A dirty carpet is more than just an aesthetic nightmare. The dirt and grime in the fibers of the carpet can also shorten its lifespan. To prevent this, cleaning your carpet the right way is important. Unfortunately, some DIY carpet cleaners find that the stains on their carpet are still there when it dries. Part of properly cleaning your carpet is knowing which mistakes to avoid. Here are a few to start.  

Skipping the Solution Test

To get your carpet the cleanest possible, you will need to use a cleaning solution. Even though a cleaning solution might claim to be safe to use on all types of carpeting, you still need to test it. If you fail to do so, you could end up with a faded and heavily damaged carpet.

Testing the solution is easy. Find a patch of carpet that is not easily seen, such as behind a sofa. You need to apply the solution at the strength you plan to use on the rest of the carpeting. After applying it, wait at least 24 hours before checking the patch. If the carpet is faded or damaged, you will need to find another cleaning solution.

Renting Bad Equipment

Unless you have invested in a rug cleaner, you are probably renting the equipment. This might seem like a great way to clean your floors and save on the expense of buying equipment, but the rental equipment could cause problems.

Remember, others have rented the equipment and not everyone is using it properly. The equipment could have a malfunction that was not detected by the rental company. You might not discover it until the cleaner damages your carpet. To prevent this, you need to ensure that it is properly serviced by the rental company.

Going Overboard with the Solution

Now that you know which solution is safe to use on the carpet, you must avoid using too much. If you oversaturate the carpet, there are several problems that could occur. For instance, the floor might take longer to dry. The longer the floor is wet, the likelier it is that mildew or mold could grow beneath the surface. This could lead to breathing problems for your household.

To avoid this, pay attention to the instructions for the rug cleaner and the cleaning solution. Both should have instructions on how to apply the solution and how much to use.

There are many more mistakes that could spell disaster for your carpet if you decide to clean it yourself. To save your carpet, consider hiring a professional carpet-cleaning service, such as Boss Systems Carpet Cleaning.