It is important to be aware of the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting surfaces in homes, schools, and public places when you are ready to clean your carpets. If you have floor-to-ceiling carpeting, large area rugs, or small throw rugs, they are all subjected to a lot of dirt, grime, allergens, and bacteria every day. Our shoes and feet, as well as bodily fluids from coughs and sneezes that settle on surfaces and carpets, can bring contaminants into our homes.
Once a surface has been disinfected, it remains so only until it is touched by contaminants again. These definitions are set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to describe the level of microbial contamination left on a surface after treatment. Due to their size, construction, and uneven surfaces, soft surfaces, such as carpets, are difficult to disinfect. There are, however, ways to greatly reduce the amount of bacterial contamination.
When to clean a carpet
The carpet should be vacuumed several times a week to remove loose soil (daily if you have a crawling baby or toddler). Deep cleaning should be done at least twice per year, preferably seasonally. The frequency of deep cleaning should be increased if someone in the home has been ill or has a compromised immune system.
How to Disinfect Washable Carpets
Rugs that fit in the washing machine can be cleaned easily.
1. Get Rid of Loose Debris
Give the carpet a good shake or vacuum it well to remove loose debris.
2. Set the washer’s settings
If you have a large carpet, a top-load washer without a center agitator is better than a front-loading washer. Visiting a laundromat with larger washers may be worth your time. Use the hottest water recommended for your carpet on the care label.
3. Use detergent and laundry sanitizer
Enzymes are added to a heavy-duty laundry detergent to cut through grime. Following the product instructions, add a laundry disinfectant like Lysol Laundry Sanitizer, pine oil, or chlorine bleach.
4. Dry the Carpet
The carpet should be tumble dried on high heat to disinfect it if it is 100% cotton and does not have a rubber backing. Allow the carpet to air dry if it cannot withstand high heat.
Clean and sanitize carpets
Cleaning your carpet regularly will help reduce the amount of bacteria on the fibers. For carpets that are not visibly soiled, vacuum well and spray with an antimicrobial fabric sanitizer.
1. Clear Furniture Off the Carpet
As much furniture as possible should be removed from the area before carpet deep cleaning begins. Put a small piece of plastic under each leg if the furniture cannot be moved to prevent rust or varnish stains.
2. Remove loose soil with a vacuum
Prior to deep cleaning and sanitizing a large carpet or wall-to-wall carpeting, vacuum away as much loose soil, dust, and allergens as possible.
3. Select the right cleaning solution
It is common for carpet cleaners to contain enzymes and surfactants to help break down stains and soil and lift them to the surface. However, these products do not sanitize or disinfect.
Look for a carpet cleaner that contains a disinfectant approved by NEA. A registration number is listed in the ingredients of every approved disinfectant.
Advice
Some sites recommend spraying distilled white vinegar on carpets to sanitize them. White vinegar is not a disinfectant. Vinegar’s acetic acid breaks down soil and has some disinfectant properties by changing the structure of bacteria. However, it is more effective on hard, nonporous surfaces than carpet fibers.
If used along with a steam cleaner, it will help reduce the number of bacteria on your carpet, but it won’t leave your carpet sanitized or disinfected.
If you are going to use vinegar, choose Cleaning Strength White Distilled Vinegar that contains six percent acetic acid instead of another vinegar with a lower acidity.
Test any cleaning product on carpet fibers in an inconspicuous area before using it to ensure it will not discolor it. Spray it onto the carpet fibers. After five minutes, blot with a clean white cloth. If color transfer occurs, do not use the product on your carpet.
4. Clean with a steam cleaner
Steam clean the carpet following the manufacturer’s directions for the steam cleaner and mixing instructions for the cleaning solution.
To prevent water damage, cover hardwood floors with plastic sheeting when cleaning an area rug.
5. Allow the carpet to air dry
Let the carpet air-dry for at least eight hours, preferably overnight.
Tips:
Place heavy towels on high traffic areas of the carpet if you cannot keep everyone off until the carpet is completely dry. Remove them at bedtime so the carpet has time to dry.
Tips for Keeping Your Carpet Clean Longer
Washable mats should be placed outside and inside entry areas to catch excess soil and bacteria.
Shoes worn outside should be removed before walking on carpet.
Vacuum several times a week to remove soil, allergens, and bacteria.
Give pets frequent baths.
