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How to clean my rug at home


How to Clean a Rug: Area Rugs, Oriental Rugs, and More

Could your area rug use a deep clean? Learn how to clean a rug yourself and you can bring all your floor coverings back to life whenever you like. Area rugs may bring a room together, but they also takes a beating, from foot traffic to pets and spills. After a while, vacuuming just isn’t enough to get it truly clean—and that’s when knowing how to do it yourself comes in super handy.

Area rug cleaning is a project you can easily take on yourself. There’s no need to hire professional rug cleaners for the task—unless your rug is extremely delicate (for example, an antique rug, Persian rug, or oriental rug).

Note: There’s no need to clean rugs on a schedule. Instead, you should just clean the rugs when they are visibly dirty or have an odor. Read on to find out how to refresh those well-worn area rugs so they look as good as they did when you first unrolled them.

1. Gather Your Tools and Supplies

Here's exactly what you'll need to have on hand to complete a successful area rug cleaning:

Optional:

2.

Remove Dirt and Debris

Thoroughly vacuum on the rug on both sides. You want to make sure every last bit of debris is gone. If you have pets, use the brush attachment to get any lingering stray hairs.

3. Mix Your Cleaner

When it comes to the actual cleaning solution, you can use a rug shampoo like this one from Bissell. Whatever shampoo you choose, follow its specific directions (found on the bottle) for mixing.

Alternatively, you can also use mild dish detergent mixed in a bucket with warm water. Do not use hot water as it can shrink the rug or cause fading.

4. Do a Color Test

Before you start scrubbing, make sure the cleaner doesn’t cause the colors to run. Test the solution on the corner of the rug to make sure it is colorfast. If the color doesn't bleed, it's safe to move on to the next step.

5. Wash the Rug

Using a sponge or soft-bristle brush, work the cleaning solution into a lather on the rug. Let the cleaner sit on the rug for a five minutes before you start rinsing. Anything less than that and you'll shortchange the cleaning process. Give it those five minutes to set in and start lifting away dirt.

6. Rinse the Rug

Rinse the soap out of the rug using a garden hose or buckets of clean water. Make sure all the cleaning solution is completely removed from the area rug and the runoff water is crystal clear.

7. Remove Excess Water

At this point, you’ll want to get rid of as much excess water in the rug as you can so it will dry faster. You can use a wet-dry vacuum if you have one, or use a squeegee in the direction of the nap.

8. Let the Rug Dry

The next-to-last step to clean an area rug is simply letting it dry. Lay the rug flat and allow the top of the rug to dry completely. Then, flip it over to let the bottom side dry. Fans can help speed up the process. Make sure the rug is fully dry before you return it to the room.

9. Vacuum or Brush Out the Rug

During the cleaning process, threads and fibers can get compacted and squished. Revive them by running a vacuum over the now-dry rug, or brush them with a soft-bristled brush. Now you're finished, and can enjoy your freshly cleaned carpet. You know how to clean an area rug yourself, and you can complete the job whenever you like.

How to Clean Area Rugs

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Photo: Michael Hession

Messes happen. Often where you least want them to. Whether the mess is caused by a pet having an accident, kids (or adults) spilling snacks, or someone tracking in mud, the area rugs in your home are especially primed for the messy parts of life. Some stains will be more stubborn than others, but the sooner you tackle them, the better your chances are of removing them. In addition to our own experience with cleaning up messes while testing dozens of rugs, we also spoke with Lisa Wagner, a second-generation rug cleaner and blogger at Rug Chick.

What you need

Various cleaning materials rest on a flatweave wool rug. Photo: Daniela Gorny

Optional

Who is this for?

Rug care can vary widely, depending on the type of rug you have. There are many different types of weaves and materials, so no single guide can easily—or briefly—cover how to clean all of them. But there are some general guidelines. We narrowed our focus to a few of the most common rug styles (which are also the ones we cover in our area rug guide):

For extra-large or delicate antique wool rugs, you’re better off consulting a professional in your area. Rug Chick has a great resource for finding local rug specialists.

Could I ruin my rugs by washing them at home?

Washing an entire rug at home will always carry a risk. In order to do it safely, always look at the care instructions, either on a still-attached tag or the manufacturer’s website. You can also reach out to local experts. In general, it’s worthwhile to clean thin, inexpensive rugs at home because the cost of professional cleaning can be more expensive than the rug itself. But thicker or more valuable rugs are risky to DIY, so proceed with caution, or reach out to a professional.

Not all rugs can be washed at home, especially extra-large, thick, antique, or heirloom ones. Wagner emphasized that it’s important to gather whatever information you can about your rug’s material and the type of care it needs, so that you don’t inadvertently introduce any mildew issues.

With at-home washings, low-pile wool rugs—especially multicolor ones—will likely bleed their colors. Some bleeding may not bother most rug owners, myself included, but this is a personal preference.

Always test a small area first. Wagner said, “I would rather have clients with clean and bled rugs than embedded with soil.” Synthetic rugs don’t have dyes that bleed, but they can still buckle or develop mold due to natural fibers used in other parts of the rug (like the outer edges or interior fibers). To limit bleeding and deter any fungal growth, it’s important to dry rugs quickly.

How long will it take to clean?

For spot-cleaning messes, active cleaning time can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Most of the time spent will be passive, like letting the stain remover soak in and waiting for your rug to dry. The drying process can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, but a fan or cool blow dryer can help speed up the process.

If you decide a rug is safe to wash at home, deep-cleaning the entire thing can take the better part of a day. But the active cleaning time shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours. Drying a rug, one of the most important steps, can take a few days, depending on your climate and how thick a rug is. With some smaller flatweave rugs that you can toss in the washer, the process is much easier. But you’ll still have to air-dry most of them.

How to clean an area rug

For spot-cleaning messes

After blotting, use a soft toothbrush to work some of the mild cleaner into the stain, if needed. Video: Daniela Gorny

When in doubt, first test an inconspicuous area to make sure the colors don’t run or the soap doesn’t stain your rug. Wagner recommends checking the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Spot Solver to find advice about dealing with specific stains on synthetic rugs.

If a mess contains any solids (like food, vomit, and the like), remove those first. Then use a clean white towel to blot the stain and remove as much liquid as possible.

Using a fresh white towel, apply a mild solution of dish soap or laundry detergent diluted in warm water. Use just enough of the mixture to soak the stain. But don’t overwet the area because that can spread the stain and take longer to dry, risking mold or mildew.

Rinse out the soap with warm water, and keep gently blotting the stain until it’s gone. This may take several passes, so be patient. Avoid the urge to scrub—blotting while applying pressure is the best way to avoid damaging fibers.

For stubborn stains, you can try an enzymatic stain remover like Zout or Resolve. Just be sure to check whether it’s safe for your rug’s material, or test a small area on your rug first and follow the instructions on the bottle. This process usually involves letting the product soak for a few minutes and then going back in with a damp rag or a soft brush to scrub the stain.

If all else fails—or you’re dealing with an old, set-in stain—consider investing in a portable carpet upholstery cleaner like the Bissell Little Green. These are wonderful tools for households with lots of rugs. And they’re also great at cleaning messes on carpets, couches, and other kinds of upholstery (like in your car).

Once your stain is gone, to avoid mildew forming, make sure the area dries completely. If needed, use a fan or hair dryer on “cold.” Improper drying can cause mold to form, especially on natural fibers, such as wool and cotton. If the rug stays damp for too long, it can also damage the floor underneath. Fully drying the area is essential!

For deep-cleaning small- to medium-size area rugs

A flatweave wool rug gets a pre-wash soak. Expect some colors to bleed on multicolor wool rugs like this one. Video: Daniela Gorny

For small flatweave synthetic or natural-fiber rugs

Vacuum or beat out as much dust as possible. If a small rug fits in your washer, you can likely toss it in there. But check the care label to be sure, and always err on the side of using a cold and gentle wash cycle. Afterward, lay the rug flat and air-dry it. To deter color bleeding on wool and cotton rugs, speed up the drying process by using fans.

For medium flatweave, low-pile, and high-pile synthetic rugs (or flatweave natural-fiber rugs)

Before wetting your rug, remove as much dust as possible. A good vacuuming of both sides can take care of dust, but if possible, take a rug outside and beat it over a balcony or rail. Rug Chick’s site has a great how-to video on vacuuming as well.

Using mild dish soap, first test a small area of the rug to see if the colors bleed too much or if the cleaner leaves a mark. If the colors run, you’ll likely need to take the rug to a professional cleaner. If your cleaned test area looks fine, you can continue, using a soft bristle brush to scrub the cleaner into the rug’s surface—treating any spots and stains according to our advice above.

If the thought of scrubbing an entire rug by hand sounds unappealing, senior staff writer Tim Heffernan relayed a far more fun and gentle process he was taught by a family member who sold antique Persian and Central Asian rugs:

“You lay the rugs out on a smooth, clean outdoor surface, soak them with a hose, work in some plain mild soap (not modern enzymatic detergent, which can destroy the otherwise immortal vegetable dyes and harm the wool) with your feet, like old-school grape-crushing, rinse thoroughly, and let dry flat. I’ve done this with our heirloom rugs on our balcony in Queens, and it works great.”

Video: Daniela Gorny

Once you’ve worked the cleaner into the entire rug, use a garden hose equipped with a spray nozzle to wash away the soap. If you don’t have a hose on hand, you can also use buckets of water. After rinsing, use clean, dry towels or a squeegee to remove as much excess water as possible. If you have a wet-dry vac, you could also use it to absorb more water.

Lay the rug flat and let it air-dry completely, which may take a couple of days, depending on your climate. Turn the rug over after a few hours to let both sides dry. Setting fans around the rug can help speed up the process and deter bleeding on wool rugs. “One tip would be to roll them inside large cotton towels and stand on the roll to press out as much excess water as you can, and then lay them out,” Wagner said.

Photo: Daniela Gorny

How often should I clean my rugs?

To extend the life of a rug, it’s crucial to regularly vacuum it and tend to messes early. Ideally, you would vacuum a rug once a week, but this will vary depending on lifestyle, pets, kids, and so forth. Rug Lady Seminars, a wonderful source of rug-cleaning information, has great advice for regular rug maintenance. Flatweave rugs that fit in the washer should probably get washed two to three times per year, depending on where they’re located and how dirty they get. To extend the time between washings and to avoid worn spots, Wagner recommends rotating rugs and flipping flatwoven rugs to use the other side.

We know that taking furniture off of rugs and moving them is no easy feat. So if you have a big rug that’s a pain to move, just try to stay on top of your vacuuming, and consider getting a portable upholstery cleaner (which also comes in handy for cleaning couches). Big, heavy rugs can probably go three to five years without a wash, as long as they’re cared for in between.

A good way to tell whether your rug needs a cleaning is if it looks gray and dull. After you vacuum a rug, run a damp white rag across it, and if the rag comes up dirty, it’s probably time to give the rug a bath.

A 5-by-8-foot antique wool rug that the owner washed and dried herself. As long as you’re okay with some colors potentially bleeding (as this one has over the years), and you make sure to dry the rug thoroughly, washing more-delicate rugs at home is an option. Photo: Daniela Gorny

About your guide

Daniela Gorny

Daniela Gorny is a supervising editor covering home goods, linens, and furniture at Wirecutter. She previously worked as an architect and received a master’s degree in city design and sociology. You can usually find her walking her dog and exploring the hilly trails of Los Angeles.

Further reading

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time).

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How to effectively clean the carpet at home - articles by the company "Clean Everything"

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2 minutes

Contents

Why does the carpet get dirty?

Basic care instructions

How to clean carpets?

Do-It-Yourself Carpet Cleaning at Home

Chemicals and Equipment

Using Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Powder

Citric Acid

Snow Cleaning

Removal of spots using glycerin

Washing powder

peroxide

Tips for cleaning

Carpets from natural and synthetic fibers

Pile cleaning of different colors - what to pay attention to

Dry cleaning from dirt

Conclusion

How to clean the carpet so that it is beautiful and gives comfort to the house? The question is relevant for millions of housewives. In Russia pile coverings are laid:

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What makes the carpet dirty?

Dust settles on it, in which the saprophyte mite starts. Its waste products are a powerful allergen. This neighborhood is especially dangerous for young children, allergy sufferers and the elderly.

The second global problem is spots. They are planted by adults, turning over cups of coffee and glasses of wine. Babies leave them because of leaking diapers. Older children stain the pile with plasticine and brilliant green, glue and felt-tip pens.

The statistics are silent about the damage caused to carpets by pets. The most unpleasant variant of pollution is cat urine with a terrible smell. But carpets get from other pets. From interior decoration, they turn into an object that you want to remove from sight or urgently clean.

Basic care

Carpets and rugs should be cleaned regularly. In products with a long pile, a large amount of fine dust accumulates. Dust particles live in dust mites, which are responsible for the development of allergies and bronchial asthma. To prevent dust mites from entering your home, follow these cleaning tips:

How to clean carpets?

You can order dry cleaning of carpets with viscose from the company CLEAN VSE. Experienced professionals will restore their beauty and presentability. But, if home conditions suit you more, try cleaning the pile yourself. To do this, you need to know which cleaning suits your rug. Read the information on the back of the product. The manufacturer indicates the permissible types of cleaning there.

Amateur carpet cleaning is different from professional carpet cleaning. The house does not have special equipment for cleaning them in an organic solvent or wet cleaning. The home option for caring for carpets is a bit like bio-cleaning - manual processing with cleaning products. How to do it, what to pay attention to?

Do-it-yourself carpet cleaning at home

Use the advice of experts from the company CLEAN EVERYTHING! Then you will cope with the dry cleaning of carpets, rugs, carpets faster and with good results.

Chemicals and equipment

Professional carpet cleaning always starts with dedusting. We recommend that you do not ignore this rule at home. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the pile. Then the subsequent treatment with folk remedies or household chemicals will be more effective. With regular care, the coatings retain a decent appearance for a long time. Their owners may not need a carpet dry cleaning service with export.

If there is a steam cleaner in the arsenal of household appliances, then it is much easier to take care of pile products. Steaming in tandem with a good shampoo removes fresh stains and kills microscopic mites.

You can effectively clean the carpet with shampoo, liquid soap, a solution of household laundry detergent, a spray for pile products. Any agent must be whipped into foam. It has maximum cleaning power. Sponge or soft brush it is applied to the pile, leave for a few minutes. The remaining foam with dissolved dirt is removed with a clean damp cloth. After removing the detergent, the wet coating should be blotted with a dry soft cloth and dried with a hair dryer.

Use of vinegar, soda and powder

A homemade product based on baking soda, powder and vinegar has an excellent cleaning effect. To prepare the solution, pour half a glass of boiling water and 70 ml of acetic acid into a suitable container, add a tablespoon of the food product. Pour one large spoonful of powder into the composition. Mix the mixture well, and then use a sprayer to apply it to the contaminated surface. To clean the carpet, use a cotton cloth. The remains of the cleaning agent from the product are collected with a damp sponge.

Alternatively, the detergent can be replaced with dishwashing chemicals. The introduction of a liquid detergent solution helps to quickly remove even old stains from the carpet.

Citric acid

Citric acid can be used to remove difficult stains. On a dirty coating, apply a little concentrated solution or freshly squeezed lemon juice. Leave for a couple of hours and then wash off with water. Rinsing helps to effectively unstick the sticky villi.

Snow cleaning

In the cold season, you can clean the carpet and fill the product with the aroma of freshness with the help of snow. To do this, the product is taken out into the street, spread on the ground, and covered with snow from above. Then the snow flakes are swept away, and the carpet is carefully beaten out on both sides. Cleaning is done until the snow stops darkening after being applied to the surface. The carpet is then dried. An important condition for cleaning is the presence of loose snow on the street.

Stain removal with glycerin

All textile flooring gets dirty over time, especially if it is in the living room. If some kind of drink is spilled on the carpet, try to immediately blot the liquid stain with a rag. The remaining dirt is washed off with concentrated soapy water.

Stubborn carpet stains are effectively removed with glycerin. To do this, the organic compound is left for 1-2 hours. Then the product is wiped with a damp cloth.

Washing powder

Washing powder may be used for carpets with synthetic pile. Add a little bulk product to a bowl of hot water. Make sure that the powder granules are completely dissolved. Otherwise, they will penetrate deep into the pile, they will not be cleaned.

Use a sponge to clean the carpet with a ready-made soap solution. After application, the solution is left for a couple of hours. The remains of the product are removed with a cloth, and the product itself is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

Peroxide

You can effectively eliminate dirt at home with hydrogen peroxide. This product is best used on light-colored items. Moisten the resulting stain with water, and then fill it with an antiseptic solution (3%) and immediately remove it with a soft brush. If the entire surface of the carpet is dirty, clean off the dirt towards the center. A small spot is treated in one direction, gently smoothing the pile. If necessary, the dirty coating is cleaned with an antiseptic agent several times.

Cleaning tips

Short-haired items are easy to clean and difficult to damage. Dry and wet cleaning is acceptable. Do not use too hard brush or too much friction. Then the carpet, carpet will be clean, without creases, bald patches. You can clean them with turpentine, vinegar, ammonia.

Long pile is more whimsical. It can be ruined by a too hard brush or excessive rubbing. Foam is best applied with a microfiber cloth. Do this with soft, delicate movements in the direction of the pile. Leave the foam on for 10-15 minutes. Wipe the cover with a clean damp and then dry cloth. It is important to dry the carpet, because mold and fungus can start in a wet product.

The coating acquires a musty smell, which cannot be removed by amateur means. The company CLEAN VSE offers cleaning of carpets with export to our own workshop. With pleasure we will take care of your worries, having received an order for dry cleaning with export. By the way, shipping there and back is included in the price.

Cleaning carpets made of natural and synthetic fibers

Silk carpets, viscose and handmade wool need the most delicate care. Be careful and careful with old and dilapidated rugs. We generally do not recommend cleaning silk items on your own. They are only suitable for dry cleaning in the workshop.

They are placed in a special drum into which an organic solvent is fed. Dry the coating in a straightened state on a horizontal surface with good ventilation. You can't do this at home.

Wool rugs are cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner. You can remove dirt from them with soda, vinegar, starch, salt. Delicate handmade, rare, antique carpets are suitable for dry cleaning or professional bio-cleaning. We would not advise you to risk such valuable items. Entrust the care of them to professionals.

Synthetic fibers are much easier to care for. Carpets should be vacuumed regularly. Do wet cleaning from time to time. Stains must be removed immediately. To do this, you need to collect the liquid with dry wipes, then clean it with a foam solution, salt, vinegar.

Cleaning pile of different colors - what to look for

Dark pile does not need to be cleaned with flour, starch, soda. Gray plaque and white stains from them cannot be removed even with a powerful vacuum cleaner. Such coatings are best treated with solutions of vinegar, ammonia, carpet shampoos.

Lemon juice should not be applied to the white pile as it leaves yellow streaks. Salt, baking soda, starch can be used. Special foam products for cleaning carpets are suitable. Pay attention to which fibers the selected shampoo is suitable for!

We have published the main recommendations of the specialists of the company CLEAN EVERYTHING. They are addressed to those who want to clean the carpet themselves. Good luck to you!

Features of dry cleaning from dirt

Product made of natural material must not be wetted. To avoid shrinkage and deformation of the product, the carpet with natural pile is subjected to dry cleaning only. Before dry cleaning, the carpet is vacuumed to remove dust and lift the pile. In the process of cleaning, a cleaning powder is scattered on the surface of the product in an even layer. The product is driven into the pile with a dry cleaning device and left for a while. The remains of the powder are removed with a vacuum cleaner, and the clean pile of the product is smoothed. Use a stain remover to remove stubborn stains.

Conclusion

Regular dry cleaning of the carpet helps to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the product for a longer time and saves the living space from accumulated dust. The choice of carpet cleaning method at home is determined by the characteristics of the product and personal preferences. As well as the effectiveness of a particular cleaning method in relation to existing contaminants. Folk remedies are safe for health and are cheap. Professional cleaners effectively remove stubborn stains.

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How to clean the carpet at home with your own hands

How to clean the carpet at home with your own hands

20. 02.2018

Soda and vinegar: cleaning the carpet at home

Looking for an effective yet completely safe carpet cleaner for your home? Then you should use a proven method that allows you to return an attractive appearance to even the most musty and old carpets. And this method is cleaning with soda and vinegar, which can be done even if there are pets and small children in the house.

PREPARING THE CARPET

First of all, you need to rid the carpet of dust and debris. The easiest way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner whose suction power is 350 W or more (do not confuse it with engine power). Alternatively, you can get by with a classic knockout. If there is pet hair on the carpet, then it must also be removed. This can be done using a conventional brush or a turbo brush - a special nozzle that comes with some models of vacuum cleaners. There is also a universal version, which is sold separately and is suitable for vacuum cleaners with a suction power of 300 W or more (approximately 1800 W in terms of engine power).


Rules for caring for carpets and how to get rid of stains of varying complexity Pleasant to the touch and pleasing to the eye, the carpet makes the house more comfortable and can become a highlight of the interior. No matter how hard you try to preserve its original appearance, but over time, a bright, clean and fresh carpet is covered with a mosaic of stains from spilled juice from a child, traces of a pet and much more. Fortunately, in most cases, almost any carpet can be restored to its former cleanliness and attractiveness. To do this, you can take it to a dry cleaner or use more affordable and no less effective home remedies. And if you prefer the second option, then first you should learn more about what your carpet does not like.

WHAT NOT TO USE FOR CLEANING

First, don't use hot water. Carpet cleaning should be done with cool or lukewarm water.

Secondly, avoid excess moisture. Use as little cleaning fluid as possible, as water residue will corrode the substrate over time and is also a breeding ground for insects and fungus.

And thirdly, do not use rough brushes. To remove dirt, use brushes with a medium bristle pile, and clean the carpet only along the pile, in no case against the grain.


SHORT AND LONG PILES: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN CLEANING AND WHAT IT IS?

Carpets with different pile lengths have their own requirements for care products and cleaning methods. The most unpretentious are carpets with a short pile. They perfectly tolerate both dry and wet cleaning, and are also easily cleaned of any contaminants.

Long pile carpets are more demanding to care for. Dust, dirt, pet hair and hair accumulate at the base of the pile. Small debris spilled on a beautiful and fluffy rug is not easy to remove the first time, even with a vacuum cleaner. Using a brush is also not the best solution, as it can damage the carpet base. Out of competition in this case - a special steam cleaner and cleaning foam.

FOLK REMEDIES IN THE SERVICE OF PURITY

You can clean the carpet with high quality at home, but how to do it? The tools below will help you with this.

Soda

It is in any home and does an excellent job of getting rid of carpets from pollution. It can be used for both wet and dry cleaning.

Dry cleaning is simple: you sprinkle baking soda on the carpet, rub it in the areas of the greatest pollution, wait for a while (usually 15-20 minutes) and vacuum the carpet well.

For wet cleaning, you need to dissolve 100 g of soda in 5 liters of water and spray this solution on the fleecy part of the carpet using a spray bottle. After half an hour, you need to clean both the front and the wrong side of the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.


Vinegar

This is an effective remedy against various contaminants, which also helps to restore the carpet to its former brightness.

To create a cleaning solution, you need to mix 1 tbsp. l. 9% vinegar and 1 liter of warm water. The carpet previously cleaned with a vacuum cleaner is cleaned with a brush dipped in this solution. Just remember that the brush should be of medium hardness, and cleaning can only be done in the direction of the pile. The carpet cleaned in this way should not be walked on until it is completely dry.

Sauerkraut

It may surprise you, but the favorite snack of many is able to cope with the cleaning of the carpet and freshen up its color.

To do this, it is advisable to use homemade cabbage fermented without vinegar: you need to take 300-400 g, squeeze out the brine, rinse until you get rid of the specific smell and spread over the surface of the carpet, then roll it over the pile with a brush. The cabbage will collect all the dirt, after which you need to collect it and repeat the procedure until it stops changing color. Then it is enough to vacuum and dry the carpet.

Ammonium chloride

Even if your carpet looks clean, you need to refresh the color twice a year, and ammonia works great for this task.

Dissolve 2 tbsp. l. ammonia in 1 liter of water, apply the resulting solution to the brush and vigorously sweep the carpet over the pile, then wipe it dry with a rag. Provide fresh air during the procedure, and after it - ventilate the room for an hour.

Semolina

Not everyone knows about this, but semolina, familiar to everyone since childhood, perfectly absorbs dust pollution. And since she does an excellent job of cleaning fur products, then carpeting will not be an impossible task for her.

To clean the carpet, you need to sprinkle semolina on one half of it, and then move it to the other half. Semolina will collect a significant part of the dust, and you just have to collect it with a vacuum cleaner.


Salt

Regular table salt is no less effective than semolina. It is enough to scatter it on the carpet and rub it into the interstitial space with a brush, and then sweep it with a broom. The procedure must be repeated several times until the desired result is achieved, after which - remove the remaining salt from the surface of the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.

Tea brew

Tea brewing will help restore the former beauty of dark-colored carpets. The method of its use is similar to that described above for semolina and salt: sprinkle the tea leaves, sweep it with a brush, repeat if necessary, and then clean the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.

CARPET CLEANING WITH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS

The home methods described above are simple and affordable, but the chemical industry is moving forward and producing more and more specialized carpet cleaners. Let's look at the most famous and effective options.

Vanish

This rich lathering formula really does tackle almost any stain or dirt, but it can only be used on synthetic carpets. That's just one rather expensive bottle is enough for only 2-3 applications.

Carpet cleaning powder

A simple yet effective dry cleaner. It is enough to sprinkle the powder on the carpet, rub it into the places of pollution, and then vacuum it. You can walk on the carpet immediately after the procedure, which cannot be done after wet cleaning. If we talk about specific effective brands, then these are Mitex, Extra Profi, Sunlux, Flash.

Carpet Shampoo

This product is used for wet cleaning and only for synthetic carpets, while the shampoo copes with old dirt especially well. The method of application is simple - just apply the shampoo, wait for it to dry completely on the surface of the carpet, and then carefully collect the remnants of the product along with the dirt with a vacuum cleaner. It is important to remember: before use, it is necessary to test the shampoo on an inconspicuous area, as the carpet may shed. The following powders can be found on sale: “5+ Carpets”, “Magic Carpet”, “Carpet Shampoo”, etc.

Carpet cleaning foam.

Foam is an effective dry cleaning agent, removes dirt and small debris, especially suitable for carpets with long pile. This tool is applied at arm's length, rubbed with a brush and wait for it to dry, after which it is collected with a vacuum cleaner. Famous compositions: "Luxus Carpet Cleaner", "Nordland", "Meine Liebe", "Tuba".

IS IT POSSIBLE TO REMOVE DIRT WITHOUT A VACUUM CLEANER?

The carpet appeared much earlier than the vacuum cleaner, and not so long ago, housewives coped with cleaning carpets without this wonderful helper. Now any product can also be cleaned with a broom, brush and dustpan. Yes, this will take more time and effort, but the result will still be worthy.


STAINS ARE DIFFERENT... HOW TO REMOVE THEM?

Let's look at the most common types of stains and how to remove them.

Ink

Ballpoint pen ink can be removed with a weak solution of citric acid or freshly squeezed lemon juice. Apply the liquid to a clean cloth and wipe the ink mark with it, then treat the area with soapy water, and then wipe it with a clean, damp cloth.

A fresh stain from liquid ink should be immediately covered with salt, and then cleaned with soapy water.

Fat

Powder products that absorb the oil structure well help to fight greasy stains. It can be crushed chalk, starch, and even ordinary baby powder (talc). The greasy stain must be thickly sprinkled with any of these powders, covered with tissue paper or "blotting paper" and left for a long time, preferably for the whole night. In the morning, the powder must be collected, and the remaining fat should be ironed with a hot iron through the paper until the greasy spots no longer appear on it.

Old stains

An excellent mixture for removing old stains from any carpet is gasoline and soap. Prepare a mixture of 10 ml of gasoline and 100 ml of soap solution, dilute it with a little water, wet a piece of cloth with this liquid and gently rub the stain. Leave the mixture on the carpet until completely dry, and if the stain still remains, repeat the procedure again.

Coffee

Ammonia helps against such stains. Add 1 tsp to 500 ml of water. ammonia, moisten the coffee stain and remove excess moisture by gently blotting with a dry, clean cloth.

Blood

With traces of blood, ordinary cold water will help to cope - just moisten the brush with it and rub the stained area. Even a dried stain can be washed off with water if it is first softened with a damp cloth and then brushed.

Gum

Traditionally, chewing gum stains are removed with cold. Place the ice in a plastic bag and place it on the gum. The stain will gradually harden, after which you can remove it mechanically.

Fruits and vegetables

Fresh stains from fruits and vegetables are removed with 1 tsp dissolved in 1 liter of water. grated laundry soap and 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar. With the resulting solution, you need to moisten a piece of light fabric and wipe the stain with it from the edges to the center.

General dirt

It is better to remove such pollution in a dried form, since fresh dirt is too easy to smear and thereby complicate the task. The easiest way to get rid of such a stain is with a carpet nozzle for a vacuum cleaner.

Perfume

Spilled perfume will not only give your carpet a pleasant scent, but it can also leave a noticeable stain. To prevent this from happening, wash the traces of perfume with warm water with the addition of washing powder.

Wax and paraffin

The way to get rid of these stains is similar to the procedure for removing chewing gum from a carpet. Let the stain cool, then pry the droplets of wax or paraffin with a sharp object to remove them from the villi.

HOW TO CLEAN A WOOL CARPET?

Woolen carpet is incredibly beautiful, but also quite demanding to care for. To preserve this fragile beauty, avoid excessively vigorous mechanical cleaning and aggressive cleaners, otherwise you can damage the structure of the pile and provoke its fall. If chemical stain removal is unavoidable, use gentle products.

Normal cleaning is best done with snow. Knock the dust out of the carpet with a cracker or a simple stick, then spread it on loose snow. Mark the snow on the fleecy part of the carpet and leave it like that for 10-15 minutes, then sweep away the old snow and mark the new one again, repeat several times. So you not only clean your carpet, but also carry out prevention against dust mites.

Also, such gentle products as semolina, salt and soda are suitable for cleaning such carpets. How to use them - read above. If we talk about chemicals, then only special powders can be used for woolen carpets. Liquid products (Vanish and others) for wool carpets are contraindicated.

In the intervals between such cleanings, it is necessary to properly care for the carpet with a vacuum cleaner, as well as protect the product from moisture.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LIGHT CARPET CARE?

Light carpets are beautiful, but require incredible care in everything from handling (any stain is visible) to cleaning (careful choice of product). And if chemicals for the most part do not harm such a carpet, then folk methods can ruin it very quickly.

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