Is your carpet looking a little forlorn? In this helpful instruction, you will learn how to clean carpet like an expert (and keep it that way).
Most of us cannot afford to hire a professional carpet cleaner like ecocleansolutions.ie or rent a machine every time we need to clean a carpet; thus, understanding how to clean a carpet by hand is an extremely valuable ability. Especially when there are children or animals (or both) in the home.
Whether it’s muddy paws, mucky hands, or a buildup of ordinary dust and filth that has caused your carpet to seem worn, this advice will help you get your carpet looking as fresh as a daisy (and keep it that way).
You will require:
- What is a vacuum cleaner?
- Some clean attire
- Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) or powdered cleaners for carpets
- distilled white vinegar
- WHISKING UP LIQUID
How to clean a carpet with baking soda or carpet powder
Powder carpet cleaners are the simplest method for revitalising your carpet. Simply follow the instructions below:
Hoover the carpet
First and foremost, ensure the carpet is free of loose dirt and debris by vacuuming it thoroughly.
Treat any tenacious stains (if needed).
If there are visible stains on the carpet, it is advisable to treat them separately before cleaning the entire surface. You will need that detergent and white vinegar. Follow the detailed recommendations in our guide to removing tough carpet stains for the best results.
Utilize the powder (once the carpet is dry)
After applying any stain remedies and allowing the carpet to dry, generously sprinkle powdered carpet cleaning or baking soda over the carpet.
Allow the powder to do its thing.
Leave the powder for at least 30 minutes, but if you can leave it overnight, even better, since this allows the cleaner to dissolve spots and absorb odours.
Aspirate the powder.
It could not be any easier. Simply vacuum your carpet to remove all of the powder, leaving it clean and fresh.
And there you have it: a beautifully clean carpet that required zero effort. Keep reading for maintenance recommendations for your carpet.
How to use carpet shampoo to clean a carpet
Obviously, powdered carpet cleanser and baking soda are not the only methods for hand-cleaning carpets. Shampoo for carpets is another popular option, and its application does not require a machine.
It is important to remember, however, some shampoos might take hours to dry, rendering the room unusable till then. Powdered products may be sucked up far faster and are as effective.
However, if carpet shampoo is your chosen option, here is how to apply it:
- Prepare the solution per the instructions on the box. There are several carpet shampoo manufacturers, therefore it is essential to follow the instructions on the label (even if they differ from the methods we’ve detailed). Frequently, the product will require dilution with water.
- Just enough carpet shampoo should be used to cover the area.
- Do not overwet the carpet; not only will this waste detergent, but it will also lengthen drying time.
- Use a stiff-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the more tough spots.
- Allow the carpet to dry thoroughly.
- Once the shampoo has dry, vacuum it.
Top ten tips for carpet cleaning
Still have issue spots on the carpet? These helpful recommendations will assist you in solving a wide variety of issues.
Immediate cleanup is required for spills
This basic guideline applies to every substance, from hot chocolate to nail paint, that is spilled on the carpet.
It is always simpler to remove a stain from a carpet if you act quickly.
Acquaint yourself with the most frequent carpet stains and how to cure them.
When it comes to stains, carpets can take a beating; everything from dirt to red wine may easily wind up on the floor. Therefore, it is prudent to become familiar with the various types of carpet stains and how to remove them.
Test your cleaning solution before use
You should avoid damaging your carpet or altering its colour while removing a stain. Therefore, regardless of the cleaning product you use, you should always test it on a tiny, inconspicuous area first.
Always blot instead of rub
Regardless of the type of carpet stain, always adhere to this golden guideline. Rub a stain, and you risk spreading it and working it deeper into the carpet fibres. And this is exactly the reverse of what you desired.
Regardless of the cleaning solution you use, blotting is the best method. To achieve the greatest results, blot inwards from the outside of the stain to prevent its spread.
Use a squeegee to fight pet hair
We love our four-legged buddies. But why is their hair everywhere? Not at all. A squeegee is meant to remove things that create thin layers and adhere to a surface, such as pet hair on carpet. Simply moisten the squeegee and use it as you normally would on a window.
A lint roller is ideal for carpets with a dense pile
Obtain a lint roller if you discover that no matter how hard you vacuum your deep pile carpet, you are unable to remove all of the stray hairs. It will take up all of the hairs, crumbs, and other particles that the vacuum cleaner cannot remove.
Learn about the effectiveness of shaving cream
Believe it or not, shaving cream is one of the greatest carpet cleaners for general stains, since it can remove virtually any form of common dirt stain (think muddy footprints or smudges from small hands).
Apply shaving cream directly on the stain and allow it to rest for approximately thirty minutes. Once the shaving cream has hardened, remove any excess with a dry white towel. Spray the area with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water, and then wipe the solution away with a towel.
Remove chewing gum using an ice cube
It is far too simple to track gum into the home on the bottom of one’s shoe. However, if gum gets on your carpet, there is a remedy in your freezer.
Grab a handful of ice cubes and press them on the gum for thirty to forty-five seconds. Once the gum is frozen solid, use a spoon to remove it, and then cut the carpet fibres as near as possible to the gum using scissors or a sharp knife. If only a tiny portion of the carpet is removed, the stain will be unnoticeable.
Ice cubes can also be used to erase indents
Even though this is unrelated to cleaning, who doesn’t want to know how to remove those pesky furniture dents? Interestingly, ice cubes are also quite useful for this issue. Place a few ice cubes in the crater and let them to melt. Then, wipe the excess water and iron the area until it is completely dry. Once the fibres are nearly dry, they will be malleable and you may easily fluff these places by hand.
Vinegar and water can be used to disinfect carpets
If you have children and/or pets, it is a good idea to disinfect your carpet on a regular basis. It is a quick technique to eliminate outside bacteria and allergens from your carpet while also revitalising it.
Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Then, simply spritz this solution over your carpet and you’re done (a little spray is sufficient; do not drown the carpet).
This procedure may also be used after cleaning the carpet, since it helps the effects to persist longer.
How to maintain carpet cleanliness
When you have recently cleaned your carpet, the last thing you want to do is immediately clean it again. So, to keep your carpet cleaned for longer, heed the following advice:
Keep your carpet away from sources of potential stains
The simplest way to avoid the lengthy procedure of stain and dirt cleaning is to prevent spills from occurring. For instance, try to limit eating and drinking in carpeted areas.
Remove your footwear prior to walking on the carpet
This guideline is not always simple to adhere to, especially when dealing with youngsters. However, it is best to develop the practise of leaving your shoes at the door. Slippers, socks, or bare feet are far better for carpets.
Install a doormat to ward off dirt
Doormats placed either inside or outside the primary entrances to your home can significantly reduce the amount of dirt tracked within. And the greater the size of the doormat, the better.
Utilize furniture covers to avoid dings
The addition of covers to the ‘foot’ of furniture such as couches and sideboards may protect your carpets from unsightly dents and depressions. saving you time trying to eliminate them (and all the dust and dirt that accumulates inside them)
Create a cleaning routine and adhere to it
A decent rule of thumb is to clean your carpets once each week, depending on the amount of foot activity and grime they are likely to encounter. Consider getting your carpets professionally cleaned once a year.
What about alternative flooring options?
These days, most individuals have a variety of flooring in their homes. However, we have you covered regardless of the flooring type.
- Wooden flooring
- Laminate surfaces
- Tiles
- Rugs