Floor carpets amaze with their variety of materials and intricate patterns. They bring comfort, retain warmth and are simply pleasing to the eye. But both expensive and cheap products sooner or later become dirty.
Accidentally spilled coffee, blots from children's paints and felt-tip pens, cat or dog hair - this is an incomplete list of the main enemies of our carpets. In addition, the material absorbs all household odors and quickly becomes dusty.
You can't do without regular cleaning. But how can you make your favorite carpet look beautiful again? You can use the services of dry cleaners or try effective folk remedies that have been tested by more than one generation of housewives.
We will tell you how to clean a carpet at home quickly and effectively in the article below.
Traditional methods and recipes for use at home
Our grandmothers and mothers mostly used simple recipes from improvised means, because in those years there was not such a variety of household chemicals.
Natural substances did an excellent job of removing stains, preserving the family budget and the aesthetic appearance of the carpets.
Here are some of the most effective methods and budgetary means:
How to clean with laundry soap?
It is a real lifesaver. Removes stains not only from clothes, but also from carpets.
Before use, you must prepare a solution based on water (1 liter), soap shavings and turpentine (1 tablespoon each) . All ingredients are thoroughly mixed to form a good foam.
Apply the solution using a soft bristle brush. Then wipe off the dirt with a cloth. After washing the foam, the carpet is left to dry. After airing, the smell of turpentine will go away completely.
Baking Soda and Vinegar: Fast and Effective
The cleaning procedure consists of several stages:
- First, sprinkle the stain generously with soda and leave for 30 minutes.
- After this, the powder is removed with a vacuum cleaner.
- In 1 liter of warm water you need to dilute 1 tbsp. l. vinegar (9%). The resulting solution is poured into a spray bottle and sprayed onto the carpet.
- After half an hour, it is cleaned with a stiff brush, moving strictly in the direction of the pile.
Soda and vinegar (1 tablespoon each) can also be diluted with water (800 ml) with the addition of a small amount of washing powder. The solution is suitable for spraying and acts even faster – in 10 minutes.
Soda
The principle of operation and method of application is the same - spraying. For 5 liters of slightly warmed water, use ½ cup of powder.
The solution is applied for approximately 30 minutes. Then all that remains is to vacuum the carpet.
You can also cope with dust deposits using dry soda:
- it is scattered on the surface,
- rub lightly
- collected with a vacuum cleaner.
Read more about ways to clean carpets using baking soda here.
Peroxide
One of the most effective ways to remove unpleasant stains from the carpet and restore its brightness and freshness.
First you need to prepare the washing liquid: combine 0.5 cups of peroxide with soda (2 tablespoons) and stir until the grains are completely dissolved.
Spray the carpet with thin streams and wipe away dirt with a soft cloth, then apply the solution again and let it “work” for 15 minutes.
If necessary, rub the stain several more times and dry the carpet completely. To do this, you can use a fan or a small outdoor fireplace.
Washing powder
Suitable for different types of carpets: natural and synthetic . It also copes with the most common stains.
You need to dissolve a little powder in a bucket or basin. You need to stir it vigorously so that the granules are completely dissolved, otherwise they will penetrate deep into the pile and will be difficult to clean.
To work with soap composition, it is better to use a sponge.
Lemon acid
Breaks down even the toughest stains . Apply a little concentrated solution or fresh juice to the carpet. After a couple of hours, it is removed with plain water. Washing is necessary to prevent the fibers from sticking together.
Lemon will help cope with household odors (smoke from the kitchen, animal odors, etc.).
Snow
There is nothing better than natural carpet cleaning. The frost will kill bacteria and dust mites. Dry snow will cope with traces of blood and “surprises” from pets.
You need to rub the carpet with snow on both the front and back sides . Turning it upside down, you can walk on it so that as much dust as possible comes out of the pile. The remaining snow is swept away with a broom.
After such cleaning, the house will be filled with the smell of freshness that no chemical substance can provide.
In-store arsenal for home carpet cleaning
If you want to reliably clean the carpet from dirt, purchase any of these products at the store. They were included in the list of the best.
What products are suitable?
"Vanish"
Cleaning a carpet with Vanish is quite easy and simple - the strong cleaning foam effectively removes the oldest stains. The only disadvantages of this product are the high price and not very large volume (one bottle is enough for 2-3 sessions).
"Mitex"
This is a cleaning powder with anti-allergic properties. It can be used not only for carpets, but also for soft upholstery, as well as other textiles. The product copes well with dust and dust mites, but it will not be able to cope with more difficult stains.
"Flash"
Another great helper in the fight against stains on carpets. Moreover, this product allows you to get rid of unpleasant odors, including cat urine.
"Karcher"
This is an environmentally friendly detergent for carpets and upholstery. It works very simply: the foam is absorbed into the pile, after which it dries and becomes a powder. It can be removed with a regular vacuum cleaner.
"Sunlux"
A common product that does not contain harmful substances. It dissolves dirt well between the fibers of the rug.
"Spot Lifter"
A unique powder that can be used dry or wet. Suitable for all types of carpets.
"Extra Profi"
Removes stains from blood, chewing gum and plasticine from the coating.
Professional means: which is better to use?
- Faberlic. Liquid concentrate for cleaning carpets, does not damage the pile, removes stains perfectly and gives pleasant freshness. The cost of the bottle is 300 rubles.
- Karcher. One of the best remedies. The powder does not cause allergies, forms an active foam that fights almost all types of contaminants, and has a pleasant aroma. One package costs 1400 rubles.
- Nordland. High quality dry cleaning product. It comes in aerosol form, which is very easy to use. Price – 350 rub.
Features of dry cleaning from dirt
It is produced using special powders, which is why it is often called powder.
Indicated for carpets made of natural materials that cannot be wetted. This avoids shrinkage and deformation of the delicate pile.
The maximum effect is achieved in the fight against fresh and minor stains. The dry cleaning process is quite easy and quick.
It consists of the following stages:
Go over the carpet with a vacuum cleaner to remove a layer of dust and lift the pile.- Spray conditioner on for about 15 minutes to help remove stains more easily.
- Spread the powder in an even layer.
- “Drive” the powder into the pile with a special device for dry cleaning.
- Rub with a sponge and leave for a while.
- Remove any remaining powder with a vacuum cleaner.
- Additionally, you can use a stain remover.
- A long-pile carpet is sometimes combed to restore its neat appearance.
Unusual methods of dry carpet cleaning
Folk remedies suggest turning to very unexpected options for cleaning carpet.
For example, you can use homemade cabbage that has not been made with vinegar. The cabbage, slightly dried from the brine, is scattered over the carpet; debris and dirt stick to the cabbage particles. You can repeat the procedure by collecting and rinsing the cabbage. You can leave the cabbage to dry on the carpet, then you can vacuum it later. Many housewives consider this method effective, despite its external extravagance.
Another unusual cleaning method that is only suitable for dark carpet is cleaning the carpet with tea leaves. In this case, wet tea tree leaves are spread over the entire surface of the carpet and allowed to dry. Tea gives a pleasant smell and removes dirt, but in the case of a light carpet it can leave stains the color of brewed tea. For this type of cleaning, it is not necessary to brew fresh tea; you can use what is left after drinking tea. Small-leaf tea is better; it penetrates well into the structure of the carpet.
If scattering cabbage or tea over the carpet is too bold for you, you can turn to industrial chemicals specially made for easy cleaning of carpets at home. Typically, such products are presented as granules or powders that do not need to be further dried after cleaning. Dry carpet cleaning is often called powder cleaning, based on the shape of the most popular cleaning products. But this is only in appearance; in fact, the powder granules are not a surfactant, but a sponge. Micro sponges easily absorb dirt, form foam, and are easy to remove with a vacuum cleaner.
Professional products are more convenient and effective, but traditional ones are more environmentally friendly and cheaper. When choosing any cleaning method, you need to follow an effective cleaning sequence.
How can you clean a very dirty and old carpet, depending on the coating?
When removing stubborn dirt, it is worth considering the color and type of pile. This information will help you choose the right effective and gentle remedy.
Pile type
For long-haired hair, use a soap solution with good foam . It is applied only with a soft cloth. Hard brushes and sponges can ruin the appearance of the product. The most serious stains are additionally treated with a steam cleaner; it is also recommended to purchase special equipment.
There are much fewer problems with short pile. Heavily soiled carpets are cleaned with dry and liquid products. Folk recipes will not harm him either. This type of carpet dries quickly and accumulates less dust.
Color
For dark carpets it is not recommended to use starch, soda or powder. They leave behind ugly stains.
It's better to take:
- vinegar,
- turpentine,
- ammonia.
It is safer to clean white carpets with special products; you can also use :
- soda,
- salt,
- laundry soap.
But lemon juice will leave yellow marks.
Material: viscose, silk, synthetic
Before treating the carpet with any means, look at the label. Natural materials (wool or viscose) require careful handling.
From available means, it is best to use starch or soda; it is also worth purchasing high-quality chemicals for carpets.
Synthetic carpets are easier to care for. It is enough to vacuum them regularly. Stains must be removed while they are fresh, using any convenient means. This way there will be no unnecessary hassle with the carpet. It is better to dry clean silk carpets .
Read more about how to clean wool carpets in this article.
Cleaning Features
The requirement for care and the difficulty of maintaining a white carpet are due to the fact that the slightest dirt is noticeable on it. Added to this is the difficulty of maintenance - not every product can be used on such a delicate surface.
Dry cleaning of such a carpet is no different from caring for dark models: it is periodic vacuuming. You should try to remove stains from the surface before they become ingrained.
The following points should be taken into account:
- composition of the material;
- nature of pollution.
When it comes to caring for a white carpet, the following principles should be taken into account:
Regular use of a vacuum cleaner . If there is already dirt on the carpet (stains, cigarette ashes, etc.), then you must first remove them. Otherwise, even with a vacuum cleaner they can be spread over a larger area.- The use of cleaning products should be thoughtful - you can only use household chemicals that are intended for cleaning carpets.
To remove serious stains from an expensive white carpet, it is recommended to contact a professional.
Types of brushes
Various devices are used to clean carpets. As for brushes, you can choose the following models:
Manual. It is easy to use and accessible. You can choose brushes with optimal stiffness and bristle length. They help get rid of stains and pet hair.- Mechanical. With the help of rollers, the brushes move and collect small debris from the carpets. It accumulates in a special compartment. A good alternative to a vacuum cleaner.
- Vacuum cleaner attachments for cleaning hair . Quickly and effectively copes even with stubborn hair and is suitable for most types of carpets.
How to properly remove specific contaminants yourself at home?
Often unexpected dirt remains on the carpet. In each case, there are tricks that allow you to restore the beautiful appearance of the coating. This article will tell you about removing various old stains.
Lizun
Has the consistency of jelly. A fresh stain from a toy can be removed using various traditional methods:
- peroxide,
- soda,
- laundry soap and the like.
Dried dirt is first carefully scraped off with a knife. Next, you will need to treat with special powders or shampoos for cleaning carpets with active ingredients.
Read about ways to remove slime from carpet here.
Plasticine
To harden the stain, you need to use ice cubes. They are wrapped in film and gently moved over the plasticine until it becomes hard. Now it can be easily removed using a plastic knife.
The remaining greasy trace can be removed by any means such as:
- "Vanish"
- “Selena Kovrol” and so on.
The main thing is that they are strong enough to break down fat molecules. Methods for removing plasticine from carpet are described in more detail here.
Mercury
It is necessary to close the door to the room and open the window . Collect mercury balls using a rubber bulb or syringe and release them into a glass jar. Treat the carpet with bleach or potassium permanganate.
To avoid damage to the pile, you can use a solution of laundry soap (2 tablespoons) with soda (1 tablespoon) + 1 liter of hot water.
Read about how to properly and safely remove mercury from a carpet here.
Blood
Fresh stains should be removed with a paper towel or cotton wool soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Ammonia (tbsp / 500 ml of water) will help to completely discolor the marks.
Zelenka
You can quickly deal with fresh contamination:
- regular alcohol
- ammonia,
- peroxide.
You can also use a stain remover. Another tip is to expose the rug to the sun. The brilliant green itself becomes discolored from ultraviolet light .
Smells
They are easy to deal with:
- vinegar,
- lemon juice,
- coarse table salt,
- Various aerosols can be sprayed periodically.
You will find effective recipes for removing various odors from carpet in this article.
Urine marks
You can remove a stain without a trace only if it is fresh. With old marks, it is better to go to dry cleaning.
To remove a stain, you need:
Collect all liquid with napkins.- Then prepare a solution of vinegar (1 part) with water (3 parts).
- Water the area generously with this liquid, open the windows and leave for a couple of hours.
- After this period, sprinkle the stain with regular soda.
- When the soda has absorbed all the moisture, you can simply sweep it away with a broom, brush, or suck it in with a vacuum cleaner.
Finally, spray a small amount of your favorite fabric softener diluted with water.
Read about ways to remove traces and smell of cat urine here, dogs - in this article, left by a child - here.
How to clean a carpet at home?
Luckily, there are proven methods for cleaning carpets without moving them or using water. Of course, the rules of apartment hygiene still require high-quality washing and beating of the carpet every three months if you want your carpet to be perfectly clean and safe.
Cleaning carpet at home with baking soda
Baking soda is a well-known helper for housewives and is also indispensable in dry carpet cleaning. Soda can be used even on long-pile carpets, which are known to be the most capricious when choosing a cleaning method. Dry cleaning the carpet with soda allows you to refresh the color of the carpet and remove odors.
The carpet is cleaned with a soda solution, which is applied with a spray. Per square meter of such cleaning requires 10 grams of baking soda per 1 glass of water. It is necessary to spray the entire surface of the carpet with this solution, warm. Now you need to wait for the carpet to dry completely. This usually doesn’t take very long, but the water must be completely dry, otherwise you won’t be able to remove the soda.
The carpet can now be vacuumed. This way, without washing or moving a heavy carpet, you can make it look fresher and cleaner.
Soda is an excellent absorbent. If this property is not neglected, it can be used to combat unpleasant odors. For example, to remove the smell of urine from the carpet, which remains after an unsuccessful trip to the toilet of your pet, you need to wipe the stain as much as possible with napkins and cover it with baking soda. After a short time, you can vacuum the carpet: the soda will be removed, and the carpet will no longer smell.
Cleaning carpet with salt
The rugs are usually beaten from dust in the yard or beaten by laying them out on clean snow in winter. After this, you can additionally treat the carpet with salt. If it is not possible to carry out these activities, you can only use the salt method.
To clean one average carpet you will need 1 kilogram of coarse salt. It is necessary to distribute the salt over the entire surface of the pile in a thin layer. Grains of salt are rubbed into the carpet using a damp brush. It is important to do this carefully and not damage the structure of the carpet. After two hours, the salt can be removed with a vacuum cleaner. After such cleaning, the carpet will not only get rid of dirt, but will also begin to shine. This method is one of the most budget-friendly and easiest methods for cleaning carpets at home.
Cleaning carpet with vinegar
Vinegar is known for its color-restoring properties and as an excellent remedy for combating unpleasant odors. By removing the carpet with vinegar, you can not only clean it, but also restore its brightness. Spray a vinegar solution (2 tablespoons of vinegar per 1 liter of water) onto the pile, then work with a brush. Dry the product with treated lint. What does dry cleaning mean if it still uses liquid products?
The vinegar solution is a liquid product, however, the treated carpet does not require additional drying: it does not need to be moved, hung outside, turned over, or used technical means for drying. A small amount of vinegar and water will dry on its own in a couple of hours.
Humidification should not exceed 10%, which prevents deformation, shrinkage and streaks. Dry cleaning is easier to do at home. Cleaning is also considered dry, after which a thorough rinsing of the active cleaning agent is not required.
Using different vacuum cleaners
Today, every housewife cleans her home with a vacuum cleaner. But there are several options for this technique. And cleaning is different for each of them:
- Ordinary. The most common device that is found in every home. Helps remove particles of dust and animal hair from the pile. Before you start cleaning stains, you need to thoroughly vacuum the carpet to rid it of excess dirt.
- Washing. Steam cleaners help you quickly disinfect and clean your carpet. Baking soda and textile shampoos are used as auxiliary products. The result is simply magnificent. The pile becomes clean, acquires its original color and pleasant smell.
You can find out how to clean a carpet without a vacuum cleaner, for example, from pet hair, here.
When is it time to wash your carpet?
According to the rules of apartment hygiene, carpet cleaning should be carried out once every three months. We are not talking about using a vacuum cleaner, but about knocking out the carpet on a crossbar and then washing it. However, you will have to resort to cleaning the floor covering even more often if...
- ...there is a small child in the house (children often play on the floor; if the mother is distracted for a second, there will be a wet puddle, spilled juice or watercolor on the carpet);
- ...you have pets (a cat can mark a newly purchased carpet, and a dog can leave dirty prints after a walk);
- ...the rug or carpet lies on the kitchen floor (the appearance of greasy stains, traces of tea, wine, coffee, etc. is inevitable);
- ...you notice that the carpet gives off a musty, stale aroma.
We recommend: How to restore a cast iron frying pan if it rusts?
There are effective and simple methods for cleaning lint at home. Women can also clean a carpet using these methods, since there is no need to lift it and carry it.
Order dry cleaning
It’s better not to try to clean expensive natural carpets yourself. It is also very difficult to remove stubborn stains. To do this, they resort to dry cleaning services. This procedure will cost at least 2,000 rubles, but it will help preserve the carpet.
When choosing a dry cleaner, it is worth considering some nuances:
- it should be a professional dry cleaner, and not just a cleaning company;
- Recommendations from friends and honest reviews on websites will help;
- Cleaning carpets at home is a way to siphon off money;
- You shouldn’t chase cheap services; they are often offered by amateurs.
Reviews
On forums, housewives share their secrets of cleaning carpets . Among the available means, the leading ones are salt, soda, vinegar and ammonia. Each housewife chooses professional products individually: some prefer dry cleaning, while others prefer wet cleaning.
One of the most effective and fastest ways is to use a steam generator. This is especially true in homes where there are small children. Thorough cleaning is accompanied by disinfection.
Users agree on one opinion: it is better not to clean expensive carpets yourself, but to entrust them to professionals. Reviews can be read here and here.
Useful tips
Carpets should be vacuumed at least once or twice a week.- Dry clean regularly to restore the material's bright colors and pleasant aroma.
- Do not allow stains to eat in and dry out. It’s easier to remove them “without delay.”
- In winter, be sure to take carpets and rugs out into the snow.
- Do not use aggressive bleaches.
- Any new product should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the carpet (for example, under furniture).
Precautionary measures
Cleaning carpets at home and selecting effective products must take into account the material, length of the pile and color of the carpet.
- Natural carpets (wool). Clean with a vacuum cleaner, once a year you can carry out wet cleaning on both sides along the pile. It is recommended to use baby shampoo; salt is prohibited, as it corrodes the base. Products containing bleach are contraindicated. The cleaning company has special vacuum cleaners that do not harm carpets and clean well.
- Silk carpeting. It is recommended to entrust cleaning of products to specialists. You cannot use various chemicals with bleach and solvent; the following methods are prohibited: wet cleaning, use of a steam generator.
- Product made of viscose. It is recommended to dry clean the carpet at home. Household chemicals and the use of hard brushes are not allowed. Cleaning with foam is allowed once a year.
- Synthetic carpet. The carpet without an adhesive base can be washed, washed with cleaning products, and wet cleaned. Adhesive-based carpets are cleaned using household chemicals. It is forbidden to dry in the open sun, as polyester is afraid of direct rays and the color is lost under their influence.
- Carpets made of linen, cotton. The products are resistant to wet cleaning; only dry cleaning of the carpet is recommended.
- Product with a jute base. Stains must be removed immediately after they appear, otherwise the stains will dry out and become impossible to clean. Twice a week you need to clean the carpet with a vacuum cleaner. Mineral water neutralizes tomato juice and wine well. Do not wash or use wet cleaning, especially on long piles; steam cleaning is not recommended.
- Tufting. Use dry carpet cleaning only. When vacuuming, the pressure should not be too strong; cleaning should be done in one direction.
- Fur carpets. To prevent the white pile from turning yellow, you need to clean it with a solution of hydrogen peroxide (1 tablespoon of product per 1 liter of clean water). The contaminated area is wiped with a cloth soaked in glycerin or vinegar essence, then cleaned with alcohol and combed. Wet cleaning, drying with a hairdryer, or on a radiator are prohibited. Stains from fur can be removed with a special solution: dilute 3 tsp in 500 ml. salt and 1 tsp. ammonia.
Hand-made products. Prohibited: dry cleaning of carpets with home remedies, washing, steam treatment, use of chemicals such as Vanish, Yplon, Tuba. When cleaning at home, only special products containing hydrocarbon KWL solvents are used.
