The best method of cleaning carpets is usually steam cleaning, which removes over 90% of dirt and bacteria from carpeting. Dry cleaning carpeting is also effective for ensuring carpets are ready for foot traffic as quickly as possible.
When choosing between steam cleaning and shampooing your carpet, you really can't go wrong with both, but steam cleaning would be the better option. It removes more unseen pests and dirt, and can handle heavy-duty cleaning without making you wait long for drying.
Brush over the carpet with a carpet brush to remove any trapped dirt. Blot the area with dry towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Then fill a clean spray bottle with fresh water and spray the same area. Use another set of dry towels to blot and lift the remaining moisture.
A simple homemade solution is great for water-based stains and can be made by mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water. Apply the solution to the stain and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Use a sponge or white cloth to soak up the solution and stain, and then rinse the area with warm water.
Baking soda is great for cleaning and deodorizing carpet, and it's also great to clean multiple areas throughout your home.
Yes, you can clean a carpet with just water. Using water alone is an eco-friendly and cost-effective method that removes dirt and stains from carpet fibers. However, success depends on water temperature, agitation techniques, and proper drying. Consider professional help for stubborn stains or regular deep cleaning.
So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.
Disadvantages of Steam Cleaning
The most obvious disadvantage of steam cleaning carpets is that it typically requires powerful rental equipment, heavier and more inconvenient to transport compared to dry cleaning units.
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.
The short answer is that you should not use vinegar for carpet cleaning. There is truth to the idea you can use vinegar as a natural disinfectant for cleaning but it cannot remove dirt or soil from a surface or from carpet.
How long do you leave baking soda and vinegar on carpet? For maximum stain-removing power, you should let the solution of vinegar and baking soda sit on your carpet for about 3 hours.
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.
TLDR: Baking soda can be used to clean carpet because it is a powerful alkaline solution that when combined with acid produces dioxide gases. These oxidized gases are highly effective at removing stains from carpet and other materials with ease.
Baking soda is effective in drying wet carpet because it removes moisture. Sprinkling it over the carpet and allowing it to sit for a minimum of 30 minutes will deodorize and dry up your carpet. Vacuum the carpet afterward to freshen it up.
You can remove virtually any type of high traffic stain from your carpet by using a combination of water, vinegar, and baking soda. This method is less harmful than most commercial carpet cleaning processes and is much more affordable.
Carpets that still look dirty or have stains reappear after cleaning is a result of something called wicking. This is due to over wetting the carpet, the backing, and pad which causes them to return back to the surface once dry.
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.