Best Carpet Cleaner

I wished someone designed stain-proof carpet. I remain hopeful (for the sake of all busy moms!) but I know this is quite unlikely because if there’s such an invention, who would need vacuums after that? For now, carpet stains are REAL. And they can be TROUBLESOME.

In this post, I’m sharing 5 tips about carpet stains and how to clean each type of stain. Though I only list down 5 types of stains, truth is; there are other types of stains and you can read up more about them online. For starters, it’ll be good for you to know more about these 5 most common carpet stains and how to clean them.

1. Coffee Or Tea
Coffee stains can happen as you rush for work. Rule number 1 is to always act quickly to clean the stain (never rush off thinking you’ll clean up later!). You can read my post on 4 Tips for Carpet Deep Clean which tells you the same thing; quick action save you the hassle of doing extra work.

First, blot (not rub!) the area with a clean towel paper. Then, sprinkle some baking soda or salt on the stain and leave it for half an hour or so. This replaces the function of pre-treatment solution (if you prefer something organic). You can then use a deep clean vacuum to clean the area.

2. Urine
Pet urine is a common form of stain if you have pets roaming in the house. To clean up urine stains, you may want to consider using organic detergent (can be found in most pet shops). I have two methods to suggest here, and you can try either one:

First, layer tower paper on the stain and absorb as much wetness as possible. Then, use a deep cleaner and fill it with water (or good organic/enzyme stain remover) and use it on the stain. Or, you can make a mixture of vinegar and water and apply it on the still-wet area. Next, use a vacuum cleaner to absorb the wetness.

3. Beer Or Wine
Beer stain solution requires you to use vinegar. Or, you can choose chemical-based detergent to pre-treat the area. If you are using vinegar, make sure you dilute it with water and let it sit on the stain for about 10 minutes. Then, use a carpet deep cleaner and clean the area thoroughly. Dishwashing liquid is also a good option as it dissolves the stain easily.

4. Mud
Dried mud can be scrapped off the carpet surface. All you need to do is to let it dry, use a butter knife and gently scrape it off the carpet. Then, pre-treat the area with a remover and use a deep clean vacuum on the stain.

5. Sauces (i.e. Ketchup, Pasta, Barbecue)
As usual, remove as much of the sauce as possible. Using a blot-apply-vacuum technique, apply club soda or cold water on the stain and vacuum the after it dried. If the stain remains, move on to apply detergent, and then vacuum after it’s dry. You can also use ammonia mix (you should pre-test the area to prevent loss of color) followed by hydrogen peroxide. If all these steps seemed complex, buy a suitable detergent for area pre-treatment. Then, use a deep clean vacuum on it.

I hope you choose the right detergent to clean up carpet stains. There are countless types of solutions that’ll work on different stains, not to mention you can make your own organic solution.

Just a reminder though, always follow instructions given on the solution label and don’t attempt to use a higher concentration. You’ll only risk damaging your carpet further! Do share these tips about “Categories of Carpet Stains and How to Clean them” with your friends and relatives. Read my other posts as well: 4 Tips for Carpet Deep Clean and How to Choose Best Carpet Cleaner.

If you own a carpet, you’ll know that it takes effort to keep it in tip top condition. I own not one, but several carpets and rugs at home. Even if they are not in pastel or light colors, I get noticeable stains on them as time goes by. I used to get pretty frustrated over things until I’ve discovered that there are solutions to my seemingly huge problem.

Rather than waste money on a new carpet, I thought, “How can I deep clean my carpets effectively?”

If this question is also on your mind, then you’ve come to the right place. Here in my blog, I’ll share 4 tips on how you can (and should) deep clean your carpet to keep it in tip top condition. You can also check out my other useful tips: Categories of Carpet Stains and How to Clean Them and How to Choose the Best Carpet Cleaner.

1. Act Quick to Clean The Stain
How should we define “quick”? Definitely as soon as you spot the stain. Sometimes, the stain could’ve been there for days, weeks, months, or worse still, almost a year! Don’t leave the stain assuming it’ll fade. It won’t. If the damage is within a few hours, you stand a pretty good chance of getting it back into the spotless condition.

Pick up the semi-solid or solid left on the carpet and quickly dab the area with a clean towel paper. Then, use a suitable detergent based on the type of stain and apply it on the stain. Depending on the instructions, you may need to leave it in for a couple of minutes. While you’re at it, prepare your vacuum cleaner or carpet steamer.

2. Evaluate Carpet Material
Your carpet is made of fibers and dirt sticks on different material with different ease. Basically, you can find two types of carpet/rug material: natural (i.e. wool, cotton) and synthetic (i.e. acrylic, nylon). Wool is widely used and also resistant to stains. Cotton on the other hand, gives you a softer feel but it also dirties easily and wears out sooner than wool.

Carpet made of synthetic material is usually more suitable for high traffic areas (where people walk on most often). So if you know your carpet material, you’d be able to choose a vacuum and detergent that matches the material and stain. This is important because using the wrong tool or detergent may spoil the carpet.

3. Buy a Good Carpet Steam Cleaner
Needless to say, you need a good carpet deep cleaner. Read my product recommendations (Best Carpet Steam Cleaner and Best Lightweight Deep Cleaner for Carpet). A good carpet steamer can help you get rid of the stain much easier. Imagine scrubbing the carpet repeatedly to find that the stain is still there! This won’t happen if you have a carpet vacuum for deep clean purpose.

4. Use Good Detergent / Stain Remover
I’ve mentioned above about choosing the right detergent to match the carpet material and type of stain. I’d like to emphasize that it’s important it is to pre-treat the stained area with a good solution to just help you “draw” dirt unto the surface. Then using the steam cleaner, you can easily remove the stain and dry the area.

A dirty carpet causes bad smell to linger. If you have pets or have a carpet close to your kitchen, you’ll realize that the smell is more obvious. It’s important to deep clean from time to time because if you don’t do it regularly, it’ll be harder to get rid of the dirt and smell (you need to use stronger chemical- which damages carpet in the long run).

I hope that these 4 Tips for Carpet Deep Clean have been useful. If you are looking for a compact vacuum, here’s what I’ll recommend: Best Compact Carpet Cleaner. Or if you prefer a cordless vacuum, here’s the star product you should choose: Best Cordless Carpet Cleaner.

Well, I choose a particular product for specific reasons. For example, when I shop for computer I look for models with good brand name, reasonable price, and excellent performance to do basic functions (email, listening to songs, and watching occasional videos). The same goes when you choose your carpet deep clean vacuum. You need to have specific set of criteria that you want most. That way, you’ll end up looking for the best product that satisfies you the most!

Regardless of whether this is your first purchase or you’re an experienced user of deep clean vacuums, I’d like to share some tips on how to choose the best carpet deep clean vacuum. These tips will be helpful in helping you make a better decision. For other useful tips, check out my 4 Tips for Carpet Deep Clean and Categories of Carpet Stains and How to Clean Them.

When choosing a carpet cleaner, remember these keywords:

1. Performance
Your carpet cleaner should have strong suction power and is able to collect much dirt/dust even with a single pass. I’ve had the experience of having to vacuum an area over and over again; I can tell you that it’s a total waste of time! Also, don’t underestimate stick or upright vacuums – the ones I’ve tried (Best Lightweight Deep Cleaner for Carpet and Best Cordless Carpet Cleaner) have good suction!

2. Durability
As a general rule, the machine shouldn’t break down soon after you bought it. Good vacuums can last a few years without needing any sort of replacement. By choosing a highly durable vacuum, you’d save a lot of money from repairs and reduce the hassle of having to take it to the service center.

3. User-friendliness
Some buttons and functions in the vacuum are left untouched even after you’ve been using it for a long while. Truth is, we use the simpler functions most of the time. So, every time I buy a machine, I make sure I understand how it works. I’m also not a fan of manual-reading so if I can understand it without going through the manual, it is good enough for me! I don’t need an ultra sophisticated machine that I can’t operate.

4. Lightweight
Speaking of weight, I’m glad that manufacturers these days came up with lighter designs. Most of the carpet cleaner designs available today are just perfect for petite moms (like me!). All of the vacuums recommended in my blog are suitable for use around the house and they are light enough to move around without need to break a sweat. Check them out: Best Compact Carpet Cleaner and Best Bagged Upright Carpet Cleaner.

5. Price
Last but not least, it’s important to choose a vacuum with reasonable price. Reasonable can be subjective so in my terms, I’d usually spend about $100-$200 for a vacuum. If it costs less, I give myself a pat on the back for grabbing a superb deal. If I had to buy a carpet cleaner that costs more than $200, I’d make sure I have really good reasons and that it works really well.

(P/S: Some of the vacuum cleaner I recommended in my blog – Best Bagged Upright Carpet Cleaner and Best Carpet Cleaner for Pet Owners may cost more than $200, but I’m very happy with its performance so I decided to include it in my review. You should check it out)

Besides choosing the right vacuum cleaner, it’s also important to match the vacuum with good detergent solution. I’ve not written much about detergent solutions but you can check out the different types available and choose those that match your carpet material and type of stain. To find out more about carpet material and types of stains, read my other posts: 4 Tips for Carpet Deep Clean and Categories of Carpet Stains and How to Clean Them.

Hi there! I’m Lindsay and this is my Best Carpet Cleaner blog. Whether you own a carpet cleaner or you’re just setting out to buy one, if you want to know more about carpet cleaners, this is the right place to be!

I’ll tell you a bit about myself first. I’m a working mother. I work full time at a pharmaceutical company, and back home I have three school-going boys (not too little, thank goodness!), a Labrador retriever, not to mention my beloved hubby to care for. My husband had wanted to hire me a helper but I politely but firmly refused his offer. I rather spend the money for helpful machines that didn’t need to be told what to do. No possibility for complications, see?

Well, carpet cleaners are only one kind of the helpful machines I use. They are a kind of vacuum cleaner, actually; the kind that can clean carpets.

Carpet cleaners come in several different shapes and designs. There are the bagged upright carpet cleaners, cordless carpet cleaners, steam cleaners, and compact or  handheld carpet cleaners.

Different kinds of carpet material and thickness of your carpet will need different kinds of carpet cleaner to do the job. So if you have only one type of carpet, congratulations! You can save money by getting only one carpet cleaner (but the right type for your carpet, of course). Though you may want to get an extra compact one for small spills.

I happen to like carpets a lot, even though they take up a lot of my time to maintain. That’s why I have many carpet cleaners and believe me, I can tell you all you want to know about them.

All right, I will be updating this blog with many carpet cleaner reviews and tips about carpet cleaning. Stay with me!