Carpet cleaning

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 markers, cat fur or dogs - 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 mainly used simple recipes using improvised materials, because in those years there was not such a variety of household chemicals.

Here are some of the most effective methods and budgetary funds:

How to clean with laundry soap?

It is a real lifesaver. Removes stains not only from clothes, but also from carpets.

Before use it is necessary to 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:

1. First, sprinkle the stain generously with soda and leave for 30 minutes.
2. After this, the powder is removed with a vacuum cleaner.
3. 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.
4. After half an hour, it is cleaned with a stiff brush, moving strictly in the direction of the pile.

Soda

The principle of operation and method of application is the same - spraying. Does 5 liters of slightly warmed water work? cups 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 methods of cleaning 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.

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.

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 rug 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.

Professional means: which is better to use?

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

The maximum effect is achieved in the fight against fresh and minor stains. Process dry cleaning Quite light and fast.

It consists of the following stages:

1. Go over the carpet with a vacuum cleaner to remove a layer of dust and lift the pile.
2. Spray conditioner on for about 15 minutes to help remove stains more easily.
3. Spread the powder in an even layer.
4. “Drive” the powder into the pile with a special device for dry cleaning.
5. Rub with a sponge and leave for a while.
6. Remove any remaining powder with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Additionally, you can use a stain remover.
8. A long-pile carpet is sometimes combed to restore its neat appearance.

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 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.

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.

White carpets It’s safer to clean with special products, also can be used:

• 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.

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. Silk carpets are best dry cleaned.

Read more about methods of cleaning wool carpets in this article.

Types of brushes

Various devices are used to clean carpets. Concerning brushes, then you can choose the following models:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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. He will tell you about removing various old stains this article.

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.

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.

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 discolors 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:

1. Collect all liquid with napkins.
2. Then prepare a solution of vinegar (1 part) with water (3 parts).
3. Water the area generously with this liquid, open the windows and leave for a couple of hours.
4. After this period, sprinkle the stain with regular soda.
5. 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. Detergent. 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.

For example, how to clean a carpet without a vacuum cleaner. from pet hair, you can find out here.

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.

Users agree on one opinion: it is better not to clean expensive carpets yourself, but to entrust them to professionals.

Useful tips

1. Carpets should be vacuumed at least once or twice a week.
2. Dry clean regularly to restore the material's bright colors and pleasant aroma.
3. Do not allow stains to eat in and dry out. It’s easier to remove them “without delay.”
4. In winter, be sure to take carpets and rugs out into the snow.
5. Do not use aggressive bleaches.
6. Any new product should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the carpet (for example, under furniture).

Conclusion

Cleaning carpets helps to maintain their attractive appearance longer and rids the apartment of excess litter and dust. Only the hostess decides which method to use.

Whatever remedy is used, the main thing is not to neglect your home, constantly keeping it clean.