There are many simple and effective grandmother tricks to quickly remove localized stains from a carpet. To keep a carpet clean, restore its shine, and prolong its life. Thorough cleaning of a carpet with a high-pressure cleaner is the best trick to achieve deep cleaning.
All professional environments have it – entrance halls, reception halls, hotels, restaurants, shops, and offices. Carpets are designed to protect floors and prevent dirt and moisture from collecting under shoes. A carpet is often a good opportunity to update and brighten up your space with materials, patterns, and colors.
However, we must not lose sight of their primary function and do everything to preserve their appearance and their qualities for many years. If a simple blow of water with a low-pressure cleaner will be enough to clean a rubber or polyester entrance mat, a woolen carpet or a doormat made of synthetic fibers will, on the contrary, require regular deep cleaning to remain effective. And in this case, the pressure washer is ideal.
Cleaning a carpet: low-pressure cleaner or high-pressure cleaner?
High-pressure cleaners use high-pressure water jets to clean surfaces, and they require a minimum of 120 bars of pressure. As it acts at the heart of the material, we recommend it for de-greasing and disinfecting resistant carpets and very large formats.
Professional washing with a low-pressure cleaner is based on the effect of a water flow twice as powerful as a high-pressure cleaner and allows you to scrub any type of surface with hot or cold water. Without risking altering them. It’s a gentle way to remove dust, get rid of most light soils quickly and easily, and eliminate bad odors. Cleaning it takes more time, but it protects sensitive materials. Water-washable carpets can be maintained with this product.
Washing an entrance mat with a high-pressure cleaner: the advantages
High-pressure cleaning is a high-performance and economical professional cleaning solution that has several advantages.
- The high-pressure cleaner requires a minimum of detergents, because the power and the heat of the pressurized water are often enough to unclog the dirt.
- We obtain cleanliness more quickly when the dirt is stubborn.
- Hygiene is guaranteed longer. It should be remembered that entrance mats do not only trap dust and dirt. They also provide a fertile ground for the proliferation of dust mites, molds and bacteria. Fortunately, the high temperature of the jet naturally destroys microorganisms and other allergens.
- Another essential point of carpet cleaning with a pressure washer is that it avoids premature wear and preserves its original colors. Indeed, over time, the dust and particles that settle in the fibers of the carpet form a layer of abrasive residue that the vacuum cleaner fails to suck up. The pressure washer easily removes them and at the same time restores an impeccable appearance.
- The many accessories available with professional pressure washers make it possible to target maintenance tasks in an ultra-precise way.
Are area rugs cleanable with a pressure washer?
If the material is synthetic, such as polyester, the answer is usually yes. Rugs that are quite delicate however may not withstand a pressure washer.
The following rugs may not be suitable for pressure washing.
- Oriental Rugs: Under a pressure washer, Oriental rugs may be damaged since they have delicate fibers. An expert can provide you with a comprehensive cleaning. Dust and debris can be removed with a vacuum.
- Natural fibers rugs: These fibers are sensitive to excessive moisture. Pressure washing isn’t advisable because the threads will be damaged.
- Wool Rugs: Wool rugs are also delicate. Steam cleaning is usually a safe option for wool rugs. For specific cleaning instructions, please refer to the tag or owner’s manual.
How to choose the right pressure washer?
The professional equipment to clean a carpet with a pressure washer
To clean a carpet with an pressure washer you will need the following key items:
- A high pressure cleaner
- Access to a water point and a garden hose
- A mild cleaning detergent for pressure washers
- A flat fan spray nozzle
- A stiff bristle brush
- A detergent tank or a foam cannon detergent nozzle if your pressure washer accepts it
Clean a carpet with a pressure washer: the steps
Step 1: preparation
Start by cleaning your carpet thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner before taking it outside. A surface that offers good drainage to be as efficient as possible (patio, driveway, terrace, etc.); choose a dry and warm day to undertake the big cleaning and wash the area where you are settling in advance. Install your pressure washer and equip it with the flat jet nozzle. Connect it to the water supply and connect it to the electrical network.
Step 2: cleaning
When you’re ready, pull the trigger to start the water supply. Start from one end of the carpet and start by spraying water over the entire surface in sweeping movements from left to right so as not to concentrate the pressure in one place. It is important to always work in the same direction, pushing the dirt in front of you, and to maintain a distance of at least 30 cm between the spray nozzle and the carpet.
Also be careful not to produce too much pressure to avoid possible degradation and damage to the carpet. Start by setting your cleaner to the minimum pressure so that it throws the water with the lowest power and increase as you go to make it more efficient and find the right method of washing without excessive pressure. Use cold water instead if in doubt.
- Apply the cleaning solution and let it work according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You can apply it manually if your pressure washer does not have a detergent tank.
- Carry out the actual cleaning; pass the pressure washer brush broom insisting on the stained areas. Above all, do not walk on the surfaces you have just cleaned.
- Turn the rug over and repeat the washing operation on the reverse side
Step 3: drying
When the carpet is clean, hang it in an upright position, without bending it. If the carpet is not very dirty and you do not plan to use a brush, you can wash it completely upright. Once this is done, rinse thoroughly with clear water several times. Both sides, top to bottom. Make sure there is no detergent left. Then leave the rug hung up to dry in the open air before replacing it or expose it flat, in a dry place, until it is completely dry.