Carpet spills happen, with either car accidents, leaks from the roof, or floods in an unexpected storm. Mould growth and other health problems can occur when the carpet is not cleaned after spills. Therefore, it is crucial to know how to clean a flooded car carpet.
Know The Extent Of The Spill
Assessing the spill’s extent is the first thing you need to do. An excellent way to do this is by lifting or turning over your car seat mats. Then, see whether or not it’s already drying up.
Finally, ensure there is no dripping coming from the seating area. Consider allowing the car seat to stay wet until the carpet dries up if you can see drips.
Wet Or Dry?
Carpets are best cleaned in a dry state. Therefore, investing in a carpet de-greaser is usually a good idea if it is not overused. With this product, you can vacuum up the residue later when you have access to water again.
It is essential to wait for the de-greaser to become dry before you vacuum. Failure to do so could cause damage to your vacuum and even the carpet itself. And be careful, as a wet carpet can spread out further and make it difficult for your vacuum cleaner.
Vacuuming It First
The first step in cleaning a flooded car carpet is by vacuuming up any debris or dirt caught on the carpet’s surface.
Then, guide your vacuum cleaner in a direction that catches most of the water. It is usually advisable to start on the edges and work your way towards the centre. It is essential to move around so that you don’t miss any areas.
If your vacuum cleaner has an extension hose, then it would be advisable to use this. Doing so helps you catch more dirt and debris in a larger area.
Then, vacuum up all the dry dirt on the carpet. Again, make sure you move around the car for this. Lastly, use a rigid brush attachment to remove any remaining dirt before the carpet dries. That helps you get better results.
Other Tools That Could Help
Steam cleaners are best to use here, so if you have one, then it would be best to use it here. Hot water extraction will help you get better results in a shorter period.
If you don’t have a steam cleaner, investing in a carpet extractor could be good. This device removes the majority of dirt on the carpet’s surface. But you have to follow specific rules when using this particular tool.
Please take note that it is essential to use warm water for extraction. Otherwise, it could harm your carpet’s fibres and physical structure and cause dry rot formation.
It is good to use items like a large bucket, cleaning cloths, and towels while doing this. However, it’s essential to not litter the carpet with any items that could make your work harder.
Finally, if you have access to a high-pressure hose and suction cleaner, then consider using it. All these tools help you remove the worst stains faster than manual cleaning can.
After You’re Done
When you have cleaned a flooded car carpet with the methods described above, remember to check the following things:
- Power suction and pressure out of the vehicle.
- Make sure you hold any components that might make your work harder.
- Check for any toys, snaps, or buttons that could make it more difficult to reach certain areas within the car’s interior.
- Check for any debris that could get stuck on the carpet’s surface or between its fibres.
Continuing, you should dispose of the cleaning tools safely. Therefore, it is advisable to make sure they are in a place where children and pets can reach them. Then, please put them in a place where they can’t be crushed or broken.
Finally, run your car’s air conditioning to help it get dry faster while parked. In addition, running the air conditioner helps keep the carpet even more clean and dry. Nevertheless, it should not be left on for long if the motor is not running.
To Wrap It Up
So, how do you clean a flooded car carpet? With a good-quality vacuum cleaner and a lot of patience. Cleaning up after an accident might take time. However, it helps you prevent long-term damage to your car’s carpet and improve its value!
You will hopefully find this post helpful when learning how to clean a flooded car carpet. Thank you for reading this article.
