Carpet shampooers make cleaning your wall-to-wall carpet flooring so much easier and faster. But what if you don't have a carpet shampoo on hand? Can you use a laundry detergent like Tide as your cleanser? That's what we'll talk about in this article. We've asked carpet experts, and here's what they have to say.
Yes, you can use laundry detergents such as Tide as an alternative to carpet shampoo. This type of cleaner is equally effective in treating dirt and stains on your carpet's surface. It's best to choose a high-efficiency liquid laundry detergent because it doesn't make too much foam and will make it easier for you to rinse and dry the carpet afterward.
Continue reading so we can tell you more regarding the use of laundry detergents on your carpet shampooers. We'll also answer how often you should shampoo your carpet, if you can use OxiClean on your carpet, and how often you should have your carpeted flooring replaced. Let's get started!
Can you use laundry detergent in a carpet shampooer?
The thing about carpets is that you have to clean them regularly to always look fresh and new. This task can be tedious, especially when you have wall-to-wall carpeting on several areas of your house. It helps a lot if you have a carpet shampooer, so you don't have to do the cleaning manually.
How Carpet Shampooers Clean
Carpet shampooers use a soapy water solution to remove the dirt from the carpet. They come with a rotary or revolving brush that ensures that the fibers absorb the cleanser. As the brush rotates, it agitates the dirt and stains present in the carpet so they are loosened and can be picked up by the vacuum.
Carpet shampooers don't just spray foamy, soapy solution into the carpet. They also rinse them with hot water to remove any residue of the cleanser after you're done cleaning. Their vacuum will also suck the moisture so that you'll have carpet flooring that's soft and dry to the touch afterward.
The kind of soap or detergent you use will determine how well the shampooer will be able to clean your carpeted flooring. There are numerous carpet shampoos that you can buy on the market.
Using Laundry Detergent In Carpet Shampooers
But in case you run out of this cleaner, or you're looking for an alternative, you can also use laundry detergents, especially those liquid types since they do not produce too much foam.
Laundry detergents like Tide have cleaning properties that will help cleanse your carpet's surface and remove stubborn stains. They will also leave it with a fresh and fragrant smell, so that's an added benefit of using these alternatives.
Just be careful with the amount of laundry detergent that you use. You can test it out first in a small portion of the carpet. There shouldn't be too much foam. Otherwise, your carpet might get too wet from the cleaning, and this could damage its backing.
Check the ingredients of the laundry detergent that you're about to use. Make sure it doesn't contain bleach and abrasive cleaners because they can damage your carpet's color and fibers, respectively.
It's best to use products that have the "HE" on their label. This stands for high efficiency. These cleaning agents are safe and effective to use on your carpet. They produce less foam, so it's easier to rinse and dry your carpet flooring.
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It's also recommended that you check your carpet shampooer's instructions and recommendations regarding the use of laundry detergents. Some might be sensitive when you attempt to use a different product other than a carpet shampoo.
How often should the carpet be shampooed?
It is recommended that you clean your carpet regularly to maintain its pleasant appearance and the comfort that it brings. Spot cleaning should be done whenever there are spills and stains, while you can vacuum weekly to avoid the accumulation of dirt in the fibers.
When it comes to shampooing the carpet, you can do so once every 6 to 12 months. Aside from making sure that your carpet is clean, shampooing will also extend your carpet's life.
The frequency would depend on the number of people in the household especially if there are children and pets. It would also matter if the carpeted floor is in a high traffic area in your house and if the carpet is light-colored or not.
In general, if you have a light-colored carpet in a busy portion of the house and you have kids and pets with you, you have to shampoo the carpet more frequently. This will help you get rid of the dirt and other unwanted particles on the carpet in a more effective way than regular vacuuming does.
If there are smokers and family members with allergies, you would also need to shampoo your carpet more often. Once every quarter is advised to ensure the quality of your indoor air as well.
While some are concerned that shampoo can ruin their carpet by loosening its fibers, it would boil down to the kind of shampoo that you use. Choose cleaning products that are gentle on the fabric. You can also have a professional cleaning done to make sure that your carpet is cleaned thoroughly and properly.
Can I use OxiClean on carpet?
OxiClean is a popular cleaning product with numerous household applications. It is a homeowner's best friend when it comes to treating stubborn dirt and stains when doing the laundry.
According to its manufacturers, the OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover would be great in helping you get rid of carpet stains. Package instructions tell users to first remove excess stains on the carpet's surface before using this product.
- You have to mix 1 part of OxiClean with 16 ounces of water and then apply just enough of this solution to soak the affected area.
- After letting it stand for about 1 to 5 minutes, you can use a towel to blot the area. You have to repeat this as needed.
- Once the stain clears, rinse the carpet thoroughly using clean water.
- Blot with a clean towel to dry.
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While this is very promising, take note that manufacturers advise using this stain remover on water-washable carpets only. It cannot be used on carpets made of wool and wool blends. That's why it's always best to know the material of your carpet flooring and which products can be used on it safely to avoid further damage to its fabric.
How often should you change a home carpet?
The thing with carpet flooring is that you would have to replace it sooner than other flooring materials. The wear and tear will naturally show over time. Dirt and stains will be harder to remove, and the fibers can flatten or fray. There can also be bald spots as the carpet gets worn out from daily use.
The carpet has a lifespan of 6 to 7 years, although your hard work in cleaning it regularly can extend its life expectancy to a decade. Of course, the actual frequency of new carpet installation will vary from one household to another.
The quality of the carpet, the number of people in the household, how you maintain it, and whether you have pets at home are just some of the factors that'll impact the lifespan of your carpet.
The general rule is that whenever the carpet doesn't provide you with comfort and doesn't add style to your home anymore, it's time to replace it.
Final Thoughts
Use a high-efficiency liquid laundry detergent if you need a substitute for carpet shampoo. It'll be just as effective in removing dirt and stains on your carpet. Make sure also that it doesn't contain bleach and abrasive cleaning ingredients to avoid damaging your carpet.
For more resources regarding carpet cleaning, you may visit the following links: