Best Methods for Cleaning Carpets

Vacuuming alone will not remove deep-down dirt embedded within the carpet pile. Dirt can accumulate over time and eventually weigh down and flatten carpet fibers if not thoroughly cleaned. Vax Carpet Cleaners remove dirt and odors from carpets while also brightening their appearance.

Even if you are short on time, Vax's quick dry technology in the Platinum Power Max can dry your carpets in just one hour, leaving them clean, dry, and smelling fresh.

Investing in a good quality carpet washer with deep-cleaning, quick-drying technology is the key to easy and efficient carpet cleaning with stunning results. Then simply follow our top tips to achieve the best results...

Spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

Deal with an accidental spill as soon as possible to avoid it becoming a stain. Most of the liquid will be collected by your carpet cleaner before it soaks in. If your carpet cleaner isn't nearby, place some kitchen roll on top of the spill to soak up as much as possible.

Resist the urge to rub. This will push the liquid deeper into the carpet.

Always start by thoroughly cleaning the area.

Clear the area you want to clean of any loose items that might impede your progress, so you can move around your home quickly and easily. Vacuuming up any surface debris before washing your carpets will make the job much easier and will keep your carpet washer from becoming clogged.

Use the appropriate solution.

Vax Carpet Cleaning solutions are specially formulated to produce minimal foam, which can clog your cleaner, and to leave no sticky residues on your carpet, which can attract more dirt. Our solutions are intended to address high-traffic areas, be gentle on allergy sufferers, and eliminate pet odors.

Vax Platinum is our most effective carpet cleaning solution for deep cleaning and removing tough stains. Carpetguard protection is included to keep your carpets fresher for longer.

If your carpets contain wool, look for the 'Woolsafe approved' logo on the bottle for added assurance. All Vax Carpet Cleaner solutions are Woolsafe certified and safe for use on delicate carpets.

Examine a small area first.

If you've never washed your carpets before, or if you're using a new carpet cleaner or solution, start with a small, inconspicuous area first. just to rule out the unlikely possibility of the solution or carpet cleaner affecting the color fastness of the carpet Your carpet manufacturer or supplier should also be able to assist you with this.

If at all possible, pre-treat.

Apply a pre-treatment cleaning solution before beginning general carpet cleaning for the best results on deeply stained carpets that haven't been cleaned previously or simply need some extra TLC. The Vax Platinum Power Max comes with a dedicated Pre-treatment wand attachment that, when combined with Vax pre-treatment solution, produces a fine spray to be applied to a mark or stain. After 15 minutes, continue cleaning your carpets as usual.

Remember to read and follow the instructions on the solution bottle because different brands may differ.

Always plan your route ahead of time.

Begin cleaning the carpet in the corner farthest away from the door and work your way back. You won't be walking on wet carpet this way.

In overlapping straight lines, clean

Use parallel strokes with your carpet cleaner for the most thorough clean, with a small overlap to help prevent streaking. Push your carpet cleaner about half as fast as you would an upright vacuum. This allows the rotating brushbar in Vax Carpet Cleaners to agitate the carpet fibers for deeper cleaning.

Don't soak for too long.

If you clean your carpet to the point of soaking it, it will take longer to dry but will be no cleaner. To keep your carpet from becoming too saturated, use more 'dry' strokes (pulling back with the trigger released) than wet strokes, and finish with steady dry strokes until very little water is sucked up.

If at all possible, rinse.

If you have a carpet cleaner with a 'rinse mode,' such as the Vax Platinum Power Max or Vax Rapid Power Advance, use it to remove any residue from the carpet before allowing it to dry normally.

Clean the stairs and upholstery as well.

Choose a carpet cleaner with a hose and wash tool if you want your stairs and upholstery to look as clean as your carpets. This will produce comparable results on sofas, upholstered chairs, carpeted stairs, and automobile interiors. All Vax Carpet Cleaners include a stretch hose and a wash tool.

Pay special attention to stubborn stains.

The most stubborn stains and high-traffic areas, such as doorways, landings, and hallways, are best tackled with the hose and wash tool, which provides a more concentrated cleaning effect. If possible, pre-treat these areas before using the wash tool to scrub and break down the dirt. Because oily stains are very stubborn among carpet fibers, they may require more than one application of pre-treatment solution.

Keep the doors and windows open.

To shorten the drying time of your carpets even more, leave doors and windows open in the summer and turn on the heating on a low setting in the winter. If you haven't over-soaked your carpets, they should be dry within an hour.

Clean, regular, routine

Using your carpet cleaner every 6-8 months will not only leave your carpets looking clean and smelling fresh, but it will also help to extend the life of your carpet and save you money on carpet replacement. Even if you vacuum every day, you must still wash your carpet on a regular basis to keep it looking its best. This is because a surprising amount of dirt becomes trapped between the fibers and cannot be sucked away by a standard vacuum cleaner.

Regular cleaning will keep your carpet looking newer for longer and save you money in the long run.