How To Clean Carpet With Handheld Steamer

Steam mops are a great tool to have in your cleaning arsenal.

They are usually inexpensive, you don't need to use any harsh chemicals, and they are lightweight and easy to move around.

Steam mops are used on hard surfaces, such as hardwood or tiles.

But what about using a steam mop to clean your carpet?

This is something that most people don't think about, but it is possible and can be beneficial.

Keep reading to find out how to steam clean carpet with a steam mop.

Contents

1 Reasons To Steam Clean Your Carpet
- 1.1 Steam Kills Dust Mites And Bacteria
2 Isn't A Carpet Cleaner Better Than A Steam Mop?
3 How To Steam Clean Carpet With A Steam Mop
4 What Is A Good Steam Mop For Carpet?

Reasons To Steam Clean Your Carpet

Most people in the UK have some carpet in their house.

Usually, carpet can be found in the bedroom as it is warm, insulating, and makes the room feel more homely.

Carpets can be found anywhere in the home, from the stairs to the living room.

Because carpets are made up of lots of individual fibers, they attract all kinds of dirt such as pet hair, mud, and food.

While a hard surface can easily be cleaned with a quick spray and a wipe, it is harder to clean a carpet.

This is the reason why a lot of people don't bother cleaning their carpet.

You can vacuum the carpet every day, but if you are not cleaning it properly it will soon start to look bad and smell worse.

Cleaning your carpet regularly will keep it looking fresh and new, and also get rid of any nasty smells.

Steam Kills Dust Mites And Bacteria

Another reason to steam clean your carpets is to get rid of anything that is living in it, such as dust mites and bacteria.

Vacuuming will help with the dust mites, but it won't catch them all.

If you or anyone living in your home suffers from a dust allergy, you know how important it is to eliminate dust mites.

Regular washing of clothes and bed sheets kills the dust mites and relieves symptoms.

The same goes for your carpets, if you are not regularly steam cleaning your carpets then the dust mites will not die and will keep aggravating your allergies.

Bacteria and other minuscule particles such as cold and flu viruses also live in your carpet.

These particles are so small that even regular vacuuming is not enough to get rid of them.

Steam cleaning is the only way to completely eliminate bacteria from your carpets.

Isn't A Carpet Cleaner Better Than A Steam Mop?

Now you may be asking, isn't a proper carpet cleaner better for steam cleaning carpets?

The short answer is, yes.

However, not a lot of people own a carpet cleaner as they can be expensive.

If you have already spent money on a vacuum cleaner then forking out for a carpet cleaner is an extra expense you could do without.

Not to mention the extra space a bulky carpet cleaner takes up.

Most people don't have the space to store a vacuum cleaner and a carpet cleaner. Another option is to rent a carpet cleaner.

Again, this can be costly as you often have to buy expensive cleaning chemicals to go with it.

The time it takes to go to the shop and pick up the cleaner, set everything up, and then take it back to the shop means that it really takes up a lot of your time.

Steam mops are relatively cheap compared to carpet cleaners, and a lot of people will own one already. They are small and lightweight, which makes them much easier to store.

The ease of use makes them ideal for steam cleaning a carpet.

Having a carpet glider that fits on the bottom of the steam mop will make your job easier, and these can often be bought separately if you don't have one.

Read More: Best handheld steam cleaner in the UK

How To Steam Clean Carpet With A Steam Mop

The first step is to remove any large items from the carpet, such as books, toys, and rubbish. Then give the whole carpet a really good clean with your vacuum cleaner. This will make it easier to go over the carpet with the steam mop and will prolong the life of the cleaner pads.
The next step is to fill your steam mop with water. Always follow the manufacturers' guidelines and don't overfill the mop, as this could result in boiling water spilling everywhere. The benefit of a steam mop is that you don't need to use any harsh chemicals; the hot steam is enough to clean and kill dust mites and bacteria.
Attach the cleaning pad and make sure it is secure. Then attach the carpet glider and ensure it is fully attached.
Go over your carpet with the steam mop. It's best to work in a small area at a time so that you can see the difference after you have cleaned.

The key to steam cleaning your carpet with a steam mop is to not let the carpet get saturated. A light steaming is enough to clean the carpet.

You want to avoid soaking the carpet as this will encourage mold growth which is a whole different problem.

This is the reason why a steam mop is good for light cleaning your carpets and quick touch-ups.

With a carpet cleaning machine, you can soak the carpet and clean deep in the fibers, as the machine will suck up the excess water.

You can't do this with a steam mop unless you have a method of sucking up the excess water.

If your carpet is really dirty and smelly, you may want to use a carpet cleaner for the first clean, and then use a steam mop to clean your carpet at regular intervals.

Note: Don't use steam mop with sheepskin rug!

What Is A Good Steam Mop For Carpet?

Most steam mops come with a carpet glider, so you shouldn't need to buy one separately.

The Morphy Richards 9-in-1 steam cleaner is ideal for cleaning carpets, but it also has a whole range of functions.

Not only can you clean your hard surfaces and carpets, but it also transforms into a hand steamer, which is great for cleaning and sanitizing your upholstery and car seats.

It also has a large water tank and lots of accessories, making it an extremely affordable steam mop.

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