Picture this: you move into a new home, and all is fine and dandy for the first few months. Eventually, the carpet needs cleaning, as the dust and dirt always build up. But then you notice that the dirtiest part of the carpet is actually in the corners and edges of the room. No matter how hard you try, it won’t budge – so what do we do from here on out?

Dirt around the carpet edges is professionally known as filtration soiling, and it’s a handful to deal with even for experts. Still, not all is lost, but as any other issue, you need to keep a timely lid on it. As any other issue, before you can solve it, you need to know what it is, and why it’s there in the first place.

How to Clean Your Carpet Edges

What Causes Black Strips Along Carpet Edges?

You might be great at vacuuming, but those black strips along the edges of your carpet just won’t go away. It’s not your fault – it’s actually due to the airflow in the room.

Here’s how it works: when air enters a room faster than it can leave, it eventually has to find a way out. Think of it like a bag of crisps – if you squeeze it too hard, the air pressure will force a hole in the bag. Similarly, the air in your room will find the easiest exit, which often happens to be the edges of your carpet near the baseboards or stairs.

As the air escapes, it pulls dirt, dust, and debris along with it, causing the carpet edges to get dirtier faster than the rest. Over time, this results in those unsightly black strips, giving your carpet a worn-out appearance.

What creates black strips along the edges of your carpets

How Do I Get the Edges of a Carpet Clean?

Fair warning, doing this yourself is a lot of work, as the accrued dust on the edges doesn’t come off with a quick once-over of the hoover. Hoovering is still the main thing, but in terms of complexity, cleaning carpet edges is closer to rocket science than it is to chopping firewood. Since everyone loves a nice, tidy list, here’s one for what you need to clean the edges of your carpet:

  • A hoover (the crevice tool and brush attachment are mandatory!)
  • A spray bottle
  • Distilled water
  • Hydrogen peroxide (only for white or very bright carpets!) / Rubbing alcohol (for any other colour)
  • A scrub brush (preferably soft-bristled)
  • Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
  • A full arsenal of white colour fast cloth or paper towels
  • A lot of hard work and elbow grease, plus rubber gloves and a face mask

How to Clean the Dirty Edges of Wall-to-Wall Carpets

To clean the dirty edges of your carpet, follow these steps:

  1. Vacuuming the Edges: Start by attaching the crevice tool to your vacuum and slowly go along the edges, making multiple passes to ensure you lift as much dust as possible. Afterward, switch to the brush attachment for a more thorough clean. This extra step will help remove any remaining dirt and debris. Avoid skipping these attachments, as using only the standard nozzle will make your cleaning less effective.
  2. Using Baking Soda: Once you've minimized the dust, apply a generous layer of baking soda along the edges. Use a scrub brush to work the soda into the fibres. Let it sit for about an hour to absorb the dirt and odours. Afterward, vacuum up the baking soda. Repeat the process if necessary for stubborn areas.
  3. Dampening the Carpet: Mix a solution of 3 parts water to 1 part hydrogen peroxide (for light or white carpets) or rubbing alcohol (for coloured carpets) in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the edges of your carpet, being careful not to soak the area or get the solution on the walls.
  4. Blotting: Use a cloth or paper towels to blot the area, not rubbing or scrubbing. This helps absorb excess moisture without pushing dirt deeper into the fibres. Make sure your cloths are colourfast by testing them on a small area first. Once the moisture is absorbed, allow the carpet to air dry.

For more stubborn dirt, consider renting a carpet cleaning machine, like Rug Doctor, from your local store. Be sure to follow the instructions to avoid over-wetting your carpet.

Check also: Why Does My Carpet Smell After Cleaning?

How do I get the edges of a carpet clean

How to Stop Filtration Soiling: Effective Tips to Prevent It

Filtration soiling is an ongoing issue that can be difficult to fully eliminate, even if you remove your HVAC system. However, there are several ways to slow it down and minimize its impact. Here's how to prevent filtration soiling from taking over your carpet edges and home.

Regular Vacuuming

The best way to keep dust and dirt from settling into your carpet edges is to vacuum regularly. Aim for at least once a week, or 2-3 times a week if you have pets or children. Make sure to use the crevice tool and brush attachment first, then finish with the roller brush. Adjust the height of the roller brush according to your carpet fibers to avoid damage.

Clean Air at Home

To prevent dirt and pollutants from accumulating, ensure you're breathing clean air inside your home. Open your windows for 15-20 minutes daily and keep doors open when possible to promote air circulation.

Avoid smoking indoors, as it can leave particles that affect your carpets and walls over time. Keep your extractor fan on while cooking, and clean it regularly to maintain its effectiveness. If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s cleaned and inspected by a professional once a year.

Dusting and Surface Care

Dust not only visible surfaces but also fabrics, including curtains, carpets, and upholstery. Vacuum them at least once a week to remove any accumulated dust. Also, make sure to have your HVAC system checked and cleaned at least once a year, and clean A/C filters two to three times per season to improve air quality and prevent filtration soiling.

Reduce Clutter to Minimize Dust Build-up

Less clutter means fewer dust collectors, making it easier to clean and reducing the chances of dust settling into your carpets. Store decorative items, toys, and other dust-prone objects in closed containers to make dusting quicker and more effective.

Using an Air Purifier

An air purifier can significantly improve your indoor air quality and reduce fine dust particles. Consider using a high-quality air purifier, such as the Levoit Core 300. This compact unit is equipped with a 3-stage filtration system that removes allergens, smoke, and other pollutants from the air, helping to prevent dirt from settling into your carpets.

By following these steps, you can slow down or reduce filtration soiling in your home, keeping your carpets cleaner for longer and improving overall air quality.

How do you stop filtration soiling

How do Professionals Clean Carpet Edges?

Honestly, the hoovering part is all the same, as you can’t really make any changes with how carpet edge dirt needs to be vacuumed out. Of course, it’s worth noting that professionals have more powerful hoovers compared to what’s for sale on the regular market.

But the key to expert cleaning of carpet edges is a product called Prochem Filter-Out. This cleaning solution is sprayed on the edges, left to sit for 3 to 5 minutes depending on dirt level, and then rinsed out via water extraction machine. It’s important to note that on certain carpet fibres, it is better to remove this product using Fibre & Fabric Rinse B109, a product designed to rinse out other solutions in the safest way for the carpet. When this is the case, the latter is applied diluted 1:20 and with hot water, using the machine’s “hand tool” (the smaller handheld nozzle used for upholstery cleaning).

Alright then, that wraps up today’s article, and I hope you’ve learned something new today. We’re always open to suggestions on what to cover next, so don’t hesitate to let us know! See you soon!

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