Cold Weather, Hot Tips: Winter-Specific Deep Cleaning for Your Home!

Best Products for Winter Carpet Care:

1. BEST OVERALL: Chemical Guys Lightning Fast Carpet & Upholstery Stain Extractor
2. BEST FOR SALT ON HARD-FLOORS: Zep Neutral pH All-Purpose Floor Cleaner
3. RUNNER-UP: Spotting Solutions General Spotter (FREE SHIPPING)
4. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Resolve Carpet and Rug Cleaner Spray
5. BEST FOR PERFORMANCE FABRICS: ForceField Fabric Cleaner – Professional Strength
6. BEST ALL-PURPOSE: Woolite Advanced Stain & Stench Remover + Sanitize
7. BEST FOR PET STAINS AND ODORS: Bissell PET PRO OXY Stain Destroyer for Carpet & Upholstery
8. BEST FOR DELICATE FABRICS: Furniture Clinic Carpet & Upholstery Care Kit Cleaner & Protector

Winter Carpet Care Tips:

• Place doormats at entry points to prevent tracking in snow and salt.
• Attend to spills immediately to prevent stains from setting. Blot, not rub. Another thing to keep in mind: if you spill a drink or a pet has an accident, it absorbs deep into the padding underneath and spreads out. So what you see at the surface is just the tip of the iceberg. If that happens and you clean just the stain, the surrounding area will just wick back up and it will look stained again and possibly worse.
• Consider using area rugs on high-traffic areas for extra protection.
• Do NOT track salt and snow inside, take your shoes off at the door.
  • Abrasion: Salt crystals are small, jagged particles that can act like sandpaper when they come into contact with hardwood floors. Repeated exposure to these abrasive particles can scratch and dull the finish of the floor, making it look dull and worn.
  • Chemical Reaction: Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and absorbs moisture. When salt crystals come into contact with the slightly damp surface of a hardwood floor, they dissolve and form a brine solution. This brine solution can then penetrate the wood fibers, causing them to swell and warp. Over time, this can lead to cracks, splits, and other structural damage.

Hand Cleaning for a Budget-Friendly Option:

Cleaning carpet by hand may require some elbow grease, but it’s a cost-effective method that often surpasses mechanical means for stubborn stains. Here are a few natural methods for a thorough hand clean:

1. Regular Sweeping: Use a stiff brush or broom to sweep away dust and debris regularly, reducing the need for deep cleaning.
2. Carpet Shampoo: Mix carpet shampoo with water, scrubbing stains with a brush, and using a cloth to soak up the mixture. Consult a carpet cleaning company for the best shampoo for your carpet type. Also make sure that the product that you get is safe for your carpet.
3. Dawn Dish Soap Solution: Create a solution with 4oz of Dawn dish soap and a gallon of warm water. Scrub each step with a soft brush, using circular motions, and rinse with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Make sure you only use a little bit of dawn dish soap and make sure to rinse and get rid of all the soap residue before drying. If there is detergent left behind, it will attract dirt and make it look dirty fast. Lastly, ensure that it is dried well. That will prevent any musty smells or water marks etc…

Mechanical Cleaning for Effortless Results:

If manual labor isn’t your preference, mechanical cleaning using machinery can be a game-changer. Here are two methods for cleaning carpeted stairs with machines:

1. Vacuuming: When vacuuming, make sure to get all dust, dirt, and debris so that it doesn’t mud up when you use a product.
2. Steam Cleaning: Rent a steam cleaner to achieve a deep clean on your carpeted stairs, effectively removing stains, dirt, and pet hair.

Combining Techniques for Immaculate Results:

For a truly spotless finish, combine different methods for a comprehensive cleaning process. Follow these steps:

1. Loosen Debris: Agitation step, use a scrub brush or stiff broom to loosen dirt within the carpet fibers.
2. Vacuum: Use a handheld vacuum with attachments to suck up the loosened dirt. This helps a ton because if you started to clean and get the carpet wet before vacuuming, you will have the dust and dirt turn into mud.
3. Apply Shampoo: By hand, apply carpet shampoo with a soft scrub brush, paying attention to stains and dirty areas.
4. Remove Excess Water: Use a wet/dry vacuum or towel to remove excess water after shampooing. Make sure the detergent is rinsed out thoroughly.
5. Ensure Drying: Allow the carpet to dry thoroughly to prevent mold or mildew. Important!
6. Final Vacuuming: Once dry, give the stairs a final vacuuming for a polished finish.

For expert advice on winter carpet care in the metro Detroit area, contact the professionals at Chet’s Cleaning today! Schedule your FREE consultation today, 248-584-1819 📞