Carpet Shampoo Guide

Knowing which type of carpet shampoo to purchase can sometimes be tricky, because a lot depends on the type of carpet cleaning machine that you own or planning on renting. Additionally, you'll need to consider what types of spills, stains or dirt you're looking to remove from your rugs and carpets. Some types of carpet shampoo and cleaning methods are more effective, as well as being more economical, than others. Speaking of which, there is also a cost to be considered when it comes to choosing the right type of rug shampoo for your needs. This article will introduce you to the various types of carpet cleaning machines and corresponding styles of carpet shampoo on the market today, and will help you choose the right one for your home and your cleaning needs.

If your primary focus is on attacking specific spills and stains on your carpet, you may want to look into a spot remover rather than a carpet shampoo. Rug spot cleaners often common in aerosol or spray bottle form, and are applied directly to the stain or spill in question. This type of concentrated rug shampoo offers an effective and affordable means for removing stains from a small area. They are best used on newer stains rather than ones that are older or set and ground into the fibers of your carpet. It is a great idea to keep a bottle of rug spot remover in your home, because while they may not be effective in completely removing the stain, it can be a great way to pre-treat your floor before moving on to using traditional carpet shampoos.

A commonly found type of carpet shampoo comes in a powder form. Powder based rug shampoo is sprinkled onto your carpet and then is allowed to set for anywhere from 15 minutes to upwards of an hour. The powder is comprised of very low moisture ingredients, and essentially attracts itself to the dirt and dust within your carpet like a magnet. Once the powder shampoo has set, it is then vacuumed up using either a dry carpet cleaning machine or a traditional upright vacuum. Another nice option of using a dry carpet shampoo is that it often comes in scented varieties, which will help to deodorize your carpet and provide a temporary refreshing scent your home. However, keep in mind that a carpet refresher is not the same thing as a dry carpet shampoo. Be sure to read the label to determine whether or not the product is meant to be used to clean your carpet or merely to deodorize and freshen it.

Another type of carpet shampoo that's easy and quick to apply comes in a foam base. The foam is sprayed onto your carpet and is allowed to dry. Once dry, it turns into a powder like consistency which - just like powder carpet shampoo - is vacuumed up with dry carpet cleaning machines or a regular upright. Yet another type of carpet cleaner that can be vacuumed after use is a liquid rug shampoo. However it's important to note that these soapy rug detergents are only truly effective on small areas of your carpet, and are not ideal for using for complete carpet cleaning needs. The reason for this is that getting your carpet wet can be damaging to both the fibers of the rug and carpet pad itself. This is why it's best to only use on small areas of the carpet, and must be immediately vacuumed as soon as it is dry.

You can also completely bypass using carpet shampoo by going with a carpet steam cleaner. In this method, a stream of very hot water is used to loosen up the dirt, stains and debris in your carpet. A high powered vacuum suction is used in conjunction to loosen and remove the dirt, and immediately dry your carpet at the same time. This is considered to be one of the most effective carpet cleaning machines on the market today for this reason. A carpet steam cleaner can also be very expensive to purchase; however the good thing is that you can look into a carpet cleaner rental at your local home improvement or hardware store.

Whether you decide on using a carpet steam cleaner, a rug spot remover, or one of the various options and styles of carpet shampoo available, you'll be sure to improve the look of your rugs and carpets and get them looking fresher and cleaner in no time at all!