Fleas can be a real nuisance and can be challenging to get rid of once they’ve taken hold. You’ve probably heard stories about how some people got rid of fleas with carpet cleaning. Can carpet cleaning really kill fleas?
Yes and no. Carpet cleaning methods can help eliminate and kill fleas, but they should be done the right way. If not, they won’t be as effective, and you’ll just end up wasting your time and money.
Carpet cleaning can remove fleas from your carpets, but it’s important to understand that this does not mean that the fleas are gone for good. Fleas can lay eggs that will hatch and create a new generation of fleas, so you’ll need to be vigilant about keeping them under control.
There are two main types of carpet cleaning that can be effective in killing fleas: hot water extraction and carpet shampoo cleaning.
Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning to Kill Fleas
Hot water extraction, also known as carpet steam cleaning, is a method of carpet cleaning that uses high-temperature water to remove dirt and stains from carpets. This has been a professional carpet cleaning solution that’s been performed for many years and is still considered one of the most effective ways to clean carpets.
Fleas can hatch up to 50 eggs in as little as 2 days, and if you suspect that there are fleas creeping beneath your carpets, you need to act fast. A hot water extraction carpet cleaning will kill fleas on contact and is an effective way to get rid of them for good.
How Does Hot Water Extraction Work?
Water extraction is one of the most common methods of carpet cleaning, and it can be extremely effective in removing dirt, dust, and other debris from your carpets.
The process begins with a pre-treatment solution being applied to the carpets, which helps to loosen the dirt and grime. The solution used varies depending on the type of carpet, but it’s usually a detergent or an enzyme-based solution.
Once the pre-treatment has been applied, the machine will then inject hot water into the carpets and use a powerful suction to remove the dirt, grime, and water. This vacuum extracts the carpets’ water, dirt, and debris and leaves them looking clean and fresh.
The hot water then loosens dirt and stains, making them easier to remove. In the sense of carpeting cleaning alone, this method has been proven to be highly effective because the hot water cleans the carpets and disinfects them.
Aside from getting rid of dirt, this method can also help kill bacteria and dust mites, making it an ideal solution for people with allergies or asthma. What most people don’t know is that hot water extraction can also be effective in killing fleas.
The high temperature of the water is what makes this method so effective in killing fleas. The hot water will kill fleas on contact and prevent them from being able to lay eggs, which is essential in getting rid of them for good. Additionally, high water temperatures coming from the steam will also kill the eggs which have not yet hatched.
How Long Does Hot Water Extraction Take?
The length of time it takes for hot water extraction to work will vary depending on the size of the area that needs to be treated.
For example, a small room can usually be cleaned in around 30 minutes, whereas a large room or home may take up to several hours. In general, a carpet that’s been treated with hot water extraction will be dry within 12-24 hours.
Will the Fleas Instantly Die After One Hot Water Extraction Cleaning?
When professionally done, hot water extraction is an extremely effective way to kill fleas. However, it’s important to understand that this does not mean that the fleas are gone for good.
Fleas can lay eggs that will hatch and create a new generation of fleas, so you’ll need to be vigilant about keeping them under control. Leaving a single egg could result in an infestation, so it’s important to make sure that all of the eggs are removed.
Carpet Steam Cleaning: DIY vs. Professional
While hot water extraction is an effective way to clean carpets and kill fleas, it’s important to understand that this is a job best left to the professionals.
Carpet steam cleaning is not something that should be attempted by someone who doesn’t have experience. Not only is it difficult to do, but it can also be dangerous if not done properly.
If you’re thinking about attempting to clean your carpets yourself, it’s essential to understand the risks involved. First of all, if you don’t have experience, you could end up damaging your carpets.
Second, if you don’t use the proper equipment, you could end up causing serious damage to yourself or your family. Finally, if you don’t use the proper solutions, you could end up making the flea problem worse.
Carpet Shampoo Cleaning to Kill Fleas
Carpet shampooing is another popular method of cleaning carpets, and it can be just as effective as hot water extraction. While this method is popular for cleaning stains, this can also be used to help get rid of those irritating fleas that could be infesting your home.
Carpet shampooing uses a detergent solution that’s applied to the carpets and then agitated with a brush. This helps to loosen the dirt, grime, and stains so that they can be easily removed.
Carpet shampooing is a popular method of cleaning carpets because it’s relatively inexpensive and it doesn’t require a lot of experience. However, it’s important to understand that this method is not as effective as hot water extraction.
The reason for this is that the detergent solution used in carpet shampooing doesn’t kill fleas on contact. Additionally, if not done properly, this method could actually make the flea problem worse.
How Does Carpet Shampoo Cleaning Work?
Carpet shampooing may seem like a fairly simple process, but there is actually a lot of science involved. The first step is to pretreat the carpet with a detergent solution. This helps to break up any dirt or debris that may be embedded in the carpet fibers.
This detergent solution contains surfactants, which are molecules that help to reduce the surface tension of water. This allows the water to more easily penetrate the carpet fibers and loosen any dirt or debris that may be trapped inside.
After the pre-treatment step, the carpet is then agitated with a brush or other tool to help loosen any dirt or debris that is still clinging to the fibers.
Once the agitation step is complete, the carpet is ready to be shampooed. The shampooing process uses a special cleaning solution that contains detergents and surfactants. This solution is applied to the carpet and then again agitated with a brush.
Once done, the carpet is rinsed with clean water to remove any residual dirt, shampoo, or detergent.
A vacuum cleaner may also be used to help remove any remaining water from the carpet fibers. Finally, the carpet is allowed to dry completely before being used again.
Will Carpet Shampoo Kill Fleas?
Carpet shampoo is one of the most popular methods for cleaning carpets, but many people wonder whether it will also kill fleas. The answer is not as simple as a yes or no.
Carpet shampoo contains chemicals that can be effective at killing fleas, but the level of concentration is often not high enough to completely eliminate an infestation.
In addition, fleas are very good at hiding in cracks and crevices, so even if the shampoo does kill some of them, there is a good chance that many will survive and continue to cause problems.
For these reasons, it is generally advisable to use other methods, such as steam cleaning or vacuuming, in conjunction with carpet shampooing in order to effectively remove fleas from your home.
Carpet shampoos contain ingredients like pyrethrin and permethrin, which are known to be effective at killing fleas. However, the concentration of these ingredients is often not high enough to completely eliminate an infestation. Additionally, most shampoos are not strong enough to kill the eggs and larvae – which are the real problem.
The eggs and larvae are often hidden deep in the carpet fibers where the shampoo cannot reach them.
For this reason, it is important to use a product that specifically targets flea eggs and larvae in order to break the cycle of infestation. However, if you’re looking for a quick fix, carpet shampoo will do the trick – at least temporarily.
Just be sure to follow up with a more comprehensive treatment plan to make sure those pesky critters are gone for good.
Final Thoughts
Carpet cleaning methods such as hot water extraction and carpet shampooing can be effective at removing dirt, stains, and debris from carpets. However, when it comes to fleas, hot water extraction proved to be more effective in most cases.
This is because the high temperatures used in hot water extraction can help to kill fleas and their eggs, whereas carpet shampooing only kills adult fleas.
Additionally, using a product that specifically targets flea eggs and larvae is the best way to break the cycle of infestation and prevent them from coming back.
It’s also worth noting that in most cases, you’ll need to use more than one method to completely get rid of fleas at home. It targets the pests lurking in your carpets, but it won’t completely get rid of the infestation for good.
Aside from carpet cleaning methods, performing a few simple tasks around your home can also help to get rid of fleas.
These include regularly vacuuming all carpeted areas, washing bedding and clothing in hot water, and using a flea comb on your pets. By taking these steps, you can help to keep your home free of fleas and prevent them from coming back in the future.
