Every homeowner who owns carpets thinks about getting them cleaned at some point. Perhaps your carpet is covered in dust. Or maybe your pet attended nature’s call on it. It’s also possible that you spilled something over your carpet.

Whatever the reason may be, carpet cleaning is non-negotiable. Unfortunately, this task is often attempted by homeowners themselves. If you’re cleaning synthetic carpets yourself, you may get lucky and get the job done to a certain degree without causing much damage. However, if you own fine, delicate, expensive carpets with natural fibers, you should never take the risk of following a DIY video.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through three common carpet cleaning mistakes that can ruin your carpet. Keep reading, take notes, and feel free to ask us questions toward the end. Let’s begin!

1. Scrubbing Stains with All Your Might

We get it. If you see an unsightly stain, you’ll feel compelled to grab an aggressive cleaning brush and go all out. Unfortunately, harsh scrubbing is the single most critical carpet cleaning mistake you can make.

Scrubbing will damage the delicate carpet fibers and push the stain deeper into the carpet. Certain carpet fibers may become twisted and frayed.

The best thing you can do in this situation is to grab a paper towel and gently blot the stain. No matter how tempting it may be, don’t scrub your carpet!

Recommended Read: Silk Rug Cleaning: 3 Dos and Don’ts

2. Letting the Stain Linger

Many people make the mistake of letting stains linger until professional help arrives. The longer you wait to get rid of a stain, the more difficult it will become to tackle. If you wait for a spill to dry, the liquid will slowly soak all the way down to the carpet pile. This can result in a bad odor and mold growth. Err on the side of caution. Quickly blot the stain and do as much damage control as you can.

3. Using Harsh Products

Harsh cleaning products can singlehandedly ruin your carpet. Avoid experimenting with different chemicals and solutions. Instead, call a team of experienced carpet cleaners who can promptly arrive, analyze the stain and carpet, and roll out the right action plan.

If you use aggressive chemicals, you could end up ruining the color of your rug. It may start to fade or become discolored. The texture and softness will also be affected.

As a team of experienced, skilled, and dedicated carpet cleaners, we carefully analyze your carpet, create an individualized cleaning plan, and use cutting-edge equipment and solutions to provide thorough cleaning.

At Alameda Cleaners, we go the extra mile to achieve complete client satisfaction. With over 42 years of experience and a team of skilled technicians, we turn neglected carpets into statement interior pieces.

If you’re looking for carpet cleaning services in Portland and Vancouver, give us a call today. We also provide rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct cleaning, business cleaning, and MicroSeal fabric protection services.

Office & Rug Plant

Alameda Carpet &
Upholstery Cleaners
1100 NE 21st Ave, Suite B
Portland, OR 97232

Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 9-5

After hours drop-off/pick-up:
Tues/Thurs by appt.