Do it Yourself Carpet Cleaning

!±8± Do it Yourself Carpet Cleaning

Some people will always insist on doing their own carpet cleaning to save a few dollars. Okay, it may be more than a few dollars if you have a lot of carpet to clean. Though the small rental machines will never get that rug as clean as a professional truck-mount unit, it is cheaper. With that in mind, here are some guidelines to help you do the best you can.

1. Get a hot water extraction unit.

Sometimes called steam-cleaners, in reality, these machines are hot-water extraction units. Those which use dry absorbent compounds generally don't work as well, and machines which "shampoo" the carpet can leave residues that attract dirt, meaning you'll need another cleaning before long. A sticky carpet is another possibility with the latter, if not used correctly.

2. Vacuum the carpet first.

Professional cleaners my or may not vacuum before cleaning, because it isn't as crucial with the big machines they use. With the small rental units it's important because it reduces the number of "passes" you must make with the cleaning wand. Too many passes can lead to over-wetting of the area, since these machines are not nearly as powerful when it comes to sucking out the moisture they lay down.

Why is over-wetting a problem? To start with, it can cause carpet backing to delaminate, damage which can't be fixed. The growth of mold and fungus is another problem resulting from moist carpeting or padding. Another possible result is unpleasant odors. Finally, deep stains can "wick" back up to the surface of carpet if it is too moist for too long.

3. The hotter the better.

Check to see if the water is as hot as you can make it before starting the cleaning process. It cleans better, and is more likely to kill some of the dust mites and other things living in the carpet and pad. Hotter water will also speed the drying time.

4. Don't overdo it.

Limit your cleaning to about two passes of the cleaning wand. This is to prevent over-wetting, and if you can't get an area clean with two passes, you probably need to a professional cleaning in any case (these smaller rental machines just don't have as much power).

5. Get it dry fast.

Perhaps one of the more important home carpet cleaning tips for do-it-yourselfers is to dry that carpet quickly. This prevents the problems associated with over-wetting. Try to clean your carpet on a day which isn't too humid for starters. Then place fans in the cleaned rooms when you are done. Move them occasionally to help all areas dry faster. Finally, if you can, open a window or tow to let the humid air out and get more airflow in general.

Cleaning carpet yourself is not really a great substitute for a professional service, but to save some money it may make sense to do it every other time. Just learn how to operate the machine properly. And remember that the machines you rent are never as powerful as the professional ones.

Do it Yourself Carpet Cleaning

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Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner Review

!±8± Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner Review

I am a big fan of anything made by Bissell I must admit. The first Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner I ever bought was from a yard sale. The woman said she didn't like it, and I still can't understand why. She's probably one of those people that never reads the instructions on anything, her loss my gain.

Like anyone who has rugs and carpets, high traffic areas do get dirty. Before I made my brilliant yard sale purchase, my husband would go off to the supermarket and rent one of those big industrial machines that made so much noise it would wake the dead and saturated the carpets so thoroughly we couldn't use the room until the next day. They also use so much water that dirt was turned to mud and was left in the carpet, the suction was lousy because the machines are not well-maintained.

I certainly don't have that problem with my Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner. It's lightweight, which means I can get it out and clean high traffic areas regularly, just as if I was vacuuming. The thing is easy to fill and easy to empty and uses cleaning fluid very economically, especially if you only do small areas regularly.

Maintenance of the Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner is also easy. It is recommended that the dirty water is emptied after use and the container the dirty water goes into empties easily and you can get out all the dog hair, accumulated fluff and dirt out without a struggle. Just make sure to keep the vent clean of hair and accumulated fluff and the suction will be good enough to remove just about every drop of water.

The Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner is so lightweight and easy to use, it is a perfect machine for seniors to use, in fact it actually weighs less than my vacuum cleaner and it doesn't take up as much space.

We used to hire the monster machine from the supermarket twice a year and it would cost about both times. That's more than you'll pay for a Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner that you can use any time you need it and it will last for years with minimal maintenance. Try lifting one of those industrial machines into the back of a small car if you're a woman! It's impossible, lay it down and it pukes dirty water all over your trunk. Never again!

I have used it on a number of rugs around the house. The Powerbrush removes all the dirt with a steady vibrating beating action, and the dirt disappears with the Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner's powerful suction. All my rugs and carpets are left nearly dry and I can walk on them within a few minutes of cleaning them.

Two large and visible clips keep the dirty water tank in, easy enough for even arthritic hands to unclip and empty. With stubborn spots the special Bissell cleaning fluid will lift them right off after a couple of passes, and the fluid comes in different formulas, including one for allergies and pets.

Bissell Quicksteamer Powerbrush Lightweight Deep Cleaner Review

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