Learning how to clean a carpet is not too hard. All it really takes is knowing which method works best for the carpet and those who use it. Carpet can take a lot of damage as people walk over it, things spill on it and many other everyday day activities take place. Regular maintenance can help prolong the life and appearance of any carpet. Most people think of a vacuum cleaner or a steam cleaner when the idea of carpet cleaning comes up. Both are valuable and useful tools for cleaning carpet, but there are other ways.http://www.howtocleancarpets.org/ Knowing which cleaning method that should be used depends on where the carpet is and how it is used. Another factor to consider is to use either harmful chemicals or a more environmentally and child friendly method.

The most common method for deep cleaning carpets is to steam clean them. Some say this is the best method, but it does take time for drying. Another commonly used method is to dry clean the carpet. This is an ideal cleaning method for carpets that are used day and night as there is no need for drying. With the every growing concern for the environment and the safety of children and infants another cleaning style has started to take root. This method takes a little more leg work and planning, but can work. Each of these three methods are explained in further detail below.

Steam cleaning is the most commonly used method to clean carpet. Most say that to really deep clean a carpet it should be steam cleaned once to twice a year, depending on the amount of use. There really is no steam used in this process. Hot water and a cleaning solution is pushed through the carpet and then sucked up through the vacuum. Along with the water, dirt and other debris in the carpet is being removed as well. The owner can see the water coming back looks brown and dirty and this means the carpet is getting clean.

Before starting make sure to vacuum the carpet well so that loose and surface level dirt is removed. When using a steam cleaner the carpet should be cleaned one section at a time. Each pass should be overlapping in a different direction from the last. This is done so that each side of the carpet fibers can get clean. It will take up to eight hours to dry. This can be speeded up by opening doors and windows for ventilation. As the carpet dries the carpet fibers rise and life. This results in a very clean, fresh and new looking carpet.http://www.allergyconsumerreview.com/carpet-cleaning-methods.html

Be advised that not all carpets can stand up to the amount of heat used in this method. Wool is one of these carpet types that should not be steam cleaned.http://www.howtocleancarpets.org/

The dry cleaning method is most often used in schools, offices, 24-hour facilities and other such places. The reason for this is because the carpet requires no time to dry. The powder used is a mix of dry chemicals that attracts dirt in the carpet. However some say that while this method works it will only put off a deeper cleaning, such as a steam cleaning. This is because not all of the powder can be vacuumed away and over time it can attract more dirt. Some of these powders come fragranced to refresh the odor of the carpet.

The dry cleaning method is normally done in three parts. The first part is to sprinkle the cleaning agent, or powder, onto the carpet. Some powders say to let this sit for 15 minutes and others have a longer or shorter sit time.

The second part is to use a carpet buffer with two rotating heads to go over the carpet. This is to help get the powder deeper into the carpet.

The last part is to vacuum and vacuum well. As the vacuum pulls up the powder all the dirt attached to it will come up also.http://www.allergyconsumerreview.com/carpet-cleaning-methods.html

With so many people going green and the evidence of so many chemicals being very harmful for family and pets a more environmentally friendly cleaning method has sprung up. This method takes a little more planning an d leg work, but is all around healthier.

1. Doormats are a wonderful way to catch dirt before it gets onto the carpet. Encourage people to wipe their feet and for those who do not a larger mat that covers a few strides can also work.
2. Try to have family members remove their shoes before walking on the carpet. If going barefoot is not acceptable to some offer house slippers or socks as an option.
3. By vacuuming two or more times a week the owner will reduce the amount of dust mites and surface dirt on carpets. By removing these things sooner they do not have the chance to spread through the home.
4. When using a steam cleaner just use plan water. This will remove a considerable amount of dirt and for a little extra boost add a cup of white vinegar to every two gallons of water.
5. Instead of chemical cleaners try treating spot cleanups with baking soda or club soda. A mix of 1/3 cup vinegar and 2/3 cup water can be applied to a stain and then blotted away. Simply repeat this until stain is gone.http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/checklist/clean_carpets_without_dangerous_chemicals/