Accumulation of dust over time, spilled coffee, unidentified stubborn stains… The least we can say is that our carpets are seeing some bad news! In addition to losing its splendor, the carpet in the living room or bedroom quickly transforms into a nest for dust and mites, hence the importance of carrying out regular maintenance and knowing all the tips and tricks for it. maintain and detach it, but also deodorize it if necessary without it becoming a chore. So, how do you clean a carpet thoroughly and effectively on a daily basis? To do this, we can always count on grandmother’s tips, which are as ecological as they are economical.
Unless your rugs have sentimental value (in which case, it would be better to entrust them to a professional cleaner), you will find that you can renovate them without running to the dry cleaners to ask for a dry wash.
How often should you clean your carpet?
We advise you to vacuum at least twice a week on your carpet. This will prevent dust or small crumbs from becoming too embedded in the fibers, especially if the carpet is in the dining room. If you have children or pets (and therefore possible hair loss), vacuum the carpet more regularly (every two to three days) could however be more judicious. This will limit the risk of more serious damage if a stain occurs. And if this happens, act as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of marks and prevent the stain from drying and becoming impossible to remove.
1) The art of vacuuming your carpet to perfection
Whatever the type of maintenance product used or the operation to be carried out (removal of bad odors, stain removal or complete cleaning), it will be appropriate to always vacuum it first for optimal efficiency. In any case, avoid rubbing too hard so as not to damage the carpet fibers. For a good result, it is generally appropriate touse the brush attachment of the vacuum cleaner to brush the carpet and remove dust more effectively. However, if your carpet is old or very fragile, prefer a gentler suction mode. Finally, note the correct gesture for vacuuming your carpet properly: here we start from the feet and move towards the edge of the carpet.
2) Soapy water to clean recent stains on carpet
Very often, using a clean sponge soaked in a basin of lukewarm water and to which you add a few drops of dishwashing liquid will be more than enough to remove unsightly stains from a carpet. This is even more true in the case of very recent traces which will be gone in no time with this technique. After scrubbing, rinse with clean water and take care to dry the carpet by dabbing it with a towel or dry microfiber cloth.
3) Clean a carpet with potato peelings
Using an infusion of potato peelings is one of the most unusual and effective tips for making your carpet look like new quickly and without chemicals. To do this, make a concentrated infusion with these peelings, then soak a sponge with this mixture. Rub the entire surface of your carpet with this starchy water and leave to act for several hours. Finally, rinse with clean water using a sponge. Then avoid walking on your carpet while air drying.
4) Revive its colors with sparkling water and baking soda
To remove stains and revive its former splendor, forget about commercial household products and head to the kitchen! Find some baking soda and sparkling water which will be also very useful against urine odor if your cat or dog pees on your carpet. To renovate the carpet without washing it, soak it in sparkling water, then scrub it gently with a brush. Then, let it dry for 30 minutes before sprinkling baking soda over its entire surface. Leave for several hours before vacuuming. All you have to do is admire your carpet back to like new !
5) Clean a carpet with dishwashing liquid and vinegar
Here, we once again bring out the king of ecological cleaning products! White vinegar is indeed an excellent cleaner sanitizer, deodorizer and stain remover. The association with the dishwashing detergent only makes it even more effective. To do this, pour the vinegar onto a clean soft cloth and rub the stain. After leaving for a quarter of an hour, foam the soapy water with a whisk or electric mixer and use this mixture to brush the carpet. Finally rinse with clean water, wipe with a clean, dry cloth, and leave to dry for the necessary time.
6) Shaving foam to remove stains from carpet
There are different techniques to use depending on the type of stain on the carpet. However, if you are not sure what to use at the moment, shaving foam (and not gel!) is a safe bet. This product will help absorb and remove stubborn stains. To do this, simply apply the foam in a thick layer to the damaged parts and leave to act for at least an hour. For more difficult or old stains, do not hesitate to leave it on overnight. Then, you can rub vigorously with a sponge before rinsing with clean water.
Important: before testing this tip, test it on an inconspicuous corner of the carpet. You can never be too careful.
7) Black soap, also useful against stains
Black soap allows you to loosen and clean your carpet thoroughly. All you need to do here is dilute a generous tablespoon of black soap in two liters of water (preferably lukewarm). All you then have to do is apply this mixture to the stained areas with a sponge and give a stiff brush a stroke to erase the stains. Rinse with clean water and let dry.
8) To completely clean a carpet, head to the land of Sommières!
Sommières earth is a clay powder which has stain removal and absorbent properties with dazzling efficiency. It is particularly known for removing difficult oily stains. It thus allows carry out dry cleaning fabrics and textiles that cannot be put in the washing machine. In addition, it is very simple to use, which doesn’t spoil anything! Simply sprinkle it over the entire carpet and leave for several hours, or even overnight if possible. Finally, take your vacuum cleaner and vacuum up all the soil in Sommières.
9) Ironing when nothing works on stains
Some tougher stains are resisting? Know that you can unclog… with your iron ! To do this, set the device to its highest level and let it heat up for the necessary time. While heating, mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a bowl. Spray this mixture on the stain starting from the contours to prevent the stain from spreading and forming halos.
Then cover everything with a clean, light-colored linen preferably. This helps to avoid the risk of color bleeding and to better monitor the transfer of the stain to the cloth in question. Run the iron over the laundry using back and forth motions for approximately 10 seconds. No need to stay on the stain for too long : you risk burning your carpet! If necessary, repeat the operation several times on another part of the linen or by changing it if it is too soaked.
Warning: Certain materials cannot withstand high temperatures (cotton, polyester, etc.). The iron therefore risks damaging them. To avoid damaging the fibers, check the label carefully.
10) Mineral spirits to clean carpet
To clean and stain dark or black carpet, use mineral spirits. To do this, soak a sponge with this product and rub the areas covered with stains. Then let it dry and vacuum the treated area.