Carpets have always been an important interior element of any home and office. Moreover, they say a lot about the personal taste of the home or business owner. The colours, the composition, and the condition can reveal many details about the person owning them. Below, you will see useful tips on how to maintain your carpets pristine and ensure their long service life.
Carpet cleaning at home should be done at least once a week, especially if it is light coloured and has a long nap. It is best carried out with the help of a broom or a vacuum cleaner. You may use a variety of home remedies to remove dirt, like dish soap, baking soda and white vinegar.
However, domestic cleaning hacks cannot remove all issues. Deep carpet cleaning services by professionals should be ordered at least once every six months. Read more below on what services professional carpet cleaners can provide for your textile flooring.
What are the professional carpet cleaning methods?
Here are some of the most commonly used professional carpet cleaning techniques:
Steam carpet cleaning
This method is otherwise known as hot water extraction cleaning, and with proper equipment, it may be cold or warm water. A powerful cleaning machine is used to spray heated water under pressure into the carpet fibres.
This is usually done with eco-friendly carpet cleaning solutions. Most of the chemicals are water soluble powders or water-based fluids. This carpet cleaning method is very effective on stained areas.
Carpet shampoo cleaning
A similar method to steam cleaning, with the equipment being a notable difference. The cleaning chemicals are agitated with a contra rotating brush machine, then rinsed out of the carpet fibres. This technique is the weapon of choice for cleaning carpet with increased foot traffic.
Dry carpet cleaning
Dry cleaning is performed with a minimal amount of water. The cleaning solutions are powder or granule type, and sprinkled onto the fibres directly. They may be pushed deeper inside with the use of a contra rotating brush machine, or disc machine. Afterwards, the powder is hoovered out of the fibres.
When you contact professionals, make sure to specify what type of carpet you have, if you are aware. Certain carpets can only be cleaned with warm water, and others are solely suitable for dry cleaning. For those who do not call the experts for every stain, we have a list of home remedies for you.
Check also: How to Get Pet Poop Stains out from Carpet?
How to remove carpet stains with home cleaning products?
The following home remedies can be used by anyone, and are mostly spot cleaning tips. We will show you how to deal with stubborn stains from coffee, tea, red wine, ink and chocolate. Of course, if you want to rent a steam cleaner, you can do so if the carpet fibres allow it. Just be sure to leave the carpet to dry completely after you have cleaned it with a Rug Doctor machine.
If a stain on the carpet occurs, blot it with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Make sure you always use colour fast towels to blot, or you may worsen the stain. It is important to go slowly from the edges to the centre, and try to collect the spilled liquid.
Before applying any of the cleaning hacks below, you need to study the fibres. Reckless cleaning method plus delicate fabric is a recipe for disaster. And you should be more vigilant if your carpets are light coloured, as brighter colours absorb stains easier.
Can baking soda remove carpet coffee stains and smells?
Baking soda is an excellent home remedy for numerous carpet related issues. It doubles as a cleaning product and a disinfectant, due to its absorbent nature. The best part is that once it has soaked the stain and odour, you can simply hoover it out of the fibres.
Baking soda can easily deal with coffee stains and smells on your carpet. First, quickly blot the stain to absorb the vast majority of the liquid. Then, sprinkle baking soda, covering the whole stained area, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Hoover your carpet with a powerful vacuum cleaner once the soda has absorbed the remaining stain and the smell.
Will salt remove food and oil stains from carpets?
Salt is your go-to cleaning treatment for any greasy stains from food, as well as cooking oil and olive oil. These stains are rather common if you have carpet in the living or dining room, and children or pets. The important thing is to not panic and not let the stain settle, as grease is difficult to remove.
The process of using salt to clean is exactly the same as using baking soda to remove carpet stains. Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel first, then sprinkle salt on top of it. The salt will be easy to hoover out of the fibres once it has absorbed the grease.
Is white vinegar a carpet stain remover?
White vinegar is a 100% eco-friendly way to deal with germs and bacteria sneaking around your carpet fibres. Vinegar works wonders in disinfecting the fibres, and dissolving various stains affecting them. However, observe proper ventilation, as the acetic acid in vinegar has a rather strong smell.
Dilute about a cup of white vinegar in three cups of warm water, and pour in a spray bottle. Shake and stir the bottle, then spray it over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Blot and hoover the carpet afterwards, and enjoy a disinfected carpet free of spillages.
Will club soda deal with red wine stains?
Club soda is a fizzy drink, which means it is naturally good at dealing with spillages. The fizz agitates itself, penetrates the stain and begins pushing its particles to the carpet surface. This chemical process will make the blotting and soaking part a lot easier for you.
Club soda can be used to remove red wine stains, and can save your carpet fibres in doing so. As it is fizzy water, it leaves no stains of its own. However, you should still blot and rinse thoroughly, as it contains sugar, which may attract pests.
Can ammonia be used to remove vomit stains?
If a sick accident happens, remove the harder pieces of digested food by scooping them with paper towels. In a spray bottle, mix water with ammonia in a 10 to 1 ratio, then apply it on the carpets. After 5 to 7 minutes, remove the solution via blotting, and repeat if necessary.
Ammonia is an acid which can deal with other acids, stomach acid included. However, it is also a rough chemical, and may burn your skin when applied recklessly. Always use protective gloves when you apply ammonia to your carpet fibres with a sponge or towel.
Can rubbing alcohol remove ink stains?
Rubbing alcohol is a good paint thinner, and a stain from ink is more or less similar to paint. It is proven to be effective in removing bodily fluid stains as well, such as blood. This efficient and potent solvent is available in every local pharmacy or drug store.
Dip a clean white cloth in rubbing alcohol, then dab the stain lightly over the whole area. Take care to never rub, as you may push the ink further into the fibres. Blot the stain until the towel soaks it up, then blot with another cloth dipped in cold water.
Read also: Is Ammonia a Carpet Cleaning Solution?