How To Steam Clean Your Carpets At Home: The Ultimate Guide

Steam cleaning of carpets is considered as the most effective method of removing deeply trapped dirt and debris in the carpet fibers. This method is executed through a steam cleaning machine filled with soap/detergent and water. Choose a good day with dry sunny weather so that you can keep the windows open while cleaning and let the carpets dry automatically. Steam cleaning is really a best method for deep cleaning and disinfecting old dirty carpets.

Methodology: Steam Cleaning Carpets

Products And Tools Needed:

You will be needed the following supplies to complete the cleaning process-

• Rubber gloves
• Water
• Detergent or, shampoo or, liquid dish soap
• White vinegar (if necessary)
• Stand fans (if necessary)
• Carpet steam cleaner

Step 1:

Clearing The Room:

First, clear everything (chair, table, furniture, toys etc.) from the room to create space as much as you can to execute the process properly. Heavy furniture that you cannot move will create obstacles while steam cleaning carpets. In such situation you have to use wooden blocks or plastic films under them to prevent moisture absorption. Then dust out everything using a dust cloth.

Vacuuming The Whole Carpet: 

Before steam cleaning, you have to vacuum the entire carpet slowly to remove hair and large dirt pieces. If necessary do vacuuming twice and it is best to use a brush for removing maximum level pet and human hair. Also, vacuuming fluffs up the carpet fibers for more effective cleaning.

Handling Tough Stains: 

If there are old and stubbornly set stains (includes- urine, blood, paints, oil, grease, red wine etc.) on your carpets then you have to deal with them separately before steam cleaning. We recommend following our informative articles on how to tackle tough stains on the carpets.

Step 2:

Hot Water Filling In The Steam Cleaner: 

According to the machines capacity pour hot (not at boiling point) water in its tank. Modern updated steam cleaners have built-in heating mechanism for the water which makes the cleaning process easier. Avoid overfilling the tank and watch the labeling of the tanks capacity. Steam cleaning doesn’t require any cleaning agent but if you use just enough detergent or soap mixed in the hot water then the cleaning will be more effective.

Adding Detergent Or, Soap With The Water:

Firstselectwhat type of cleanser product you will use for the cleaning process. Also the type of the detergent or, soap depends on the carpet fibers. We recommend using regular laundry detergents or, liquid dish soap. Read the instructions and mix the right amount of the selected cleaning agents in the water tank.

Some machines have separate chamber for soap, detergents and water. But in most machines you have to directly mix the soap in the water tank by hands.

Choosing Vinegar Over Detergent Or Soap: 

Only water steam cannot clean the carpets. But if you mix a suitable cleaning agent then steam cleaning is one of the best methods for deep cleaning carpets. Now, here’s a thing, if you want to use a natural cleanser over chemicals then you can choose vinegar and mix it in a ratio of 1:1 with the warm water. But steam cleaning with detergents or liquid dish soap is more effective.

Step 3:

Steaming The Whole Carpet:

Always start from a corner which is diagonal from the entrance of the room. Push the machine forward and start walking for cleaning from a corner to the wall out of that area.

Steam cleaners use hot water steams to loosen up the dirt and other deposits on the carpets or rugs. They release hot water steams on the carpet then suck up the dirt immediately and store them into a tank along with the filthy water.

Run the steamer machine maintaining long lines like passing it from wall to wall for effective cleaning. Pass the machine over the same line repeatedly for deep cleaning. For each new line, slightly overlap the previous one. 

Slowly move the machine and allow it to work properly on the carpets. Usually steam cleaners are operated slowly than vacuums. If you hurry or move them too fast then they won’t be able to suck up the filths and dirty water. Moving the steaming machines too fast will definitely leave moisture on the carpets which will extend the drying time. That’s why you have to use the machine with patience for a proper cleaning and all you need is to let the machine do its part and you don’t hurry with it.

If you have enough time to repeat the whole process then we recommend using vinegar with warm water this time. Mix vinegar at a ratio of 1:1 with water and run the machine on the whole carpet again to remove all the leftover moisture and soap.

Drying The Carpet:

After steam cleaning, now let the carpets dry automatically. Make sure the windows and doors are open for ventilation. Also you can use the ceiling fans, a standing fan or a floor blower to dry out the carpets faster. Do not let anyone walk over the washed carpets during drying.

Tips

• Some natural fiber carpet can shrink from hot water or be harmed by detergent, so always be aware of what type of carpet you are planning to steam clean. Before steam cleaning your carpets always check the type of carpet fibers. Because hot water may shrink some synthetic and natural fiber based carpets and also damages the color.
• If you will have to walk behind the device while using it on the carpet then walk on your bare feet to avoid leaving marks.

Related Questions:

Is It Safe To Steam Clean Carpets?

Steam cleaning of carpets is considered as the most effective way to remove stubbornly trapped dirt and filths in the carpet fibers and bring back the good appearance. Also, you don’t need to use any chemical based cleaning agent. This method is executed through a steam cleaning machine filled with your regular home supplies like detergent or, shampoo. Choose a good day with dry sunny weather so that you can keep the windows open while cleaning and let the carpets dry automatically. On the other hand, latest steam cleaners have smart features like using optimum amount of water to ensure your carpets don’t get over saturated and dry quickly.

Is It Better To Steam Or Shampoo Carpet?

You have to decide and choose a carpet cleaning method based on its fabric material and mainly how dirty it is?  Both steaming and shampooing are considered for deep cleaning carpets after a long term of use. But steaming is an easier and quicker process (while executing and drying) compared to shampooing carpets. So, we recommend steaming your carpets over shampooing though both are cost-effective methods.  

Do You Need To Vacuum Before Steam Cleaning Carpets?

Yes, before steam cleaning you have to vacuum the entire carpet slowly to remove hair and large dirt pieces. If necessary do vacuuming twice to remove pet and human hair at maximum level. Also, vacuuming fluffs up the carpet fibers for more effective deep cleaning.

Will A Steam Cleaner Kill Mites In Carpet? At What Temperature Will It Be Effective?

Yes, super charged steam machines are effective and powerful enough to eliminate mites from carpets and beddings. Because, steam cleaners generate very hot steam which is an effective and non-chemical way of treatment mite problem in home before any kind of infestation occurs. Cleaning at 60⁰ C or higher is enough to kill most mites. But at 130⁰ C all mites die because that’s the optimum temperature level of killing all kinds of carpet mites.

How often should you steam clean your carpet?

Usually people steam clean or shampoo their carpets once in six months that’s means twice a year. Depending on the dirty condition of the carpets, you may have to clean them more often.

Can You Steam Clean All Types Of Carpets?

Not all of them but most kind of carpets can be steam cleaned. It is because; different carpets have different types of fiber. Some are made of synthetic fibers and some are made of natural fibers having different heat resisting capacity. That’s why you have to be cautious and maintain the applied heating rate while steam cleaning your carpets. Otherwise, synthetic carpets may shrink down with access heat and color damage may occur on all type of carpets. The smartest way to choose a cleaning method is, first read the user manuals and guidelines then learn which machine and method is suitable for your target.

Final Touch:

Steam cleaning of carpets is really an effective way to remove tough stains and deeply trapped dirt in the carpet fibers. This process brings back the good appearance and freshness inside home. Choose a dry sunny weather and keep the windows open while cleaning which will dry up the carpets automatically. On the other hand, latest steam cleaners have smart features which trigger the washing and drying process.

So, we believe that people who find it tricky and gross and don’t know the process of how to steam clean your carpets at home? is no more a bigger problem. In fact, it was never been that hard if people have already followed a similar process like that. And now this article has cleared all the probable and necessary questions of the DIYers.