There’s no doubt that carpets can be a bit tricky to maintain. With the right hacks, however, keeping your carpets looking great has never been easier.
For example, sprinkle dry baking soda over wet carpet to absorb the moisture and deodorize at the same time. Rubbing alcohol also works wonders on greasy stains – just soak a cloth in the stuff and blot until the stain is gone.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural, gentle cleaning product that’s inexpensive and effective for removing stains and eliminating odors. It also reduces the need for harsh chemicals, which carry a larger ecological footprint. Baking soda can simply be sprinkled on carpets and left to sit before being vacuumed up, with no harmful residues remaining in the fibres of your home’s floor coverings.
If your carpets are saturated with a grease stain, Stein suggests making a paste from water and baking soda, applying it to the affected area with a brush, and letting it dry. This method can also be used on non-greasy stains, such as those caused by kids’ spills or pet accidents. After the area is dry, vacuum the carpet, and be sure to test it for colour-fastness before using again.
Another way to use baking soda is by sprinkling an even layer over your carpeting and leaving it undisturbed for at least half an hour to overnight, depending on the odour you’re trying to eliminate. You can then vacuum away the powder, which will leave your carpets with a fresher, cleaner smell.
However, if you’re looking for a solution that’s less messy and more effective at eliminating odours, then try adding a teaspoon of Borax (which is found in laundry detergents) to your baking soda before spreading it on your carpet. This will not only help to remove odours from your carpet, but it will also kill germs and microbes in the process.
One of the most common cleaning hacks that is seen on social media involves pouring a heavy layer of bicarb onto your carpet in order to remove stains and deodorize it, but this is actually quite bad for your flooring. According to cleaning influencer @TheBigCleanCo, this is because the baking soda particles will be too small for your vacuum to suck up and will stay attached to the carpet, thus actually trapping the odours inside.
To avoid this, instead, you can mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle, apply it to the affected area with a clean cloth, let it dry, and then vacuum as usual. This mixture is more powerful at removing tougher stains and odours and won’t damage your carpets, furniture, or floors.
2. Essential Oils
Vacuuming your carpets on a weekly basis or even daily in spaces with high traffic and/or pets is an excellent way to keep them clean and healthy. However, it shouldn’t be your only method of maintenance. In order to squeeze more life out of your carpets, try some advanced cleaning hacks in between professional carpet cleanings.
Essential oils are known for their odour-dispelling properties and can be used as an effective carpet freshener. Just add 10 to 20 drops of your favourite essential oil to a 16-ounce box of baking soda and mix until the baking soda absorbs the oil. Next, apply the mixture to your carpet and leave it for about five minutes before vacuuming it. This carpet cleaning hack not only smells great but also leaves your carpet feeling soft and fresh.
Baking soda is a staple for cleaning a wide variety of surfaces and can be just as effective on your carpets. Besides being a deodorizer, it can help to fight stains and discoloration. Make a homemade deep cleaner for your carpet by mixing 3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of dish soap, 5 drops of essential oil and 1 gallon of water.
One of the most common problems with carpets is unsightly stains. Whether it’s coffee, tea, blood or artwork from a little one, these can be a pain to remove. Hydrogen peroxide is a safe and effective solution that can be applied full-strength to stained areas. Leave it to work its magic on the stain for a while until you see it foaming and fizzing, then take a paper towel and blot up the liquid.
Another quick and easy trick is to use a lint roller on problem areas after vacuuming. Lint rollers have a special stickiness that helps them to collect hair and other small particles that can be missed by a standard vacuum cleaner. You can find these handy tools at any local store and they won’t cost you more than a couple of dollars. Just be sure to test them out on an inconspicuous area first to ensure they won’t damage your carpets.
3. Shaving Cream
It may seem surprising, but shaving cream is an effective carpet cleaner. Its thick foam helps lift and suspend gunk and general stains until they can be blotted away with a clean cloth. To use shaving cream as a carpet cleaning hack, apply it to the stain and let it sit for around 10 minutes. Once the time is up, blot the area and vacuum it up. This trick is especially useful for pet stains and other liquid-based stains, as it can quickly and easily remove them from your carpet.
For general stains, you can also try spraying the affected area with white vinegar. This simple solution is also very effective for fighting odors. It works by soaking up the bad smells and eliminating them from the source. You can also try using club soda for tackling stubborn and smelly carpet stains. Simply pour enough of the club soda onto the affected area to saturate it. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then gently blot the area with a dry cloth to lift the stain.
Other common household products that can be used as carpet cleaning hacks include baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Baking soda helps to fight odors and removes many different types of stains, from coffee spills to ketchup mishaps. It also makes a great natural alternative to harsh chemicals and is easy on the wallet. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, can be mixed with water to create a paste that is very effective in removing tough and smelly stains. It’s important to remember that when using any type of cleaner, you should always test it on a small area first.
Another carpet cleaning hack that you can try is sprinkling some baking soda on the floor before vacuuming it. This will help to prevent odors and make your carpets smelling fresh. This trick is particularly useful if you have children or pets, as it will reduce the amount of unpleasant scents that are circulating in your home. Moreover, it is also a great way to keep your carpets looking new for as long as possible, without spending money on expensive professional services.
4. Ice Cubes
In our zeal to avoid paying a fortune for professional carpet cleaning, we sometimes forget that the best tools reside in our own kitchen cupboards. Using everyday ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, salt, and shaving cream will help keep your carpets in top condition without costing you an arm and a leg. Though they can’t replace a professional carpet clean, they will help extend the life of your investment.
If you have heavy furniture in your home, it’s likely that some areas of your carpet have developed unsightly dents. These impressions aren’t just unattractive but they also trap dirt and make it harder to remove. Instead of rubbing the spot, which can work the stain deeper into the fibres, try putting an ice cube in each dent and allowing it to melt. Then, blot up the excess water with a towel and iron the area until it feels completely dry.
You can even use ice to tackle stubborn carpet stains such as gum, which is a nightmare for many homeowners. The cold hardens the gum, making it much easier to pull out with a spoon or dull knife.
Another way to freshen up your carpets without breaking the bank is by using Borax. It’s not a name you hear every day, but it is a handy ingredient to have in your cupboard, especially if you own pets because it gets rid of odors. Just sprinkle it over your carpet, leave to absorb for a few hours and then vacuum.
Similarly, if you want to fluff up high traffic areas of your carpet without having to hire a carpet cleaner, just mix equal parts water and vinegar, spray over the area and then run a spoon along it, whereas steam cleaning instantly destroys dust mites and bacteria. The fluffing action will help to revive your carpet and bring it back to its former glory. Just be sure to wear gloves when handling biohazardous liquids such as vomit and urine. This will prevent any bacteria breeding from taking hold in the carpet fibres. By regularly applying these simple hacks, your carpets will stay smelling fresh and looking clean for longer.
