
Using a Carpet Steam Cleaner to Clean An Area Rug
- Move the Furniture Once you have home carpet steam cleaners on hand to clean the floors, you’ll want to slide all furniture out of the way so you can easily access the carpet with your steam cleaner. ...
- Vacuum the Floors ...
- Just Add Water and Cleaner ...
- Start in the Far Corner ...
- Let the Carpet Dry Completely ...
- Protect Yourself from Fumes ...
How to clean an area rug using a steam cleaner?
Using a Carpet Steam Cleaner to Clean An Area Rug
- Move the Furniture. Once you have home carpet steam cleaners on hand to clean the floors, you’ll want to slide all furniture out of the way so you can easily ...
- Vacuum the Floors. ...
- Just Add Water and Cleaner. ...
- Start in the Far Corner. ...
- Let the Carpet Dry Completely. ...
- Protect Yourself from Fumes. ...
Can you use a steam cleaner on an area rug?
Steam cleaning cleans spots on upholstery and carpet that you cannot remove through dry cleaning with a vacuum alone. If you have large area rugs in your home that do not fit in the washing machine, or that you should not machine wash, use the steam cleaning process to clean the rugs. Click to see full answer.
What is the best rug cleaner?
Our top picks
- Best Overall Carpet Cleaner: Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner
- Best Value Carpet Cleaner: Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner
- Best Professional Home Carpet Cleaner: Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner
- Best Carpet Cleaner for Area Rugs: Bissell CrossWave Floor and Carpet Cleaner
How to clean rugs professionally?
Set Up an Outdoor Station
- Pick a day when the forecast is clear and sunny (preferably for the next few days), and set up a station to clean your rugs. ...
- The support system you choose needs to be a lot stronger than a clothesline, as rugs are usually quite heavy.
- If you have two trees, you can stretch bungee cords or thick rope between them.

Where should you not use a steam cleaner?
What NOT to Clean with Steam CleanersAnything that can be damaged due to heat exposure, such as water-based paint and cardboard.Porous surfaces, such as stucco, brick, and marble.Large industrial spaces and food plants.Large areas of carpet.Delicate items, such as silks, thin plastics, and velour upholstery.
Is steam cleaning a rug effective?
Steam cleaning is a really effective and efficient way to lift build up from the carpet fibers, including mold and pet scents. It also is effective at improving the appearance of carpets that have been neglected over time.
Can you use a carpet cleaner machine on an area rug?
With an area rug, special equipment needs to be used to clean the rug and that cannot be done in the home. Carpet cleaning equipment is not made to clean the foundation of an area rug but the surface fibers that are found on regular carpet.
Does steam cleaning carpet damage carpet?
The reality is that steam cleaning leaves your carpets sopping wet, which can damage your carpet over time. If not properly dried, sopping wet carpet fibers can ultimately lead to mold and mildew growth—something you don't want affecting your indoor air quality.
How long does it take for carpet to dry after steam cleaning?
Steam cleaning can take anywhere from 8 to 24 hours to completely dry. However, it only takes 4 to 8 hours to dry when carpets are cleaned without the use of traditional steam cleaning methods that use large amounts of water due to their reliance on soaps and shampoos.
How can I clean my area rug at home?
An old toothbrush, a carpet brush, or any soft-bristled brush: You'll need a brush to work soap or stain remover into stubborn spots. Mild dish soap, diluted with water: Dish soap (ideally dye-free) will gently remove stains without damaging rug fibers. Avoid using too much soap, especially on wool.
How do you steam clean a rug?
0:081:02How To Steam Clean A Carpet / Rug - Dupray Steam Cleaners - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we'll put it onto the medium steam setting while the trigger let the steam come out before theMoreAnd we'll put it onto the medium steam setting while the trigger let the steam come out before the flop warm up tiny bit. So they go over the surface. Or just my slide smoothly.
How do you clean an area rug without moving it?
If your area rug needs a thorough cleaning and can't be moved to an area with more durable flooring, vacuum and then roll it and then the rug pad up carefully. Vacuum or dry mop the hardwood floor to remove any dirt and grit that could cause scratches.
How do you clean a large rug?
Remove Dirt and Debris. Thoroughly vacuum on the rug on both sides. ... Mix Your Cleaner. When it comes to the actual cleaning solution, you can use a rug shampoo like this one from Bissell. ... Do a Color Test. ... Wash the Rug. ... Rinse the Rug. ... Remove Excess Water. ... Let the Rug Dry. ... Vacuum or Brush Out the Rug.
Can you use Shark Steamer on carpet?
The Shark Floor Steamer, also known as the Euro-Pro Shark Steam Mop, is a device for cleaning tile, wood and other hard surface floors that uses heat to lift off stains. It can also be used on carpet with an extra attachment.
Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?
So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.
What is the safest carpet cleaning method?
Steam cleaningSteam cleaning is also known as deep cleaning. That's because it is the only carpet cleaning method known to remove at least 97 percent of dirt and bacteria from carpeting. It is also the only method that reaches all the way down to the lowest layer, or “pile”, of your carpeting to clean it thoroughly.
How often should I steam clean my carpet?
every 12-18 monthsMost carpet manufacturers recommend having a professional steam clean the carpets every 12-18 months to maintain the warranty. That's the absolute minimum, according to the people who make carpet!
What is the difference between steam cleaning and shampooing carpet?
Steam cleaning and carpet shampooing are both known cleaning methods. However, each works with distinct mechanisms. Steam cleaning works with a combination of heat and pressure while carpet shampooing cleans by generating foam to attract the dirt.
Which is better steam or chemical carpet cleaning?
Getting your carpets professionally cleaned is the only way to tackle certain kinds of stains; and while many people believe that steam cleaning is the only solution for deep cleaning, Chem-Dry provides a much more effective, efficient, and safer carpet cleaning solution.
How much does steam cleaning carpet cost?
between $1 and $5 per square footThe cost of steam cleaning a rug will be between $1 and $5 per square foot depending on the prices in your area and the condition of your rug. Dry rug cleaning uses only chemicals to get dirt and debris out of a rug.
How to prevent wool from getting scalded?
To reduce potential damage to a wool area rug you should use a low pressure for the steam injection and keep the head moving so that the wool does not get scalded.
Why is wool carpet soft?
The softness that is a characteristic of a wool area carpet is the result of the presence of lanolin in the fibers. Lanolin is easily destroyed by heat and the fibers become harsh and brittle.
Can you use lanolin on wool?
Again the importance of the retention by the wool of the lanolin cannot be emphasized enough. It is also important that the steam cleaner removes all traces of the detergent in the normal cleaning cycle.
Does lanolin help with mold?
The hemp or hessian backing that so many wool rugs are woven on is very absorbent and takes a long time to dry properly. The lanolin rich wool encourages mold growth so it is very important that a wool rug cleaned by steam is dried very thoroughly.
Can you steam clean wool area rugs?
Wool area rugs require a little more consideration when being cleaned than those made of cotton or artificial fibers. While steam cleaners do a good job on most area rugs, care should be taken when using one on wool.
Can you raise wool rug after steam cleaning?
If it is possible to raise the wool area rug off the floor while it is drying after being steam cleaned it will help prevent molds from developing. Some steam cleaners use a warm air circulation method of drying but this can be damaging to the wool fibers while leaving the rug carpet backing damp.
How long do you let rugs dry on hardwood floors?
Allow the rugs to dry for 24 to 48 hours and then remove the rugs from the hardwood floor, pull up the plastic and return the rugs to their original locations. Advertisement. references. Find Any Floor: Hardwood Flooring Care.
Can you use a vacuum to clean carpet?
Steam cleaning cleans spots on upholstery and carpet that you cannot remove through dry cleaning with a vacuum alone. If you have large area rugs in your home that do not fit in the washing machine, or that you should not machine wash, use the steam cleaning process to clean the rugs. The moisture from a steam cleaner damages wood flooring ...
Why do we inspect area rugs?
Our technicians examine area rugs closely for pulls, rips and tears to ensure we don’t cause any further damage while cleaning.
Does a rug cleaning machine dry water?
The powerful suction of our rug cleaning machine removes a significant amount of water so your area rug will dry quickly.
Can you use area rug protection on kids?
Area rug protection is a great idea for preserving the results of every cleaning , but we especially recommend it to households with kids and pets. Neutralize Odors from Pets, Kids and More. From food to kids to pets, your home is filled with odors that can become trapped in the fibers of your rug.
Does Stanley Steemer use hot water?
At Stanley Steemer we use our patented hot water extraction carpet cleaning method in our area rug cleaning service. This is sometimes referred to as rug steam cleaning because of the steam it emits as we clean, but we don’t actually use steam to clean. Hot water extraction allows us to safely remove dirt and stains, leaving behind a clean area rug and no residue.
Why do carpets need to be cleaned?
The main reason for having different cleaning procedures for carpets and area rugs is due to the different manufacturing procedures. Most carpets are manufactured using synthetic fibers. Those vast machines can produce 15 feet of carpet in less than a minute. These synthetic carpet fibers are integrated using plastic packing materials and latex adhesive with a stable composition. Therefore, they can be cleaned using steam and vacuum cleaners. This a convenient way of cleaning, hence a person with minimal knowledge can clean carpets.
How long does it take to clean a carpet?
Carpet cleaners are very efficient and quick when it comes to cleaning a carpet; they take only a few hours to clean it thoroughly. The process of cleaning an area rug depends on the fabric that is used to make it.
What are area rugs made of?
Generally, high end area rugs are woven or knotted by craftsmen. Normally made up of natural fibers like silk, wool, jute, cotton, etc. Persian and oriental rugs are entirely handcrafted making the delicate design extraordinary.
Can you dry vacuum oriental rugs?
They may weaken the structural strength of the fiber. Dry vacuuming is not suitable for oriental rugs as they are lavish and have a unique structure and cleaning procedure.
Can natural fiber rugs be washed?
Since the natural fiber rugs are opulent and artistic, we must never get them washed by solution or steamed. It may spoil their appearance as well weaken their structure. Professional rug cleanings should be scheduled at regular intervals to keep them clean.
Can you vacuum clean synthetic carpet?
These synthetic carpet fibers are integrated using plastic packing materials and latex adhesive with a stable composition. Therefore, they can be cleaned using steam and vacuum cleaners. This a convenient way of cleaning, hence a person with minimal knowledge can clean carpets.
Can you clean a carpet with pet stains?
Carpet cleaners cannot clean area rugs with pet stains, fluid stains, paint stains or a thick coating of dirt on them. However, if the rug is not stained and is made up totally of synthetic fiber, then you can clean the area rug with carpet cleaners.
Why do you clean carpet along straight lines?
Better still, it’ll help if you overlapped the lines — to further avoid any undone streaks on the carpet.
Why do you vacuum before a steam mop?
One, the vacuum cleaner has relatively more suction power for larger debris and hair, which will otherwise block the steam mop’s head. So to protect your cleaner pads, vacuuming is mandatory.
How to prevent boiling water from spilling on floor?
Avoid overfilling the mop to prevent boiling water from spilling all over the floor. If you’d love to use a detergent with the water, kindly try and find the recommended ones, though the steam mop doesn’t choose the kind of detergent it works with — it’s all for your safety.
What is steam mop?
The steam mop uses high-heat steam to clean your carpet. Almost all, if not all, viruses, bacteria, and mites cannot put up with the heat. They’ll die. Carpet cleaners and vacuums aren’t as effective in eradicating these stubborn pests as the steam mop.
How does a stem mop work?
A stem mop, as the name suggests, uses steam to clean surfaces. It features a water reservoir, in which it heats water to about 248°F to produce steam. Steam jets then release this steam onto a pad that soaks to remove dirt from the ground.
Why do you need gloves when you use a steam mop?
Gloves help protect your hands from damage and injury . While using the steam mop, the steam it emits may easily reach and burn your hands. Gloves will help you with this.
Does steam mop clean carpet?
Only the water (hot steam) is needed to make your carpet free from dirt and pests with the steam mop; no detergents or other cleaning chemicals are necessary.
