Olefin carpets are one of the common choices among synthetic carpets. They are a great substitute for wool and known for their stain resistant and water resistant properties.
However, the downside of olefin carpets is that they are prone to soiling from oily stains and are highly sensitive to heat. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay special attention when cleaning olefin carpets at home.
So, if you are looking for a DIY olefin carpet cleaning method, here is how you can do it the right way.
4 Steps To Clean Olefin Carpets At Home
1. Vacuum without a rotating brush
The first step to clean an olefin carpet is to vacuum it thoroughly, but make sure you use a high-suction vacuum to pull out dirt from its tight-woven fibers.
Vacuum slowly and go over the entire carpet in overlapping strokes to not miss anything. Clean it well from both the directions. Be careful not to use the rotating brush attachment as that can potentially pull or tangle the fibers.
2. Spot Clean the Stains
After vacuuming, look for any stains or spots on your carpet. If there are any, you’ll need to remove them first before proceeding to deep cleaning.
Olefin carpets are resistant to almost all stains, especially water-based stains. But any grease stains on its fibers may need extra attention.
There are two alternatives for you to spot-treat your olefin carpet. One is using natural ingredients and another is using a store-bought cleaner. Whichever solution you choose, be sure to spot-test it before use.
Home-made solutions
For regular stains like food or drink spills, a soapy water solution will work. Mix 1 tablespoon of a mild dish soap in a cup of cool water. Dip a cloth and gently blot the stain until it lifts. Then, give it a final rinse with a clean-water dipped cloth and blot-dry the area.
For stronger stains like removing pet stains, vinegar solution is what you’ll need. Pour the mixture of vinegar and water in 1:1 ratio into a spray bottle. Spray it on the spot without overwetting and blot clean the area before drying well.
For oily or greasy stains, which olefin carpet is most prone to, you can use any of the baking soda or corn-starch powder. Sprinkle it on the greasy spot and work it in with a brush.
Baking soda will remove the stain and also help you deodorize your carpet. Let it absorb the oil before vacuuming it away and give it a final spot-clean with the above soapy solution.
Store-bought stain remover
If you wish to use a store-bought stain remover for your olefin carpet’s stain removal, be cautious. Make sure you choose a pH neutral solution that is not harsh and is specifically made to clean olefin carpets. Read the care label of the product and follow the usage directions with the right amount suggested.
3. Deep Clean
To deep clean your carpet, you will need a carpet cleaning machine. Note that unless you have professional assistance, don’t clean your carpet with steam cleaning as olefin fibers can’t bear excess heat and tend to melt.
Fill up the tank of the machine with warm water/cool water (not hot) and mix either some vinegar or olefin-safe cleaning solution. Begin to clean the carpet and make sure you aren’t overwetting it to prevent carpet shrinkage. Be thorough with cleaning so all the dirt is extracted and no residual moisture is left behind.
Note: If you do not have a carpet cleaner or your olefin carpet does not permit water-based cleaning, you can use dry cleaning. Choose a commercial dry powder that’s safe for your olefin fibers. Sprinkle it all over your carpet and let it sit for the recommended amount of time to break down the soil. Once done, vacuum the residue away thoroughly.
4. Dry Properly
Once you’ve deep cleaned with water-based cleaning, give your carpet enough time to dry. Use fans, proper ventilation, and HVAC system to allow it to dry properly. Use air movers or dehumidifiers if you have any.
Summary
Cleaning olefin carpets at home isn’t that daunting. You can clean it the right way using the steps mentioned above. Just make sure you aren’t using excess heat without professional help and handle oil-based stains appropriately. Besides that, olefin carpets are among the ones that are easy to clean as they repel stains and moisture to help you keep them spotless.