Palaces decorate the interior, giving it comfort and individuality. However, since they are on the floor, they quickly become stained and dirty: the fleecy covering easily collects dust and debris and needs regular cleaning. Of course, you can turn to professionals for help, but such a service is not always available. How to get rid of dirt and stains yourself? In this article we will tell you how you can clean your carpet quickly, easily and at no extra cost.
Before you start cleaning the carpet, be sure to vacuum it and only then use cleaning products to remove dirt.
Home methods
The oldest method of cleaning carpets for floors is beating. But this method is not available if the coverage is very large. Therefore, housewives have to think about how to clean the product from dust and dirt without moving it from the floor. Home remedies such as baking soda or salt will help here.
To clean the carpet with baking soda, use 2 tbsp. l. dissolve the product in 5 liters of warm water. This solution is poured into a spray bottle and sprayed on the floor and left for an hour. All that remains is to vacuum the carpet.
It’s even easier to clean the lint with salt—the product is simply scattered over the surface, and after a few minutes, swept away with a damp broom. Salt will not only collect dirt, but also brighten the colors of the carpet.
Vinegar is an old, proven way to remove stains from rugs at home. You need to prepare a cleaning solution from:
- 1 tbsp. l. washing powder;
- 1 tbsp. l. baking soda;
- 60 ml vinegar;
- 2 liters of hot water.
The solution is sprayed over the coating, and then the product is cleaned with a stiff brush.
You can also prepare an effective homemade cleansing mixture that can remove even honey and strong dirt. To do this you need to connect:
- 1 tbsp. l. table salt;
- 250 g flour;
- 1 tbsp. l. crushed pumice;
- 1 liter of hot water;
- 50 ml vinegar.
All components are mixed well and then placed in a plastic container in the freezer. When the mixture hardens, it is cut into pieces and used to wipe the carpet. At the end of cleaning, the coating is vacuumed.
There is another universal remedy that can be used to wash a rug without removing it from the floor. Need to mix:
- 1 tbsp. l. washing powder;
- 1 tbsp. l. baking soda;
- 70 ml table vinegar;
- 1 liter of warm water.
The product is poured into a spray bottle and then sprayed onto the coating. All that remains is to clean the rug with a stiff brush and vacuum it.
Traditional methods
It is not always possible to clean the floor covering during knocking out, since its dimensions can be extremely impressive, and also due to the fact that heavy furniture can be placed on it, which is only in rare cases moved away, much less taken out of the room, for example, when carrying out major cleaning or repairs. In such situations, the removal of contaminants has to be done in the room itself, and folk remedies quite often help to effectively get rid of them. In addition, such components are often available in almost everyone’s home, and if they are not available, their acquisition does not require large expenses.
How to clean a carpet with baking soda
Soda is a natural and safe product for human health that does not lead to allergies or other adverse effects. When giving preference to it when cleaning carpet, it should be borne in mind that it may require re-application several times to obtain the desired result.
Baking soda can be used in dry and liquid form. In the first case, it allows you to quickly give the product a marketable appearance and eliminate exclusively fresh contaminants. It will not be possible to remove old stains during such cleaning and for this you need to resort to the second method.
With the dry method, actions must be carried out in the following sequence:
- The first step before cleaning is to vacuum the carpet.
- Next, pour baking soda evenly onto the flooring.
- After 30-60 minutes, you need to use the vacuum cleaner again. As a result, all the soda should be removed. If necessary, the carpet should be vacuumed several times.
If there is a stain on the floor covering after using this substance, then the indicated area must be rubbed with a brush or sponge.
Soda, which is in liquid form, helps to cope with complex stains. Cleaning in this way cannot be carried out on carpets of natural origin, since the materials, which are usually wool and cotton, are not able to withstand wet cleaning. When performing this, floor coverings made from them may be subject to deformation.
With the wet method, the process must be performed as follows:
- Initially, you also need to thoroughly vacuum the carpet.
- Add 1 cup of baking soda to a container with 10 liters of water and then stir it.
- The resulting solution should be sprayed onto the surface of the carpet using a spray bottle. If there are deeply ingrained stains on it, then after applying the composition you must carefully rub it into the pile using a brush.
- After an hour, using a vacuum cleaner, you need to remove the soda along with the dirt.
Note! Avoid over-wetting the floor as this may lead to mildew.
If the carpet is cleaned in winter or when it is cold, drying takes longer. Taking this into account, it is better to cleanse during the warm summer period, when drying occurs in less than an hour.
How to clean a carpet with laundry soap
Brown laundry soap is a universal option that allows you to effectively remove fresh stains on the surface of the floor covering. When using it, the cleaning process must be performed as follows:
- Initially, you need to grate a piece of laundry soap.
- At the next stage, it must be placed in a container with 1 liter of warm water and thoroughly mixed to achieve complete dissolution.
- The resulting solution should be poured into a spray bottle and sprayed with it onto the surface of the floor covering.
- After final drying, cleaning is required using a vacuum cleaner.
You can even use this method every week if you want to refresh the appearance of your carpet. It is not always possible to remove old stains using a solution of laundry soap, but it copes with fresh stains quickly and well.
How to clean a carpet with salt
Using table salt you can also effectively remove stains. Before cleaning the floor covering, it should be thoroughly vacuumed. If the carpet is not too large in size, then in winter it can also be cleaned well outside in the snow.
Upon completion of the preliminary cleaning, it is necessary to sprinkle table salt on the surface of the floor covering, and then use a brush to gently rub it into the pile. Then you need to wait 30 minutes. After the specified time has passed, you should use a vacuum cleaner and remove grains of salt from the surface of the carpet. After cleaning in this way, the floor covering regains its original shine.
How to Clean Carpet with Vinegar
In this situation, add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 0.5 liters of water. After mixing, the resulting solution must be carefully applied to the flooring using a sponge or brush. Once dry, it needs to be vacuumed. In addition, the carpet can be cleaned in other ways using soda and vinegar.
In the first case, actions must be performed in the following order:
- Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 liter of warm water and mix them.
- Next, you need to apply dry baking soda evenly over the entire carpet.
- After 40 minutes, the floor covering should be vacuumed again.
- After this, you need to take a vinegar solution and use a spray bottle to spray the composition onto the entire carpet or, if desired, only onto the stains present on its surface.
- Then again you need to wait for 40 minutes to expire. During this time period, vinegar will enter into a chemical reaction with the soda that remains in the pile.
- Finally, use a brush to clean the carpet, and then thoroughly vacuum it again.
You can also resort to another method, which also requires the use of soda and vinegar. It is carried out as follows:
- First you need to vacuum the carpet well.
- The next step is to mix vinegar with warm water in a ratio of 1:4.
- Next, using a sponge or brush, you need to apply the resulting solution to the floor covering and carefully wipe it off.
- Next, you need to soak up the solution with a clean, dry cloth, and when finished, allow time to dry.
- Finally, the carpet needs to be vacuumed to remove any remaining soda and dirt.
How to restore color brightness?
Over time, the brightness of the colors on the carpet becomes not as rich as before. But this can be easily fixed with homemade recipes.
Many housewives use a mixture of table salt and lemon juice to refresh the color of the carpet. You should squeeze the juice out of 2 fruits, and then stir it with 2-3 tbsp. l. table salt. Using a brush, wipe the carpet with this mixture and then remove it with a vacuum cleaner. The colors will become much brighter.
Salt water is another proven way to refresh the color of a rug. Dissolve a couple of tablespoons of salt in warm water, and then wipe the pile with a sponge dipped in the solution.
This unusual way to refresh the brightness of colors is not familiar to all housewives. You need to grate 2 potatoes and then pour 1 liter of cold water over them. When the mixture has stood for several hours, it is filtered. Wipe the entire surface of the carpet with this solution. The coating will become brighter.
Cleaning rugs without removing them from the floor
To keep the carpet in presentable condition, it is enough to thoroughly vacuum it once or twice a week and protect it from stains. Before cleaning, treat the surface (especially synthetic coatings) with an antistatic agent. It will get rid of electrified dust and remove static electricity.
For lint-free coatings, use special smooth attachments or turbo brushes with rotating rollers (for synthetic products). They collect stubborn dust more effectively.
Clothes rollers will help you mechanically remove animal hair, hair, and large debris. A broom works great for removing dust and debris.
Synthetic surfaces tolerate cleaning with a steam vacuum cleaner. It is important to consider that protein stains (blood, eggs, milk) cannot be treated in this way. They harden from exposure to high temperatures and become difficult to remove.
Household chemicals
Not all housewives use folk recipes to keep the house clean. Many people prefer strong household chemicals. If you are one of them, then first try cleaning the carpet using dishwashing gel or washing powder.
A little product is dissolved in warm water, and then the coating is cleaned with a brush. Finally, the carpet is cleaned with a clean and wet brush.
You can also use special products for deep cleaning of the pile. This is, for example, Vanish for carpet cleaning, which deservedly enjoys the love of housewives. This product can not only remove stains, but also refresh the color of the carpet.
Cleaning various types of rugs
It is easier to care for a rug than a carpet. Due to the lack of lint, it collects much less dust and dirt. However, in order not to spoil a beautiful thing, it is important to know the features of different types of coatings and choose the right care products.
Wool rugs
Such things serve as stylish and expensive interior decoration. They are created manually and by machine. There are products made from 100% wool (sheep, camels, goats) and mixed versions. Impurities of silk and viscose give a noble shine. Natural wool rugs:
- warm, soft, pleasant to the touch;
- indestructible, due to high nodular density;
- durable, wear-resistant.
But they require careful treatment, they are afraid:
- temperatures above 40°C (fibers are deformed);
- high humidity (bacteria multiply, the smell of rot and mold appears);
- aggressive chemical reagents with a pH greater than 7 (destroy the structure, disturb the color);
- prolonged exposure to sunlight (fading);
- pray.
They are suitable for cleaning without water using gentle neutral preparations intended for natural coatings. For example, in the Cinderella brand line there is a powder with an anti-moth effect (the insecticidal effect lasts up to 5 months).
Dry snow will help you safely and effectively remove dirt from your rug. Fresh stains can be removed with soapy water. Lemon juice diluted in a liter of water renews colors and makes them brighter. It is important to avoid getting too wet.
Artificial
This category includes products made from viscose. Rules for caring for such rugs:
- vacuum carefully, using a smooth nozzle on both sides;
- do not knock it out, but carefully shake it out (once every six months);
- avoid alkaline, chlorine-containing drugs;
- do not use Vanish;
- do not allow moisture to enter.
Dry cleaning is done using home remedies. Cover the artificial carpet with salt or soda overnight. In the morning, remove with a vacuum cleaner or brush. For household chemicals, the best choice is Dr Schutz dry foam.
Synthetic
These are the most low-maintenance options. They can be easily cleaned with folk remedies, household chemicals, and vacuum cleaners. Thanks to woven production, classic rugs do not have an adhesive base. Therefore, the products even withstand washing very well.
Advice! New synthetic carpet often produces an unpleasant odor. To solve the problem, leave the product for a couple of days in the fresh air, for example, on a balcony. For six months after purchase, you should not clean it intensively. It is enough to sweep away the debris with a brush or broom.
To wash a very dirty rug, prepare a thick, easy-to-use deep cleaning gel.
- Grate 100 g of soap (72%). Fill it with a liter of water. Put on fire, do not bring to a boil, stir until the soap is completely dissolved.
- Pour 200 g of soda with another liter of water. Add it to the mixture. It is important to ensure that no foam appears on the surface.
- Remove the gel from heat when the mass becomes homogeneous. The consistency should resemble thick sour cream.
- When the solution has cooled, it is poured into jars.
- If the mixture subsequently thickens, add water to it. Heat the mixture over the fire until the desired consistency is obtained.
The gel is applied to the rug, rubbed in, and left for a couple of hours. Then it is washed off with water. It is important to carry out the procedure during the hot season. It is better to dry in the shade, as some types of fibers (nylon) fade.
Long pile rugs
Today there are woven coverings with a heterogeneous texture and multi-level pile. They look stylish, but require more attention. In this case, it is easy to clean the carpet at home using foaming agents. They will help wash away dirt and dust from the entire surface, including areas with long pile.
How to remove an unpleasant odor?
If shoes are frequently walked in the house or there are pets, the carpet may begin to smell unpleasant. It is especially difficult to remove the smell of urine from the coating.
Table vinegar will help remove the unpleasant odor. Simply moisten a sponge in pure vinegar and wipe the pile with it. Baking soda will also help remove bad odors. When cleaning the carpet with soda, the unpleasant odor will also be eliminated.
If the carpet is dark in color, then potassium permanganate will help get rid of the bad smell. It is necessary to dilute a little potassium permanganate in 1 liter of water, add a few drops of iodine. The solution is used to wipe the pile with a sponge.
Old smells from flooring can be removed with fabric conditioner. Air conditioning will refresh the palace.
Dry cleaning services for rugs
If you want to clean a rug in Moscow or the Moscow region and at the same time get a guaranteed result and return the product to its original appearance, contact a cleaning service. Our specialists:
- undergo vocational training;
- they work only with high-quality household chemicals made in the USA and Swiss equipment;
- competently select chemicals to remove stains.
The price of such a service starts from 100 rubles. per m 2. We offer free advice from a manager and call a specialist. In case of a large order, pleasant bonuses and discounts await you.
How to clean carpet from stains at home?
There are several ways to remove stains at home. Fat, oil, ink, wine, coffee, etc. are suitable for this.
Fat and oil
Rugs laid in the kitchen are especially susceptible to contamination. They most often contain traces of oil and food residues.
You can try to wash off fresh marks using “Fairy”: apply to the stains and leave to soak for an hour. After this, part of the contaminated carpet is washed under clean water.
To remove old stains, you need purified gasoline, which is sold at any hardware store. Prepare a mixture for cleaning from 200 ml of soap solution and 30 ml of gasoline. All components are mixed, wipe the contaminated mark with the mixture, and after 20 minutes remove it with a clean rag. When the carpet is dry, vacuum it thoroughly.
There is one option - moisten the sawdust with gasoline and place it on top of the stain, wait 20-30 minutes until the composition is absorbed into the carpet, and vacuum it.
Ink or paint
To remove such stains, you should make a solution of vinegar and lemon juice. It will help remove any dirt other than oil paint.
Traces of ink or paint are removed as follows:
- Add 1 tbsp to a glass with 70 ml of water. l. vinegar (if you don’t have it, you can replace it with 1 teaspoon of acid), mix.
- Apply to the stain using a sponge and wash off with water.
Blood
Blood stains can only be removed if they are fresh. First, you need to wash the contaminated rug with cold water, which dissolves blood proteins, then clean it with a soapy solution.
If the blood has already been absorbed, you can remove traces using ammonia, salt, or washing powder. You may have to have the carpet dry cleaned if the stains are too old.
Wine
Fresh traces of wine can be removed with a solution of vinegar and soap. Wipe the carpet with a solution based on laundry soap, treat it with a sponge, soaking it in vinegar. Finally, you need to wash the carpet and dry it.
Coffee, fruit juice
To remove traces of juice or coffee, you need to mix water with ammonia, pour it into a spray bottle, treat the stains and wipe the carpet with a dry sponge.
You can try to remove fresh stains using a soap solution: first, place an absorbent cloth on the stains, then apply the solution and wipe with a brush. If this method does not help, apply glycerin to the carpet for 2-3 hours, then a soap solution, and clean the residue with a vacuum cleaner.
The essence and advantages of the method
The contaminated product is sanitized at home. Cleaning a rug with soda and vinegar is possible in at least two ways: dry and wet. The first option involves distributing soda over the entire surface of the product and then cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner or broom. The cleansing effect is achieved due to the fact that sodium bicarbonate particles adhere to dust and dirt.
Wet cleaning is carried out using a soda solution. It is recommended to add lemon juice, acid, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to it. This is necessary to cause a chemical reaction that occurs with the formation of many bubbles.
Penetrating deep into the fibers, the effervescent mixture dissolves even old dirt. After this procedure, the carpet will be clean everywhere, including the base, where it is impossible to reach with a brush. You need to use a vinegar-soda solution to wash rugs at home immediately, before the reaction ends. Advantages of the method:
- no unpleasant odor or harm to health;
- low cost;
- versatility.
Soda dissolved in water removes stains from any synthetic rugs and carpets, including those used in a children's room. As for store-bought drugs, not all of them are so safe. However, the method also has disadvantages. Soda solution cannot be used if the product is made of natural fibers, for example, wool. It is also not always possible to wash the rug the first time, and some stains cannot be removed even with the help of several procedures.