How To Clean A Carpet On Hardwood Floor (Great Guide)

After prolonged use, a carpet usually accumulates stains and dirt. Cleaning is a challenge, especially for soft carpets with long threads. If you’ve tried cleaning a carpet with a vacuum cleaner, you probably haven’t had much success, but there don’t seem to be many ways to remove dirt when it’s on a hardwood floor. Then the question arises how a carpet on hardwood floor can be cleaned without damaging it.

The problem with carpets is that they are large and it is often very difficult to get them out of where they are. Therefore, it is preferable to only clean them where they are. This can be done without complications if the floor is made of ceramic or stone. However, if it is made of wood, the owners must be careful not to damage it.

If you clean the carpet with water and it penetrates the floor, the wood can rot. You need to use the right techniques to focus on the carpet.

If you want to do the cleaning yourself, as hiring a professional can be expensive, read on to find out how to clean a large area rug.

Recommended cleaning agents for carpets

Before you start cleaning the carpet, you should have the products necessary for the task. Some of the best detergents are household products so you don’t have to spend too much.

Sodium bicarbonate is one of the most useful cleaning products. Due to its abrasive properties, it can remove odors and stains. To use it, you just need to mix it with a little water so there is no risk of it penetrating the carpet and wetting the floor.

The application is simple; All you have to do is wet the stains you want to clean and let them dry. The most difficult stains can be removed using a cloth dampened with the mixture.

The best thing about sodium bicarbonate is that it dries by itself, so you only have to vacuum off the residue at the end.

Another effective alternative is carpet shampoo. This carpet cleaner for carpets is available in several presentations on the market for different types of carpets.

The application is similar to that of baking soda, but this time you have to brush the carpet for the shampoo to work. Make sure that you always brush in one direction and do not soak the carpet too much, otherwise the wooden floor will be damaged.

When the entire mat has been brushed with the shampoo, apply a vinegar-water solution and brush in the opposite direction. This removes excess cleaner so that it does not penetrate the carpet. End the process by rinsing the carpet with a damp cloth and drying with towels.

If there is no stain due to oil, use dishwashing detergent. Before applying any of these products, make sure they don’t damage your carpet by applying a small amount in one corner.

How to clean a carpet on hardwood floor – deep cleaning

Avoid risks by putting on a plastic blanket

The best way to protect the floor when cleaning a carpet is to put a protective layer between them.

For small stains, it is sufficient to put a rag under the carpet in the area to be cleaned. If you want to do a general cleaning, you need to protect the entire area under the carpet.

To do this, roll up the carpet until you can preferably place a plastic sheet on the floor. Make sure this sheet is larger than the mat, at least 2 feet on each side so you can glue it to the floor.

Vacuum large debris

Before you apply a cleaning agent, you should vacuum the carpet to remove larger residues and loosen stains. For best results, vacuum both the top and bottom of the carpet. Just be careful not to vacuum over the edges of your barrel, otherwise you could damage them.

Vacuuming is the first technique that needs to be considered when cleaning a carpet. This can be used all the time without damaging your wooden floor. It is recommended that you vacuum clean your carpet at least once a week.

You should vacuum the carpet several times to ensure that all dust is removed. This way, you will have to remove fewer residues during thorough cleaning.

As mentioned earlier, sodium bicarbonate is a compound that removes odors from the carpet. After drying, it can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner. If you want to remove small stains and odors, spray the water and sodium bicarbonate solution on the carpet and let it dry overnight. In the morning you will find bicarbonate residues that can be absorbed.

The vacuum cleaner is perfect for cleaning large carpets. However, even with small carpets, you can get the same result if you shake them outside your home. Do not try this with old or expensive carpets as the blows can damage them.

Make sure that the connection does not damage the carpet

Some compounds can be very abrasive for certain carpets, which will lead to disastrous results. If you do not want to discolor your carpet, it is best to check beforehand in a small area whether the cleaner does not damage it.

Can you use a carpet cleaner on a carpet? Yes you can, but as with other compounds, it is best to dilute them to avoid accidents. Both special detergents and dishwashing detergents should be mixed with warm water or according to the instructions in the package.

Avoid hot water as it can damage the carpet fibers and lose color and shape.

Apply the solution to the carpet

If you have already checked that the product does not affect the integrity of your carpet, the next step is to apply it to the stains or to the entire area you want to clean.

Use a brush with soft bristles to penetrate between the carpet threads. Do not rub too hard to avoid damage.

Let the product dry and remove the excess with water. You may need a hose to cover large areas.

How to wash large area carpets

If you want to know how to clean a carpet on hardwood floor, you shouldn’t spend much time putting the carpet in water. This causes moisture to accumulate and is the main enemy of a wooden floor.

In addition, a wet carpet begins to develop fungi after 2 days. Therefore, when removing excess cleaning agents, you should also take care to remove as much water as possible with towels and towels.

Finally let the carpet dry naturally. Both sides must dry before you can put it back in the room.

How to clean a carpet on hardwood floor – small stains

If you plan to clean a stain, you need to cover the floor with a rag so it doesn’t get damaged.

When you have placed the rag under the carpet, wipe the stain with another rag or damp towels. If the stain doesn’t go away, use a mixture of a cup of water and a teaspoon of detergent and rub it again.

Now you should replace the towel that you put under the carpet with a clean one. You have to do this replacement, otherwise the carpet will get dirty again. After the change, clean the top of the carpet, but this time only with water. Finally dry with a new cloth.

How to clean a carpet with a steam cleaner

The use of steam to clean carpets is a technique that is becoming increasingly popular. This is basically a cleaning with water, but in the form of steam there is less risk of creating moisture.

Steam cleaning is also a perfect alternative for carpets and fabrics that do not fit in a conventional washing machine. The problem is that many people fear that steam is as harmful to wooden floors as water.

You should know that steam can damage the wooden floor and is even more harmful than water. Before using the steam device, there are a few things you need to prepare.

Read the following steps to learn how to steam clean a carpet on hardwood floor:

• Prepare a protective layer on the floor. Do not use wipes to protect the floor as this will absorb and moisturize the steam. It is best to use plastic sheeting. It is also recommended to spread the plastic sheeting all over the room and stick it to the walls so that no steam gets on the floor.
• Follow the steam cleaner instructions to clean the carpet effectively.
• In the end, the steam shouldn’t leave large moisture stains on the carpet. It should be completely dry in a maximum of two days without removing excess water. During this time, you must leave the plastic protection on the floor. When it is completely dry, lift the carpet and remove the plastic wrap from the wooden floor.

It is best to work outside the home

Whether using traditional products or a steam cleaner, it is always best to remove the carpet from the wooden floor to clean it. Even if you know how to clean a carpet on hardwood floor, it’s best to avoid risk. When you consider that the most effective way to clean the carpet is always water, the wood is by no means 100% safe.

If it is not possible to remove the carpet, follow the tips in the instructions for additional protection and remember that the most important thing is to keep the humidity under control.

If you liked reading this article about cleaning a carpet on hardwood floor, you should also read this: