How to Clean Carpet and Upholstery
Renting a machine to clean carpet and upholstery instead of hiring a professional service can save some money. Simple stains on carpets and upholstery can often be cleaned with a home remedy or cleaning chemical. To clean an entire carpet or upholstered item such as a piece furniture, using a machine is the fastest way to do the job.
- Contact a local carpet or upholstery equipment rental store to find a machine to use for cleaning. Find out the cost of the rental and ask how long you have until you need to return the equipment. Once you pick up the machine, if you are not sure how it works ask for instructions.
- Vacuum the carpet before you use the cleaning machine, so you remove any dirt or surface build-up. Turn on the machine and start to clean in a far corner of the carpet. Work your way back toward the other end of the carpet so you do not box yourself into a corner.
- Read the cleaning instructions on the tag of an upholstery item you are going to clean. Make sure you do not need to take any extra precautions before using a cleaning chemical on the upholstery. Vacuum the upholstery then clean the back of the item first, in case the cleaning machine does not work properly.
- Hire a professional cleaning service to clean your carpets and upholstery if you are not happy with the results. Ask someone you know who has carpets or upholstery that always look good which company to use. Write down the number and call the company to set up an appointment.
- Look in the phone book if you are unable to get a recommendation. Contact a carpet cleaner in your area to get a free estimate on a cleaning. Find out how long the cleaning company has been in business before you set up a time to meet. Call more than one company if you want to compare prices.