How To Clean Carpet Tiles. 5 Things You Should Know
To clean carpet tiles, vacuum the area thoroughly to remove loose dirt and debris and scrub the carpet using detergent or a carpet cleaning solution. I’ll discuss the main things you should know about cleaning carpet tiles in this article, so keep reading to learn more!
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What To Know When Cleaning Carpet Tiles
Cleaning carpet tiles is simple. However, you might wonder what the best alternative is since you can’t mop them.
Below are five important things you should know about cleaning carpet tiles:
1. Always Vacuum Your Carpet Tiles First
Carpets and carpet tiles (especially old ones) can harbor all kinds of allergens. Vacuuming can help get rid of these.
As mentioned briefly, you shouldn’t skip vacuuming when cleaning carpet tiles. It’s challenging and practically impossible to remove all dirt from the carpet using a standard sweeping brush, so a vacuum cleaner is your best bet.
Pay attention to the carpet’s appearance as you vacuum to ensure you’re removing all the dirt and debris. Once everything looks clean, the carpet is ready to be cleaned.
2. Use Detergent To Clean Carpet Tiles Thoroughly
A carpet detergent is one of the best things to use for cleaning a carpet. It generally smells good, cleans effectively, and lathers easily when mixed with warm water. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to detergent.
Other products you can use to clean carpet tiles include:
- Baking soda
- Carpet cleaning solution
- White vinegar
Mixing baking soda with white vinegar is also a good idea if you have nothing else available.
3. Use a Carpet Cleaning Machine for a Deeper Clean
You can buy a carpet cleaning machine if you want to give your carpet tiles some extra TLC, and you don’t want to rent one. These machines usually look like vacuum cleaners, but they work differently.
They usually have cleaning and drying settings, and all you need to do is place them over the carpet tiles to clean the area. A cleaning solution should also be placed in the device.
An example of an excellent carpet cleaning machine is the Bissell TurboClean Carpet Cleaner, available on Amazon.com. This device is for pet owners but can be used even if you don’t own pets. It effectively removes stains and dirt from carpet tiles that are difficult to remove with a vacuum or through scrubbing.
4. Scrub the Dirty Sections
If you decide to hand wash your carpet tiles, you must scrub your chosen solution into the fibers. The detergent should be diluted in warm water and applied directly to the carpet before scrubbing.
If you’re using a special carpet cleaning product, follow the instructions on the label. In many cases, you’ll need to leave the solution on the carpet for a few minutes before scrubbing it in.
5. Always Remove Soapy Residue Afterward
After scrubbing the product into the carpet tiles and removing all stains and dirt, the final step is to remove the soapy residue.
To do this, go over the area with a clean, damp cloth. You may have to continuously rinse the cloth and wring it out while doing this because it can take a while to remove all the soapy residue.
Once you’re certain the soap is all gone, give the carpet time to dry. If possible, keep the damp area free from footfall until fully dry.
Is Shampoo Safe for Carpet Tiles?
Shampoo is safe for carpet tiles, as special carpet shampoo products are available that you can use with steamers and cleaning machines. However, you shouldn’t use human hair shampoo on carpet. Hair shampoo won’t be as effective and could damage your carpet tiles.
Carpet cleaning machines usually have two openings for liquids–one for water and one for carpet shampoo. All you need to do is follow the measurement recommendations on the shampoo packaging and place the product in the cleaning machine.
Carpet shampoo is the most effective product for cleaning carpet tiles and removing bad odors.
Is It Possible To Steam Clean Carpet Tiles?
Carpets and rugs (including carpet tiles) often become dirty over time, particularly due to spillages and dirt from shoes. So, you may wonder if it’s helpful to steam-clean carpet tiles.
It is possible to steam clean carpet tiles, and it’s a highly effective way to get rid of dirt and stains. Most steam cleaners need only water to function, but some may also require a cleaning solution (like carpet shampoo).
Check the steam cleaner manual if you’re unsure whether or not to use a solution.
Should I Put Carpet Tiles in the Washing Machine?
You should put carpet tiles in the washing machine if they’re soiled because they’re easy to remove from the floor, and using the washing machine is a low-effort activity. However, you should check with the carpet manufacturer beforehand.
Here are some tips for washing carpet tiles in the washing machine:
- Be gentle when removing the tiles from the floor. In some instances, the tiles will come out easily. In others, it’s more challenging. Be careful not to cause damage to any of the tiles when taking them off the floor.
- Vacuum the carpet tiles thoroughly. Since there could be dirt and debris on the tiles, you should vacuum them to ensure they can be properly washed in the machine.
- Use mild detergent. A mild detergent will clean the carpet tiles without being too harsh or abrasive.
- Allow the carpet tiles to dry before placing them back. The last thing you want is for moisture to get trapped around the floor, so ensure everything is fully dry after machine washing!
Does Vacuuming Damage Carpet Tiles?
Vacuuming doesn’t damage carpet tiles. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to maintain your carpet tiles because it quickly removes all kinds of dirt without you needing to put much effort in. You should vacuum carpet tiles regularly to keep them in good condition.
At least once a week is a good recommendation, but the frequency depends on the situation. For example, you might need to vacuum your carpet tiles multiple times a week if you have pets that shed. On the other hand, carpet tiles that rarely get walked on won’t need as much vacuuming.
