The carpet is one of the most important decorative elements of any room, but, unfortunately, sometimes it is also the dirtiest. All the dust, dirt, hair and pet fur end up on the carpet the most, creating terrible stains that are very difficult to remove. Calling specialists or taking the rug to the dry cleaner is extremely expensive. Our article with photos and videos will help you learn how to clean a carpet at home quickly and effectively.
Tip : Before using any method, test the product on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet.
How to wash a rug at home in the bathroom
Washing a soft coating made of viscose or any other texture is easy only in words, but when you get down to business, everything becomes much more difficult. Without proper knowledge about the material and quality, you can easily and irrevocably ruin a thing, and buying a new rug is much more expensive than using the services of specialists. It is not possible to completely wash a large linen, because you cannot leave it wet for a long time, but small rugs can be completely or partially cleaned in the bathroom.
You can clean the carpet using special products designed for cleaning carpets: powdered and liquid detergents. The most popular of them: Amway, Vanish, Karcher. How to do it:
- We first clean the carpet from dust and dirt using a vacuum cleaner or a regular broom.
- Spray with water completely or partially and rub in the selected product.
- Next, thoroughly rinse off any remaining debris and rinse thoroughly with detergent.
- After washing, hang the rug in a ventilated room or on the balcony, but not in direct sunlight.
How to clean a wool product
Wool carpets are extremely sensitive to cleaning, so it is better to constantly maintain them in good condition or contact a specialist. If you decide to take the initiative into your own hands, wash exclusively with a product that foams up and follow these instructions:
- First, vacuum the carpet, several times if necessary, to remove as much dirt and dust as possible.
- Following the recommendations on the detergent packaging, dilute it with cold water and beat into foam.
- Carefully, without blotting or rubbing, apply foam to the pile with a brush, wait until it dries completely under natural conditions, so as not to deform the fabric.
Caution : Never use bleach or other harsh detergents on wool carpets.
Cleaning Features
The requirement for care and the difficulty of maintaining a white carpet are due to the fact that the slightest dirt is noticeable on it. Added to this is the difficulty of maintenance - not every product can be used on such a delicate surface.
Dry cleaning of such a carpet is no different from caring for dark models: it is periodic vacuuming. You should try to remove stains from the surface before they become ingrained.
The following points should be taken into account:
- composition of the material;
- nature of pollution.
When it comes to caring for a white carpet, the following principles should be taken into account:
Regular use of a vacuum cleaner . If there is already dirt on the carpet (stains, cigarette ashes, etc.), then you must first remove them. Otherwise, even with a vacuum cleaner they can be spread over a larger area.- The use of cleaning products should be thoughtful - you can only use household chemicals that are intended for cleaning carpets.
To remove serious stains from an expensive white carpet, it is recommended to contact a professional.
How to clean long pile flooring
Coverings that have a long pile are among the most difficult to clean, because over time, a lot of dust and dirt accumulate in the deep layers of the fabric, and some stains may not even be noticed. Especially if you have a white fluffy carpet that requires careful and constant care in the form of vacuuming and deep cleaning. Detergents or traditional methods, of which there are an incredible variety, will come to the rescue: cleaning with salt, baking soda, vinegar, ammonia, laundry soap and many others. You just need to choose the one that suits you and start cleaning. These methods will also help clean plain carpets.
Important : cleaning must be carried out in a ventilated area and then you need to leave the windows open for a while.
Before you start cleaning, you should definitely vacuum the shaggy carpet, preferably several times, to remove as much dirt and dust as possible. Only after this can you begin one of the types of cleaning.
Traditional methods: soda
Typically used to refresh color and remove unpleasant odors. How to properly clean with baking soda:
- Sprinkle baking soda over the entire area or on dirty areas and leave it on the floor for half an hour.
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly, several times if necessary, until we have collected all the soda.
Vinegar and soda
Removes light stains and removes unpleasant odors. Cleaning process:
- Prepare a solution in the proportion of 1 tablespoon of vinegar per 1 liter of water.
- We vacuum the carpet and spray it with a spray bottle, which should react with the remaining soda.
- We clean the lint with a brush and wait until the fabric is completely dry.
- Let's vacuum again.
Ammonia
To clean a carpet with this product, you need:
- First, prepare a solution of 5 liters of water, 3 tablespoons of any detergent and 1 tablespoon of ammonia, stir thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture lightly, without blotting too hard, onto the carpet using a soft brush.
- Remove the residue first with a slightly damp and then a dry cloth.
- After cleaning, you need to hang the rug in a well-ventilated area or on the balcony. If there are very wet places, they should be dried with a hairdryer.
This method answers the question of how to clean a carpet without a vacuum cleaner if you need to clean it from stains and remove an unpleasant odor.
Starch
It helps to remove dirt and dust more thoroughly than with regular cleaning. Sprinkle the powder onto the carpet and leave for half an hour, sweep with a brush and vacuum thoroughly. This will not only clean the carpet, but also get rid of the unpleasant odor.
Advice : you should not use starch on dark carpets, as after using it, white marks and streaks may remain on the pile.
Cleaning stains
Stains on the carpet can appear from various contaminants:
- leftover food;
- spilled liquids;
- from objects used for creativity (paints, plasticine);
- careless handling of candles (wax);
- unforeseen situations (blood, vomiting).
Depending on the type of dirt, you can use different products to clean a white carpet.
Blood stains can be removed if you act quickly. Apply a damp cloth to the stain, and then clean the marks with a brush moistened with cold water.
Remove traces of wax and paraffin using an ice cube from the freezer. It is wrapped in a plastic bag and applied to a drop of wax. It separates itself from the cold. This way you can also remove stuck gum. Wax can be removed in another way: apply a piece of dry cloth and iron it with a hot iron. Residues are removed after cooling.
How to tidy up a white shag carpet
Fluffy white carpets look simply royal, but after a couple of months not a trace of their whiteness may remain. Before cleaning, be sure to vacuum the rug and remove dirt and dust with a broom. Conventional products are of little use, as they remove dirt but do not remove yellowness. The best means to return the snow-white color: soda, vinegar, salt and household chemicals.
Tip : the safest product to clean a light-colored carpet is household chemicals and it is quite easy to use - just follow the instructions on the label.
Clean with food powder
Cleaning a white carpet consists of the following steps:
- Let's prepare the solution: to do this, mix a liter of cool water and a tablespoon of soda, pour it into a spray bottle and shake thoroughly.
- Spray the solution evenly over the entire surface of the carpet and leave for half an hour until it takes effect.
- When the fabric dries, clean the surface with a stiff brush or beat it outside.
Effective remedies: sodium bicarbonate and vinegar
This product not only does an excellent job of cleaning the carpet, but also removes gray plaque. How to clean:
- Make a solution from a liter of water, a teaspoon of vinegar and the same amount of soda (sodium bicarbonate), stir.
- Using a brush, apply to the surface of the carpet.
- Wait for it to dry completely and remove the residue with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
Clean with salt
To clean the carpet using this product, it is recommended to choose “Extra” salt. Finely ground particles will absorb dirt more thoroughly:
- Using a spray bottle, moisten the carpet with clean water.
- Sprinkle generously with salt and leave for 30 minutes.
- We clean with a broom or vacuum cleaner.
Tip : if you are cleaning without a vacuum cleaner, you can sweep away debris with a brush or broom.
TOP 9 household chemicals
You can also clean a white carpet from dirt using special products. You can only use brands that are marked “for carpets.” The description should indicate what types of pile they are suitable for. The effectiveness of cleaning depends on strict adherence to the instructions.
Shampoo 5+
Suitable for cleaning any carpet products. Can be added to a washing vacuum cleaner. This product refreshes color well, neutralizes odors, eliminates static electricity, and destroys pathogenic microorganisms. It is not very effective for removing complex and old stains.
Drop of VOX
This is an economical gel-like product with a pleasant smell. Contains active substances that effectively remove dirt without damaging the structure of the product. Foams well, no rubbing or rinsing with water is required after treatment. Does not completely remove traces of paint and some food residues.
Help
It removes even complex stains. I use it only on certain areas, because it will take too much aerosol to cover the entire surface.
Vanish shampoo for hand washing
It contains substances that dissolve fats, break down protein compounds, restore color brightness, eliminate static electricity and unpleasant odors. Active oxygen copes with whitening.
Udalix
Suitable for products with any length of pile. Perfectly removes traces of tea, coffee, sauces. Contains active oxygen. It is used economically, but dissolves somewhat slowly in water.
Selena Kovrol
Effectively copes with dirt and static electricity. Diluted in a ratio of 1:10. It stays on the coating for one hour and leaves no streaks.
Antipyatin
Available in spray or bar soap form. Copes well with old marks. Depending on the type, spray or treat with a damp bar of soap. Remove with a brush after 15-20 minutes.
Vanish Oxi Action
This stain remover, containing bleaches and active substances, returns the original whiteness and freshness.
Nordland for cleaning carpets and upholstered furniture
Penetrates deeply into the fibers, removes fat, eliminates even the smell of tobacco smoke, evens out microvilli, fills with a pleasant aroma.
How to bleach coating at home
Yellowness, which appears over time, is the main problem with white carpets. You can clean and bleach rugs using special chemicals or equally effective folk remedies and recipes:
- One of them is a solution of 2 glasses of warm water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 cap of wool care product. Stir thoroughly and spray the solution evenly over the surface of the carpet. Finally, wipe the pile with a soft brush and vinegar water (1 tablespoon of vinegar per liter of water).
- The second option is hydrogen peroxide. It is enough to add 2-3 tablespoons of liquid to 5 liters of water and stir. Using a sponge, apply to the surface of the carpet without blotting and leave to dry.
Before cleaning, be sure to clean the carpet from dust and debris using a vacuum cleaner or broom, and at the end hang it in a well-ventilated room.
Preserving whiteness, getting rid of yellowness
When using a white carpet, it will lose its color over time. There are a number of reasons for this:
- dust settling;
- sunburn;
- improper operation;
- improper care of the product.
Simple tips will help you maintain the whiteness of your carpet.
Recommendations for maintaining white color :
Regular vacuuming is necessary.- To treat white surfaces, only immaculately clean napkins and brushes should be used.
- If possible, a light-colored carpet should be shaded from direct sunlight.
- For cleaning, you should use those preparations that do not stain the material, even slightly.
- Do not use bleaches that are not intended for cleaning carpets.
- You should not walk on a white carpet in shoes, even indoor ones.
If there are pets in the house, caring for a white carpet becomes more difficult, and wiping pets’ paws becomes a mandatory ritual.
How to dry properly
You cannot leave the carpet wet for a long time, this can lead to its deformation; you need to dry the carpet as soon as possible.
Advice : if you have a long-pile or woolen carpet and it is very wet, it is better to immediately contact a specialist, since it is not possible to dry it at home.
Using dry rags, blot most of the water, place a large amount of fabric underneath and quickly dry with a hairdryer. You can also hang the carpet on the balcony, but under no circumstances in direct sunlight. You should not do this if the carpet is very wet, as it may stretch.
The most important and important condition for the “longevity” of a carpet is proper care. It is necessary to clean with a vacuum cleaner as often as possible, at least once a week. As soon as you notice a stain, you need to immediately remove it using one of the methods described above, air the carpet outside every six months, and clean it with snow in winter. Such simple steps can preserve the beauty of your carpet, and it will serve you for as long as possible.
Care Tips
It is necessary to follow certain recommendations when cleaning the carpet with special means and using folk remedies:
- — Before treating the entire carpet with a strong chemical, it is first recommended to try the composition on an inconspicuous area on the underside to avoid damaging the material;
- — To clean sensitive coatings, do not use a washing vacuum cleaner; it is recommended to remove dust with a regular vacuum cleaner;
- — After wet cleaning, be sure to dry the carpet thoroughly. In summer, it is recommended to dry the carpet outside;
- — To refresh the carpet, in winter you can carry out the snow beating procedure;
- — You need to remove dust not only from the front side, but also from the back side of the product;
- — If possible, stains should be cleaned immediately after they appear;
- — Use strong chemical cleaning agents only if gentle methods are ineffective;
- — It is recommended to remove pet hair with a special brush;
- — Use a metal comb to lift the pile on the carpet.
Each type of coating requires a special approach and the right cleaning method. A high-pile carpet needs to be carefully looked after so that it does not lose its appearance and will last a long time. For cleaning, you can use both professional products and folk care methods.
