Keeping your carpet clean is important for many reasons. A couple of them is that it will prolong the life of your carpet and make it look nicer in your home. If you only have laundry detergent available you may be wondering if you can use it in your carpet cleaner.
In this article, we will take a look at whether or not you can use laundry detergent to clean your carpet along with some tips on the best way to go about it.
Can You Use Laundry Detergent in a Carpet Cleaner?
The answer to this question is it’s possible, you can use laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner. However, there are some things that you need to keep in mind before using laundry detergent in your carpet cleaner. You need to make sure that the laundry detergent you use is not going to damage your carpet. There are certain brands that sell high-efficiency detergent. This type of laundry detergent is important to use for your carpet because it will not damage the fibers of your carpet.
There are some things you need to keep into consideration though. Below we will go over them.
The detergent can ruin the machine
If you use too much laundry detergent or if the wrong type is used it can end up damaging your carpet cleaning machine. It is important that you check with the manufacturer of your machine to see what kind of detergent can be used.
In most cases, laundry detergent creates more suds than what is necessary. This can lead to your machine becoming unbalanced and eventually breaking.
Make sure you wash the detergent out thoroughly
If you leave laundry detergent residue on your carpet for a prolonged period of time it will eventually damage your carpet. This is because it will collect plenty of dirt, especially if shoes are worn around the house. Once the detergent dries it will become harder to remove.
Don’t use the strongest detergent
Laundry detergent is a little bit more heavy-duty than the carpet cleaning solution you would typically use. This is why it’s important not to use the strongest laundry detergent you can find. You don’t want to damage your carpet or carpet cleaner.
Do The Risks Outweigh The Benefits?
Now that we know some of the risks that come with using laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner let’s take a look at whether or not the benefits outweigh them.
The main benefit to using laundry detergent is that you almost always have it in your home. On the other hand, you have to order a carpet solution that goes with the carpet cleaning machine.
The solution for a carpet cleaner isn’t that expensive. In most cases, it only costs around $20.
That’s not the concern. $20 is just $20, but the cost of the machine needs to come into play. A carpet cleaner costs $150-$300. Do you really want to risk the machine going bad for an additional $20?
We say no. The risks outweigh the benefits when it comes to using laundry detergent in a carpet cleaner. It’s just not worth it.
What Should You Use Instead?
The best thing you can do is order a solution that is designed for use in a carpet cleaning machine. This way you won’t have to worry about damaging your machine or your carpet.
When you buy your machine, they will have a list of recommended solutions for you to use. We highly recommend that you only use solutions that are on this list.
What Are Some Other Things You Can Use In Place Of a Carpet Cleaner?
Steamer
A steamer is a great alternative to using a carpet cleaner. A steamer will clean your carpets just as well as a carpet cleaner would. The only difference is that you don’t have to worry about the detergent damaging your machine.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is good for removing odors and dehumidifying the air. If you put baking soda on top of a liquid spill it will absorb the spill. Just make sure you vacuum it up afterward.
Vinegar
Vinegar by itself won’t really do much but if you pour vinegar on a stain, then follow it up with baking soda it will fizz. The fizzing action is what helps to break down the stain so that it can be removed more easily. Once you let it all dry, vacuum it up and the stain should be gone.
Hydrogen Peroxide
For really strong stains like coffee or red wine, you can use hydrogen peroxide. Just pour it on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before blotting it up with a clean cloth.
What Are Some Other Ways To Care For Your Carpet?
Vacuuming
One of the best ways to keep your carpets clean is to vacuum them regularly. The more you vacuum the less dirt and grime will have a chance to build up. This will make it easier to clean when you do have to give them a deep cleaning.
We recommend that you vacuum your carpets at least once a week. If you have pets or children that track in a lot of dirt you may need to vacuum more often.
Deep Cleaning
Even if you vacuum regularly your carpets will still need deep cleaning from time to time. This is especially true if you have pets or children. The best way to give your carpets a deep cleaning is to hire a professional.
They will have the equipment and experience necessary to get your carpets looking and smelling like new. If you have never hired a professional before you may be surprised at how affordable they are.
Don’t Walk On It With Shoes
Skin cells, allergens, and DIRT are what cause carpets to become stained and smelly over time. We can’t have much control over the first two, but dirt is something we can prevent from being tracked into the house.
One of the best ways to keep your carpets clean is to make it a rule that shoes are not allowed in the house. This may seem like a pain at first, but you will be surprised at how much dirt you keep out of your home.
If you can’t or don’t want to take your shoes off at the door you can put a mat outside and make it a rule that everyone must wipe their feet before coming in.
Carpet Protector
A carpet protector is a clear liquid that you can apply to your carpets that will create a barrier between the dirt and your carpet fibers. This will make it easier to vacuum up the dirt and will also prolong the life of your carpet.
Carpet protectors are especially useful if you have pets or children. It’s also a good idea to use a carpet protector in high-traffic areas.
Conclusion
So now you know that it’s possible to use laundry detergent for carpet cleaning, but we don’t recommend it. There are just too many risks involved.
If you are going to use a carpet cleaner be sure to use a solution that is designed for use in a carpet cleaning machine. This will protect your machine and your carpets.
Also, follow the other tips in order to keep your carpet fresh.
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