Top 10 DIY Carpet Cleaning Tips
No matter how careful you are, your carpets will become the victim of messy accidents, spills and splashes. To tackle these problems effectively and keep your carpets looking new, here are our top ten DIY carpet cleaning tips.
How To Clean Your Own Carpets?
1) Blot Stains
Best 1 Cleaning experts advise against vigorously rubbing the spots to remove them. The problem with this approach is you drive the stain further into the carpet, leading to a premature breakdown of the fibers. Instead, gently dab at the stain with a cleaning solution and paper towels, a clean cloth, or a sponge. Work from the perimeter of the stain toward the center because blotting outward can spread it further.
2) Iron Stains
Another way to get rid of stains is to use a hot iron. First, vacuum the area to eliminate any hard particles, then treat the stain with a 3:1 mixture of water and vinegar. Give the solution at least five minutes to work its way into the carpet, then place a towel on top of the stained area and apply a heated iron. A combination of pressure and heat lifts the stain and transfers it to the towel.
3) Get Rid of Pet Hairs with a Squeegee
Vacuuming rarely removes every strand of pet hair from carpets, unless you have a Dyson Ball Animal Upright Vacuum. It’s the most effective vacuum at removing pet hair, dander, and dust mites. With various attachments and incredible suction power that I haven’t seen from any other vacuum, the Dyson Ball Animal is sure to get the job done!
If you don’t then use a squeegee. They may well be designed for windows, but they also do a great job of picking up pet hairs. Wet the squeegee and use it as you would if you were cleaning a window, moving it back and forth across the carpet. The rubber loosens embedded hair, making it easy for you to pick up clumps that accumulate.
4) Apply Baking Soda
Baking soda is a wonder cleaner that can eradicate oil stains and pet accidents. Sprinkle a big spoonful of baking powder on top of the stain and lightly mist with water. Leave it for three to six hours. The powdered chemical compound acts as an absorbent and sucks the oil out of the carpet.
When the time has elapsed, just vacuum up the powder. This will leave a lighter stain that can be blotted away. If the stain is particularly stubborn, repeat the process.
Baking soda will also mask the smell of pet accidents.
5) Give Your Carpet A Blast of Shaving Foam
With this straightforward, low-cost approach, spray some shaving cream (not shaving gel|) onto the stain and let it sit for around 30 minutes. The soapy liquid can lift a variety of marks, everything from shoe skid marks to coffee. After 30 minutes, blot the remains of the stain away with a clean cloth.
6) Vacuum Thoroughly and Regularly
To protect your carpet, vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week to reduce soil build-up. Your other carpets can be vacuumed weekly. Make at least two passes over each area, moving the vacuum horizontally and vertically. This is the most effective way to suck up dirt from carpet fibers, which are usually twisted. And always start with a clean bag or filter. When dirty, a vacuum’s suction power can be cut by as much as 50%.
7) Use a Lint Roller
Sometimes, no matter how hard you vacuum a carpet, there are still crumbs, hair and dirt that your cleaner just can’t handle because they get stuck in the fibers. An excellent solution to this problem is a lint roller. Slide it over the carpet, and you’ll be amazed at how much it can pick up.
8) Sprinkle Copious Amounts of Salt
Another great carpet stain removing tip is to cover a fresh stain with lots of salt immediately. After a few minutes, you’ll see the salt start to change color as it absorbs the liquid. Leave for at least 15 minutes, then vacuum up the salt. If there is still a mark, repeat the process.
9) Deodorize with Vinegar
Carpets are very absorbent, which means they tend to hold on to pungent smells from spills and smoking. Bust the foul odors by putting one cup of vinegar and two cups of warm water into a spray bottle and spritz the carpet. As the vinegar dries and dissipates, it takes the foul smells with it.
10) Ice Your Carpet
Don’t panic if there’s chewing gum stuck to your carpet. Dab the gum with an ice cube and leave it in place for a couple of minutes. Once the gum is frozen, hard and stiff, gently pull it off the carpet.
With the right DIY carpet cleaning techniques, you can have your carpets looking fresh and spotless.
Happy cleaning!