Carpet cleaner making a difference

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How to Spring Clean Your Carpet

August 30th 2022

Pets, toddlers, mud, spills and general wear and tear can make your carpet dirty over time. It’s important to not only remove stains as quickly and efficiently as possible but to also give your carpets a spring clean every so often. 


New carpets can be costly to fit and sometimes not necessary. A thorough deep clean with professional equipment can give even the most tired looking carpet a new lease of life. You can clean your carpet at anytime of the year but spring is a good time to do it as it's less muddy outside so any foot traffic won't cause too much mess. Autumn is also a good time as you can give your home a deep clean in preparation for the winter months. You can even do your rugs at the same time!


We’ve put together a few tips on how to clean a carpet, remove one-off stains and conduct a full deep clean.

How to remove stubborn carpet stains

No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Whether it’s dreaded red wine, paint, oil or ice cream, it’s important to act swiftly. As we all know too well, these markings cannot be removed easily. Different stains need different treatments to avoid making the situation worse. There are a number of ways you can get rid of these stains.

Remove the excess water and dry the area

First, remove any excess mess with a paper towel. Next, gently blot the stain using a clean cloth, making sure you aren’t adding any more dirt to the carpet. It's best to blot the wet area rather than rub as this can cause the stain to spread and require additional work to remove it.  

Use washing detergent 

Use a gentle washing detergent and combine it with half a litre of warm water in a spray bottle. This can be used to clean up a variety of stains. Gently rub the soapy water into the area with a wet cloth, work from the outside in so you don’t spread the stain. Follow up with some ammonia and warm water. Be careful not to use hot water as the stain will spread and soak deeper into the carpet pile.

Dig out some cleaning powder or sprinkle baking soda

A traditional and effective cleaning solution is using carpet cleaning powder. Simply sprinkle it on, leave overnight and then vacuum it up the following morning. Baking soda is known to be just as effective when used in the same way. It also works particularly well to lift pet hairs from a carpet too.

Try using specialist carpet shampoo

Carpet shampoo is great for removing stains, however, it’s important to not apply too much or to drench the carpet. Use sparingly and avoid scrubbing the carpet too fiercely. As with carpet powder, you can leave the shampoo to dry completely and then vacuum.

Use surgical spirit for heavy duty stains

Surgical spirit can be used to tackle heavy duty stains such as solids, oil, tar or any unknown stains. It’s most effective when combined with warm water and washing detergent.

Mix white vinegar with water for a homemade solution

Tough stains such as blood and wine can be removed with a cold water and white vinegar solution. Combine 2 cups of water with 2 cups of white vinegar to a spray bottle and leave to soak deeply into the stain. After 5 minutes, use a microfiber cloth to blot the stain out of the carpet. We recommend going over this with carpet shampoo or laundry detergent to add a nicer fragrance afterward.

Carpet cleaning with a sponge

How to maintain a clean carpet in 6 easy steps

There are a number of ways to minimise the damage to your carpet. Here are some easy tips and preventative measures you can take:

  • Don’t wear shoes in the house – ask your guest to take their shoes off. You'll be surprised at how quickly mud and residue can build up after a long time of being walked across. 
  • Welcome mats at the entrance adds extra protection for your carpets by preventing dirt from entering the home.
  • Regular vacuuming with a high-quality vacuum cleaner will reduce the inevitable accumulation of ground-in dirt, which, when combined with liquid, can result in stains. Routine cleanings should help maintain the cleanliness and quality of your carpets.
  • Use a high quality carpet shampoo regularly that will act as a protector and barrier against future stains.
  • Another tip we have already mentioned - don’t scrub the stain in your carpet. Simply blot it and remove moisture with paper towels. If you scrub too hard, you may remove the offending stain, but you may inadvertently damage your carpet. 
  • In addition to excessive scrubbing, people have a tendency to apply too much water or detergent to the stained area. By doing this, it results in drenching, damage and lingering odours. Keep it as dry as possible.

Conducting the deep-cleaning process 

Carpets, rugs and upholstery all need a thorough deep cleaning at least once a year. Deep cleaning carpets is an important step that protects your health and extends the life of your carpets.


Carpets collect dust mites, pet hair and other allergens that can cause serious health problems, especially for those with asthma or allergy sufferers.


For those with families, children's activities can result in stains that are nearly impossible to remove without professional help.


One of the first things to do is give your house a good clean with the vacuum cleaner. This means there won’t be any excess debris before you start the proper clean. Once you've been around with the hoover, the next step will be using a carpet cleaner which you can hire from HSS.


How to use a Karcher carpet cleaner

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When you hire a carpet cleaner from HSS, you’ll be provided with an instruction sheet and a ‘how to’ guide. In addition to this, we’ve got instructional videos so that you can see the carpet cleaner in action. 

Here’s a short step-by-step guide on how to use the Karcher carpet cleaner:


1. Clear the area by removing furniture, vacuuming the carpet and tying any curtains up and out of your way. We also recommend testing one strip of the area before you begin, to check that the device is working as it should.

Plugging the carpet cleaner

2. Set up the equipment by unravelling the wire and plugging into a socket outside of the room. The carpet cleaner manoeuvres on wheels and is perfectly lightweight for your convenience. You advise using an RCD breaker for maximum safety which you can purchase at the checkout via your online order or at your local branch.


3. Remove the clear lid and take out the 10L water bucket to give it a thorough cleaning before use. You will then need to fill it with your chosen carpet cleaning solution and water before pouring into the clean water section of the machine.


4. Build the floor cleaning wand from the three compartments provided. There are different nozzles you can use depending on whether you're cleaning upholstery or carpets. Attach the nozzle firmly to the end of the wand. Follow the manual to to complete this step and lock the wand into place once built.

Connecting hoses onto the Karcher carpet cleaner

5. When you begin to use the cleaner, you will notice that there is a trigger underneath the handle. Hold this down as you gently move the wand across the floor.


6. Work in straight lines across the carpet, spraying the carpet with the solution. Don’t forget to release the trigger to pause the outflowing of solution whilst you use the vacuuming function to remove the dirty water.


7. If the nozzle stops spraying or the water begins to foam, stop the machine and replace the water with a fresh batch of cleaning solution.

How to use Karcher carpet cleaner

5 benefits of deep cleaning your carpets

1. Minimise allergic reactions


Carpets can accumulate dust mites and other allergens, which over time can cause allergic reactions. A deep cleaning process will remove these allergens from your carpet, leaving you and your family with a better quality of life. Unfortunately, allergens cannot simply be removed by vacuuming. A deep clean will reduce any allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and watery eyes.


2. Remove mould and mildew growth


Cleaning your carpets on a regular basis helps to prevent moisture from building up. This water build up can cause bacteria and mildew which in turn leads to mould growth. If you don't clean your carpets regularly, your home may develop mould build-up. This can also happen where carpets are exposed to dampness for too long such as a spillage that hasn't been sorted straight away or if a flood has occurred.


3. Reduce pet hairs


As pet owners will tell you, fur is a household problem that can be very frustrating. Depending on the animal you have, carpets, upholstery and furniture can very quickly become coated in fur. In order to avoid bad smells and a large build up of hairs, homeowners can use a soft brush combined with specialist carpet cleaner liquids to remove it.


4. Avoid carpet moths


Carpet moths are a common pest in the UK that can be difficult to avoid. They tend to thrive in very well-heated houses, particularly close to skirting boards and corners where hairs and skin can lie. To prevent carpet moths, you should thoroughly vacuum as well as remove debris from edges and skirting boards with a damp cloth. 


5. Frequent cleaning


By deep cleaning your carpet every few months, you'll be amazed by the difference it makes. You'll see the most visible changes in the colour of your carpet, it'll have a lovely fresh smell and you'll extend the life-span of your carpet so you won't have to replace your carpets often.

Hiring a carpet cleaner to refresh your flooring

Carpet cleaners are inexpensive to hire for a one-off job and are highly effective. You can hire carpet cleaners from HSS whenever you need them most. We have excellent availability on these products - simply check-out the collection and book a convenient delivery day. If you need help or more information about carpet cleaners, get in touch with our online live chat team or contact your local branch.


For more information on how to clean a carpet, check out our other blog with more tips and tricks.

Author - Marcin Haraszczuk

About the Author

Marcin Haraszczuk

Marcin is a member of our E-Commerce Team. He mixes creative flair with analytical thinking, has a knack for DIY and is always seeking ways to broaden and share his knowledge.

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