You may be wondering whether you should clean your carpet using the dry cleaning method or the steam cleaning method. The answer to this depends on many factors. By the end of this article you should have a basic idea about the difference between the two methods and which one is best for your own personal use.

Steam cleaning is pretty self explanatory. The basic idea is that steam is used to loosen and remove the dirt from the carpet. There are many different types and brands of steam cleaners, but the basic concept is generally the same throughout. Most steam cleaners also use some type of liquid soap solution to help clean and freshen the carpet as well. Some steam cleaners have dryers on them which are good for drying the carpet faster and helping to prevent new dirt from sticking to the wet floor.

Dry cleaning is a significantly different method than steam cleaning. Dry cleaning, unlike steam cleaning, does not use any liquid during the cleaning process. Instead, various chemicals in powder form are sprinkled on the floor and left to set for a specified amount of time. Once those chemicals are done sitting, they are vacuumed away, along with the dirt and stains that were in the carpet. There are a few different methods of dry cleaning carpets, which include the dry-chem method, the oscillating pad method, the dry foam method, as well as others.

The big question you are probably wondering about is whether dry cleaning or steam cleaning gets your carpet cleaner? Unfortunately, this is a hard question to answer. The only way you can really be sure about which method to choose it to try it yourself, although there are some things that can help you choose which one might be better for you. The dry cleaning method may be better if you are planning on using the carpets again right away, as carpets that are chemically or dry cleaned are completely dry much faster than those that are steam cleaned. If you have small children crawling around on the floor, it may be more beneficial health wise to steam clean the carpets and keep the children off of them until they dry. This may seem inconvenient, but you will feel much better knowing that your children are healthy and safe from chemicals.

Dry cleaning and steam cleaning are both good methods for getting your carpet clean. Prices vary depending on what company you use but generally the prices for steam cleaning and dry cleaning are pretty comparable to one another. Both can be done either professionally or at home, although for home use there are many more products available for steam cleaning.

Removing Pet Stains from Carpet – Home Remedies

Carpet stains are a common problem in most households today. While there are cleaning products available to remove these unsightly stains, these products are unkind to your pocketbook. Instead of rushing to the store to purchase a household carpet cleaner, save time by removing the stains immediately after they appear – and save money by using homemade cleaning solutions.

You may be surprised to find that you can easily and affordably clean your carpet stains with several common household products that you may already own. For example, you can use lemon juice, vinegar, detergents, and even rubbing alcohol. By understanding how these products work, and putting them into practice in your home, you can effectively eliminate the need for commercial cleaning products.

Pet stains, and other common carpet stains, can be easily cleaned as follows:

Pet Stains

One of the easiest ways to remove pet stains is by using a solution consisting of one spoonful of clear, household ammonia to one half of a cup of cold water. It is best to apply this solution from a spray bottle, but you can also apply it directly to the carpet. Be sure that the solution does not soak through to the carpet backing. Once you have covered the soiled area, blot the stain thoroughly with paper towels, and then allow the carpet to dry completely.

Another option for removing pet stains is a simple detergent solution made from dish soap or hand soap. First, ensure that your detergent does not contain bleach or lanolin, as these may stain your carpet. Then, mix one quarter of a spoonful of detergent with one quart of water, and clean the stain as you normally would.

A very easy option is to simply use water to rehydrate the stain and allow for effective removal. The best way to do this is by using a steam cleaner on your carpet. Be sure to allow the area to dry completely once you have finished.

Ink Stains

Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is a common product that can be purchased at most grocery stores or pharmacies. To remove ink stains, apply the alcohol to a clean, white kitchen or bath towel, or a white paper towel. Next, blot the stain in one direction, being careful not to spread the stain to other areas. You may need to reapply the alcohol to a fresh white towel during the process, repeating this until the stain has been removed.

Lager and Wine Stains

Mix together one part white vinegar to one part water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Using the spray bottle, saturate the stain and allow it to stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Using a sponge, systematically clean the stain in a circular motion. Once this has been completed, wash the area with warm water and carefully brush the carpet back to its natural position. Completely cover the area with layers of white paper towels. Apply pressure or weight to the paper towels, and allow them to saturate until the area has completely dried.

Cleaning Your Carpet

Although regular vacuum cleaning can help to keep your family’s carpet looking fresh, it is not enough. To maintain your carpets properly, you need periodic deep cleaning as well. Because vacuuming removes only surface dirt and dust, you need to deep clean in order to treat the deep down, ground in dirt and stains that can discolor your carpet.

For your regular vacuuming, you need to make sure you have a quality vacuum that will get the job done right. Most vacuum cleaners simply do not have the suction power to adequately remove all the dirt and soil from your carpet. When dirt accumulates in your carpet, it can weaken the carpet fibers. This reduces the lifespan of your flooring. To make your carpet last as long as possible, you need a good vacuum that thoroughly cleans.

However, even with regular vacuum cleaning using a quality vacuum, you still are not removing all the dirt. You need to get your carpet deep cleaned as well. Most carpet should be cleaned at least every 12-18 months but highly trafficked areas should be cleaned more frequently. Regular cleaning keeps your carpet looking its very best. Even if your carpet does not look visibly soiled, it can still benefit from professional cleaning.

Getting Your Carpet Cleaned Professionally

Having a team of trained professionals clean your carpet is the easiest way to make sure every bit of grime is removed from the fibers. Professional carpet cleaners have special equipment and knowledge that allows them to clean your carpet skillfully. If you hire cleaners, you will save yourself time and effort. A professionally cleaned carpet usually dries more quickly than if you tried to clean your carpets yourself.

DIY Carpet Cleaning

If you are a do-it-yourself type and want to clean your carpets yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should carefully investigate all your steam cleaner options before you rent or purchase a unit. Some steam-cleaners might not clean your carpet properly. Some might even damage your flooring. While you are doing your research, keep the following tips in mind:

*Quality professional steam cleaning units are available for rent. Make sure you check the suction power on the unit. The machine should have enough suction power to remove enough water so that the carpet dries quickly. Your carpet should be dry in twelve hours or less. If your carpet gets too wet or takes too long to dry, it can be damaged.

* Remember not to wet your carpet too much during cleaning. If your carpet gets too wet, bacteria and mold can form in the fibers. This can damage the backing of your carpet and cause respiratory problems if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies.

*If your carpet has been treated to resist stains you need to clean it with special cleaning supplies. Using the wrong cleaner can void your warranty and reduce the efficacy of your carpet’s stain fighting properties.

*Do not use bleach products during cleaning as it will change the color of your flooring.

*Do not use any cleaning product that contains silicone.

* Use a dehumidifier unit to help your carpet dry as fast as possible.

Extracting Dirt Using Hot Water

How water extraction is one of the best ways to clean your carpet. Also known as steam cleaning, hot water extraction uses detergent and hot water to get your carpet clean. After the mixture is sprayed onto your carpet, the dirty water is sucked back out of your carpet along with the excess water.

Home Remedies for Stains

Many products are currently available on the market that will help rid you of any tough stain. The most efficient way to remove stains, however, is with immediate action. This means cleaning up spills as soon as they happen. Fortunately, clean up can easily be done with items found in your own house. This way, you will not only save time, but money as well.

Cleaning up stains is simple with the use of already familiar products found in your pantry, kitchen, or medicine cabinet. Some of the things you can use are rubbing alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, and detergents. Outlined below, you will find some tips and tricks on how to clean up pet stains and as well as other bothersome carpet stains.

Pet Stains

The first cleaner for pet stains you can make at home, is an ammonia solution. Take one spoon of clear household ammonia and mix it with a half cup of cold water. This solution can be mixed in a spray bottle and sprayed on the stain, or it can be directly poured onto the carpet. It is important to remember not to wet the carpet’s backing when applying the solution. Once you have treated the stain, use paper towels to dry and blot any excess liquid from the carpet.

As an alternative option, a detergent solution made from either hand or dish soap can also be used. In order to make the detergent solution, use bleach free and lanolin free soap. Mix one quarter of a spoon of soap with one quart of water. Another option would be to just use water. This will re-hydrate the stain and allow it to be more easily removed. Many pet stains can also be removed with a steam cleaner. Always be certain to completely dry the treated areas after cleaning.

Ink Stains Carpet

You can remove ink stains by using isopropyl rubbing alcohol. To do this, pour some alcohol onto a clean white towel or other cloth material. Paper towels may also be used provided they are white. Proceed to repeatedly blot the stain until it is removed. If the stain is small, be sure to blot in only one direction so as not to spread the stain any further.

Wine and Lager Stains

In order to remove lager and wine stains, mix white vinegar and water in one to one ratios. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle and use the spray to completely saturate the stain. For optimal results, let the mixture absorb for about 10 to 15 minutes. Next, use a sponge to clean using a rubbing motion. When finished, rinse the treated area with warm water. End by brushing the carpet fibers in their natural direction.

After each of the cleaning procedures, paper towels can be used for drying. The best method is to layer the paper towels over the newly cleaned area, and then with a weighted object on top of them, allow them to sit and soak up moisture until the area is completely dried.