How to Sanitize a Carpet without a Steam Cleaner

fixing office carpet

Carpets are one of the commonly used flooring types. Its advantages are not limited to an aesthetically looking area, a more comfortable working environment, or serving as a filter for dust and dirt. This type of flooring has plenty of benefits if you decide to install it in your office. However, no matter how beneficial it is, cleaning carpets is always a hassle. Even if you vacuum them daily, it still doesn’t equate to a germ-free and dirt-free floor. Of course, vacuuming daily is an important step in making your carpets last long but simple carpet maintenance like this won’t be enough to keep your carpets clean, dirt-free, and germ-free. 

 

People would consider using other cleaning methods such as steam cleaning or hiring commercial cleaning companies to do the job. Steam cleaning is a method of cleaning carpets in a much more efficient and effective way compared to vacuuming. It reaches deep into your carpet fibers to loosen dirt and debris trapped in it which the vacuum wasn’t able to. If you are looking for professional help around Windham County or Fairfield County, Connecticut, don’t be shy to give us, Burgos Cleaning, a call to start your consultation!

 

But, what if you don’t have a steam cleaner at hand and you don’t want to hire experts? How would you sanitize your carpet? In this article, we would be providing you with some methods to sanitize your carpet without the help of a steam cleaner.

 

How to Sanitize Your Carpets Without a Steam Cleaner?

There is no method that deep cleans and sanitizes your carpets as a steam cleaner does. However, there are other methods that are effective. Below are solutions to help you in maintaining the cleanliness and freshness of your office carpets:

 

Baking Soda

We all know how helpful baking soda is when it comes to cleaning. Its cleaning powers will also help your carpets. Simply dust your carpet with baking soda and leave it for 10-15 minutes before vacuuming. This helps in eliminating foul-smelling odors and bacteria. If your carpet is wet let the baking soda sit for at least 24 hours before vacuuming. 

 

Not only is it great for eliminating bad odor and bacteria, but it’s also great for getting rid of flea infestation in your carpets. You’re going to need salt if you want those fleas to be completely eliminated. First is to combine equal parts of salt and baking soda then sprinkle it evenly on top of the carpet. Allow the solution to sit for a while before vacuuming.

 

Vinegar

Another popular commercial cleaning product alternative is white vinegar. It has some antibacterial properties perfect for killing germs and eliminating odors. Make a solution by combining equal parts of white vinegar and water. Put it inside a spray bottle and it’s ready for use. Spray the solution on your carpet and leave it for 10-15 minutes. You then dab the area with the solution using a clean towel to remove any excess moisture. 

hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide

If white vinegar has antibacterial properties, then hydrogen peroxide has antimicrobial properties that are great in killing bacteria and viruses. Making and using this solution is similar to the white vinegar solution. Combine equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the carpet, leave for 10-15 minutes, then dab using a clean towel.

 

Enzyme Cleaners

These are environmentally friendly and have a greener approach to cleaning that’s why businesses are starting to include them in their cleaning process. It has properties that allow the breakdown of organic matter like pet urine achievable. This helps in killing bacteria and eliminating odor. Just follow the instructions on the product label to achieve the best results.

 

Carpet Cleaning Process

Step 1: Remove any furniture or equipment

It is common to remove any furniture and equipment from the room to another room before you start cleaning anything. This gives you better cleaning results since you can also vacuum some hidden areas such as under or behind your furniture. It’s also the most efficient way because you don’t have to stop to move stuff on the way. 

 

Step 2: Vacuum

Vacuuming allows you to remove any loose dirt and debris on the carpet’s surface. As a result, cleaning your carpet is easier and consumes less time and effort. Using a vacuum with a HEPA-approved filter is much better. It has some filtering properties that make cleaning safer and more effective. 

 

Step 3: Prepare your solution

Mix equal parts of washing up liquid in a bucket of water. The mixture should have a foamy consistency. This is the solution you would use in cleaning dirt and debris or even removing some stains from your carpet.

 

Step 4: Scrub Using a Brush

Using a brush, dip it in the foamy mixture and start scrubbing your carpet. It would be better if you section it out before you start scrubbing. This way you won’t have to scrub the same area more than once. Just make sure to brush softly but enough to remove some dirt. Doing some intense scrubbing might damage your carpet instead of cleaning it. After scrubbing the whole carpet leave it for 10-15 minutes to allow the solution to remove any hard-to-remove stains. 

 

Step 5: Rinse

Now replace the foamy mixture with clean water (make sure you rinse your bucket well to remove any residue). If you’re in an open space pour the clean water on your carpet then use a tool to scrape out the water. Repeat this process until there’s no more soap residue. If you’re in a closed space grab plenty of clean towels, dip them in the bucket of clean water, then rub them on the carpet to remove some soap suds together with the dirt. Repeat this until the carpet is free from suds.

 

Step 6: Sanitize

You can use the solutions mentioned above to sanitize your carpet. Spray or sprinkle it evenly on the carpet then let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This will kill all or most of the bacteria, germs, and other health hazards. 

rinsing office carpets

Step 7: Rinse

Re-rinse your carpet to remove the sanitization solution. Refer to the process in step 5.

 

Step 8: Let it dry

Dry your carpets with sun exposure or air drying them. Most carpets dry for around 6-10 hours depending on the size and material. However, to be certain that it dries completely, wait for 24 hours.

 

Step 9: Re-vacuum

You need to thoroughly vacuum the carpet once it has dried. This will fluff the carpet back up and restore its beautiful appearance while removing any residue left over from the washing solution.

 

Although it might be pricey, carpet sanitizing is an excellent way to keep your carpets feeling and appearing clean. Most people’s budgets would not allow for the upwards of $150 price tag of a steam cleaner. Fortunately, there are a few methods you can use to clean your carpets without spending money on a steam cleaner. Simply follow the methods and steps we’ve mentioned above and your carpet would be in perfect condition!