Check the Carpet and Rug Institute website at Carpet-Rug.org
for a list of top-rated portable steam cleaners. This organization tests steam
cleaners and rates them on soil removal, water removal and fiber surface retention.
You want to use a steam cleaner that removes a lot of soil from the carpet but
also removes the maximum amount of water and doesn't damage the carpet's
appearance.
Ideally, the steam cleaner should be able to remove enough
water that it can dry within 12 hours. Over-wetting can damage the backing to
separate from the carpet, and prolonged wetness can cause mold to grow.
Pick a time to steam clean when the carpet can dry quickly.
You don't want it to be very humid outside.
Use a small amount of cleaning solution. It should have a pH
of less than 10, so the carpet dyes and fibers aren't negatively affected. If you are using steam cleaner then you must know how to use steam cleaner on carpet
Remove furniture and other objects off of the carpet. This
will give you a straight cleaning path and make it easier to see the dirt in
high-traffic areas.
Fill the steam cleaner's water container with hot water.
Add the cleaning solution, as recommended by the
manufacturer.
Begin cleaning the area of the room furthest from the
doorway and move backwards, so you don't walk on the cleaned carpet.
Extract as much of the cleaning solution as possible by
going over the carpet several times.
Rinse out the cleaning solution completely with plain water.
The cleaning solution is critical to attracting soil particles and removing
them from the carpet fibers, but if solution is left in the carpet, it will
continue to attract dirt after the steam cleaning.
Turn on the air conditioner and fans to dry the carpetfaster after steam cleaning. Turn on a dehumidifier, if you have one.
