Be sure to enter the giveaway at the end of this post!
A week or so ago, I talked about everyday cleaning tips for living with pets. Today I’m going to dig a little deeper into that conversation.
Every late fall, prior to the start of the holidays, we like to do a deep clean of our home. It’s a lot like spring cleaning for us, but done in the fall and we tackle everything from closet purges to decor purges to cleaning the garage. It ends up being the perfect start to the holiday season and helps lower stress levels when you’re in the thick of parties and get-togethers!
Today I’m going to talk about cleaning your carpets as part of getting your home ready for the holidays. Don’t stop reading! I promise you, this is a fairly quick and fairly easy process that makes such a difference if you have the right tools and it is a task you’ll be so happy you did!
I ended up using my new BISSELL ProHeat 2X® Revolutionâ„¢ Pet Carpet Cleaner along with BISSEL’s Deep Clean liquid cleaner to clean the carpets. I loved the smell and it was rather gratifying to see stains coming out!
I wish I could say I staged these two shots, but Henley managed to pose all on her own. I was in the entryway taking a pick for Instagram of all the chaos in the hallway, and when I came back, this is what I saw.
If that isn’t the face of a little angel I don’t know what is 😉
And if this picture from my Instagram feed isn’t the look of chaos, I don’t know what is!
First, as you can clearly see, I moved all the furniture out of the office other than my desk and printer station. I then gave the room a really thorough vacuum. There were a few stains from a somewhat wreckless DIYer that lives in our house…mostly the remnants of dark furniture wax I had accidentally gotten on the carpet a few years back. I had conveniently set a table over it with a fiddle fig on top – nothing like a little camo! #reallife
I was a bit short on time, so I opted to use the Express Clean Mode. The entire room took about 20 minutes start to finish and it dried in about an hour. See? I told you it was quick and easy!
Not only that, I was able to get out those DIY wax stains that I had given up hope on!
I was shocked at just how much dirt came up. Not only that, it managed to get fur that my vacuum was apparently missing. Once done with the carpets, dumping the dirty water was a bit like driving by a car wreck – you can’t divert your eyes away from it as gross as it may be! Don’t judge just how dirty our carpets were.
So gross, right? I would like to think it is solely the result of the furniture wax it picked up, but I’m pretty sure that’s not the only dirt it found 😉
I was really dreading this task but was shocked at just how easy it was. Not only that, it is such a good feeling knowing just how much dirt I was able to get out of our house! I’m looking forward to using it in our living room and on our stairs – two areas I know could definitely use a good, deep cleaning as well!
And now for the giveaway! BISSELL is offering two product bundles (including a BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet and BISSELL Deep Clean + Antibacterial formula). Two winners will be chosen at random across participating blogs in this campaign.
All you need to do to enter is leave a comment on this post with your favorite fall or spring cleaning tips. BISSELL will review all the comments and pick the winners that will receive the product bundles! So, be sure to leave your email address in comments if you’re profile doesn’t include it. Good luck!
Are you doing any deep cleaning over the coming week(s)? Any dirty jobs you hate doing but love once you’re done?
If you would like to follow along on more of my home decor, DIY, lifestyle, travel and other posts, I’d love to have you follow me on any of the following:
Pinterest / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Bloglovin’ / Google
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by BISSELL. As always, all comments, photos and dirty carpets are my own.
Deep cleaning? Here’s how it’s done…Step1: Drink lots of coffee. Step 2: Crank up the 80’s music (don’t judge me…hahaha!) Step 3: Lay all of your cleaning supplies out on the kitchen counter, pull out the vacuum, mops, & hopefully a new Bissell Proheat 2X Revolution Pet carpet cleaner! 😉 Step 4: Just do it! Go room to room, top to bottom, until the whole place is fresh & you’ve sufficiently hidden the fact (smell-wise & pet hair-wise) that you have two dogs & a cat living there. Ta da!!!
woodsyivy@yahoo.com
I too love to borrow my sisters Bissell a couple times a year. I not only use it on the carpet but on my floors too. It is such a thouroughly clean your floors.
Ha Sarah! You are not the only one doing a Fall cleanup. Love it almost as much as the Spring cleanup!! I have used my Bissell Little Green machine for probably over 15 years! The go-to cleaner for anything carpet. I think its time for an upgrade! Thanks for the post-and the pictures did not shock!!
We do a big freezer and fridge clean before the holidays. Need plenty of room for leftovers!
I love fall and spring cleaning! It’s so energizing! We always start with a good purge through closets, cupboards and drawers. I try to involve the whole family so they can see how refreshed their own spaces feel after a good clean out. We take it all to a local donation center. Then it’s cleaning time! Baseboards and windows in each room are a must and we always turn mattresses at that time too. I will however say embarrassingly, we’ve never had a deep clean of our carpets on the list! But with three kids, I’m sure they could really use it!
I love getting the exterior windows cleaned as part of my spring and fall cleaning.
I deep clean our refrigerator and pantry in preparation for the “food season”. I also go through my kids’ closets to see what clothes no longer fit, so we can donate those clothes to the Womens’ and Children’s Shelter in our area.
I love doing a thorough Holiday cleaning! My favorite tip is to treat yourself to one pretty new thing for each room as you finish it! (My mama always did this). It could be a candle, new Christmas soap, a new toss pillow or decorative towels … just something small that makes the room feel special and “done”. I also love to open the windows and let the cold, fresh air in!!
Thank you for this opportunity! {Andanbre at gmail dot com}
Ah Bissell, please make my life easier!!!
xoxo
nancyerb@me.com
I wish I could wave a magic wand and clean everything at once. I think the Bissell cleaner would be a great help.
Ahhhh. The *feel* of clean! 🙂 It makes me feel energized and organized and like new things are possible AND probable. My cleaning usually begins with me saying out loud (I guess to the cats?) “Well, let’s just get this done!”. I go room by room, and just DO it. I dust twice, as I want to get the last stray cat hairs and any other dust that I may have kicked up in my frenzy. Lol. I listen to old Broadway musicals and sing along as I go. Somehow that really helps!
Every Fall we have to rent those commercial carpet cleaners from the local grocery store. It takes the whole weekend to get out the dirt and mud that the dogs drag in over the Spring and Summer. (Not to mention the cat’s hariball episodes.) I’m not sure my carpet ever really dries properly or gets totally clean. I had no idea these Bissel machines cleaned as well as the rentals. Your carpets actually look new and not matted down.
Great giveaway and even if I’m not the lucky winner….I think I will put this on the list for Santa!
I open up every closet, drawer, and cabinet in the house and purge, purge, purge! Then clean each room from top to bottom. I have only used the Bissell Little Green Portable Spot Cleaner as needed, and love it! I have never cleaned the entire carpet though, that would be a great addition the the cleaning to-do list!! 🙂
Love my little green Bissell. “Sassy, go get the Bissell” is what my friends tease me with because about 15 years ago I was at a neighbors house when someone spilled red wine on her carpet. I immediately said “I’ll be right back with my Bissell”, ran home and got it and promptly began removing the stain, during a party, as everyone looked on in awe!! I will never live this down, it’s a story told multiple times at parties by my friends that were there. Lol!!
I try to clear away all debris especially around the foundation of the house – we back up to a farm so we do not want any visitors especially with three dogs. The year we did not do we had unwanted guests
My tip is to sort winter/summer clothes before putting them away for the season- use that time as an opportunity to review whether you wore the item, whether it still fits, etc. Anything that wasn’t used all season, I automatically donate.
My fall and spring cleaning has been the ole bucket of hot water with a drop of soap and some vinegar and spending the day getting close to my carpets and furniture, since I can’t afford to have them steam cleaned. It provides for much time to pretend and imagine I had a real cleaner.
For the spring or fall, I like to go around the house and clean the baseboards in each room with dryer sheets.
I love cleaning out clothes in the fall and winter – getting rid of things that are too small or never get worn and finding things I forgot I had :-). A Bissell would come in super handy especially with pets!
Being elderly, it is sometimes hard to clean as thoroughly as I would like…….especially with a large German Shepherd dog (affectionately known as the German Shedder). I could really use a good carpet cleaner and, especially, one that would pick up pet hair as well as dirt. I think that being able to get that pet hair up…..you know that stuff the vacuum doesn’t get all up……might help me with my allergies to dog hair and no way will we get rid of our dog…he’s a member of the family.
I too do some fall cleaning at our house, top to bottom. ‘Tis the season to clean in anticipation of holiday parties and many guests coming in and out of the house. I have two dogs but don’t own a Bissell. I will have to investigate this product. It looks like it did a great job in your home.
Vicki
Before the holidays I love to do a good purge of unused items for goodwill. I always go through the kitchen, kids play room and the closets. It helps make space for the new stuff Santa brings.
I am in the midst of a fall cleaning and boy would this Bissel have come in handy as week! I called in chem dry to clean my carpets and while they came out okay ( they were not stained at all, I just do it at lest once a year whether i need it or not) I was not fond of the process. And the guy was done in about 1/2 hour for my living room, dining room and a 5 x 7 area rug. How could he have done a good job so quickly. I will never us them again and will try to remember this Bissel for the next time! I would love to win this!
Clean out your closets every season and donate or sell clothes and shoes you don’t wear!
Every spring and fall we do a major purge of our closets and then walk the donations right to the salvation army so there’s no chance for second-guessing.
I like to start my fall cleaning at my front porch- sudsy bucket of water with some bleach, stiff broom, and water hose to rinse off the suds after I have scrubbed the porch and railings down. After it dries I clean the outside front window and the front door a last time before the holidays. Put down a clean front door mat. Then I am ready to decorate and complete with the fun outside accessories.
Next I would like to clean my own carpet with the Bissell Proheat 2X instead of calling the carpet cleaning company. Thank you for the opportunity!
My tip is not to have kids, pets, or husband’s with messy hobbies. For these reasons, I’d love to win the Bissell!
Cleaning the baseboards and blinds!! And organizing kitchen cabinets ahead of holiday baking always makes things go smoother. 🙂
I love to do a whole house purge/give away effort. I love taking a huge load to good will before the holidays. I always focus on the kitchen and the kids toys. I love teaching giving to my kids plus it makes room for the new stuff Santa brings!
Its strangely gratifying to me to take the screens out of the windows for the winter and give the sills a good scrub and leave the windows sparkling as well. It makes it so much easier to spring clean after a long winter too!
We have two cats in the house, so I would love to win a BISSELL ProHeat 2X® Revolution™ Pet Carpet Cleaner!
I’ve always loved the lint roller trick on a lamp shade – removes the dust so easily and doesn’t knock it anywhere else since it sticks to the tape! I cleaned our carpets this past summer with a Bissel rental and I can’t believe how dirty they were!
I have an old Bissell that I have had about 10 years. It gets pulled out at least every other day with 2 boys, 1 dog, and a husband 🙂 My dog still likes to mark his territory once in awhile. Gross, I know!!! Having a carpet cleaner upstairs and downstairs would really save our carpet. I am disabled, so I have to wait for my hubby to get home to carry it upstairs. I have some really stubborn stains that I have gave up on. Do you have any advice for a solution to use with my cleaner?
I have been going room to room cleaning every carpet. I like to do that before it gets cold.
My email is healthcare0072000@yahoo.com
I use the Bissell little green machine to clean up anytime there’s been an accident. With an 18 year old dog it happens more than I’d like. A big one would be fantastic.
I like giving the couch a thorough vacuuming for spring cleaning. Take all of the cushions off and vacuum it all. I also like to clean the ceiling fan blades. Use a pillow case and rub it on the blade so all the dirt catches inside. Shake it out outside and wash the pillowcase. Done!
I wish I had this bissell to deep clean with! We don’t have carpet on the main floor but down our stairs and in the whole basement we have a light sisal looking carpet and this would be perfect. I think purging your extra stuff between seasons is a great way to make space and room and then you can really get into a deep cleaning mode!
I like to remove all the furniture and clean the baseboards and corners.
Don’t hoard clothes you don’t wear! It just adds to clutter.
I wear white cotton gloves(surgical gloves underneath) and a little bit of soapy water in a spray bottle to clean my chandeliers.
No matter where or when I’m cleaning, I always start from the top of the room and work my way down. In the bathroom, I’ll start with mirrors, since I’ll usually get over-spray on the counter, then do sinks, then counters, etc! In my mind all the dirt falls from above as I’m cleaning, so using that system, hopefully I’m getting as much up as possible! The carpet cleaner looks great! We have been in the market for one, just haven’t decided which one was worth it.
My spring cleaning tip is… It is A LOT more fun with loud music and wine!!!! =)
I take the 14 globes off my dining room chandalier and put them in the dishwasher, the come out sparkling.
In prep for the house being closed tight against the winter cold, I like to deep clean my carpets and rugs, clean my drapes …and also my ceiling fans and upholstered furniture. I enjoy simmering spices on the stovetop for a welcoming fall scent that evokes holiday memories.
my tip is to make a to do list broken down by each room and try and tackle a little at a time. heavensent1988 at yahoo dot com
I clean from the top down and stay motivated with music.
My tip is to stay on top of the mess. Don’t let it get out of hand. We have two pets and they keep me busy cleaning.
Diana Camden
unachica_latina (at) yahoo (dot) com is my address 🙂
I am also starting to think about cleaning my house for the holidays and it is nice to get some ideas before that. I definitely need to clean the carpets good and if I had a Bissel or Vax it would have been so much easier. I am planning to hire carpet cleaning company for this. Every year I hire the same cleaners (http://cleanerwimbledon.org.uk/) and I am happy with the results. I have a dog and the carpet is always covered with pet hair. Thank you for sharing! Cleaning with Bissel seems really great!
My favorite cleaning tip is to double sheet the toddler bed. When I am done washing Aiden’s sheets I put a fitted sheet on his mattress like normal, but then I flip the mattress and put a fitted sheet on the OTHER side as well. This way if there is a midnight accident I can just take off the wet sheet and flip the bed! No fumbling around for a sheet! 🙂 mattandbranson @ gmail.com
My favorite cleaning tip is to remember to steam clean your mattress. They can get really dirty and I usually try to rent a machine every three months or so to do my mattress along with my carpets.
My favorite cleaning tip is to use a mixture of white vinegar & baking soda to remove any grease or grim on any surface. It’s all natural & works great. I also use rubbing alcohol on mirrors & glass surfaces – amazing shine!
xo
Cheers!
My mother has a Bissell and has always loved it. Three boys, two cats and one Boston Terrier later I think it’s time for me to follow suit! LOL Good job on the excellent giveaway!