DIY carpet cleaning

PROFESSIONAL COST: $100

YOUR COST: $5

SAVINGS: $95

COMPLEXITY

Simple

TOOLS

DIY steam-cleaning machine

MATERIALS

Carpet-cleaning soap

Neutralizing rinse or white vinegar

Carpet pros do a more thorough job than you can, but hiring a pro is expensive. So the next-best approach is to alternate between DIY and pro cleanings. DIY “steam”-cleaning machines can be effective if you understand how to use them and take the time to clean your carpet carefully.

Most rental machines weigh more, hold more water and come with a wider wand than purchased models, making them useful for larger, high-traffic areas. Purchased models are usually smaller, more portable and easier to store. They’re good for spot cleaning and are easier to drag up and down stairs.

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1. Vacuum beforehand to remove large particles of soil. Then use the DIY machine as per manufacturer’s instructions. Be careful and take your time. Hurrying through a cleaning will leave soap residue, a soaked carpet and a pad that can mold or mildew. Larger rental machines require you to pull them across the floor rather than push.

2. Use less soap than directed. The soap used in DIY machines foams a lot and leaves behind a lot of residue, which acts as a dirt magnet. Despite what the directions say, use a tablespoon or less of soap to 1 gallon of hot water to prevent soap residue. Make one pass.

3. Use a mild acid rinse to neutralize soap residue. DIY machines are often sold with a neutralizing rinse, or you can make your own using 1 cup white vinegar to 1 gallon hot water. Rinse after you make one pass with the detergent solution. Let dry completely.

4. Vacuum again after you clean and the carpet is completely dry to pick up soil that wicks to the surface during drying.

CAUTION:

→ Don’t overwet the carpet. DIY machines put a lot of moisture into the carpet, and most don’t have strong enough suction to extract it thoroughly. Make only one pass with the soap and water solution. Make one pass with the neutralizing rinse solution. Then make two or three drying passes with the water off.

pro tips!

→ You can rent a steam cleaner from a grocery store or home center. If you pick the machine up late in the day, many stores will charge you a half-day rate and let you keep the machine until the next morning. Don’t forget to buy the detergent!

→ Clean the carpet before it becomes really dirty. How often your carpet needs cleaning depends on the kind of carpet traffic you have (think kids and pets). Clean the carpet when the color starts looking dull. If you wait until the carpet is filthy, cleaning it will be much more difficult, take much longer and cost more.

→ Pretreat stains and high-traffic areas. Mix a drop of detergent with hot water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the dirtiest areas. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes before starting the general cleaning.

→ Remove or elevate furniture. If your furniture is too heavy to move, put aluminum foil squares, wood blocks or plastic film under and around the legs of all furniture to prevent rust from metal casters or stains from paint and finishes from transferring to damp carpet.

→ Let it dry thoroughly. Wet carpet is a perfect environment for mold and mildew. After you clean your carpets, open the windows, use fans and a dehumidifier, or put the AC on a moderate setting (72 to 78 degrees) to remove excess moisture from the air. Don’t replace the furniture or walk on the carpet until it’s completely dry. This can take up to 12 hours, though six to eight hours is typical.