Carpet-Cleaning Tips

Read Review of Steam Cleaner and Vacuum Cleaner Before you purchase, compare prices at Consumer Guide Products. Carpet vacuuming is the first step in maintaining your carpets. This is where we will start our article about carpet-cleaning tips. This is not the end of this article. You’ll find many other solutions to cleaning and stain removal.

We’ll start with the basics.

• Carpets should be vacuumed at least once per week and more frequently in areas with heavy traffic. Regular vacuuming will prolong the life of your carpet. It prevents the buildup of dirt particles that can damage carpet fibers. You can use your crevice tool to clean around radiators and baseboards every few weeks.
• Divide the floor into quadrants to vacuum wall-to-wall carpeting. After vacuuming one quadrant, move on to the next quadrant.
• You should take your time vacuuming carpets, especially plush carpets where dirt will be deeply embedded. A single pass with a powerful upright vacuum is not sufficient. You should go over each section of carpeting multiple times. The suction will remove all ground-in dirt and dust.
• Be especially attentive to areas where people sit or move their feet. These areas are likely to be heavy-trafficked and should be vacuumed with a series of intersecting strokes.
• New carpets can be treated with soil retardants. Follow the manufacturer’s advice. Only use professional equipment and the recommended methods to apply soil retardants.
• To combat odors, add baking soda to your vacuum bag.
  

Spots and spills can be different things than odors. Spots and spills can happen to any carpet, and they are not always easy to clean up. We’ll give you some tips on how to get rid of those spots and spills in the next section.

Carpet Spills and Spots can be cleaned.

Here is Rule No. 1. Clean up any spillages or spots on your carpeting immediately. You have a better chance of getting rid of the mess if you catch it as soon as it is fresh. These are some other tips:

• Before applying any cleaning product, blot or scrub the entire area as much as possible, remove the spillage.
• To ensure that the cleaner doesn’t cause damage to your carpet, you should test it in a small area. To ensure that they don’t damage your carpet, test any cleaning products you keep in your house.
• Do not rub the spillage — it could spread the problem to more areas.
• Spot cleaner should be applied from the outside to the inside of the stain to prevent spreading it. Blot any moisture after applying the cleaning solution.
• A white towel can be used to dry the carpet and bring it back to a standing place.
• If the carpet is still damp after blotting it, place a stack of 3/4-inch thick white towels on the area and weigh them with a heavy object.
  

What can you do if your carpet has become stained? Chocolate? Or Urine? Or Mud? These and other questions will be answered in the next section.

Here’s how to make your carpet freshener

• One cup chopped, dried herbs (rosemary and southernwood are great choices).
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Mix ingredients and sprinkle on carpet. Let the mixture sit for a while, and then vacuum.
  

Here are some variations on that combination:

• Combine 1 box of baking soda and a few drops of your favorite potpourri oils, then sprinkle it on the carpet as a carpet freshener. Let the carpet dry for 10-20 minutes before vacuuming.
• One cup baking soda, 1 cup cornstarch and 15 drops of essential oil scent. Let the mixture sit on the carpet for 10-20 minutes and then vacuum. The mixture should be stored in an airtight container or glass jar.
  

How to treat carpet stains

Your carpeting can be attacked by everything from wine to chewing gum. We’ll show you how to get rid of several stains.

• Acid stains: Quick action is required for acid spillages such as drain cleaner and vinegar. Mix them with water, baking soda or club soda immediately. Apply a mixture of ammonia (1 part) and water (10 portions). Use cold water to rinse, then dry and vacuum gently.
• Drink alcoholic beverages quickly with cold water. The liquid should be absorbed. Mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1-quart warm tap water. The solution should be applied to the affected area and allowed to dry. Use gentle vacuuming.
• Blood: Take in as much blood as possible. Mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1 quart of warm water. Let the solution dry on the area. Dry-cleaning fluid can be applied. After the carpet has dried, vacuum gently.
• Butter: Use a spoon to scoop up as much butter as possible. Let the carpet dry before applying the dry-cleaning liquid. Repeat the process if the spot persists. Gently vacuum.
• Use an ice cube to rub the candle wax. You can pull off the wax once it has hardened.
• Catsup: Use 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups of water to sponge the rug. You can wring the sponge until it is clean.
• Chewing gum: Chewing chewing gum can be sticky. Use an ice cube to press against the gum to make it more stable. The gum can be pulled out once it has hardened.
• Chocoholics: Scrape the chocolate immediately from the carpet. Combine 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. The solution should be applied to the affected area. Rinse thoroughly. Use gentle vacuuming.
• Coffee: Blot any coffee spilled immediately. Mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 quart of warm water. Let the solution dry on the area. Dry-cleaning fluid can be applied. After the carpet has dried, vacuum gently.
• Crayon: Use a scraper to remove excess crayon. You can also use a blotter to cover the crayon stain. Press it with a heated iron until it absorbs any melted crayon. To avoid it getting too saturated, move the blotter around frequently. Let the carpet dry before applying the dry-cleaning liquid. Use gentle vacuuming.
• Fruit: If fruit stains are left to set, they can be difficult to remove. However, if you act quickly, this will usually prevent a permanent stain. Clean up any fruit juice spilled. Combine 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 quart of warm water. The solution should be applied to the affected area and allowed to dry. Repeat the process if the spot persists. Gently vacuum.
• Gravy: Clean up any gravy that has gotten splattered. Combine 1 teaspoon of mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1-quart warm tap water. Apply the solution to the affected area. Let the carpet air dry. Let the carpet air dry. Vacuum.
• Mud: Let the mud dry completely, then scrape or brush off as much of it as possible. Combine 1 teaspoon of mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. Apply the solution to the affected area. Allow the carpet to dry. Apply the dry-cleaning liquid to the spot and let it dry. Vacuum gently after the stain is dry completely.
• Salad dressing: Use as much salad dressing you can. Combine 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. Apply the solution to the affected area. Allow the carpet to dry. Repeat the process if the spot is not gone. Gently vacuum.
• Soft drinks: You can quickly clean up spilled drinks with carbonation, but you need to act quickly because dyes in some soft drinks can permanently stain your carpet. Blot the drink. Combine 1 teaspoon of mild detergent, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1-quart warm tap water. Apply the solution to the affected area. Allow the carpet to dry. Repeat the process if the spot is not gone. Gently vacuum.
• Mix 1 teaspoon mild soap, 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 quart of warm water to make urine. The solution should be applied to the affected area. Allow the carpet to dry. Repeat the process if the spot is not gone. Gently vacuum.
• Vomit: Treat vomit quickly. Blot as much of the vomit as possible and immediately dilute with baking soda, water or club soda. Use a mixture of 1 part ammonia to 10 parts water. Rinse with cold running water and dry.
• Wine: If red wine spills on your carpet, you can dilute it with white wines, then wash the area with cold water, and then cover the spot with table salt. After ten minutes, vacuum up the salt.
  

If nothing seems to work, it may be worth trying a deep cleaning. This is the subject of our next section.

Carpets with deep cleaning

Every carpet eventually needs to be vacuumed. The carpet may feel sticky and matted; it is not the same color as the original carpet remnant; it is dirty around the edges or releases dust when you walk across the room.

If you feel that any of these descriptions apply to your carpet, it’s time to deep clean it. If you don’t have the time or strength to clean your carpet thoroughly, then it is time to call the pros. Only one way to clean is by calling in the professionals. Carpet Cleaning It is important to get to the back of the hair by using a shampooer. Rinse with an extractor.

Here’s how you do it:

• Test your carpet for colorfastness before you clean it. Apply the cleaning solution to a clean, dry towel. Using the cleaning solution on the whole carpet is safe if the towel doesn’t pick up any colors.
• Remove as much furniture as possible from the room and place foil or plastic wrap under the legs and bases to prevent staining.
• After vacuuming thoroughly, spot-clean the carpet and treat any stains.
• Follow the instructions of Bunbury carpet cleaners.
• You can only use one stroke to cover the carpet surface.
• Use light pressure when using the machine.
• Immediately wipe furniture legs and woodwork with cleaning products and foam to prevent any damage.
• After shampooing, rub damp fibers against the nap to aid drying.
• To speed drying, ensure that the room is well-ventilated following cleaning.
• Do not walk on carpets until they have dried completely.
  

We’ll now move on to the final section. Here you will learn to deal with special carpet problems such as burnt areas or loose threads.

Special Carpet Problems

You can simply place a large chair on the carpet to cover it if it is stained or burned. You can also use easy methods to restore your carpet’s original beauty.

• If the spot remover used alters the carpet’s color, you can touch up small areas with acrylic paint. If acrylic paint is not working, you can use a felt-tip or permanent-ink marker to mark the desired color. Blend the color slowly into the fibers.
• Steaming can be used to raise carpet depressions caused by heavy furniture. Steam irons should be held close enough to the carpet for steam to reach it. However, the iron shouldn’t touch the carpet fibers, especially synthetic ones, as they may melt. Scrape the fibers with a spoon or coin.
• You can snip the carpet thread to make it align with the pile if it is loose. You risk tearing a part of your carpet if you pull it out.
• You can repair large carpets by cutting out the damaged areas and replacing them with a patch of equal size and shape. Double-sided adhesive or carpet tape can be used to secure the new carpet.
• You can repair small areas that have been burned to the carpet backing by removing the charred fibers. Then, put white glue into the hole. Next, cut fibers from a scrap carpet or an inconspicuous carpet area (perhaps in your closet). Once the glue has set, stick the fibers in place. You can remove the burned edges of the fibers by using scissors if the glue is not to the backing. You won’t notice the slightly shorter lengths of a few carpet fibers.
  

You can get more use from your carpeting if you follow these tips. This is good news considering how expensive it can be to replace.