Your carpet gets a lot of attention. Family walk and play on it.
The pets sit and shed their fur over it. Then there could be the odd piece of food or crumbs that get dropped onto it.
All that adds up to a carpet that needs some TLC. A quick vacuum can take care of most of the issues. Yet dirt and grime (along with germs) can make their way deep into the carpet.
What about stains? You may be quick at mopping them up, but some may have soaked into the base of your flooring. Using a steam mop can help freshen up your carpets.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
Can I damage my carpet using a steam mop?
Ruining your carpet can be an expensive mistake. Is it possible that you can cause damage to the carpet by cleaning it with a steam mop?
The main mistake is causing your carpet to become too wet. There are several reasons this may happen.
Your steam mop is faulty
If you are using a steam mop that isn’t working properly you can run the risk of releasing too much moisture into the carpet.
The carpet then becomes harder to dry and you increase the possibility of it rotting from the pile upwards.
The room is damp
Perhaps your house is located in an area where there is high humidity content in the air. Your carpet is under constant attack from the humidity and never has a chance to dry out.
Using a steam mop only adds to the problem.
You don’t use fans to quicken the drying time
This comes under the same banner as the previous section.
You can use heaters and dehumidifiers to extract the water out of the carpet. But if the carpet hasn’t the chance to properly dry out quickly you may find it feels a little squelchy underfoot.
Consider what your carpet is made from
The material that your carpet is constructed out of can affect how it reacts to being steam mopped.
Artificial fibers can be warped and damaged by steam. Carpets that are made from woven fibers may shrink from the heat applied to them.
Yet other carpets can become fuzzy from the steam.
To ensure that you won’t harm your carpet, read the manufacturer’s instructions for your steam mop. Also, research the material your carpet is made from.
Doing your due diligence will save you from major heartache regarding cleaning your carpet with a steam mop.
Also, start at a lower heat setting with your mop. Too much heat could damage the fibers.
Before you go all out a steam clean the entire carpet, do a small test patch. Once you’re satisfied that everything is good to go, let the steam mopping of your carpet begin.
How to clean your carpet with a steam mop
One more thing to consider before steaming your precious carpet is whether you live in an area that contains hard water. If that is the case the water will contain minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
These can block up the pump of your steam mop as well as leave a nasty finish to your carpet.
For those located in a place with hard water, use distilled water in your steam mop. You can easily buy bottles of distilled water at your local supermarket or store.
Let’s take you through how to freshen up your carpet using a steam mop.
Remove everything out of the room
Any obstructions such as furniture, toys, and other items need to be cleared from the room. This allows you to steam-mop the entire carpet without any hindrances.
Open your windows
This will allow the air to circulate through the room and let the heat escape. Trapped heat and moisture can make their way to the base of your carpet.
Vacuum the area
Vacuuming the area will clear the carpet from any debris and dirt. Don’t rush this step.
Take your time. Debris and dirt can react with the steam and potentially damage your carpet.
Pretreat stains
Some stains may have set in, making them harder to remove when steam mopping. Pre-treat these using a commercial product or you can tackle the stains with baking soda and vinegar.
Pour the vinegar over the stain and then sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar. The baking soda will start to froth up and absorb the stain.
Steam in sections
Begin by testing a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet. There is a very small possibility of the steam harming your carpet.
Once you are happy that your carpet will stand up to being steam cleaned, carry on with the process. Work in one-meter square sections.
Start from the far side of the room and make your way toward the doorway.
Let the room air dry
The heat from the steam mop can cause the water to evaporate quickly. This can lead you to think that the carpet is dry. It may feel so when you touch it, but don’t be tricked.
There is still moisture within the fibery depths. It will take 24 hours for the carpet to completely dry.
Therefore, you will need to keep your family and pets out of the room. If you have to walk on the carpet, wear clean socks.
You could also slip a couple of plastic bags over your feet.
Can steam mopping kill germs?
Germs can be a threat to all of us, but more so to toddlers and infants. Steam mopping your carpet is an effective way of eliminating germs and bacteria from your carpet.
Another issue is dust mites that may choose to call your carpet “home”. Using steam can cause an 85% drop in the number of these critters.
If you have pets, fleas residing and laying eggs within the carpet is also something you need to contend with. Fleas and their larva can be eradicated by steaming.
The eggs will require a mix of vacuuming and steam mopping of the carpet.
Conclusion
Steam mopping is an effective way of freshening up your carpet. You need to take care though, as there is a possibility that you could damage the fibers of the carpet.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions that came with the steam mop. Test a small patch of carpet to ensure that you won’t harm it.
By regularly cleaning your carpets with a steam mop, your rooms will look amazing. Also, germs and pests living in the fibers will be eliminated.
The result is flooring that is clean and healthy to play on.
Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
