Cleaning carpet is easy with the right methods and products. No carpet is one hundred percent stain free and in time, it could wear out. That is why cleaning and maintaining carpets are paramount. There are basic cleaning steps that a homeowner should undertake to make the carpets in their homes last for many years and retain their beauty.
Whether there are coffee stains, crayon marks or build-up of daily dirt and dust, all carpets need a bit of care and attention regularly. What puts a lot of homeowners off cleaning carpet is the effort involved in moving furniture and waiting for the fiber to dry. Nevertheless, carpet care and cleaning need not be difficult. Here are a few simple, swift steps to remove stubborn soils and lingering smells.
- DO NOT SCRUB. Never scrub the affected area, rather gently blot it. Continue blotting the residue using a clean white cloth or paper towels. The trick is to work staring from the edge going towards the center to avoid the spill from spreading.
- USE COLD WATER. Most soils and spillages could be removed with water, particularly cold water. For other treatments or solutions, it is necessary to test them first on a small area to ensure that there will be no damage and possible change of color.
- PRESS DRY. Make sure that the carpet is pressed dry between any steps during the treatment procedure. This is to help remove excess moisture.
- APPLY WATER. Once treated, apply water on a cloth until the carpeting is no longer sticky. Thoroughly blot up with paper towel or sponge.
- DRY. Put several layers of paper towels over the cleaned spot to absorb any remaining moisture. A hairdryer could be used to speed up the drying process. Never overheat the area and avoid walking on the carpet until it is completely dry.
- USE POWDER AS CARPET CLEANER. Powder is a great way of cleaning carpets. This is the best strategy for cleaning, whether it is baking soda or a powdered carpet cleaner. Sprinkle liberally over the flooring and leave for at least thirty minutes. Leaving it overnight is preferable for a cleaner time to work, soften stains and consumer odors. Vacuum the powder when done.
- USE CARPET SHAMPOO. There are different brands so it is important to follow the guide on the label. Make the solution as instructed on the packaging and use just enough to cover the area. Don't over wet the flooring to avoid longer drying time. Scrub on stubborn areas with a hard-bristled brush, let dry and vacuum off the shampoo when it has dried.
For handling dirt and stains, it is worth looking for a dedicated carpet powder instead of a shampoo to make the job quick. Shampoo take hours to dry while powder could be vacuumed faster and will do just as good a job as shampoo. Regardless of the cleaning product to use, the key is to carefully read the directions and follow instructions. There are also natural cleaning products, some could be found in kitchen cupboards that do wonders. Most people use tonic water or soda water to counteract coffee stains. Salt is also a good alternative to remove dirt or soak up fresh stains. Baking soda absorbs unpleasant smells among the fibers.
