How To Clean Your Own Carpet

    Yes, I am going to tell you how to clean your own carpet! Well, there are some disqualifiers that take into account the limitations of popular rental cleaning equipment, but I'll give you the Pro's view.
    1. Vacuum thoroughly.  
    2. Spray detergent onto carpet. Lightly brush spotters and de-greasers into problem areas.  
    3. Rinse with mild acidic rinse.  
    4. Dry ASAP    
    The Rug-Doctor style of rental cleaning equipment does a reasonable job of washing the surface of carpet fibers. The important things to remember are:
     1. That they are meant to be only surface deep machines, no matter what claims they make. Trying to deep clean, a person will add enough detergent to soak a carpet. .
      So the key here is to use minimal moisture.
    2. The do-it-yourself cleaner is at the mercy of of the detergent manufacturers formulas. The concoctions made for home use differ from professional formulas in several ways. The homeowner formulas are soap based and designed for disposal in home sewage systems whereas the pro formulas are synthetic and offer superior cleaning abilities but also have strict disposal guidelines with heavy fines attached for non-compliance.
    3.  The mild acidic rinse is designed to thin and rinse out all soapy residue. This is important not only for children and pets but also for your carpet. Residues attract dirt.

    Though deep cleaning is what we specialize in, and how we approach carpet maintenance, there are times when people must clean their own carpets and it is my hope these pointers help answer some questions.  Please feel free to call USA Carpet at 720-488-1683 if you are in this situation and have concerns or questions regarding the best use of rental equipment.