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Regardless of the colour, weave or pattern, there’s no doubting that while carpets can feel deliciously tactile underfoot, they also attract more dirt.
Even though it’s not always visible, the fibres quickly trap daily debris, leaving them less hygienic than other flooring solutions. And while a good old vacuum will spruce them up on a regular basis, experts still recommend that we give carpets a deep clean at least twice a year.
But is this a job for the professionals or can you achieve the same clean-carpet feel at home? Here’s what they told us.
Autumn can be a good time to consider a carpet clean, says Jennifer Sharpe, chief fragrance officer at cleaning company Fabulosa.
“After spending more time outside in the summer, you've likely walked dirt through from your garden, so deep cleaning a carpet or rug will be much needed, freshening up your home ready for cosier nights in.”
Faye Doolittle, carpet-washing product manager at Vax UK, notes how other peak times are also recognised in the industry.
“We see a surge just before Christmas to freshen the home for visitors, and post-Christmas and New Year to remove any spills and stains left behind after festive celebrations. Next up is Easter or spring-clean season for a full deep clean of carpets and furnishings.
“However, regardless of the time of year,” says Doolittle, “if you have young children and pets rolling around on your floors, then you may want to wash even more regularly to keep carpets hygienically clean.”
Punam Chada, carpet buyer at Carpetright adds: “How often you should deep clean a carpet also depends on how much the room itself is used and thereby how worn a carpet may be.
“A solid recommendation is a minimum of twice a year, with a weekly once-over with a vacuum.”
The benefit of regular cleaning?
“It will not only leave your carpets looking clean and smelling fresh,” says Dolittle. “But also it will prolong their life and help to avoid the expensive costs of carpet replacement.”
Looking for a new vacuum?
“An upright cleaner with an active beater bar, which will help loosen and lift soil, works well for cut-pile carpets,” says Chada, “whereas loop piles are best maintained using a suction cleaner.”
For more expert advice, find out which vacuum cleaner is right for you.
As the saying goes, prepare well, or prepare to fail. It’s the same for any cleaning jobs around the house.
Put aside some time, clear the area, position your tools to hand and suddenly the job seems less of a chore, and more of an achievable challenge.
Chada recommends having the following kit if you are tackling the carpet clean without a specialist machine:
With your tools to the ready, it’s next a question of deciding what liquid-based solutions you use to clean your carpets.
Our kitchen food cupboards are often a valuable source of help, and as is often the case, it’s the standard home heroes that sport carpet-cleaning capes:
For those of you who prefer to call in something slightly stronger, then there are also commercial carpet-cleaning powders, shampoos and foams available, with some proving useful at this time of year, suggests Sharpe.
“A foam freshener is great to use in between vacuuming, especially during the colder months when windows aren’t opened as frequently,” she says.
“It eliminates odours and leaves a lovely fresh and clean smell.”
Feel your vacuuming isn’t quite making the grade? Make sure you’re not doing it wrong. Here’s the vacuuming mistakes you should avoid.
If you need to remove stains prior to your carpet clean and prefer to take a home-grown approach, then it’s teamwork time for your food-cupboard staples.
Chada recommends the following mix as a DIY stain remover:
Put the mixture onto the stained areas, leave to dry and then vacuum.
If you’re running low on any of these, there’s also another alternative in the bathroom cabinet. According to Chada, shaving foam can be sprayed on stains.
Leave for 30 minutes, blot it away, spray with vinegar and then wipe away any residue. Alternatively, use a custom carpet stain remover but be sure to test it in an inconspicuous area beforehand.
Experts at Carpetright are keen to point out that you should only use bleach on a 100% polypropolene based carpet.
If you do use bleach, it’s also recommended you dilute this to create a 50% water and 50% bleach solution. Always test this on a small inconspicuous area first.
If the thought of a deep, wet carpet clean using a machine leaves you filled with visions of empty rooms and hours of drying time, thankfully this is doesn’t have to be the case any more.
“Gone are the days when you needed to schedule a day to wash your carpets and then vacate the house until they dry,” says Doolittle.
“These days, it’s quick and easy to wash and dry carpets, particularly if you choose one that features a ‘quick-dry’ or ‘dry-only’ mode, some of which leave your carpets dry in as little as an hour.”
She recommends the following plan of attack to make the job as easy as possible:
Doolittle’s top tip for getting the best out of your machine? “Don’t rush,” she says.
“It’s a common mistake. Instead, move slowly forward to allow the solution to be released into the carpet and the rotating brush bar to properly agitate the fibres.
“A slow step is much more efficient than hurriedly pushing forward and pulling back multiple times.”
Drying time for any type of carpet clean, whether by hand or machine, can be aided by keeping rooms well ventilated with fresh air.
Chada recommends the following six steps for best results when cleaning by hand:
If your house is wall-to-wall carpet, even cleaning with a machine may seem a little too daunting.
To find a professional cleaner near you, visit the National Carpet Cleaners Association.
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