Carpets are great- not only do they make your home look nicer, but they are also extremely comfortable, adding to the enjoyment you derive from your home. For this reason, many people opt for more expensive carpets. If this is the case, then you will naturally want it to last as long as possible- and they only way you can do this is through careful, regular cleaning. If you want to keep your carpet looking great for many years to come, then follow these seven simple stain removal tips, and before long, your carpet will be looking as good as new!
1: Take your shoes off inside
The vast majority of dirt in your home is brought in from outside- mostly on the bottom of your shoes. If you keep your shoes from touching the carpet, then it stands to reason that it will stay a lot cleaner.
2: Vacuum at least once a week
By vacuuming your carpet regularly, you can prevent dust and dirt particles from becoming embedded in the fibers, and thus much harder to get out. What’s more, you’ll also cut down on the amount of allergens in your home to improve your health. When vacuuming, it’s vital that you go in multiple directions to pick everything up. Use an overlapping, diagonal pattern, and for even better results, sprinkle some baking soda over your carpet first.
3: Try steam cleaning
If there’s any dirt embedded deep within the fibers of your carpet, then steam cleaning is one of the only ways to get it out. They are also capable of completely removing any moisture to eliminate the risk of mold and mildew.
4: Keep irons and blow driers away from your carpet
Since these appliances direct a lot of heat on one particular spot, they can damage your carpet coloring and fibers.
5: Blot stains, don’t rub them
If you rub a stain too hard, then you can end up spreading it to the fibers around it. A more effective way of treating them is to apply some cleaning solution, and then gently blot it, moving inwards from the outer edge of the stain.
6: Use gentle cleaners first
Harsh cleaners can damage the fibers and color of your carpet or upholstery, so it’s best to use a milder solution first. You’ll find many household items are effective cleaners, including:
- Warm tap water
- A 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar
- One teaspoon of ammonia in half a cup of water
- Rubbing alcohol or shaving cream, placed straight on the stain
- Lemon juice mixed with salt
7: Treat stubborn stains with something stronger
There are a few stains, like grease, wine, blood, and chewing gum, which are a bit tougher to remove. In these cases, use one of the following:
- Club soda to remove red wine stains
- Oil or grease should be treated with WD 40
- Another treatment for grease is to blot it with rubbing alcohol
- For gum or wax, apply an ice cube to loosen it before scraping it up
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