When it comes to carpet cleaning using a carpet cleaning machine, should you leave the water dirty or do you keep cleaning until water is clear?
You should keep going until the water is clear, as this is the only way to know that all of the dirt and debris from the carpet has been removed.
But what does it even mean when the water is black? Let’s take a look at the most common reasons for carpet cleaning water turning black, as well as what this means for your carpet in the long run.
Reasons The Water Is Turning Black
You may think that general dust and debris is the only thing causing the water to turn black, but there are also some other factors that can play a role as well.
Dirt and Debris
Carpets can hide a surprising amount of dirt, especially those with long fibres such as wool. The main reason why the water in a carpet cleaner will go back is due to this dirt and dust mixing with the cleaning solution causing it to go darker in color.
If you’ve ever bathed a dog after a long muddy walk through the woods you will know just how dirty the water can get, and this is the same principle in carpet cleaners.
Regularly vacuuming your carpet is a great way to keep the amount of dirt to a reasonable level which should make it easier when you get round to using a carpet cleaner.
Type of Carpet
As we previously mentioned, some types of carpets are simply more suited to hiding and collecting larger amounts of dirt. Wool is an example of a carpet that can hide large amounts of dirt well, whereas a short pile carpet like polyester is less likely to hold much dirt.
Stubborn Dirt
Sometimes dirt can become compacted and build up deep in the fibres of the carpet. This is stubborn dirt that might take a few rinses with the cleaner to pick up and is another reason why the water can turn black and stay that way for a long time.
Mold
Another less common reason for the water turning black is due to mold.
Mold can grow in carpets, usually in the backing, as a result of dampness that is allowed to settle for extended periods of time. This can sometimes be due to spilling drinks, or from carpet cleaning previously if you left the carpet too damp without letting it become fully dried out.
It can be quite difficult to identify mold just from the color of the water, but if you suspect that mold is present you should examine the backing of the carpet and deep into the fibres to see if there is any growth. At this point, it is highly advisable to seek professional help to remove it, rather than trying yourself.
Excess Carpet Shampoo
Using too much carpet shampoo can also cause the water to become black, which may seem counterintuitive at first, but it makes sense when you think about it.
When you use too much shampoo, you will create an excess of thick foam that will circulate slowly inside the carpet cleaner. This means less water can be cycled through the cleaner itself, which means it will take longer for dirt to be removed from the carpet and into the water tank.
So, excess shampoo technically slows down the circulation of water, which reduces cleaning effectiveness and makes the water stay darker for longer.
You may also leave foam sitting on the surface of the carpet which will need to be cleaned up as this will contain dirt that has been pulled from the depths of the carpet fibres.
How To Use A Carpet Cleaner Effectively
We’ve included some tips for using a carpet cleaner effectively because this will also have an impact on how long it will take for the water to become clear.
Diagonal Pattern
The first tip to clean effectively is to work in a diagonal pattern rather than straight lines. A diagonal pattern will reduce the chances of missing any spots of dirt, which means you (hopefully) won’t have to go over the same spot twice.
Take Your Time
Another thing to consider when carpet cleaning using a machine is how fast you push or pull the device.
When it comes to carpet cleaning the slower you move the machine the better, as this allows more time for the water to circulate to pick up more dust and dirt. If you push too quickly, you will find that you leave streaks of foam behind which will contain dirt that hasn’t been picked up by the machine.
Follow The Manufacturer Guidelines
Almost every carpet cleaning machine comes with a recommended cleaning solution and instructions for use, a good example of this being the Bissell brand.
This is always a great place to start to see how it works for your particular carpet. You can then adjust the speed or amount of solution used as needed to achieve a better clean.
How Many Times Do You Need To Rinse?
The amount of times you need to rinse depends entirely on the condition of your carpet before you start cleaning.
As always, the general rule of thumb is to continue to clean until the water runs clear along the entire surface area.
This usually equates to two rinses of the entire carpet, but this can be more or less dependent on your cleaning schedule and the type of carpet that you have.
Final Thoughts
Do you keep cleaning carpet until water is clear?
We hope that by reading this article you know to continue the cleaning process until the water is clear to ensure all of the dirt has been removed. If you have any tricks or tips for achieving a better clean with a carpet cleaner, then don’t hesitate to get in touch and let us know.