How To Clean Your Carpets
How To Clean Your Carpets
Cleaning your carpets can be a pain, but it doesn't have to be with these simple and effective carpet cleaning techniques.
Whether you have wine stains on your carpet after a wild night in, ink marks from your child’s latest project or a buildup of dirt from the daily grind, your carpets need TLC from time to time.
Cleaning your carpets doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here are some simple tips on how to clean carpet stains that will leave your home fresh as a daisy.
How to clean a carpet with baking soda & essential oils
Powder is an effective carpet cleaner to get rid of stale odours. Powder? Yes! You can mix baking soda with a few drops of your favourite essential oils in a shaker, or you can buy a specially formulated carpet cleaning powder. Some companies make a dry upholstery cleaner that must be rubbed into stained areas.
Shake the powder generously onto the carpet and leave it for at least 30 minutes (or ideally overnight). Once you are ready, vacuum your carpet to remove all the powder.
How to shampoo a carpet
When using a shampoo carpet cleaner, the liquid solution is applied to the carpet and worked into the fibres using a machine or brush. The shampoo creates a foam that effectively lifts dirt and stains from the carpet. After cleaning, it is necessary to wait for the carpet to dry before using it again. Shampoo carpet cleaners are known for their effectiveness in deep cleaning carpets and removing stubborn stains, making them a preferred choice over powder cleaners in such situations.
As there are various brands available, you need to ensure you follow the instructions on the label - however, the following steps often do the trick:
Mix the solution as per the label instructions. Often, you will need to dilute the shampoo with water.
Only use as much carpet shampoo as needed to cover the carpet.
Do not wet the carpet too much. This is a waste of shampoo and it takes longer to dry.
Scrub the stained areas with a hard-bristled brush or lightly with a toothbrush. Better yet, use a carpet cleaning machine with the appropriate attachments.
Leave the carpet to dry.
Once the carpet has dried, vacuum all of the shampoo.
Powder vs. Shampoo
With so many options available, which one should you use? If you are dealing with deep stains and dirt, carpet powder is typically more effective. Shampoo takes hours to dry, which means you can’t enter the room until the carpet is completely dry. Powder also effectively removes stains and smells much faster than shampoo.
No matter which carpet cleaning agent you decide to use, ensure that you follow the instructions on the label.
Natural carpet cleaning solutions
If you prefer natural cleaning solutions, you may try these kitchen staples that are just as effective as carpet powder and shampoo:
Remove coffee or tea stains by pouring on tonic water, beer, or soda water and rubbing it gently. The stains should disappear quickly.
Apply shaving foam to a grease stain and rub it in gently. Let it sit for a minute, and then dab it dry with a paper kitchen towel.
Apply some WD40 to an ink stain on the carpet. Then let it sit for a minute before you clean it using normal carpet shampoo or warm, soapy water.
No matter what product you decide to use – natural or otherwise – remember to test the product on a small area first. Different carpet fibres tolerate substances differently. This way you will avoid causing damage to your entire carpet.
How to clean carpet stains
If you have a stain on your carpet, deal with it as soon as possible. While you may be tempted to wipe a stain, this will result in smearing and spreading. It is best to blot the stain to prevent it from worsening.
Keep in mind these nifty tricks:
If you have a sticky stain like chewing gum, use an ice brick to harden the mess and make it easier to peel it off.
If you have a smelly stain, apply a 50/50 mix of warm water and white vinegar to the stain and leave it to stand for a while. Dab it dry.
If odours remain after the carpets are 100% dry, clean it again with bicarbonate soda with essential oils.
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