot water and one or two capfuls of cleaning agent. Use more cleaning agent for tougher cleaning jobs. Make sure the filter in your cleaner is clean. If the filter is dirty, run it through hot water to remove any dirt or grime. Carefully place the water container back on the steam cleaner.

4. Begin cleaning in one corner of the room and work your way from one side of the room to the other. Push the cleaner forward and as you do so, pull the trigger so it gets the carpet wet. After wetting, slowly pull the cleaner backwards so that it scrubs the area you have just gotten wet. Repeat this process all over the room until you have finished. Repeat the process for any areas that are heavily stained.

5. Allow the room to dry fully before replacing furniture.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear socks and place garbage bags over your feet. This way if you accidentally step on any wet areas your feet will not get wet and you will not get the carpet dirty.
• If you rent a cleaner, you can purchase cleaning agent from the rental agency. If you own a cleaner, you can buy cleaning agent at any retailer.
• Make sure to start on the far side of the room and end near a doorway so when you finish you will be able to go to another room while the one you have cleaned can dry.
• Choose a day to clean your carpet when you know that you can take your time.

[nethopperz]

on 7/1/2008 Good advice, especially the part about allowing the floor to dry fully!

[cstanz]

on 7/1/2008 Great Article, I've steam cleaned each place we've lived before we more, and then with 3 kids it's a handy thing to have.

[Hapworth]

on 6/30/2008 I love the idea about the garbage bags!

[byllz]

on 6/30/2008 Great article 5 stars****

[luv2blog]

on 6/30/2008 Thanks.