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.
Cleaning carpets from dirt - folk remedies
A beautiful multi-colored carpet fades over time. The previous intensity is lost due to the fact that the villi are saturated with dirt. All the housewife needs to do is prepare solution No. 4 for washing and cleaning. A duet, which is found in all homes, will do. This is a mixture of vinegar and baking soda that can quickly remove dirt and get rid of stubborn stains.
Add a glass of vinegar and two tablespoons of baking soda to half a liter of water.
The solution prepared in this way is thoroughly mixed and poured into a bottle with a diffuser. The finished home remedy is sprayed all over the carpet. Then you need to wait until it dries, and you can take up the vacuum cleaner. If persistent dark stains are visible on a light-colored carpet, the solution should be thoroughly rubbed into the stain with a sponge.
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.
Professional carpet cleaning methods
If the stains are serious enough, we recommend that you contact a professional dry cleaner. If you have a steam generator, a washing vacuum cleaner and special household shampoos, you can try the following cleaning methods.
Washing vacuum cleaner and carpet shampoo
Before cleaning, be sure to check the instructions: make sure that using this treatment method for the selected coating is allowed. Do not use the cleaning vacuum cleaner too often. Maximum once every six months. Abuse of this rule will lead to mold and destruction of the carpet backing.
- To begin, carefully remove solid particles of dust, hair and fur using a regular vacuum cleaner.
- Then add liquid and detergent to the washing vacuum cleaner.
- Clean the carpet carefully.
- Dry the coating thoroughly.
Steam generator
You shouldn’t use a steam generator to clean the pile, but it does an excellent job of removing grease stains and mold. Before using high temperature steam, be sure to vacuum the surface to remove any particulate matter such as dust and dirt. Only after this start treating the stains with a steam generator.
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.
Special means
Cleaning carpets at home can be done using special products that come in the form of powders or granules. To alleviate the plight of apartment residents, manufacturers have developed special products that do not require subsequent drying. Dry cleaning is done as follows: you scatter the granules in an even thin layer, rub them into the pile with a brush, then collect them with a vacuum cleaner. The same type of cleaning occurs with powder.
Choose the most suitable method for cleaning carpet at home. Remember that folk remedies are less toxic.
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.
What determines the choice of carpet cleaning method?
Thrifty housewives, taking care of the cleanliness of carpet products, try to find the most acceptable way to eliminate contamination: the most safe for health, effective and affordable. Obviously, to choose the right product, you will have to pay attention not only to the amount of dirt, the presence of complex stains, animal hair or their traces, but also to the characteristic features of a particular coating:
- product thickness;
- color.
- material of manufacture;
- pile size;
- period of use, etc.
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.
Salt
Before cleaning a rug or carpet with salt, it must be knocked out on a crossbar or dumped in the snow. If this is not possible, you can proceed directly to treating the carpet with salt. To do this you will need 1 kg of coarse table salt. Spread it in a thin layer over the rug. Using a damp brush with soft, long bristles, you need to clean the entire surface of the carpet, rubbing the grains into the structure of the product. In addition to cleanliness, you will notice the shining shine of the pile. After two hours, the salt must be collected with a vacuum cleaner. This is an easy and inexpensive way to clean your flooring at home.
Advice
Do not rub the carpet against the pile - this will reduce the service life of the product.
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.
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.
For cleaning, you should use only what is marked “for carpets”; it is better not to experiment with other preparations, so as not to spoil the item.
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.
Drop of VOX
The cost of the product is about 80 rubles. The principle of using this tool is similar to the previous one.
For 2,500 ml of water you need 1 capful of Drops. After diluting in water, whip up the foam. High efficiency eliminates complex mashing and effort.
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.
The shampoo is diluted with water (9 parts water - 1 part Vanish) and whipped into foam, which is convenient to apply to the hair. After the foam has dried, the surface should be vacuumed. If some stains cannot be removed the first time, cleaning can be repeated.
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.
Diluted in the standard way: 1 tbsp. l. for 1 l. water. The foam whips well and is applied as in previous cases.
Advantages of use:
- low cost;
- economical consumption.
Minuses:
- slow dissolution in water;
- does not always have a highly effective effect.
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.
Features of cleaning different types of carpets
In order for the carpet to last a long time and always delight you with its bright colors and soft fibers, an individual approach to products made from various materials is recommended.
Woolen
Before cleaning a wool carpet at home, it is important to know all the features of the product. Wool products are characterized by a high accumulation of static electricity, are sensitive to moisture and temperature changes, are susceptible to the rapid accumulation of dust, in addition, they are a favorite place for mold to appear and are attractive to moths.
To care for woolen products, it is recommended:
- vacuum on both sides;
- do not over-moisten;
- do not dry with a hairdryer or heating appliances;
- cleaning with ammonia, salt and soda;
- use dry professional powders;
- cleaning with foam, liquid soap and detergent powders.
If the covering is removed for the summer, it is necessary to dry the product, treat it with anti-moth products and store it in a cool, dry room.
Synthetic
Unlike natural carpets, products with synthetic pile are less demanding to care for. Before cleaning the carpet at home, it is necessary to vacuum the product on both sides and treat it with an antistatic agent. This way, dust and dirt particles will not stick to the pile.
For carpets with synthetic pile, you can use dry and wet cleaning, with the only condition being to avoid aggressive chemical components. The use of various solvents is prohibited.
Long pile
Carpets with long pile are the most demanding to care for. Dirt, dust and accidentally spilled liquid are instantly absorbed by the high pile and settle at the base of the product, eventually forming an ingrained and difficult to remove stain.
If, nevertheless, a stain has formed and the long-pile carpet requires cleaning, it is best to use professional shampoos or solutions made from soda, ammonia or vinegar. Powdery substances are not recommended; small particles get clogged into the pile and are almost impossible to clean.
Short pile
Cleaning products with short pile will not be difficult; in this case, all methods are applicable. The only condition for this is the selection of a product depending on the material and light of the carpet. The most preferable method is dry carpet cleaning at home. It can be periodically disinfected and given brighter colors using a solution of ammonia or vinegar, lightly spraying the liquid over the surface using a spray bottle.
Light carpets
Before cleaning a white carpet at home, it is important to know that not all methods and products are suitable for such a product. Professional products will not harm the floor covering, but when choosing folk remedies, you need to exclude substances with coloring pigments: tea leaves, lemon juice, vinegar, sawdust and gasoline. You can safely use salt, soda and solutions with laundry soap.
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.
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: Why does there be an unpleasant odor from ventilation and how to eliminate it?
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.
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.
Alternative methods for dry carpet cleaning
An alternative to folk remedies is household chemicals. However, not all detergent compositions can be used for synthetic and woolen carpets.
What chemicals are available for cleaning coatings?
A wide range of detergent compositions can be divided into 2 large groups:
- alkaline;
- acidic.
Home methods have their disadvantages. When cleaning carpet stains with baking soda, some of the alkali remains on the pile. The procedure for removing stains with food vinegar can lead to a change in the color of the villi.
Rules for choosing products for cleaning stains from coatings
In order to choose suitable compositions among different methods, you need to know the brand and be able to understand the components. Most often, funds are chosen on the advice of friends. This approach is fundamentally wrong, since the same preparation cannot be used for carpets with different degrees of soiling.
- Many people prefer inexpensive detergents. The Vox drop is effective, but you need to read the instructions before cleaning.
- Antipyatin and Selena Kovrol are good stain removers.
- Help will help remove difficult stains. The mixture is safe, but if used incorrectly, stains are possible.
- For dry cleaning, you can buy Norland foam, which is recommended for cleaning long-pile carpets; when working with rugs, you can choose Vanish Oxi Action powder.
When choosing a product, you need to study the composition; the meaning of unfamiliar names of elements can be clarified on the Internet.
Using a dry carpet cleaning method is the best option for maintaining the cleanliness of the carpet and extending its service life. An important condition for the effectiveness of the method used is the use of appropriate means. If you are not sure about the procedure, it is important to contact a dry cleaner so that specialists will carry out the entire procedure using proven methods.
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).
How to remove unpleasant odors from carpet
There are several tips for removing unpleasant odors:
- A solution of vinegar, soda, laundry soap and hydrogen peroxide.
- Cover the surface of the product with cat litter, and then dry clean it with a vacuum cleaner.
- Using a washing vacuum cleaner with deodorizers.
- Snow cleaning.
- Using special chemical household products to eliminate odors
But be careful. Most household chemicals contain masking fragrances and fragrances that do not eliminate the smell, but only hide it. In such cases, we recommend contacting a professional dry cleaner, which guarantees 100% removal of all unpleasant odors.
How to clean carpets made of different materials?
Not all products work effectively on a particular type of pile. And some can ruin the presentation of the product. Check our recommendations before you begin wet or dry carpet cleaning.
- Products made of synthetics (acrylic, polyester, polyamide) without an adhesive base can be either washed or dry cleaned. They do not lose color and are not afraid of water. Any folk remedies are suitable for them.
- Semi-synthetic carpets are washed with special household chemicals. Traditional methods based on soda, vinegar, and laundry soap are also used.
- It is better to leave knitted carpets to dry cleaning. They are not friendly with water.
- Products and jute remove stains only using a dry method. Jute coverings are resistant to household chemicals, steam, and hard-bristled brushes. Use a vacuum cleaner and special cleaning powder.
- Fur floor coverings should not be washed or rubbed with damp sponges or brushes. It is allowed to blot with a soft cloth, use ammonia, salt.
- Hand-woven carpets should be treated with great care. They cannot be trusted to be dry cleaned or taken to an aqua wash. Also, cleaning with a steam generator, foam, or special household chemicals is not allowed. They are cared for only with formulations containing hydrocarbon solvents.
- Woolen coverings are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, once a year they are cleaned using a wet method. Wool is “friendly” with laundry soap, but does not tolerate products containing bleach. Do not use salt - it will corrode the base. Do not clean against lint.
- Silk carpets are not washed with soap, shampoo, or treated with steam. At home, they can only be cleaned with vinegar.
- Products made from cotton and linen should only be cleaned dry using soda.
