Tips for How to Deep Clean Carpets in Your Rental Units
Some properties have a certain look or smell to them that makes you think that someone didn’t take the time to properly take care of it. A large part of the way a rental property seems to prospective renters is the flooring—carpet that is clean, stain-free, and regularly vacuumed is a much better look than a carpet that is harboring dirt and mildew.
But carpet cleaners are expensive. Lucky for you, there’s an alternative: landlords and tenants can clean their carpets themselves. Keep reading to learn how to deep clean carpets better than the pros.
Why Should You Clean Your Own Carpet?
You may be thinking, “why would I ever want to clean my carpets myself?” Although calling those professionals with the fancy carpet-cleaning machines sounds tempting —and it's satisfying to watch the dirty water tank get poured out after steam cleaning—what isn’t so tempting is how much your wallet will hurt after they come and complete the job.
Knowing a few simple tips and processes to cleaning your own carpets can teach you that you don’t need to shell out precious profit to hire professional carpet cleaning. It all comes down to having the right cleaning materials, the time, and the patience to scrub those tough stains out of your carpet fibers.
Pre-Cleaning Steps
Like any deep cleaning process, an effective carpet cleaning starts with a good pre-clean.
First, gather the supplies. You’ll need a good quality carpet scrub brush. If you don’t have a carpet brush, you can use a broom and dustpan. Using these tools, you can dislodge deeply rooted dirt and debris. Next, a cleaning solution using everyday household items like vinegar and baking soda will help you make your carpet shine. You’ll also need clean towels or cloths and a bucket to use your cleaning solution effectively.
Giving your carpet a thorough vacuuming is the second step in your carpet pre-cleaning process. Don’t just go over the carpet once—be sure to vacuum slowly a few times to remove loose dirt and dust as much as you can.
Finally, before the actual cleaning begins, choose a small, hidden area of carpet to spot test your solution. There are different kinds of carpets that respond better to different carpet solutions, so spot testing whatever solution you’ve made ensures you don’t accidentally discolor or damage your carpet.
Carpet Cleaning Solution Options
Although a vinegar and water solution is the most common natural carpet cleaning agent, there are a few different solutions you could try.
To make a classic water and white vinegar solution, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. This is a simple solution that can avoid common household allergens, reduce use of excess water, and work effectively to strip harmful dirt in high-traffic areas from your carpet.
Another option is dish soap and warm water. Only drop a few drops of dish soap into a bucket and mix it with warm water. Try not to soak the floor when using this solution—surface scrubbing will do.
Baking soda also works wonders to lift up stubborn stains. Start by sprinkling a generous amount across your carpet, then spray on a mixture of water and carpet shampoo over those areas. Once everything dries, you can vacuum up the remaining baking soda.
Shaving cream is a lesser known but old-school carpet hack to treat spills and stains. Apply a small amount of shaving cream to the stain, and let it sit. Or, if you’re looking at an older or shaggier carpet type especially in need of a clean, consider picking up a simple carpet deodorizer.
After applying any of the above solutions, blot the area with a damp cloth or scrub the stain with a brush.
Lastly, spot removers may be necessary to remove particularly stubborn spots or stains.
Deep Cleaning Without a Machine
Not everyone has access to proprietary cleaning equipment. The following process is a simple yet effective way of cleaning your carpet by hand. Here’s how to deep clean carpet in your rental property:
- Gather the necessary cleaning supplies
- Vacuum your carpet thoroughly
- Create your chosen cleaning solution
- Spot test your solution on a hidden part of your carpet
- Apply your cleaning solution generously, then use a carpet brush to agitate the dirt to the surface
- Rinse the spot by blotting with a wet cloth
- Allow the carpet to dry thoroughly to avoid mildew.
Drying Tips
Properly drying your wet carpet is important so as not to allow mold and mildew to grow. Remember that the faster your carpet dries, the less chance there is for mold or mildew to form from the excess moisture.
Use a wet cloth to blot up most of your solution, then, if needed, use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up as much water as possible. If you don’t have access to a wet/dry vacuum, try to towel dry the area as effectively as you can, and let it air dry.
Maintaining Your Clean Carpets
Like all aspects of a property, your carpet demands regular upkeep and maintenance. Now that you’ve treated your carpet stains, how do you keep your carpets squeaky clean?
One of the simpler, yet effective, methods of keeping your carpet clean is regular vacuuming. You should try to pull out the vacuum cleaner once or twice a week to prevent surface dirt or pet hair from settling.
Also, when you see a spill, treat stains immediately. Spot cleaning instead of allowing the stain to settle is the best shot you have at it not being permanent. Use your homemade cleaning solution or purchase a carpet cleaner at a store for removing pet stains, spilled drinks, nail polish, or any other common stains.
Finally, try not to wear shoes on your carpet. Shoes track in dirt, grime, and who knows what else into your home (and onto your entire carpet). Although you can’t see it, shoes also track in allergens and pollen. The best way to keep your carpets clean is to prevent the stains from occurring in the first place.
Conclusion
Deep cleaning your carpets by hand is a cleaning method that ensures the deepest and most thorough clean without breaking the bank. A clean and well-maintained property is a great way attract renters passing through on a tour or to keep current renters. Remember that your efforts do not go unnoticed – a sparkling carpet is the sign of a dutiful landlord.
