Common Mistakes To Avoid While Cleaning Carpet

Study and learn the common mistakes to avoid while cleaning carpet is really crucial for each DIYers before starting any of the cleaning processes. It will enable you to mitigate health hazards, color damage and other physical damage of the carpets.

DIY carpet cleaning is different from commercial cleaning services. Here, you have to do all the things to complete the cleaning process. So, it’s a normal thing if you do any mistake while executing the whole process. There are plenty of mistakes done by DIYers while cleaning carpets. Most of the DIYers make these mistakes without realizing them.

However, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can lead to carpet damage or inadequate cleaning. From over-shampooing to using the wrong cleaning products, carpet cleaning mistakes are all too common. We’ll explore some of the most common mistakes to avoid when cleaning your carpets, so you can achieve the best possible results and prolong the lifespan of your carpets.

20 Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid:

Here, we have enlisted 20 common carpet cleaning mistakes to avoid (in total) along with their DIY solutions. We have subcategorized these mistakes into 4 groups below-

1. Technical Mistakes During or, While Executing The Cleaning Processes
2. Safety Related Mistakes
3. Immediate Action And Routine Cleaning Related Mistakes
4. Mistakes While Mixing Household Chemicals

1. Technical Mistakes During The Cleaning Processes:

1.1. Not Vacuuming Before Start 

Not vacuuming before starting the cleaning process is the first mistake done by the DIYers. Almost every carpet cleaning method requires vacuuming the whole carpet before executing the whole process. This pre-vacuuming will remove the loose dust, dirt, debris and hair from the carpet fiber. Otherwise, these loose things will create disturbance during the cleaning process.  

1.2. Not Protecting High-Traffic Areas

When we say treating high traffic areas on carpet, it includes the entry way of home, living room and the hallways. These areas trap the highest amount of dirt and mud/soil. You can mitigate this problem by using rugs before stepping on the carpets.   

1.3. Not Cleaning Based On Your Type Of Carpet 

In wintering countries people use different types of carpets. Based on the manufacturing material carpets are of two types- natural fiber carpets and synthetic fiber carpets.

It’s really important to know the type of carpet you are using before cleaning. Because, carpet cleaning products and machines are manufactured on the basis of type of carpet fiber. Also, it will help you to choose the appropriate home remedy easily. If you don’t maintain these facts, you may damage your carpets badly while cleaning them.

1.4. Not Doing A Spot Test (for harsh chemicals)

There are many homemade and commercial cleaning products available on the market. They have their own characteristics with specific chemical properties. Some are low concentrated, some are medium and some are highly concentrated chemicals. You have to always make a dilute solution with these medium to highly concentrated products for cleaning your carpets. Otherwise they will damage both color and fibers of your carpets if you apply them directly without a spot test.

For DIYers it is essential to do a spot test with every cleaning product on the carpet. 

**List Of Harsh Chemicals To Avoid While Cleaning Carpets:   

A list of harsh chemicals which should be avoided while cleaning carpets is given below. Though they are capable of cleaning and disinfecting carpets, you should not apply them as home supplies for carpet cleaning. Because, they are hazardous to both health and environment.

• Ammonia
• Formaldehyde, Tributyl tin, Phenol
• Perchloroethylene  
• Fluorescent brightening agents (FBAs) for carpet
• Naphthalene
• Isobutane (aerosol propellants), Dibutyl phthalate, Nonylphenol ethoxylate (surfactant), Octylphenol ethoxylate (surfactant), propane, butane
• Hydrofluoric acid, Nitrilotriacetic acid, Hydroxyacetic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Sodium carbonate

Before starting the whole cleaning process, always do a spot test with every (dilute and concentrated) cleaning product on a small part of your carpet. Then observe if any damage occurs. If not, you are good to go.

1.5. Over Saturating The Carpet

While soaking or rinsing any spot and deep cleaning your carpets at home never over saturate them. If this happens, you will experience some disturbing results after the whole cleaning process. Such as, wicking may occur and it will cause weird mildew or, urine like smells. Because of wicking, your light colored carpets may turn into brown or, yellow shades after slow drying.     

Wicking: Moving or, evaporating the remaining moisture to the fabric’s outer surface is known as wicking. It happens if the carpets get oversaturated.

DIY Solution:

Cover the oversaturated area with some folded dry paper towels and pressurize them with heavy objects. Keep it that way for sometimes and let the towels absorb all the excess moisture from the carpets. Repeat this technique if necessary.

Never over saturate your carpets while soaking or, rinsing with water. If this happens, then you must dry up the carpet properly after cleaning. Use a heat drier if necessary.

1.6. Harsh Scrubbing

While removing wax, bubble gums, soils or, any other harden debris from your carpets, never do harsh scrubbing. Even, don’t use any harsh scrubber or, any hard brush. Harsh scrubbing and rubbing will damage your carpet fibers and may untwist them. Untwisted fibers will cause fraying of your carpets. Also, sometimes harsh scrubbing pushes the dirt into deep carpet fibers. This makes the cleaning process more difficult.

DIY Solution:

Always scrub and rub your carpets gently with patience for loosen up the dirt and debris. Use soft scrubber or brush.

1.7. Using The Wrong Cleaning Product

Don’t use the wrong cleaning agent on your carpet. For example, you cannot use the cleaning product of blood stains on paint stains or, other stains. Because, it might not work and all your efforts will go in vain. Also, it may damage (color) your carpet.

DIY Solution:

First, you have to study the stain type and the volume of the mess. Then you have to choose the appropriate cleaning product with relevant cleaning process to execute on your carpets.

Or, simply, you can choose a common and mild all purpose cleaning product for your carpets if can’t study the stain type.

1.8. Overusing Cleaning Products

You should not overuse any kind of cleaning products on your carpet while cleaning it. Over use may damage the color and leave its own residues on your carpet after you’re done cleaning.  Then you have to repeat the whole process, which is really frustrating.

DIY Solution:

Read the user manual and learn the applicable amount based on the volume of the mess. Or, simply follow our detailed contents on carpet cleaning for easy and quick learning.

1.9. Using Unfit or, Faulty Cleaning Devices

Always use high quality and pre-checked carpet cleaning devices. Otherwise, using low quality and faulty devices for cleaning your carpets may lead to poor cleaning, fiber damage or shrinking and patchiness.

DIY Solution:

Always check and repair if there is any dysfunction on your purchased or, hired carpet cleaning devices (especially the vacuum machine, shampooer or, the steaming machine).   

2. Safety Related Mistakes:

2.1. Not Using Safety Equipment (rubber gloves, masks, PPE)

To mitigate health risks during different carpet cleaning methods you have to use some safety equipments like goggles, rubber gloves, masks, PPE (personal protective equipment). These are really important while deep cleaning or, pre-treating old carpet stains with strong cleaning products (acid, hydrogen peroxide etc.). These cleaning products containing strong chemicals may burn your skin, causes respiratory problems, spread zoonotic disease etc. if you don’t use these safety equipments.     

So, we recommend not starting cleaning with bare hands; always put on hand gloves, masks, PPE etc. during the whole process.

2.2. Bleaching Carpets

Using bleaching powder for cleaning and disinfecting carpets and rugs is a silly mistake. Because bleaching powder causes color damage or, fading up the carpet. Also, your carpet may undergo bleached conditions which creates toxic health hazard to your babies or pets.

3. Immediate Action And Routine Cleaning Related Mistakes:

3.1. Not Cleaning The Stains Immediately

Sometimes different liquid spillages and urine stains go unnoticed and sit permanently on the carpet. Also, different fungi (Microsporum canis) and molds (Mucor plumbeus) grow on these spots which may spread different diseases among the family members. That’s why immediate action is needed to clean the mess. Otherwise, the longer it gets time to sit, the tougher it gets to be cleaned.   

Professionals always suggest cleaning up the fresh spills and urine from the carpet by following the appropriate methodology.

3.2. Being Lazy And Late

Don’t make the mistake of being lazy and late to clean up the mess. If you are late then it becomes harder to clean up the stain. Also, stop being lazy and become active on regular vacuuming your carpets (at least 3 times a week) to clean up the dust, hair and loose debris.  

3.3. Lack Of Patience 

Don’t rush, take enough time to clean your carpets. You can’t use any hard object for rubbing the soaked urine stain. If you do so, you may damage the carpet badly.

3.4. Not Having Time Sense

 You have to be careful about the time sense while cleaning the carpet and rugs using baking soda. Because this process needs time and generally people wait over night and let it sit on the stain for absorbing all the pee salts neutralize the smell. So, don’t start cleaning if you have other errands at the same time.

3.5. Not Vacuuming Regularly or, Routinely  

Regular vacuuming (at least 3 times a week) is mandatory for keeping your carpets fresh and dust free. Also, re vacuuming fluffs up the carpet fiber and gives a soft cozy feel. Vacuuming will remove the loose dust, dirt, debris and hair from the carpet fiber. Otherwise, these loose things will set permanently into deep carpet fiber. Also, they will create disturbance during the cleaning process.

4. Mistakes While Mixing Household Chemicals:

DIYers make serious mistakes while mixing household chemicals to prepare homemade carpet cleanser. Though these homemade solutions are effective at cleaning and sanitizing carpets, sometimes accidental health hazard occurs if we don’t know about the chemical properties of those cleaning agents. Because, the mixing of different chemicals may create and emit toxic fumes or produce corrosive products. Some examples are as follows-  

4.1. Mixing Bleaching Powder With Vinegar:

Never mix bleaching powder with vinegar. Because this combination will produce toxic Chlorine gas which will lead you to breathing problems, coughing, burning eyes, watery eyes. Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas

4.2. Mixing Bleaching Powder With Ammonia:

Never mix bleach with ammonia. Because this will produce Chloramine which will cause chest pain and breathing problems. Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine

4.3. Mixing Bleaching Powder With Rubbing Alcohol:

Don’t mix bleach with rubbing alcohol because it will produce highly toxic Chloroform. Bleach + Rubbing alcohol = Chloroform

4.4. Mixing Hydrogen Peroxide With Vinegar:

Don’t mix Hydrogen peroxide with Vinegar because this combination will produce peroxyacetic acid which is a highly corrosive product.

4.5. DIY solutions For Mixing Household Chemicals:

All DIYers must know about the chemicals and their pattern of reactions and the risk factors while combining them together before execute them. We recommend reading the user manual and cautioning labels of each product before use. Always keep them in a safe place which is away from children, pets and sunlight.

Related Questions:

What to do if the carpet gets over saturated?

Oversaturating the carpet during cleaning (shampooing, hot water extraction, power wash etc.) is the reason for some issues like wicking, wet smell, yellowish color resemblance. That’s why, you must dry up or, de-moisturize the carpets properly. For this, cover the oversaturated area with some folded dry paper towels and pressurize them with heavy objects. Keep it that way for sometimes and let the towels absorb all the excess water or moisture from the carpets. Repeat this technique if necessary.

Why do carpets turn yellow or, brown after washing?

When you deep clean (shampooing) or, power wash your carpets with water they get too wet or oversaturated. Also, water enters deep into the carpets and sometimes leaches underneath the pad of the carpets. In such situations, wicking happens and it results in appearing the brown or yellow spots.

When should you not use baking soda for cleaning?

Baking soda should not be used in any kind of surface with deep grooves or cracks. Because a white and dusty residue is left behind after it dries which is then deposited on those grooves or, cracks. Also, if your vacuum is not working properly then it will be a mess even after cleaning. Because the last step of cleaning with baking soda is to vacuum up everything from the carpets.

Why your carpets smell like mildew after washing?

When you deep clean (shampooing) or, power wash your carpets with water they get over saturated. Also, water leaches underneath the pad of the carpets. In such situations, if you do not dry up the carpets properly after cleaning then this remaining water and moisture is evaporated from the deep carpet fibers and pad which result in creating mildew like smells.

Why ‘not-vacuuming’ before deep cleaning carpets is a mistake?

Vacuuming before deep cleaning carpets removes the loose dust, dirt, debris and hair from the carpet fiber. Otherwise, these loose things will create disturbance during the cleaning process. 

What Not To Do When Shampooing Carpet?

When shampooing carpet, make sure not to over-wet the carpet, avoid putting furniture with wood or metal feet back onto wet carpet, and do not ignore the dilution rate. Additionally, do not repeatedly go over the same spot, and allow the carpet to dry properly.

These practices will help prevent damage to the carpet and ensure effective cleaning.

How Many Times Do You Go Over Carpet When Cleaning?

For optimal results, it’s recommended to go over the same spot on a carpet two or three times maximum. Additional passes will offer minimal improvement, according to laboratory research. Over-wetting the carpet or going over the same spot excessively can make it difficult to remove dirt and stains.

Why Do Carpets Look Dirty Faster After Cleaning?

Carpets might look dirty faster after cleaning due to a phenomenon called “carpet wicking”. Stains that were previously lying beneath the surface, such as in the padding, move up and become visible as the carpet dries following steam cleaning. This is why stains sometimes reappear.

How Do You Get The Best Results When Cleaning A Carpet?

To get the best results when cleaning a carpet, use a mixture of soapy water and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a stiff-bristled scrubbing brush to accumulate dirt in one direction, then scrub in opposite directions to cover every angle.

Avoid over-wetting the carpet, not going over the same spot enough, and not drying the carpet properly. Blot stains rather than scrubbing them.

How Can I Avoid Over-wetting My Carpet When Shampooing It?

Make sure to use the appropriate amount of water and cleaning solution. Don’t apply too much pressure on the shampooer and limit passes over wet areas.

Final Words:

If you (a DIYer) do any mistake while executing the whole process, then it is a usual thing. People do mistakes’ consciously or without realizing them. But if you study and learn these carpet cleaning related mistakes in advance, you will be able to avoid them completely.

Cleaning your carpet may seem like a simple task, but it requires careful attention to avoid common mistakes that could lead to permanent damage to your carpet. By avoiding the mistakes outlined and utilizing the recommended tips, you can achieve better results and extend the lifespan of your carpet.

So, we believe that DIYers who don’t know the common mistakes to avoid while cleaning carpet is no more a bigger problem. In fact, it was never been that hard if people have already studied our contents. And now this article has cleared all the probable and necessary questions of the DIYers.

References:

1. https://www.catalogueoflife.org/data/taxon/4374F (Microsporum canis)
2. https://www.gbif.org/species/5250578 (Mucor plumbeus)