Have you ever struggled to get your carpets really clean using just a regular old vacuum? I know you probably have! And no matter how much you vacuum, it seems like your carpets still look dingy and feel rough. Lugging out the old vacuum cleaner and going over the same spots again and again doesn’t seem to make a difference. If this sounds familiar, then you might be wondering if using a wet vac could help give your carpets the deep clean they need.
Could these industrial-looking devices really suck up the embedded dirt and grime that my vacuum was leaving behind? Well, in this article, we’ll shed more on whether wet vac could be the solution to cleaning and revitalizing carpets in your home. Keep reading.
What is a wet vac?
A wet vac, also known as a wet/dry vac, is a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner that can suck up both wet and dry messes. Wet vacs have a large tank or drum to hold liquid. They also often come with attachments like hoses, brushes and nozzles for cleaning in crevices and hard-to-reach areas.
Benefits of wet vacs
Wet vacs are great for sucking up spills and cleaning surfaces with standing water. They have powerful motors and suction abilities that beat out regular vacuums. Some key benefits include:
- Strong suction – Wet vacs can lift and remove debris regular vacuums leave behind. Their motors create enough airflow velocity to lift sand, sawdust, nails and more from carpets.
- Large capacity tanks – Wet vac drums can hold 1-50 gallons of liquid and debris. Their large tanks mean fewer trips to empty them out while cleaning.
- Wet messes – Wet vacs can remove wet spills from carpets and floors that would ruin regular vacuums.
Can You Use a Wet Vac On Carpet?
Yes, wet vacs are safe and effective to use on carpeting. Their powerful suction lifts dirt from deep down in carpet fibers. Wet vacuuming also helps groom the pile and lift matted areas.
Tips for wet vacuuming carpets
Follow these tips to wet vac carpets properly:
- Pre-treat stains – Use a carpet cleaner solution or pretreatment spray to break up stains before wet vacuuming. This helps lift them from the carpet better.
- Fill tank with hot water – Heat helps dissolve and remove grime from carpets. Fill the wet vac tank with the hottest tap water safe for the machine.
- Add cleaning solution – Put a few drops of mild dish soap or laundry detergent into the tank water. This helps pull more dirt from the carpet.
- Go slowly – Work in small sections, moving the vacuum head slowly over the carpet to extract as much liquid and debris as possible.
- Make multiple passes – Go over each section 3-4 times to continue pulling up dirty water from the carpet pile.
- Empty tank often – Check and empty the wet vac tank frequently so it doesn’t get too full and lose suction power.
- Rinse with clean water – Make a final pass with just clean hot water to rinse away detergent residue.
Wet vacuuming vs steam cleaning carpets
Both wet vacuuming and steam cleaning are effective deep cleaning methods for carpets:
Wet vacuuming pros
- Less moisture used on carpets
- Removes spilled liquids immediately
- Good for spot cleaning and small areas
Steam cleaning pros
- Hot water and cleaning solution loosen dirt well
- Flushes out grime from entire carpet
- Helps sanitize carpets
Many people find using both techniques works best. First wet vacuuming to remove surface dirt and spills. Then steam cleaning periodically to deep clean the entire carpet.
Can I use a wet vac to dry carpets?
Yes, wet vacs work excellently to help dry damp carpets after steam cleaning or shampooing.
Here’s how to dry carpets with a wet vac:
- Wait until carpets air dry some first. Don’t apply a wet vac to sopping wet carpets.
- Attach a smooth floor nozzle to glide over the carpet easily. Keep the vacuum head moving constantly.
- Make multiple passes over each area, being careful not to press down too hard. Let the suction do the work.
- Dump the collection tank after every pass as it fills up with dirty water. Dispose of the dirty liquid properly.
- Go over entire carpet until little moisture is left. Finish by placing fans nearby to complete drying.
Drying carpets quickly after deep cleaning prevents mold or mildew growth and that damp carpet smell.
How to maintain wet vac
Follow these tips to keep a wet vac working well for carpet cleaning:
- Rinse tank after use – Rinse out debris, soap residue and remaining moisture. Let all parts air dry completely before storage.
- Clean filters – Rinse foam and felt filters after use. Replace worn filters for best suction.
- Check hoses – Look for cracks or holes in suction hoses. Make sure connections are air tight.
- Store properly – Coil hoses neatly and put accessories in their proper places to prevent damage.
- Inspect regularly – Check components like belts, gaskets and switches. Replace worn parts.
Proper wet vac care prevents good ones from wearing out quickly. Well maintained wet vacs can suck up dirty water for years.
When to call carpet cleaning pros
For routine maintenance cleaning, DIY wet vacuuming works fine. But for heavily soiled carpets or tough stains, call the pros. Professional carpet cleaners have:
- Powerful truck-mounted steam cleaners to deep clean entire carpets
- Strong wet vacs to extract maximum water and grime
- High heat dryers to dry carpets quickly after
Professionals can make heavily soiled carpets look new again. They also have specialized equipment to clean carpets after floods or sewer backups.
Conclusion
There you have it – wet vacuuming is an effective way to clean and maintain carpets at home. And they beat regular vacuums at pulling up spills, dirt and pet hair from deep in carpet fibers. Ultimately, with some care and proper technique, wet vacs can keep carpets fresh and extend time between professional cleanings.