Carpets tend to absorb dirt, stains and animal hair as well as mold and mildew. Taking good care of your carpet will prevent dust mites, fleas and carpet bugs from living there. Read on for information on everyday carpet care, deodorizing and complete cleaning techniques.
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Method 1 of 3: Keeping the Carpet Clean
Step 1. Vacuum the carpet regularly with a vacuum cleaner
You can buy a quality vacuum that sucks dirt out of the carpet fibers, especially if you have furry carpets or if you have cats and dogs. Vacuuming regularly keeps your carpet looking and smelling fresh.
- Vacuum the carpet several times a week. If you have pets, you may need to vacuum them every day.
- Do not do the suction process in a hurry. Even a high-powered vacuum needs time to suck dust, dirt and fluff from the bottom of the carpet fibers. Run the vacuum over the carpet more than once to make sure it's completely clean.
Step 2. Protect the areas of the carpet that are frequently passed
If your carpet reaches your front door, kitchen, or other areas of your home that tend to be frequented, consider protecting those areas by installing protective floor coverings or plastic rugs. That way you won't have to bother cleaning lumps of dirt and grass clippings with a vacuum cleaner every day.
- Carpet protector plastic has the added bonus of allowing the carpet to remain visible through clear plastic. This is a less flashy way to protect your carpet from dirt.
- Use a narrow carpet for the hallways, which tend to be passed frequently.
Step 3. Clean up spills immediately
Allowing the spill to soak into the carpet until it dries on its own will make it even more difficult to remove the residue. If you deal with the spill quickly, you will save a lot of time.
- Use a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb the spill, then pour baking soda over the area and let it sit for 15 minutes. When the spill is completely dry, you can clean it up with a vacuum.
- If wine or colored liquid is spilled, add a little coub soda before sprinkling the baking soda.
Step 4. Learn the proper technique for removing old stains
Sometimes it can be difficult to remove stains immediately. If you're faced with old wine or coffee stains, don't panic; Many carpets are prepared with stain-resistant chemicals, so stains are usually not too difficult to remove. Use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to lightly spray the stained area and then wipe it clean with a cloth. For deeper stains, saturate the area with vinegar or carpet cleaner, sprinkle with baking soda, and vacuum the area once the baking soda dries.
- Do not try to rub the stain on the carpet. Rubbing on the carpet will damage the fibers and make the stained area look worse.
- Do not spray the stained area with too much vinegar, water, or other liquid. If it soaks too deep into the carpet as it dries, it can cause mold growth.
- Thinner carpets can be effectively cleaned by using a mixture of lemon and salt. Clean the stained area carefully to avoid a different color remaining on the carpet.
Method 2 of 3: Remove Odors from Carpets
Step 1. Vacuum the carpet
Prepare your carpet for a deodorizing treatment by vacuuming it first. If your carpet holds a lot of dirt, sweep it first to remove the lint and loosen the dirt, then vacuum.
Step 2. Make the deodorizing mixture
Carpets can be effectively cleaned using products that may already be in your closet. Mix the following ingredients in a bowl that you will no longer use for cooking:
- 1 cup borax (available at hardware stores)
- 2 cups corn flour
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Step 3. Clean the stained or smelly area with vinegar and water
Fill a spray bottle with half the vinegar solution, then half the water and spray the area that needs cleaning. Make sure not to over-water it, as you don't want the moisture that hasn't evaporated to cause mold to grow.
Step 4. Sprinkle the cornstarch mixture on the carpet
Spread it evenly around the carpet, focusing on the areas that tend to be the dirtiest or smelliest. Leave the room and allow the mixture to soak into the carpet for an hour.
- Keep children and pets out of the room as the mixture soaks into the carpet.
- Don't use so much powder that your vacuum is difficult to handle. A little sprinkling is enough to remove odors and light stains.
Step 5. Vacuum the carpet one more time
Run the vacuum a few times over the carpet to remove the cornstarch mixture. When finished, remove the vacuum bag.
Method 3 of 3: Clean Carpets Thoroughly
Step 1. Buy or rent a carpet cleaning machine
Difficult stains and odors can be removed with a carpet cleaning machine using hot water and a cleaning chemical to wash your carpet fibers.
- Carpet cleaning machines can be rented from home and garden supply stores, Wal-Mart, and carpet stores or specialty vacuum stores.
- Carpet cleaning machines come with a cleaning solution and stain removal treatment. It's important to know what type of carpet you have before renting this machine, so you can make sure you're using the right cleaning solution for your carpet.
- You can also hire a professional to come to your home and use this tool to clean your carpet.
Step 2. Vacuum the carpet
Make sure it is completely clean of all dust and dirt before you start your deep cleaning treatment. Sweep the dirtiest areas of the carpet to remove dirt before vacuuming.
Step 3. Pre-treat the stained area
Most carpet cleaning machines come with a liquid that needs to be applied to the stained area before cleaning. If you don't have a stain remover available, spray the stained area with vinegar first.
Step 4. Add water and cleaning solution to the machine
Follow the instructions that came with your machine to add an appropriate amount of water and carpet cleaner.
- In some cases water and liquid are each held in separate tanks; as directed, take the tank and fill it with water or cleaner.
- Make sure the tank is properly attached to the machine before starting work.
Step 5. Start the engine then clean your carpet
Run the engine slowly over the carpet, making sure to suck every bit of it. You can repeatedly go through the cleaned area to make sure nothing is missed. On some engine models, you will see dirty water splashing in the container when the engine is working properly.
- If the machine runs out of water or cleaning fluid, turn it off and unplug it. Drain the soiled liquid, rinse the tank, and refill it with clean hot water and cleaning solution.
- Dirty liquid can be flushed down the toilet.
Step 6. Dry your carpet
Within a few hours it should look and smell like new.
