The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Carpets take lots of abuse from shoes, spills, and pets.
Whether it is wall-to-wall carpeting or an area rug, it will eventuallyneed to be cleaned.
There are dozens ofcarpet cleaning productson the market and hundreds of professional carpet cleaning services.
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Next, vacuum the entire carpet to pick up dirt and loose debris.
Give the area two or so passes in different directions to ensure you are being thorough.
After vacuuming, survey your carpet for any set-in stains.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Let it sit for five to 10 minutes, depending on how old/set the stain is.
Once your stains are all set, you’ve got the option to continue with the carpet-cleaning process.
The water should be very hot but not boiling.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Add the hot water and stir to mix.
Use equal parts baking soda and vinegar.
Alternatively, a drop or two of fresh-smelling essential oils like lemon or mint could also do the trick.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Fill the Carpet Cleaner
Using a funnel, pour the cleaning mixture into the carpet cleaner.
You do not need to dilute the solution.
If you are cleaning a very large area, mix additional batches as needed.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Operate the Carpet Cleaner
Air-Dry the Carpet
Allow the carpet to air-dry.
Do not walk on the carpet until it is completely dry.
Add a circulating fan to speed drying and place plastic down in walkways if you must use the room.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Shake well to mix and label the bottle.
Let the solution work for at least 10 minutes to break apart the stain.
Tip
attempt to treat stains as quickly as possible after they happen.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Blot away as much liquid as possible from spills.
Use a dull knife or spoon to lift away solids that hit the carpet.
Never rub because that pushes the stain deeper into the fibers.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Rinse, Blot, and Dry
Dip a microfiber cloth in cold water and wring until damp.
Rinse the soiled area of the carpet.
Keep moving to a clean side of the cloth as the stain is transferred.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Blot the area with a dry cloth until no more liquid is transferred.
Allow the area to air-dry.
Do not walk on the area until it is dry.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
This can take up to 24 hours.
In a bowl or bucket, mix equal amounts of baking soda and table salt.
To clean a 5 x 7 carpet, you will need at least 1 cup of each.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Mix more for wall-to-wall carpeting.
Fill a spray bottle with distilled water.
Sprinkle, Spray, and Scrub
Evenly sprinkle the baking soda mixture over the carpet.
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Working in a grid so you don’t miss any areas, lightly spray the dry mixture with water.
Use a soft-bristled brush to work the mixture into the carpet fibers.
Dry and Vacuum
Allow the damp mixture to remain on the carpet until it has air-dried.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
This can take up to eight hours.
Vacuum away the loose soil and odors.
Thats not including the purchase of additional stain removers for pretreating stubborn stains.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Additional Tips
The recommended homemade solution can be used in most home carpet cleaning machines.
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove stubborn carpet stains, like blood and pet stains.
Dilute the solution with water before use.
Also, wear gloves and open a window to ensure your area is well-ventilated.
