Carpets

Many people maintain their carpets by vacuuming, typically once a week. There are different methods however, used to remove stains and clean carpets. Old carpets can appear dirty and dingy and can accumulate stains over time. Cleaning the carpet regularly can help brighten it while removing any stains that may appear. While many modern stain removers and cleaning solutions contain harsh chemicals and will emit a strong odour, you can add natural scents to produce an extra clean smell or use homemade solutions instead.

How To

Begin by mixing some water and some powder laundry detergent with a cloth, and by putting a new vacuum cleaner bag into the vacuum. The old bag may leave dust and dirt particles behind, countering your cleaning methods. Vacuum the entire floor in different directions to capture all the loose particles. You may want to do this twice to make sure you get everything. After this, use a wet cloth to wipe down and dampen a small area of the carpet. You may want to pre-treat some tough stains and spots by letting the solution soak in for around 5 minutes, and then use a carpet brush to scrub in different directions. Use old sheets and towels to soak up surplus liquid. When you finish the area, replace the soapy water with fresh clean water, and go over the area again with just a scrub brush and the new, clean water to remove any excess soap. After you have completed the entire area, let it dry (you may want to open a window or use a fan to help speed up the process). Excess detergent can pick up soil and dirt quickly, so you need to make sure you remove all of the detergent from the carpet. After the floor dries, use the vacuum to fluff the carpet up. To prevent future stains from penetrating deep into the carpet, apply carpet protector. This will make is easier to remove stains in the future.

Tips & Takeaways

Before you apply any moisture or chemicals to your carpet, make sure you vacuum it carefully and thoroughly. There are many different types of vacuums to choose from, all of which offer different strengths. Loose dirt is removed much easier when it is dry.

Dirt that is not removed can turn to mud when it is dampened, which can result in dark patches, crackly carpet, and recurring stains, which can be extremely difficult to remove. If you decide to use a carpet steamer, check to see if it has a built in heating core before you purchase it. This will make sure your water stays hot, which is important, because hot water will kill up to 70% more germs than cold water according to studies. To get rid of a stain on the carpet, blot the spot and dry it by starting from the outside and working inwards. Rinse it with clean water before blotting again. Do not scrub the carpet, as you could ruin the fibers by doing so. Some stains, such as ink, alcoholic beverages, paint, ice cream and colas need to be cleaned with a solution of 32 ounces of water and ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar or non-bleach detergent. Other stains, like chocolate, wine, mustard, coffee and blood need to be removed with 1 cup of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of ammonia.