How to Properly Clean a Carpet Yourself

Dirt, food and other residue often get tracked onto carpeting, causing the carpet to quickly become dirty. Even with a normal vacuuming routine, carpet can still develop a dull, stained or matted look over time. While regular vacuuming will collect much of the dirt and buildup, steam cleaning allows you to reach deep into the carpet fibers, collecting bacteria and buildup. Professional carpet cleaning services can be expensive, but you can easily replicate these services with your own personalized cleaning routine.

Things You'll Need

• Baking soda
• Broom
• Vacuum cleaner
• Steam cleaner
• Vinegar
• Water

Instructions

1. Sprinkle a dusting of baking soda over the carpet. Use a broom to brush the baking soda into the carpeting. Let sit for 30 minutes

2. Vacuum the carpet with a vacuum cleaner to collect the baking soda, along with any dirt or residue. Vacuum in one direction first, then vacuum in the opposite direction. This will allow you to clean all angles of the carpet fibers.

3. Steam clean the carpets to kill bacteria and give the carpet a much more thorough cleaning.

4. Fill the steam cleaner canister with a homemade disinfectant solution. Add 2 cups of white vinegar, then top off with hot water. The vinegar will clean plus kill bacteria.

5. Run the steam cleaner slowly over the entire carpet. Spend extra time on areas with stains, residue or discoloration. Repeat as needed until the entire carpet has been cleaned to your satisfaction.

References

• Deodorizing Carpet
• Carpet Cleaning Solution