How to Clean Carpet With Hot Water Extraction
Although carpeting is soft, attractive and budget-friendly, keeping carpets clean is difficult. One of the best ways to maintain a carpet's beauty is through hot water extraction. This process involves spraying the carpet with hot water and a cleaning solution, and using a high-powered vacuum to extract the mixture from the carpet.
- Rent or purchase a steam cleaner designed specifically for use on carpets. Although stores specializing in carpet cleaning may rent these devices, grocery stores also commonly rent carpet cleaners. Purchase a carpet detergent or cleaning solution as well.
- Prepare the room for cleaning. Remove furniture and vacuum the carpets.
- Locate the steam cleaner's two chambers. One chamber is for the hot water and cleaning solution, while the other chamber will collect the dirty water during the cleaning process.
- Pour the recommended amount of cleaning solution into the correct chamber. Add hot water until the mixture reaches the fill line.
- Plug the carpet cleaner into an electrical outlet, and begin cleaning the carpet. In most cases, the steam cleaner will require you to pull a trigger to release the cleaning solution and water mixture. Once you have released some of the solution, release the trigger and move the steam cleaner slowly over the area. The dirty water will be extracted from the carpet and placed into the chamber for dirty water. Repeat this procedure until the water going into the chamber appears clean.
- Work in small sections until the entire carpet has been cleaned.
- Empty the chamber of dirty water as necessary. Once the chamber for extracted water is full, you will most likely need to put more detergent and hot water into the cleaning solution's chamber as well.