5 Tried-and-Tested Carpet Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work : Carpets add warmth, cosiness, and style to any space. However, maintaining them is no walk in the park.
Between the inevitable spills and the mysterious discolorations that appear overnight, they seem to have a talent for collecting dirt and grime.
Although your reliable hoover will help with everyday cleaning, your floor coverings will require some extra care occasionally.
You do not have to necessarily invest in pricey tools or fancy products to keep them looking fresh.
Even the worst stains can be removed with a few basic tips approved and tested by carpet cleaning specialists. Here are our top five hacks.
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The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar
These two kitchen staples make quite the dynamic duo. Their powers are not limited to culinary uses. Besides baking cookies and dressing salads, they also banish stains and odd smells from different fabrics.
When it feels like nothing will ever lift the filth, they come to the rescue. Liberally apply baking soda straight on the soiled area.
Give it a few minutes to absorb any moisture and bad odours, and then spray equal parts water and white vinegar on top. There will be some bubbling, which signals that this handy concoction is working its magic.
Let it fizz for about five minutes before softly dabbing the area with a fresh cloth. Your rug will appear as good as new once you hoover the residue after it dries.
This hack is not just good for your budget. It is also a great, non-toxic option for families with children or pets.
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Club Soda for Spotless Results
If you have ever spilled red wine on your clothes at a social gathering, someone must have told you to put club soda on it.
This is a great trick to have up your sleeve, and not just at dinner parties. It works perfectly on liquid-based stains, such as juice and coffee. It even removes pet urine from fabric-covered surfaces.
For this to work, you must act quickly. Grab the club soda bottle as soon as the leak occurs. Pour some generous drops on the soiled area, and then dab it with a cloth or paper towel.
Avoid rubbing at all costs. Otherwise, you will drive the spill farther into the threads. The carbonation is powerful enough on its own. It will break down the staining particles, pulling them from the fibres so you can easily blot them away.
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Ironing out Stubborn Stains
Steam cleaning is a common technique in most carpet cleaning services, but did you know that your home iron could be as effective on specific stains?
This approach lifts dirt that is deeply ingrained in the fibres, as the high heat amplifies the effects of cleaning solutions.
Add one part white vinegar to three parts water, and spritz the mixture on the discoloured area. To dislodge the stuck particles, let it soak for a few minutes.
After enough time has passed, drape a moist cloth over the stain, and then gently run a heated iron over it for fifteen to twenty seconds.
The heat from the iron, combined with the dampness from the cloth, will pull the stain right off of the carpet.
This trick is perfect for eliminating dried stains, including crusty food residue and mud. However, if you are dealing with delicate fabrics or pricey rugs, you should not take any chances.
Have trained cleaners handle it with their specialised gear to protect your precious floor coverings.
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Shaving Cream for General Cleaning
The non-gel varieties of shaving creams are true miracle workers, not just for removing unwanted hair. Good old shaving cream is a great fix for most carpet stains.
Apply a little bit straight to the stain, and let it sit for around half an hour before blotting the area with a dry cloth.
Finish by spraying the spot with equal parts white vinegar and water, and then wipe it dry once more. This works great for your average spills and splatters, but it does have its limitations.
Most notably, it will not help when it comes to firmly embedded dirt and allergens that have built up over a long period of time. Reliable carpet cleaning services are your best bet for those.
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Freezing Away Gum
Trying to wrestle gum out of the fine threads of your rug will make you want to throw the whole thing out. Gum is one of the hardest things to remove from fabrics. This is especially the case with intricately woven materials.
Its sticky nature attracts dirt, making your carpet look significantly more filthy than it actually is. Fortunately, there is a way to get it out without tearing off the delicate fibres.
All you need is an ice cube. Gum loses its flexibility when frozen, allowing you to lift it from the carpet without roughly tugging at the fibres.
Place as many cubes as needed straight on the gooey mess, and let it harden for a few minutes before scooping it up with a butter knife.
This is an ingenious, low-effort approach that will cost you almost nothing.
When to Seek Professional Maintenance Help
Although these tips are excellent for daily upkeep and minor mishaps, even the best DIY projects fall short sometimes.
Occasionally, specialised cleaning providers, such as hot water extraction or chemical treatments, are needed.
Regular expert cleanings guarantee that your delicate heirloom rugs and expensive floor coverings will remain in excellent shape for longer periods.
They also remove hidden debris, along with invisible germs, allergens, and bacteria that conventional techniques do not always eliminate.
In return, this helps improve the air quality in your home. Consequently, after your floor coverings are thoroughly cleaned, you will be able to sleep and breathe better.
Conclusion
You can now say goodbye to the endless, backbreaking scrubbing.
These pro tips will help you handle stains and spills without spending too much time or effort. It is worth mentioning that they require no special purchases. You probably already have all the necessary supplies right at home.
From freezing gum into submission to the vanishing trick of baking soda, these simple techniques will keep your carpets looking absolutely pristine.