Sprinkling baking soda before you vacuum is a simple trick that will keep your carpet smelling fresher for longer. Sprinkle a light dusting of baking soda over your carpet, leave it to settle for a few minutes, and then vacuum as normal. Regular vacuuming is a simple way to keep your carpets cleaner for longer.
In a bowl or small bucket, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dip the bristles of the scrub brush into the solution and rub them into the carpet. Massage them into the fibers well (without fully saturating the carpet) and follow up with a cloth to help blot excess moisture.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and shake it well. Add in the dish soap. Spray the solution on the carpet and let it air dry. The vinegar will neutralise any unpleasant odours and also disinfect the area.
Put white or apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle along with some warm water (about one-half to one cup of vinegar for each gallon of water), and spray the area well. After spraying, let the area dry completely. Don't worry—the vinegar scent will dissipate, taking many other odors with it.
Baking soda is the go-to solution for bringing your carpet back to life. Not only does it clean, it also kills bacteria, refreshes the pile and removes odours. Apply plenty of baking soda to completely cover your carpet then use a stiff brush to work it in, rubbing it in different directions.
Laundry Detergents aren't Formulated for Carpet Cleaning
Cleaning solutions are specifically formulated to clean and not damage the machines they're used in and the material they're treating. Laundry soap is designed to be used in washing machines to clean clothing.
Baking soda is great for cleaning and deodorizing carpet, and it's also great to clean multiple areas throughout your home.
Does baking soda ruin your vacuum? Baking soda's minuscule size can clog the filters and potentially damage vacuum cleaners – particularly the motor. If you're using a bagless vacuum, the potential chokepoint would be the cyclonic filters and the post-motor HEPA filter. For bagged vacuums, it's the HEPA filter.
One very well-known and powerful stain removing agent that has been used for years is baking soda. The primary benefit of using baking soda to remove stains and other aesthetic blemishes from your carpet is that it is completely safe and non-toxic.
While some websites sing the praises of vinegar as an all-purpose cleanser, it simply shouldn't be used on carpet. Here's why … Vinegar is great for countertops, but it's one of the least effective solutions out there for removing dirt from carpet fibers.
Mix 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing detergent in 1 cup warm water, dip a sponge in the liquid and dab at the stain, moving from the outside toward the middle. Do not overwet. Rinse with fresh water and dry with towels.
Because liquid dish soap contains moisture, it creates mildew when the moisture condenses in the carpet fiber. Furthermore, the soap contains a harsh chemical that might react with carpet fibers and cause them to weaken. It may even damage the floor underneath it if left unattended.
CARPET QUESTIONS
No, you cannot use Vanish Powder on your carpets. It should only be used on clothes and you should always follow the instruction on the back of the packaging. Instead, we recommend using our Oxi Action 3in1 Carpet Cleaning range to give carpets a deep clean and keep them smelling fresh.
Brighten faded carpet and rugs by rubbing them down with a rag that has been soaked in salt water, then wrung out. You can also submerge throw rugs and drapes in a solution of salt water, then wash as usual.
The best way to do this is to take a towel out of the washing machine when it's still damp. Lay it over the flattened area and then gently run a warm (not hot) iron over it. Repeat until the carpet fibers pop back up again. The heat and damp will help reset the fibers, and you'll end up with a nice fluffy carpet again.
It's a fast way to get rid of outside bacteria and allergens, while freshening up your carpet. Take a spray bottle and fill it with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. Then simply spray this solution on your carpet and you're ready to go (a light spray is enough, don't soak the carpet).
You'll probably need to let it sit overnight, but the key is to wait until the vinegar has completely dried. As it dries, the smell of the vinegar should dissipate. Finally, you'll just need to vacuum up the baking soda. If there's more than a little left in the spot, you may want to scoop some of it up first.
Pour a small amount of vinegar on the stain, followed by a sprinkle of baking soda. The vinegar works to saturate and soften up the offending mark while the baking soda does the lifting and deodorizing. Together, they bubble a little and work as a team to lift the stain to the surface.
We are often asked if baking soda will stain carpet. We have never found that bicarb or baking soda (the same thing) to ever stain carpet. Some are also concerned that the vinegar will bleach carpet. There is little risk of this happening, even with woollen carpets.