Using DIY techniques for regular carpet cleaning can remove dirt, and dust but over time routine cleaning can also wear down the carpet fibres. Because some rigid stains, dirt, dust, and debris build up are tough to remove with daily cleaning and leads to wearing and tearing. At this time, an efficient and effective role of professional cleaners comes into play where they use advanced techniques and machines to permanently remove the deeply immersed stains and dirt, thus preventing fibre damage, and increasing the life expectancy of your carpet.

Why Carpet Cleaning is Important?

Keeping your carpets clean is essential for maintaining a fresh and healthy home environment. While professional carpet cleaning services can provide deep cleaning services.

DIY Techniques For Carpet Cleaning Services

There are several effective DIY techniques you can use for regular maintenance and spot treatments to try at home:

• Using Regular Vacuum Cleaner: Daily vaccum cleaning can prevent dirt, and dust from entering deep into the carpet fibres.
• Using Baking Soda Deodorizer: Baking soda is used as a natural deodorizer that can absorb bad odours and helps in removing light stains.
• White Vinegar and Water Solution: This is another form of a natural cleaner that breaks down all types of stains or dirts without damaging carpet fibres.
• Using Dish Soap for Cleaning Spots: It effectively breaks down oils and food-based stains from the carpets
• Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Vanishing Tough Stains: It acts as a gentle bleaching agent, and is considered as an ideal solution for removing stubborn stains like blood, wine, or juice.
• Using Club Soda for Removing Stains: Club soda is slightly acidic in nature and works well if applied on fresh stains, especially getting from liquids such as coffee or wine.
• Cornstarch for Grease Stains: Cornstarch is efficient in absorbing grease, and oils, and effectively makes it easier to remove any greasy stains from carpet fibres.
• Iron and Towel for Wax Removal: Heat generated from the iron melts hardened wax, and you can use a towel or paper bag to easily remove it or can do this repetitively, if required.
• Shaving Cream for General Cleaning of the Carpet: Shaving cream effectively acts as a foaming cleaner to break down the dirt and stains.
• Steam Cleaning with a DIY Mixture: This procedure uses heat to deeply clean the carpets, by removing embedded dirt, and stains, thus, sanitising the fibres.

Professional Ways to Clean a Carpet

Professionals in the UK provide following carpet deep cleaning services: 

• Dry carpet cleaning:  Also known as compound cleaning, this method is convenient as it doesn't require drying time. It's a good choice for deep cleaning and high-traffic areas. 
• Carpet shampooing: This is one of the oldest methods where carpet shampoo is used to work into the carpet fibres, then vacuumed up with a wet vacuum. 
• Hot water extraction: This method treats the carpet's surface and penetrates deep into the carpet fibres to remove dirt and dust. It can also be used to clean upholstery. 
• Using Steam for cleaning Process: This method uses high pressure hot water to banish stains from deep within the carpet. It's a well-known and less expensive method.

What Carpet Cleaning Method is the Best? - Hot Water Extraction

When we think about professional service for deep carpet cleaning, the first thing that comes to our mind is to choose the most effective way for a thorough cleaning of a carpet. There are several general carpet cleaning procedures, but if you are looking to deeply clean your carpet then the most effective method is a 'hot water extraction'.

It is the most recommended approach by various skilled carpet cleaners, and is the best way to make the carpet free from musky odours, as it breaks down all of the dirt building up within it, and can make your carpet look and smell fresh from within the deepest layers. Therefore, hot water extraction guarantees a deep clean of your carpet.

However, it is always suggested to hire a professional for the hot water extraction process as they have the sound knowledge about the right detergent to be used, that can massively clean even the dirtiest carpets.

Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning

Professional carpet cleaning offers many benefits, including: 

• Improved air quality: Expert carpet cleaners use powerful cleaning agents and equipment to remove allergens and pollutants that get trapped into the carpet fibres, thus resulting in healthier, and cleaner air in your home or office, and benefits people especially with respiratory issues or allergies.
• Extended carpet life: Professional cleaners use advanced techniques to deeply remove the embedded dirt, dust, and other debris and prevent fibre damage, which helps prolong the life of your carpet. 
  
• Overall Enhanced appearance:  Experienced cleaners revive carpet fibres, by restoring its brightness and original texture. Moreover, the carpets that are worn-out due to heavy foot traffic can also appear inviting and fresh.
  
• Eliminate stains and odours: Carpets can absorb bad odours from smoke, pets, spills, and other pollutants, and can be difficult to remove such foul smells with regular cleaning. Nonetheless, professional cleaners can remove stains and nasty odours that can damage the carpet fibres by using advanced cleaning agents and deodorising treatments that eliminates the deepest of stinky and musty smells, thus leaving your carpets fresh and clean.
  
• Reduced dust mites: Dirty carpets can nurture bacteria, mould, and other germs, particularly in humidity environments where these microorganisms cause unpleasant odours and pose certain health risks such as severe allergies. However, professional deep cleaning services involve hot water extraction, or steam cleaning methods which use high temperatures for sanitising the carpet by eliminating harmful germs.
  
• Prevents Mould Growth: In wet or humid conditions, carpets are more prone to mould growth, especially if not dried properly after the completion of the cleaning process. However, expert carpet cleaners use machines with high-powered extraction capabilities to help in removing the excess moisture, thus reducing the risk of building up mould.
  
• Improves Comfort: Professional carpet cleaning in routine not only restores the elegance of carpet fibres, and provides a sense of relaxation and cleanliness, but also improves the overall comfort of your working or living space, and makes it feel more inviting.
  
• Avoid Costly Replacements: Carpet cleaning by skilled experts can aid you in avoiding the replacement of your carpet. 
• Higher property values: Well-maintained and cleaned carpets increase the value of your property.

Estimated Cost for Carpet Cleaning Services

Generally, the starting cost of a carpet cleaning service will be around £60 per hour. However, for more arduous cleaning for home carpets, some skilled cleaners may charge you around £120+ per hour. However, in the case of commercial carpet cleaning service, it can be more expensive.

In addition, if you have a carpet placed at home that is in poor condition such as dirty, or stained and it needs a thorough cleaning, then depending on its condition it is suggested to contact the professional cleaners than using a quick DIY scrub, and vacuum cleaner.

However, to get a general understanding of your cost from start to finish, you can reach out to multiple cleaners to get a ballpark figure for your carpet cleaning requirement. Factors that affects the cost of cleaning your carpet:

• Location (includes all regions of the UK)
• Cleaning methods
• Moving furniture (increases labour cost)
• Condition of your carpet (Need simple cleaning or thorough cleaning with more strenuous efforts)
• Size of your carpet 
• Number of carpets need to be cleaned
• Shape of your carpet (carpet with simple layout or it covers different shapes)
• Pre-preparation needed (includes emptying and cleaning of rooms)

Therefore, you can use any DIY technique for general or deep cleaning of your carpet at home, but we recommend you to find and hire an expert carpet cleaner for your deep cleaning needs. However, it is a bit difficult to find a trustworthy, and local cleaner in this time-deficient and busy world. But, don’t you worry! Urban Gaffa can help you in finding and hiring tradespeople by providing a list of multiple cleaners to choose from. Once you have selected the professional who will work on your cleaning projects, you can discuss the quotations as per your requirements with the chosen expert.

Note: We only help you in finding a local and reliable carpet cleaner for your cleaning needs at residential or commercial spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: How often should a carpet be cleaned professionally?

A: Mandatory regular professional deep cleaning services are required every 12-18 months to keep its warranty protection updated, and maintain its quality with proper care that extends its lifespan.

Q: What are some tips for a successful cleaned carpet?

A: You can use DIY carpet cleaning techniques, to keep your carpets fresh, clean, and free from minor stains by:

• Before proceeding with any DIY method, always take a patch test on a small, hidden area of the carpet to check whether it shows cleaning results and not making it worn out.
• Remember, always blot the carpet because it can absorb the stains, instead of rubbing as it can push the stain deeper into the carpet fibres.
• Thoroughly dry the carpet once cleaned in order to prevent mould or mildew.

Q: Are carpet cleaning chemicals dangerous?

A: Phthalates is the fragrant chemical that is commonly used in carpet cleaning. Though it emits pleasant scent that is not wholly safe to breathe and use. Moreover, it causes allergic reactions in toddlers or infants and is also considered carcinogenic (a substance that causes cancer). 

Q: How long after carpet cleaning can I vacuum? 

A: It is generally suggested to wait for at least 24 hours before vacuuming a carpet once it has been cleaned. Because vacuuming too soon can remove the protective layering from the carpet.

Q: How long will my carpets take to dry?

A: Generally, it depends on certain factors: 

• the amount of soiling within the carpet 
• the pile length 
• the temperature of the property (both inside and outside)

Professionals thoroughly clean the carpets with modern, and efficient machines that remove large amounts of moisture from the carpet, thus leaving the carpets as dry as possible.