How to clean a carpet yourself?

General recommendations

Before cleaning the carpet, it is recommended to study the basic rules. This will help to avoid mistakes that will lead to damage to the product.

Basic cleaning rules:

1. Do not clean the carpet earlier than 5 weeks after purchasing and laying it on the floor. During this time, the material will be compacted, and the risk of pile loss will be minimized.
2. Use warm (or slightly cool) water. If the recipe requires preparing a hot solution, then cool it to room temperature before use.
3. Do not over-wet the carpet. Excess water and heat are the best conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms that are dangerous to humans.
4. Use mainly soft brushes. Too hard bristles can easily damage the carpet pile, which cannot be restored.
5. When cleaning, move along the pile. Otherwise, its structure will be damaged.

Perform regular maintenance: regular vacuuming at least once a week, general cleaning every month.

Which brush is better to use?

There are many types of brushes that can be used to clean a carpet at home. However, the choice of a specific tool depends on the situation: in one case it will be effective, in another it will damage the product.

Most importantly, the brush should be soft (if the product is made of natural material). Rough tools should not be used when it is necessary to remove difficult stains. If you ignore this advice, marks will remain on the surface that cannot be removed by any method.

For gentle cleaning, it is preferable to use brushes made of the following materials:

Hard brushes can be used if you need to treat a covering made of synthetic material. Artificial villi are more durable and resistant to mechanical stress.

Methods of cleaning with household chemicals

There are many commercial carpet cleaning products that can be purchased at the store. For example, the most popular brands are Vanish, Karcher, Dr. Beckmann Carpet Stein Remover, etc. Before using them, you should familiarize yourself with the general recommendations of the manufacturer indicated on the packaging.

All products are divided into two large groups:

• Dry cleaning products. Excellent for natural carpets, long-pile models and very large carpets, as well as for removing odors. Detailed instructions are usually provided on the packaging and do not cause difficulties. Popular products – Karcher RM 76, Prosept Carpet DryClean.
• Carpet cleaning shampoos. Universal products that are suitable for different types of carpets. Can be used with a vacuum cleaner or for manual cleaning. For difficult stains, Vanish or Grass Carpet are usually used. Some shampoos do not need to be washed off (Chirton, Eco Mist).

General recommendations for cleaning with household products:

1. Vacuum the surface thoroughly, removing all particles of debris.
2. Moisten the material with a special spray that helps soften and loosen dirt.
3. Treat with a chemical agent and leave for 10-15 minutes.
4. Remove dirt with the applied composition using a washing vacuum cleaner or wash the surface by hand.
5. Dry the product well.

Review and comparison of products:

Instructions for cleaning with Vanish:

How to clean with folk remedies?

Household chemicals are often expensive. However, in every apartment there are products that can be used to clean the carpet no less effectively and quickly.

Ammonia

Ammonia solution is one of the best means for cleaning a carpet at home. It copes well with all types of dirt. The disadvantage is its high toxicity, so during work, personal protective equipment is used: a respirator and rubber gloves.

Cleaning steps:

1. Prepare a solution of 1 liter of hot water, 1 tbsp. household cleaning product and 1 tbsp. ammonia. Mix all components thoroughly.
2. Spread the liquid product over the carpet, especially carefully treating large and noticeable stains. Use a wide brush with hard bristles.
3. If there is a lot of dirt and the water quickly becomes dark, then prepare a new solution. They continue to process the coating.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry.

Laundry soap

Laundry soap contains a large percentage of fatty acids and some free alkalis, which provides excellent cleaning ability. Using an aqueous solution based on it, you can get rid of most difficult stains, including grease residues. The soap does not leave unpleasant odors and provides antibacterial properties.

Cleaning steps:

1. Grate 50 g of laundry soap on a fine grater and completely dissolve the shavings in 1 liter (1000 ml) of hot water. Then add 1 tbsp of turpentine.
2. Treat the surface with the solution using a hard synthetic brush. Rub especially thoroughly the areas where difficult stains have formed.
3. Dry the carpet. To do this, first wipe it with a dry rag (cloth, soft sponge), then take it out onto the balcony or into the yard of the house (if the weather is sunny).

Soda

Baking soda is an effective and safe cleaning agent. It can be used in a house with small children and animals.

Cleaning steps:

1. The carpet is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, removing debris.
2. Sprinkle soda generously over the surface.
3. Moisten with clean water. The carpet only needs to be slightly moistened, so it is better to use a spray bottle (sprayer).
4. Dip a broom in a weakly concentrated soda solution and begin to sweep the carpet, brushing the dust in one direction.
5. Then proceed to washing with clean water and drying in the open air.

Lemon

Lemon juice is excellent at removing odors and dissolving dirt. It is used in combination with salt, which quickly absorbs dust.

Cleaning steps:

1. The carpet is thoroughly vacuumed.
2. A small amount of lemon juice is added to finely ground salt and applied to the surface. Leave for 20-30 minutes.
3. Soak the broom in a hot soapy solution (you can dilute washing powder in water) and start sweeping the floor, removing the applied layer.
4. Dry and vacuum again.

Vinegar

Table vinegar is an inexpensive and relatively safe product that can be used to remove simple stains. If you need to remove stubborn stains, pre-wash the product with a soda solution.

Vinegar does an excellent job of removing foreign odors and suppresses the development of mites, pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria and mold fungi. Therefore, it is often preferred by housewives.

Snow

To clean a carpet, you can use not only special compounds, but also snow. Surprisingly, it quickly removes dust, small stains, and odors.

Cleaning steps:

1. Place the carpet on the snow with the pile down. Unfold it completely.
2. Apply a thick layer of snow on top.
3. Tap the surface with a beater.
4. Turn the carpet over and place it on clean snow. Repeat the procedure on the front side.

What do you need to know about dry cleaning?

There are many methods of cleaning carpets: from extraction to steam. But first of all, all methods are usually divided into dry and wet processing.

Dry cleaning of carpets allows you to get results quickly and without much expense. A special cleaning powder, slightly moistened with a detergent and moisturizer, is poured onto the surface. The substance absorbs dirt within a few minutes, then it is removed with a vacuum cleaner or broom.

Dry cleaning is suitable for all types of carpets. Commercial (professional) powders or household products (baking soda, salt) are used as a working substance.

How to clean with a steam cleaner?

Using hot steam is one of the most effective cleaning methods at home. You will need special equipment: a device with a tank and a nozzle (steam cleaner).

Stages of work:

1. Collect large and small debris using a vacuum cleaner.
2. Treat stains with a liquid cleaning agent, trying to soften the dirt better.
3. Fill the steam cleaner with hot water and a special cleaning agent for carpets.
4. Treat the carpet with a steam cleaner.
5. Wait until the carpet dries. After that, you can walk on it.

Fill the steam cleaner with hot water and a special carpet cleaner.

Treat the carpet with the steam cleaner.

Wait until the carpet dries. After that, you can walk on it.

How to vacuum a carpet?

Although everyone knows how to use a vacuum cleaner, using this device to clean a carpet requires understanding some nuances. You should follow several rules:

• carry out the processing slowly and consistently, starting from the far corner and moving towards the exit;
• vacuum in the direction of the pile: along the long and short sides;
• clean the device as it gets dirty.

Features of cleaning by carpet type

There are no universal cleaning methods. The method should be selected depending on the type of carpet, taking into account its color, material, structure.

First of all, take into account the base, which can be:

1. Synthetic. This is the most unpretentious material that can be processed in different ways. However, artificial fibers can easily be destroyed when exposed to extremely high temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, a synthetic carpet should not be washed with hot solutions or dried in the sun. If it is glued, it should not be over-moistened.
2. Viscose. It is very popular due to its practicality and low cost. However, viscose easily absorbs moisture and is poorly resistant to mechanical stress. It should be treated with flexible brushes using mild chemicals.
3. Wool. A product made from such pile lasts a long time, because it does not collect dust and is resistant to mechanical stress. However, it easily absorbs moisture, so it should not be over-moistened to avoid the accumulation and development of mold. It is also not recommended to clean a wool product with aggressive chemicals in order to preserve the natural color and structure.
4. Silk. This is a very capricious material that requires careful care. It is cleaned only with soft brushes, warm or cool solutions. Do not dry in direct sunlight.
5. Fur. A product made of such material quickly absorbs dust and food residue, so traces of dirt should be removed quickly. It is best to use ammonia or vinegar.

When choosing a method, it is important to consider the structure of the base:

• Thus, carpets with long pile accumulate a lot of dust and dirt, so they need thorough wet cleaning. In this case, strong agents are used that form foam, penetrate deep and corrode stains.
• On the contrary, products with short pile are cleaned quickly and easily. They can be subjected to both wet and dry cleaning. However, you should avoid wet cleaning for woolen fabrics.

How to remove difficult stains?

Often, stains remain on the surface of carpets that are not immediately noticeable. Over time, they deeply eat into the structure of the coating, so they are difficult to remove. But many of them can be eliminated at home, without resorting to dry cleaning services.

Tea, coffee, wine

These liquids contain pigments and acids that easily eat into the structure of the material. Therefore, they should be removed quickly, and if the stains are old, use chemicals.

Stages of work:

1. Place a clean porous napkin (cloth) on the recently spilled stain to absorb the liquid.
2. Pour salt on top and leave for 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove the substance. If the product is not completely absorbed, repeat the procedure.

Greasy stain

It is believed that traces of grease are difficult to remove. The easiest way to get rid of fresh dirt, but old dirt can also be effectively removed using household products.

Stages of work:

1. Scrape off the grease with the blunt side of a knife or a spoon. If the stain is fresh, apply a napkin so that the oil is absorbed into the porous material.
2. Treat the remains with a solution of baking soda.
3. Rinse the area with a soap solution, then with clean water and dry.

Urine

To remove animal urine, you should act quickly. However, dried stains can also be eliminated, but it will require a little more effort. You need to prepare clean water, table vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and personal protective equipment for the respiratory system and hands.

Stages of work:

1. Apply a clean napkin to the stain to absorb excess moisture.
2. Prepare a solution based on water and vinegar in a ratio of 3:1. Dampen a fresh stain and wait for it to dry.
3. Sprinkle the surface with soda. Spray the powder with a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide taken in a ratio of 2:1. Foam will form, which should be left for 2 hours.
4. Rinse the area with clean water.

Wax

Wax is easy to remove from carpeting, but care should be taken. To melt and collect the substance, use an iron, the temperature of which should be carefully controlled.

Stages of work:

1. Carefully scrape off large pieces of wax with a spoon.
2. Wait until the remains dry.
3. Put on paper and iron with a warm iron (without the steam function). Continue the process until the wax has completely melted and is absorbed into the material.
4. Remove the paper sheet and clean (vacuum).

Blood

Blood stains are easiest to remove if they are fresh. Only ice water should be used. Old stains can be removed with a solution of ammonia or vinegar.

Stages of work:

1. Pour ice water into a spray bottle. Spray the stain.
2. Dampen a cloth and wipe the blood with short strokes from the edges to the center.
3. Dry the area.
4. Vacuum thoroughly.

If you can’t remove the blood yourself, you can use dry cleaning services.

Chocolate

One of the most favorite treats of adults and children can also cause trouble. The chocolate stain on the carpet itself is not difficult, but it is important to remove it in a timely manner.

• For fresh stains, soda without dyes is perfect. It is important to act quickly.
• For short-pile carpets, use a piece of ice – just apply it to the stain for a couple of minutes and then simply scrape it off with gentle movements.
• For long-pile carpets, you can use hydrogen peroxide. But before using, apply it to an inconspicuous area so as not to spoil it.

Pen, felt-tip pens

There are two effective products for ink stains: alcohol or glycerin. Apply the product to a cotton pad and blot the stain on the carpet. If you can’t remove it right away, try again.

Soil

If you spilled soil when replanting a plant or your beloved pet soiled the carpet with dirty paws after a walk, don’t be upset. First, vacuum the contaminated area thoroughly. It is important to wait until the dirt dries. Then, using a damp cloth soaked in a light soap solution, blot the stain until the dirt completely disappears.

Glue

It all depends on the type of glue. For PVA, a weak soap solution is suitable, and for other types of glue, you can use 646 solvent or ammonia.

Pre-test on a small area of the carpet.

Plasticine

To scrub plasticine from the carpet, you can use any of the presented methods.

• Soak in soapy water and sprinkle with soda. Wait 60 minutes and you can wash it off. This method is not suitable for colored carpets.
• Heat the plasticine with a hair dryer or iron through a rag. This will melt the plasticine and completely absorb it into the napkin.

For difficult stains, it is better to call professionals, they always have effective means that will not spoil the surface and completely remove the dirt. Do not delay removing the dirt – the older the stain, the more difficult it is to remove it.