Comments on How to Deep-Clean Your Carpet

I am a professional carpet cleaner, I have cleaned thousands of houses - by far the worst damage done to carpets over years is the accumulation of destruction done by rented carpet cleaning machines! They are the worst - they use too much inferior soap, they leave too much soap (the 'matted' look in your carpet is almost always too much soap), they do not have anywhere near enough power to do the job right, most people do not know how to use them correctly (contrary to the instructions, it is not that easy if you are not trained right), and using them again and again will ruin your carpet. The same goes for those store bought machines that look more like a vacuum - throw them out! Also be wary of carpet cleaning pros that have a truck mounted hose (lots of big names) that simply sprays and sucks up, and they are out of your house in 30 minutes (it takes longer than that to vacuum the house, how could they possibly clean it?!) - they also leave tons of soap residue and they don't really clean well. For real carpet cleaning, the company should shampoo your carpets, and then rinse them, just like laundry! Carpets are basically fibers, just like your laundry. This way is a little more expensive, but it will need to be done far less and believe me, after what I've seen, it is worth it.

I am a professional carpet cleaner, I have cleaned thousands of houses - by far the worst damage done to carpets over years is the accumulation of destruction done by rented carpet cleaning machines! They are the worst - they use too much inferior soap, they leave too much soap (the 'matted' look in your carpet is almost always too much soap), they do not have anywhere near enough power to do the job right, most people do not know how to use them correctly (contrary to the instructions, it is not that easy if you are not trained right), and using them again and again will ruin your carpet. The same goes for those store bought machines that look more like a vacuum - throw them out! Also be wary of carpet cleaning pros that have a truck mounted hose (lots of big names) that simply sprays and sucks up, and they are out of your house in 30 minutes (it takes longer than that to vacuum the house, how could they possibly clean it?!) - they also leave tons of soap residue and they don't really clean well. For real carpet cleaning, the company should shampoo your carpets, and then rinse them, just like laundry! Carpets are basically fibers, just like your laundry. This way is a little more expensive, but it will need to be done far less and believe me, after what I've seen, it is worth it.

My mom swears by rubbing alcohol. Just a little on a rag, rubbed into the spot, and the spot is gone.

I use baby wipes. I got new silver carpet, my grandson had chocolate pudding all over it and I did not know. I found it all dried up. Grabbed the baby wipes and cleaned it up. It took some elbow grease, but it worked fantastic. I also used it on French dressing, baked beans, mud, coffee and sodas.

I use baby wipes. I got new silver carpet, my grandson had chocolate pudding all over it and I did not know. I found it all dried up. Grabbed the baby wipes and cleaned it up. It took some elbow grease, but it worked fantastic. I also used it on French dressing, baked beans, mud, coffee and sodas.

Never use bleach, peroxide, or Resolve (or any other high alkaline cleaners) on your carpet! These will (at the very least) take the color out of your carpet, or worse - damage the fibers. The reason you should clean your carpets twice a year is to remove allergens, dust, mold spores (vacuums re-dispense these in to the air), greasy residues, etc. which account for 20% of the soil in most carpet. Store bought cleaners and some commercial cleaners leave a residue which becomes sticky as your carpet dries. This residue will attract substances you can generally vacuum up causing rapid re-soiling. If you are going to rent a machine; vacuum thoroughly as the most soil (up to 80%) is removed by simply dry vacuuming, put soap in a well rinsed pump up sprayer and mix with hot water according to the directions. Apply it to visibly dirty areas one room at a time (pre-spraying), making sure to extract before the soap dries (10-15 minutes of "dwell" time is good to let the soap work). Then make sure you buy an acid rinse to put in the tank of the machine again using hot water, this will neutralize the soap. Repeat these steps until the carpet is clean. The best advice though is to have it done by a professional with a truck mount that can provide testimonials, or get a referral from a friend.

The only product I have found so far (and I've tried everything from baking soda to vinegar to enzymatic spray cleaners) is Capture, which can be bought at Home Depot. You apply the pre-treatment spray lightly and then sprinkle powder onto the carpet and brush in several directions. I use it as a touch-up dry cleaner between regular steam cleaning. It works better than anything else.

The only product I have found so far (and I've tried everything from baking soda to vinegar to enzymatic spray cleaners) is Capture, which can be bought at Home Depot. You apply the pre-treatment spray lightly and then sprinkle powder onto the carpet and brush in several directions. I use it as a touch-up dry cleaner between regular steam cleaning. It works better than anything else.

To remove dog urine, take a spray bottle fill it with white vinegar. Spray onto urine, use a scrub brush to scrub the stain. It will disappear, then use your steam carpet cleaner and go over the area - stain is gone.

To remove dog urine, take a spray bottle fill it with white vinegar. Spray onto urine, use a scrub brush to scrub the stain. It will disappear, then use your steam carpet cleaner and go over the area - stain is gone.

After trying the peroxide and baking soda method unsuccessfully, I thought to try vinegar and baking soda knowing its powerful reaction. Turns out to be the only thing that's ever worked, including expensive enzyme treatments. Works well for deodorizing plastic containers too.

After trying the peroxide and baking soda method unsuccessfully, I thought to try vinegar and baking soda knowing its powerful reaction. Turns out to be the only thing that's ever worked, including expensive enzyme treatments. Works well for deodorizing plastic containers too.

Have the work done professionally. It's worth the price and only high temperature steam with a strong suction will do the job right.