7 Tips On How To Clean Carpet Effectively – Nowadays, almost everyone has carpet in their homes. But it can be difficult keeping those carpets looking so clean when we all live such busy lives. It’s easy to clean your carpet yourself, but it takes a lot of time and attention. Staying on top of cleaning means that you’ll keep your carpets looking as good as new and revitalise your home.
Without further ado, here are 7 tips on how to clean the carpet effectively.
Use Carpet Shampoo
For a thoroughly clean carpet, using carpet shampoo is a must. It tackles mud, dirt and other dark stains to bring your carpet back to its original colour. Not only does carpet shampoo make the carpet look cleaner, but it also freshens it and makes the room smell pleasant. The freshly shampooed carpet will feel soft and unmatted. You can easily shampoo a carpet by hand. Simply apply the shampoo and then scrub the carpet with a cloth, brush or mop.
This is a high effort job, but it will be worth it afterwards when your carpet looks fresh and soft.
Vacuum Carpet Regularly
The quickest way to stop dust and dirt from settling into your carpet is to vacuum it regularly. Vacuuming is part of everybody’s weekly cleaning routine, so this isn’t something that requires much more effort than usual. Just make sure to pay attention to the entirety of the carpet so that you don’t miss any corners. If you have pets or a lot of people living in your house then you likely need to vacuum often.
Vacuuming your carpet as soon as you spot dust or dirt will prevent it from causing damage or discolouration.
Don’t Rub The Carpet To Clean It
It is natural instinct to immediately rub away a spillage, but this can damage a carpet and cause a stain. Applying too much pressure will just work the stain into the carpet and permanently mark it. Instead, you should blot the carpet when you notice grime or spillage. Blotting is the act of gently pressing a clean cloth down over a stain to stop it from setting in. Simply use a clean cloth and leave it pressed over the spillage to absorb it.
You won’t need to rub and risk damaging your carpet because blotting will effectively clean it up.
Use Baking Soda
If you don’t want to spend money on expensive cleaning products then baking soda is a household-friendly choice. You can sprinkle baking soda over stains to completely eliminate any odours that they may cause. A mixture of hot water and baking soda is also an effective carpet cleaner for non-greasy stains. This simple combination will soak into the carpet and start to dissolve the stain.
For greasy stains, you should absorb as much of the grease as possible with a cloth before adding baking soda. This method of cleaning takes longer than those previously mentioned because you have to leave the baking soda to work. However, it is easily vacuumed up afterwards and your carpet will have been cleaned effectively and affordably.
Pay Attention To The Type Of Carpet That You Have
There are a variety of carpets to choose from, so it’s important to pay attention to the type you have. This is because different carpets need different types of care and, thus, different cleaning methods. You have to be very gentle when cleaning a shag carpet, for instance, because the fibres can be broken easily. It would be better to use a cloth on a shag carpet because a vacuum or shampoo may damage it.
Your carpet’s colour is another obvious thing to consider as well because a lighter colour will show damage more quickly. You should immediately blot or shampoo a light carpet to avoid discolouration, but a darker carpet will need less attention.
Use Ice For Sticky Substances
The fibres of a carpet will be easily damaged by sticky substances like chewing gum or sticky tack. Getting these out while they are still soft is impossible to do without ripping out fibres as well. You can use an ice cube on these types of marks to harden them. Then, use another object, like a piece of cutlery, to scrape the hardened substance off the carpet. This will limit the damage done and prevent the substance from hardening by itself and setting further into the carpet.
Shaving Cream Is A Cure For Grease And Discolouration
Similarly to baking soda and ice, shaving cream is another household amenity that can be used to clean the carpet effectively. Start by blotting stains to remove any excess greasy residue and then apply shaving cream and let it sit. Like baking soda, shaving cream will penetrate the stain and leave behind moisture when wiped up. You can use a sponge to soak up the moisture and your carpet will be left soft and stain-free.
Any shaving cream should work fine, so there is no need to purchase an expensive brand. Shaving cream also has anti-ageing effects for your carpet because it replenishes the colour and the texture.
7 Tips On How To Clean Carpet Effectively – Conclusion
Stains can be caused easily by spillages, dirt and dust, so it’s important to stay on top of carpet cleaning. The tips in this article are mostly applicable to any carpet. However, as tip five suggests, pay attention to the carpet you have to ensure the best results for your home. Shampooing your carpet is a widely used and effective method of cleaning, but there are also cheaper options out there.
It is crucial to know what type of carpet you have and what type of damage has been caused. Then, act quickly and accordingly to prevent further damage and keep your carpets looking fresh and new.
