Even the best carpet cleaner is only as good as their tools. Choosing the right equipment can make your job much easier, while unreliable equipment may end up costing you money. Read on to find out what equipment you need to professionally clean carpets.
A vacuum is one of the most fundamental parts of carpet cleaning. Some cleaners use a canister vacuum, with a distinct suction wand and collection unit. Another option is an upright vacuum, where everything is all in one unit. Either way, you need something with reliable suction.
Most carpet cleaners use portable extractors. These are suitable for both carpets and upholstery. They help you to get the deepest clean possible without removing the carpet.
The pump part sprays cleaning solution onto the carpet, so it’s an important consideration. Different machines have different pressure levels, measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Higher-pressure machines are best for hard floors, while you need much lower pressure for stairs.
Agitating carpet fibres is an important part of cleaning and maintaining carpet. Some cleaners prefer to do this by hand with a pile brush, while others appreciate the efficiency of a CRB machine. That’s short for contra-rotating brush, if you were wondering. You may even want to have both to hand, for different circumstances.
There's no point in having all this equipment if you can't take it anywhere! Owning your own van also allows you to advertise on the go. Make sure that your van is big enough to hold all of your equipment.
Overshoes are elasticated covers that go over your boots, allowing you to keep your feet protected without bringing dirt in. Make sure that you choose waterproof overshoes, as dirty rainwater from outside may seep through permeable ones.
You will need at least two buckets – one for clean water, and one for dirty water. Smaller buckets are easier to carry, but will require more water-fetching trips.
A furniture block goes under furniture to hold it off the ground. This protects both the furniture and the floor while you clean. You want quite a few of these, in case someone has a lot of furniture.
The pH of a solution impacts how well it will clean a carpet. Some carpets are more fragile, and require a more neutral pH to avoid damaging them. You can either buy single-use pH indicator sticks, which require you to judge the colour yourself, or digital readers that give you a number.
Finding the right equipment is as much about preference as it is about quality. It's worth trying out a few machines from different brands before you make a big purchase.
During National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) training courses, participants are given the chance to try equipment from multiple manufacturers. Members pay a discounted rate, and also gain access to exclusive resources, along with appearing in our directory.
Join the NCCA today to take the hassle out of finding the right equipment.
Carpets absorb many nearby smells, and cigarette smoke is no different. Whether you're a smoker looking to make a change or a non-smoker who's just moved into a smoke-scented home, removing this odour can be difficult. In this post, we’ll cover four methods to try – but first…
Not only does cigarette smoke smell bad, but it can be dangerous. Studies have shown that nicotine and other chemicals can cling to fibres, and continually release carcinogenic particles. This is sometimes referred to as ‘third-hand smoke’.
Babies are at increased risk because of how much time they spend on the floor and how much they put in their mouths. It's been suggested that it can even impact people who aren't in the room where smoking occurred!
These facts make it very important to make every effort to remove cigarette smoke from your carpet.
There are multiple methods that you can try to remove lingering cigarette smoke. Many of them use items that you already have in the house, but make sure that you do a small patch test to make sure that they won't change the colour of your carpet.
Baking soda is great at removing scents that have seeped deep into your carpet. Simply sprinkle baking soda across your carpet. If you have a soft-bristled brush, you can use this to drive it further into the carpet. Leave this overnight and then vacuum up all of the powder. If your vacuum has a bag inside, you may need to change this to fully remove the smell from your home.
Another household item that's helpful for getting smoke out of carpet is white vinegar. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water, then spray it onto your carpet. The white vinegar will neutralise the smell. Be careful not to saturate your carpet, as this can lead to a discoloured, vinegar-scented carpet. If you use the right amount, the smell should dissipate on its own.
Do not put this directly onto your carpet, as it will stain it. Activated charcoal naturally absorbs pollutants, so just having it in the room is helpful. Place a few bowls full of natural activated charcoal on the floor, then leave it to absorb for a few days. You can also do the same thing with white vinegar, but that has its own scent, which is less pleasant to live with. Alternatively, you could use an apple or an onion. Whichever you choose, make sure that it is out of reach of children and pets.
If you're struggling to remove the smell of cigarette smoke from your carpet, a professional carpet cleaner can help. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of accredited carpet cleaners, which you can use to find cleaners in your area. Every cleaner in the directory is trained, insured and follows our code of conduct.
Search our directory by postcode to take the first step towards a fresh, clean and smoke-free carpet.
Whether it's a small spill or a full-on flood, water can soak your carpet in an instant. You might be thinking “it's only water”, but an excessively wet carpet can lead to mould and discolouration. The floor underneath your carpet can also be warped and damaged by water. To prevent this, you need to act fast!
Remove any furniture from the damp area, as this will prevent it from drying and potentially lead to further damage. If the weather is warm, opening your windows and doors will help to evaporate the water quicker. You should also use a fan to help circulate air, but make sure that no electrical cords touch any water. If it's a cold day, turn your heating on, as water evaporates slower in a cold environment.
Wet rugs should be removed as soon as possible and taken to a dry, ventilated area. If your carpet can be lifted, it's helpful to pull it up and take it outside to air. However, this is not always possible, and if it's raining outside, will only make your problem worse.
You should use towels to soak up as much excess water as possible. Apply a small amount of pressure to increase their effectiveness. A good way to apply this pressure is by walking over the towels. Keep in mind that a wet towel can't dry, so make sure that you change towels regularly.
If your carpet is just damp, bicarbonate of soda can absorb this moisture. Sprinkle some onto the affected area, then leave it to soak up the water. After a few hours, vacuum the area to remove the bicarb, and it should bring the water with it. You can repeat this if necessary.
A wet vacuum is designed to inhale water from the floor. Don't use a regular vacuum, as this could damage it. If you don't have a wet vacuum, you may be able to hire one, but it may be difficult to get hold of one at short notice.
A dehumidifier is great for lowering the humidity of a room. This helps the water to evaporate quicker and prevents it from lingering in the room and causing mould. As with any electrical appliance, make sure that the dehumidifier and all of its cables are kept away from the water.
Not only will walking around on damp carpet lead to wet socks, but it can bring in dirt. A wet carpet is much more vulnerable to damage, so make sure to walk on it as little as possible. Use light steps and don't wear dirty shoes.
A professional carpet cleaner can help to remove residual moisture and prevent damage going forward. By using a National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) cleaner, you are choosing an accredited, insured cleaner with experience and specialist training.
Finding a cleaner in your area is easy – all you need is your postcode. Search our directory of carpet cleaners to get started.
Anything underfoot is likely to get dirty, and rugs are no different. If it’s time to give your rug a deep clean, always start by consulting care labels for advice on the best cleaning method. If you have antique rugs or your rug is very delicate and/or valuable, it’s always best to speak to a professional. If you would like to clean your rug yourself, please check out the advice below.
When washing a wool rug, you need to be careful not to saturate it, as it will take a long time to dry and it could shrink. Fill a bucket with cold water and add one cap of laundry detergent. Don't apply this directly to the rug – instead, dip a microfibre cloth into the bucket. Wring it out to remove excess water, then use it to blot the mixture onto the rug. Be gentle and focus mostly on areas which are soiled or stained.
Once you have worked on the whole rug, fill your bucket with just cold water and repeat the process with a fresh cloth. You will then need to hang it somewhere ventilated to let it dry. Don't place it back on the floor until it dries, as this could delay the drying process significantly.
Sheepskin rugs must also be washed in cold water, or they may shrink. Make sure that any detergent you use is suitable for sheepskin. Fill a bath with cold water, then pour some detergent in. You can then put the rug into the bath, moving it around to dislodge dirt.
Drying a sheepskin rug can take a while, but must be done this way to ensure that it keeps its shape and texture. First, squeeze out the water and then blot the rug dry with towels.
Find a place for your rug to dry that isn't too warm, avoiding direct sunlight. Lay it out on a towel, gently pulling it into the right shape. Every so often, use a sheepskin brush to fluff the wool.
While these types of rug feel very different, they have a similar response to water. This means that they require dry methods of cleaning. You can buy dry shampoo or dry cleaning powder, but make sure that it's suitable for the material of your rug. It's also a good idea to patch-test it to ensure that your rug won't get discoloured.
Spread the powder over your rug, brushing it in, then leave it for the amount of time specified on the packet. If the pile length of your rug is too long for vacuuming, you can shake out the powder. Other rugs can be vacuumed, instead.
Many professional carpet cleaners are experts in rug cleaning and will know how to identify and clean your rugs. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory of cleaners all over the UK, which you can search easily online. Every cleaner follows our code of conduct and is insured and trained to ensure a smooth experience.
Find local rug cleaners today!
A new carpet is an exciting way to refresh your home. However, sometimes a new carpet can bring with it an unpleasant smell. If you're wondering why your new carpet smells of fish, read on.
When a new carpet is installed, the smell comes from the evaporation of substances inside of it, known as VOCs – volatile organic compounds. They evaporate at room temperature, which is why you can smell them so strongly. This is commonly known as off-gassing.
You can reduce the impact of off-gassing by ventilating your home during and after carpet installation, allowing VOCs to escape easily – and minimising that lingering smell. However, if it's already too late, there are a few ways that you can help to shift the smell.
If you’re asking “why does my new carpet smell of fish”, the smell is likely to disappear as your carpet settles and the VOCs dilute. If this isn't happening fast enough, you can try one of the following methods.
The most important step is to help the VOCs escape by opening windows and doors. You can also use fans to really get the air moving.
By vacuuming your new carpet, you can collect some of the evaporating gas and combat the smell. Vacuuming straight away can also help to clean up any debris left by decorators.
Houseplants are excellent at purifying air. They absorb indoor air, including any chemicals in it, and produce oxygen. By placing them throughout the room, you can speed up the dissipation of the smell. The best choices are leafy plants such as aloe vera, peace lilies and spider plants.
Apples, onions and celery absorb odours very well when they are cut open. If you cut some of them in half and leave them in a bowl in affected rooms, they can help decrease the smell. Make sure you don't leave them there for too long, though, or they will start to rot and produce an odour of their own!
Many carpet cleaning products contain VOCs. If you use them to try and combat the smell, they likely won't help, and may even make it worse.
Still asking “why does my new carpet smell of fish?”. A professional cleaner can figure it out and help to combat the smell. National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) carpet cleaners are located all over the UK and follow our strict code of conduct. Every single one is accredited and insured to ensure a smooth experience.
To find a carpet cleaner in your area, search our directory
There's nothing better than a relaxing coffee in the living room – until that coffee ends up on the carpet! Spilling coffee can feel like you've ruined your carpet, but luckily, there are many ways to fix the problem. Read on as we discuss how to remove coffee stains from carpet.
As with most liquid spillages, you should deal with a coffee spill as quickly as possible. This is because coffee is very good at dying fabric, so it is likely to stain, especially if you have light carpets.
The first thing you need to do is blot the area with a cloth or towel, to collect as much liquid as possible. You should also dilute the spilled coffee with cold water, then continue blotting it. You'll know that you've got as much out as you can when blotting doesn't change the colour of your cloth any more.
Once coffee has set in, it's more difficult to remove it from your carpet. However, it's not impossible.
First, loosen the stain with warm water. You then need to blot it with a wet cloth. Make sure that you blot using inward motions, to avoid spreading the stain.
You can then mix two cups of water, one cup of white vinegar and one tablespoon of dish soap to create a stain remover. Use a sponge to apply this mixture to the area, then blot it dry. You can repeat this as many times as you need to.
In truth, DIY methods of removing coffee stains from carpets generally have limited results. Coffee is a really tricky stain to deal with on carpets, so you’ll need the very best methods, equipment and cleaning solutions to get rid of it.
If you’re wondering how to remove coffee stains from carpet, the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) can help. We have a directory of professional carpet cleaners with the expertise and experience to get coffee out of your carpet. Every NCCA-accredited cleaner is insured, experienced and follows our code of conduct.
Search our directory for trusted local carpet cleaners.