Blog > Carpet Cleaning 101: Do It Yourself and Local Favorites
From the snow we saw in Central Texas recently to the showers we’re sure to get in the spring, this first half of the year always means muddy shoes and, consequently, messy carpets.
There are several ways to go about getting those soft surfaces clean, so we will do our best to guide you in the right direction, whether you want to clean them yourself or hire local!
DIY Carpet Cleaning
If you prefer to do it yourself, we have some tips for getting the job done right!
The first thing you’ll want to do is vacuum up any hair/fur, dirt and other solids, like crumbs. Once you have all the “chunky” stuff picked up, move on to a general cleaning. Starting with an overall cleaning before doing your spot-cleaning can save you some time treating individual messes and stains, since they might get cleaned up when you clean the entire carpet.
To clean the carpet in its entirety, start by renting a steam cleaner. Want to buy one to own? Check out this review on the best steam cleaners of 2020!
After you’ve cleaned the area, check for any leftover stains. Now would be the time to spot clean! Follow these steps for a through spot clean:
- Soak the stain in club soda. This will help loosen and lift particles.
- Next, apply your carpet cleaner, and blot. For most stains, it’s best to blot them, rather than rub or scrub them. The motion of rubbing and scrubbing can deepen, rather than remove, the stain.
- If the stain is still lightly persisting on the tips of the carpet, gently rub in one direction to encourage removal.
- Repeat until the stain lifts!
This process, from vacuuming to steaming to spot cleaning, should get your carpets nice and clean!
Carpet Cleaners
So you decided to clean your carpets yourself, but still not sure on which carpet cleaner to use? No worries! There are plenty of great options, especially when it comes to getting a natural clean.
If you’re looking to go store-bought, great! Household names like Bissel and Woolite have a variety of solutions available online or in-store at establishments like Lowe’s. For a bit more guidance on nailing down the best product, check out this list!
If you’re looking to get a little more DIY with it, there are plenty of great recipes out there for a natural, homemade solution! Common and effective ingredients include vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, baking soda, and Pure Castile soup. Using ingredients like lemon juice and baking soda will bring your more natural solutions. To learn more about natural cleaning solutions, check out our blog post from last year about getting a natural deep clean here.
Hire Locally!
If you’re not about the DIY carpet cleaning, we don’t blame you! Fortunately, there are so many great local experts who can help you out!
Carpet Cleaning Cedar Park Tx | www.CarpetCleaningCedarParkTX.com
SteamDoc | www.SteamDoc.com
Will’s Carpet Care | www.WillsCarpetCare.com
Natural Carpet Tile Clean | 1208 Doris Ln, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Austin Specialty Cleaners | www.AustinSpecialtyCleaners.com
Red Fox Steamers | www.RedFoxSteamers.com
Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning| www.RoundRockTX.HeavensBest.com
QuikDri Carpet Cleaning LLC | www.QuikDri.com
This list is by no means exhaustive, which is great news! That means there are plenty of businesses here in the Austin area to help you achieve that perfect clean during rainy (and apparently, snowy!) weather.