Carpets provide great additions to your home as they present a soft underfoot, and can come in a wide variety of designs fit for any home! However, as with most fabric surfaces, carpeted flooring can be difficult to clean, not to mention disinfect.
Fabrics are typically washed in the laundry machine. Sofa covers, fabric tablecloths, beddings, and blankets can all be thrown in the washing machine for convenient cleaning. Rugs can also be washed in the laundry machine, but carpets cannot be washed in the same method as they are stuck to the floor using adhesives.
Unlike hardwood floors and solid wood floors, carpeted flooring cannot be mopped with a disinfecting solution as the fabric provides an uneven terrain, and may not dry properly. The best way of disinfecting soft surfaces like carpets is to penetrate cleaning solutions deep into the fibers.
7 Easy Ways to Disinfect Carpet
Using Baking Soda and Vacuum Cleaner
Using some baking soda, tea tree oil, and a vacuum cleaner can sanitize and deodorize your carpets the dry clean way. Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial properties, while baking soda can be used to remove odors, clean dirt off carpets, and inhibit mold from growing between the carpet fibers.
Mix together 20-40 drops of tea tree essential oil into 1 to 1 and a half cups of baking soda. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the tea tree oil into the baking soda particles. Sprinkle the mixture around your carpet and let it sit for an hour. Use your vacuum cleaner to vacuum up the excess powder.
Using Steam Cleaner
The steam cleaner is one of the best ways to disinfect your carpets easily and safely, albeit this method might be more expensive than others as it requires using a specialized steam cleaner that can reach high enough temperatures to kill bacterial spores.
Use the vacuum cleaner to give your carpets a good general cleaning. Next, use the steam cleaner as directed on the manufacturer's guide. Let the steam cleaner run all over your carpet, making sure not to oversaturate an area. Run the steam cleaner close to your carpet fibers to get the full effect of the steam cleaner.
You can also use the steam cleaner to sanitize any area of your home that can handle heat: like walls, glass furniture, fabric furniture, and more. Steam cleaning will instantly kill off germs and bugs from your home without the need for chemical disinfecting solutions.
Also read: How to Disinfect Laminate Floors
Using a Cleaning Solution Spray
Some models of steam cleaner devices come with a compartment for adding disinfectant solutions in. You can steam clean your carpets with disinfectant solutions for a more thorough clean of steam power mixed with chemical disinfecting. This is especially helpful for carpets that see high traffic per day, such as in commercial spaces and hotels.
Deep Cleaning with Carpet Shampoo
At least once every three months, you should be hiring a professional office cleaning team to shampoo your carpets. Shampooing involves using a deep cleaning solution to disinfect carpet fibers, deep clean the material, and remove dust and debris from your carpet.
Shampooing your carpets is usually done by professionals who have the proper tools to completely clean your carpets. Professional carpet cleaners would have the right type of carpet shampoo for your type of carpet, as well as better scrubbing brush and cleaning implements meant to deep clean carpets.
Using a Dish Soap
For the at-home solution, dish soap diluted in water can be used in place of commercial carpet shampoo. Shampoo your carpets regularly, but use the dish soap solution instead. The dish soap should disinfect your carpet, while breaking down greasy and oily residue for a full deep cleaning.
Using a Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle can be used to disinfect your carpet. Spray at least 70% concentration of alcohol onto your carpet, saturating the fibers until damp but not soaking wet. Allow the carpet to air dry before using.
Using a Diluted Bleach
Similarly, diluted bleach can be used to sanitize white carpets. The higher the dilution, the less effective the disinfection power. Place diluted bleach in a spray bottle and give your white carpets a good spritz. Remember to remove any colored fabrics from the vicinity of the carpet before spraying!
How to Keep Your Office Carpet Clean
Keeping your carpets clean is not a difficult task. Carpets are generally low maintenance as long as you can properly clean your carpets.
Let Carpet Air Dry
One of the most essential carpet rules: Let the carpet air dry! Drying your carpet before using it ensures that dirt doesn't stick onto your carpet. When people track mud and moisture from outside, make sure the dampened area of the carpet is blocked off to allow it to dry before using, and this will prevent visible dirt from carpet fibers.
Vacuum your Carpets Daily
Vacuuming your carpets daily is a good practice to maintain the cleanliness of your carpet. Vacuuming removes loose soil brought in by shoes, as well as any dirt or debris that have accumulated over time. Vacuum cleaners would have attachments to clean out every nook and cranny of your office carpet!
Make your Own Spot Cleaning Solutions
Offices would have their own cleaning crews that can do general cleaning throughout the office, including the carpets. For your office, it would be better to make your own cleaning solution, and have a scrubbing brush on hand for quick access cleaning.
Create an effective and inexpensive spot cleaner using white vinegar and baking soda in a spray bottle. Use the vinegar and baking soda solution on any stubborn spots, and blot out with a clean cloth. Let the vinegar air dry, then vacuum up any remaining residue.
If you need help with office carpet & rug cleaning service, contact us so we can arrange a schedule! Luce SG offers general cleaning, disinfection services and more.
