Effective methods and methods on how to clean a white (light) carpet at home
A white carpet is a very effective element of interior design. It suits many settings and looks very flattering, but only when clean.
Caring for it is much more difficult than motley and dark carpets. But the problem of cleaning such a product can be completely solved by using folk recipes and household chemicals.
In this article we will tell you how to clean a white or light-colored carpet at home - quickly and effectively.
Content
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.
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 must be considered – you can only use household chemicals that are intended for carpet cleaning.
To remove serious stains from an expensive white carpet, it is recommended to contact a professional.
Proven folk recipes
If the stain has just appeared, you need to act quickly. First, blot it with a clean, dry cloth, trying to collect as much of the spilled liquid as possible.
Wipes should be changed as needed. Having collected all the excess moisture from the carpet, you can move on to the next stage - removing the stain.
Ammonia
The use of ammonia is recommended for removing water-soluble stains left by: tea, vomit, coffee, chocolate, etc.
To prepare the solution you will need the following components:
- clean water (1 glass);
- ammonia (1 tbsp).
To achieve better distribution throughout the pile, without excessive moisture, it is recommended to pour the prepared product into a spray bottle. This will make the stains easier to handle.
Procedure:
- Spray the mixture onto the stain.
- Treat the area of contamination with a sponge.
Hydrogen peroxide
For a fresh blood stain on a white surface, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
You need to act quickly:
- Blot the stain with a napkin.
- Moisten the pile with cold water.
- Treat with undiluted hydrogen peroxide using a sponge or napkin.
Soda
Baking soda has the ability to absorb dust and dirt.
To clean the surface it is used in dry form:
- Cover the stain with soda.
- Leave for 30-40 minutes.
- Vacuuming.
The use of starch has a similar effect.
You can read more about cleaning carpets with soda here.
Vinegar
For removing stains on light-colored surfaces You can use an aqueous solution of vinegar at the rate of 1 liter. water – 2 tbsp. l.
To clean a carpet that has no stains, it is recommended to use a less concentrated product. 2 tbsp will be enough. vinegar for 3-5 liters. water.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice has a brightening and stain removing effect on carpets. Only freshly squeezed juice is used for processing.
It is applied to the stain and left for one and a half to two hours. After this, the pile is carefully washed with a sponge soaked in warm water.
Pre-prepared or canned lemon juice cannot be used to remove stains.
Soap
Using soap is a universal way to combat pollution. But if you have a light-colored carpet, you should use only white soap. It is used in the form of a soap solution.
Proportion for preparing the cleaning composition:
- 0.5 l. water;
- 5 grams of soap.
The soap solution is applied using a sponge or napkin. If the pile is long, then cleaning is carried out strictly in the direction of the pile. After cleaning is completed, the remaining solution is washed off with a sponge soaked in clean water.
You cannot use bar soap directly, as this will damage the lint.
Snow
Using snow for cleaning - an old, time-tested way to revive flowers and add freshness to the material. It is advisable to use this cleaning method once a year.
But even with this application it is necessary to take into account a number of factors:
- The day chosen for cleaning should be frosty so that the snow is not too wet.
- The snow must be clean. Optimally – freshly fallen.
The cleaning process is not difficult:
- The carpet is spread out on clean snow.
- Sprinkle a layer of snow on top, which is then swept away with a clean brush.
- The process is repeated until the snow is completely cleaned and turns white.
Top 5 household chemicals
A wide range of household chemicals allows you to choose the most suitable carpet cleaning product in terms of effectiveness, ease of use and cost.
Shampoo 5+
This product has an affordable price - about 120 rubles. 5+ is used in diluted form. To do this, according to the instructions, the shampoo is diluted with water and whipped into a thick foam. Proportion for preparation: per liter of water – 2 tbsp. l.
Shampoo is applied to the pile in the form of foam. After the composition has dried, the residues are collected with a vacuum cleaner. In case of severe contamination, the use of shampoo must be repeated.
Advantages 5+:
- price;
- quality;
- color refreshing;
- elimination of odors and germs;
- can be used in washing vacuum cleaners.
Minuses:
- some old stains 5+ may not be overcome;
- labor intensive cleaning.
VOX drop
The cost of the product is about 80 rubles. The principle of using this tool is similar to the previous one.
Advantages:
- economical consumption;
- effectiveness;
- low price;
- no rinsing required;
- pleasant aroma.
Minuses:
- some old stains 5+ may not be overcome;
- labor intensity.
Help
The price of the product is from 90 rubles. This product works on the principle of a stain remover. Using a sprayer, Help is applied to the stained area from a distance of about 0.2 m and the area is wiped with a napkin.
Pros:
- efficiency;
- low price;
- ease of use.
Minuses:
- More suitable for cleaning individual stains than the entire carpet;
- some old stains 5+ may not be overcome;
- It is difficult to treat a large area of carpet in this way.
Vanish
The cost of shampoo for carpets is about 250 rubles. Vanish liquid form is designed for cleaning carpets and upholstery.
Pros:
- refreshes the carpet;
- eliminates unpleasant odors;
- removes most of the contaminants.
Minuses:
- high price;
- has a characteristic odor;
- may not cope with serious stains.
Udalix
The oxygen-containing complex of Udalix is able to cope with the contamination of even long-pile carpets, eliminating most of the most popular types of stains. Product price – from 80 rubles.
Advantages of use:
- low cost;
- economical consumption.
Minuses:
- slow dissolution in water;
- does not always have a highly effective effect.
How to return the color?
Not all white carpets can be restored to their original brightness. Eg, viscose, which has turned yellow over time, is almost impossible to bleach.
Both folk recipes based on vinegar solution and household chemicals, for example, Vanish, will help to refresh the white color. It is important to observe the regularity of cleaning and the rules for using a white carpet.
If the shade of the carpet after home treatment is not satisfactory, you can seek help from a dry cleaner.
Preserving whiteness, getting rid of yellowness
When using a white carpet, it will lose its color over time. There are a number of reasons for this:
- dust settling;
- sunburn;
- improper operation;
- improper care of the product.
Simple tips will help you maintain the whiteness of your carpet.
Recommendations for maintaining white color:
- Regular vacuuming is necessary.
- To treat white surfaces, only immaculately clean napkins and brushes should be used.
- If possible, a light-colored carpet should be shaded from direct sunlight.
- For cleaning, you should use those preparations that do not stain the material, even slightly.
- Do not use bleaches that are not intended for cleaning carpets.
- You should not walk on a white carpet in shoes, even indoor ones.
8 general recommendations
To ensure that the white color of the carpet remains the same for a long time, the following circumstances must be taken into account:
- Specify the composition of the material.And in the future, select products that correspond to it (synthetics, natural wool, mixed fibers). Some of them, such as wool, cannot be wetted.
- It is necessary to vacuum the carpet at least once every 7 days, even if the surface does not seem dirty.
- It is best to deal with stains while they are fresh, this way you are more likely to remove them without a trace from a light-colored surface.
- Not all folk recipes for cleaning can be used on white material.
- If, after removing dirt and stains, the carpet becomes wet, it should be thoroughly dried. If possible, it is recommended to provide air access from both sides.
- For long-pile carpets, after cleaning and removing stains, it is necessary to brush the entire surface to even out the pile.
- The steam generator and vacuum cleaner cannot be used on all types of carpets. For those made from natural wool - not possible.
- If cleaning with water is permissible for a particular type of carpet, then its temperature should not be higher than +40? C.
Useful video
How to clean a white carpet or rug, video recipes:
Conclusion
White carpets are difficult to care for, requiring careful selection of cleaning products and treatment methods. Before using any new cleaning product, test it on an inconspicuous area.. This recommendation is advisable for all types of carpets, but for white ones it is especially important.