OxiClean is a widely used American brand of household cleaning products that removes stains, deodorizes, and does away with mold and mildew from various surfaces. If you’ve used it before, you understand how effective it is at spot-cleaning stains.
And unlike many other household cleaning brands, it doesn’t contain chlorine, so you may be tempted to add it to your steam cleaner. The question is, “Can I put OxiClean in my carpet steam cleaner?”
In this article, we give a comprehensive answer to the question and explain the effects of adding OxiClean to various types of carpet steam cleaners. We also recommend products that are safe to add to your steam cleaner (based on its type) and edify you on how you can use any type of steam cleaner and OxiClean at the same time to maximize stain removal. But first, let’s answer the question below.
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Can I Put OxiClean in My Carpet Steam Cleaner?
No matter how deeply stained your carpet is, you should never put OxiClean inside it if not recommended. Most steam cleaners are designed to work with water only. Adding any product to the tank could only cause destruction to your machine.
More Explanation on Why It’s Unsafe to Add OxiClean to the Tank if Not Recommended
Many people argue that OxiClean doesn’t contain chlorine, unlike many other cleaning products, so heating it would not lead to any serious health problems. While this is true, the product contains no specific directions for use in a steam cleaner.
Moreover, we’re trying to avoid hear to the machine, even if the product may be safe for the environment. The bottom line is that if it’s not recommended by the manufacturer, please avoid it.
What Can I Use in My Carpet Steam Cleaner?
Most steam cleaners are designed to work with clean water only. If you own such, you should take care not to pour any other unrecommended product inside their tanks. You may irrevocably damage the machines’ parts and or void their warranties.
Nevertheless, there are a few exceptional brands that recommend the use of some cleaning products in their tanks.
For example, the Hoover steam cleaning machine manufacturer recommends using the Hoover disinfecting additive in their tanks. This additive is specifically made by the manufacturer for use inside its Hoover steam cleaners.
It helps to enhance the cleaning and deodorizing capabilities of the machine without causing any damage to the machine. Bissell carpet cleaners also have a manufacturer-endorsed steam cleaning product.
How to Use OxiClean and a Steam Cleaner Together on Your Carpet
If you have a heavily soiled and stained carpet, you may want to try two or more methods to make it clean. The good news is that you can always use both a steam cleaner and the OxiClean product together without adding OxiClean into the machine’s tank. We’ve described the best procedure to follow while doing this to avoid any damage, pollution, or injuries. In the end, you’ll have a clean carpet that
1. Do a Spot Test
A spot-cleaning test is usually conducted to determine the effects of a cleaning product on the look and feel of your carpet. Mix OxiClean with water in proportions recommended by the manufacturer and spray a small amount of the solution on a small, easy-to-hide area of your carpet. Observe the effects in five minutes. Generally, OxiClean should not be used on wool, silk, and fabrics that comprise their blends.
2. Pretreat the Stain Using OxiClean
If you’re dealing with a stained spot, and your carpet passes the test above, pretreat the stain using OxiClean. Simply soak the affected area using this solution and let it react to the stain for about five minutes.
3. Blot the Area Dry
Then, blot the soaked area with a clean and dry piece of towel, taking care not to scrub it as you may drive the stain deeper into your carpet’s fabrics. Consider replacing the towel if it gets wet, that is, if you’re dealing with a larger carpet area.
4. Prepare Your Steam Cleaner
Next, prepare your steam cleaner for the final step of the cleaning process. Start by adding water (only water) to the machine’s reservoir tank and close it tightly. Plug it in and turn it on so that it can heat to the right temperature for your carpet. When heating is done, test the machine’s readiness by pulling the trigger until steam comes out of the nozzle. When it does, proceed to the next step.
5. Steam The Area
Start steam cleaning the soiled areas of your carpet slowly but thoroughly. We advise you to do it in patterns so that no area is left uncovered. You can go over an area twice if it’s deeply soiled. Besides this advice, ensure that you also follow the instructions on your steam cleaner’s user manual. Meanwhile, when you’re done cleaning, let the carpet dry properly before starting to use it again.
Frequently Asked Questions about OxiClean and Steam Cleaners
Is OxiClean Safe for all Fabrics?
The answer is no. OxiClean’s manufacturer warns against using it on wool, silk, leather, materials that should only be dry cleaned, wool blends, and silk blends. Also avoid using it on jewelry, teak, jute, and woven baskets, to mention a few.
Can I use OxiClean in The Bissell Carpet Cleaner?
No, the Bissell carpet cleaner manufacturer does not recommend any product to be used with their machines except one; the Bissell Eucalyptus Mint additive. This is the only verified cleaning product that will not damage any parts of the cleaner. Its main function is to add a fresh smell to the cleaned surface.
How Do You Mix OxiClean to Clean Carpet?
Scoop the OxiClean powder and fill it to line 1 of the measurement vessel. Add this powder to 16 ounces of water and shake well. Apply enough solution to the carpet’s surface to make it saturated. Let it rest for about 3-5 minutes. Dry the areas that have been cleaned above so that no stains get deeper into the fabrics of your carpet.
The Bottom Line
We conclude that it’s unsafe to add OxiClean to your steam cleaner’s water tank if not recommended. It may cause several damages that could cripple the machine. Likewise, avoid using the cleaning product on any fabrics, jewelry, and other surfaces on which they can cause damage as warned by the manufacturer.
