When it comes to making simple home improvements, I’m all about DIY, saving yourself money, and doing a quality job that you know you’ll be satisfied with. Despite the fact that I usually prefer hardwood floors to carpets in most settings, carpet cleaning is one household job I believe a homeowner can do themselves effectively and economically as opposed to hiring the “pros.”

Here are 4 steps to follow to help make and keep your carpet looking and smelling fresh and bright for as long as possible:

1. Vacuum your carpet thoroughly.
Begin by vacuuming your carpet at angles, not just straight up and down. When cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting, divide the area into quadrants and then work each quadrant thoroughly before moving on to the next one. This will make it easier to pick up the dirt. Vacuuming regularly is key to good carpet maintenance, but not a substitute for steamcleaning/extracting. Many experts agree that for every member of a household, you should vacuum that many times a week.

2. Pre-treat trouble spots with a stain remover.

Pre-treat all carpet stains by spraying them with stain remover before you attempt to wash the carpet. Give the stain remover at least several minutes to work itself into the carpet, or use a soft cloth or sponge to work it in. This will help loosen up the stain, breaking it apart and making for easier stain removal.

One other way for stain removal is to mix some powder laundry detergent with hot water. Put the solution directly on the stain and let it soak into the stain for about five minutes. Then use a damp cloth to scrub the stain out. If the stain doesn’t go away right away, repeat the process. Once you’re finished, take some plain hot water and use a scrub brush to remove any excess soap, then leave it to dry. A thorough rinse is necessary since leftover soap can actually attract dirt. When completely dry, vacuum the area.

If your carpet has become the victim of a pet smell, put a little white vinegar on a paper towel or dry cloth and lightly pat it onto the affected area.

3. Run your carpet extractor repeatedly over stubborn stains.

I find the most effective carpet cleaners to use are the ones that have two brush rolls rather than one. On the average, this should allow less runs over difficult areas and save you time and energy. Your whole carpet will be acceptably clean when your dirty water is close to clear.

4. Apply carpet protector.

Carpet protector will help keep future stains from penetrating too deeply into the carpet and allow for easier removal.

Do you have any advice for effective carpet cleaning or maintenance you’d like to add? Please leave them in the comments below!

And if you have any questions about home design or about selling or buying a home in metro Albuquerque, be sure to contact me today!