DIY Carpet Cleaning: Tips and Tricks for Keeping Your Carpets Fresh and Clean at Home

Posted: 01/18/23 - Category: Carpet Cleaning Tips

Carpets are not only part of the interior, but also the main dust sink. It can cause allergies and discomfort for the owners. To keep the carpets in your home fresh, clean, and long-lasting, you should wash them regularly, following some recommendations. Carpets can be perfectly cleaned at home with the right tools. If you are wondering how to clean carpets at home check out our useful tips. We recommend that you research the best carpet cleaning methods. Hurry up and read to keep your home clean and cozy at all times.

How to Clean Certain Types of Carpets?

Beautiful carpets make a comfortable atmosphere and bring warmth to the home or room. To clean carpets at home more effectively, you need to figure out what kind of carpet you have.

Wool

Sheep’s wool is the most traditional fiber for making carpets. The lack of chemical compounds in the structure makes wool carpets safe for human health and the environment, even after many years of use you will not feel discomfort.

How to properly clean a wool carpet?

Once or twice a week you should vacuum it from both sides, always behind the pile, without unnecessary pressure and friction. A new carpet shouldn’t be vacuumed, only swept.
Garbage should be removed with a soft brush or broom. Do this frequently, so that the small crumbs don’t get deep into the carpet.
Clean carpet with a sticky roller to remove pet hairs that the vacuum cleaner couldn’t get off it.
Remove stains right away. Pick up the fresh dirt and blot up the liquid with a cloth. You can also wash them off by applying a cleaning spray.
Light dirt should be removed as soon as possible with a soft, damp brush.

Polypropylene

This new fiber has a fairly simple structure. Polypropylene carpets never fade, burn out in the sun, or wash out. The fibers are smooth, and therefore dirt never penetrates the structure of the fiber itself. This allows the consumer to achieve a first-quality cover appearance during the entire period of use.

How to properly clean a polypropylene carpet?

You can get rid of dirt simply by vacuuming it on both sides.
If there is a stain on the carpet, you can easily remove it with a soapy solution or any detergent for synthetic fibers. You won’t need to buy special expensive cleaning agents, the simplest solutions will be enough.
Snow cleaning carpet is an effective method of getting rid of dirt. Covering should be taken outdoors, sprinkled with clean snow, and then swept with a broom. This not only refreshes but also helps to rid the carpet of germs.
Don’t knock the carpet out in a suspended state. After cleaning, it is advisable to store the polypropylene carpet in a roll, and it shouldn’t be folded.

Nylon

Polyamide fiber is resilient, abrasion resistant, and anti-static. The properties of the fiber allow the use of different ways to process the yarn and pile, and, accordingly, the creation of a variety of textures. Polyamide is used both in its pure form and as an admixture to other materials.

How to properly clean a nylon carpet?

Ordinary baking soda can remove not only stains but also unpleasant odors. After damp treatment, it is necessary to dry the covering well and only then lay it on the floor. You can also use baking soda for dry carpet cleaning. It is enough to simply pour the stains and vacuum up the remains.
Citric acid works well with food stains.
Household soap is capable of washing outdated stains of any origin. Wet the surface, let it stand for an hour and vacuum up the remains.

Polyester

It’s the closest to nylon in terms of its properties. Depending on the admixtures, polyester can be glossy or matt. Thanks to the latest fiber processing technology, the pile doesn’t cause a cleaning hassle.

How to properly clean a polyester carpet?

The main rule is to vacuum the carpet regularly to prevent the accumulation of debris and dust.
Use baking soda to get rid of excess odors and give the product a fresh look. Dry the carpet thoroughly before use and vacuum up the remains of the baking soda.
Vinegar or citric acid solutions are used for cleaning carpets. The mixture is sprayed on the surface and removed after half an hour with a vacuum cleaner.

Acrylic

Acrylic is a durable and soft material, widely used in carpet manufacturing. Having an artificial origin, the acrylic yarn has received almost all the characteristics of its natural analog, while retaining the advantages of synthetic fiber.

How to properly clean an acrylic carpet?

A regular vacuum cleaner helps with dust. Cleaning from both sides surely returns the item to the original shine and brightness of the colors.
Removing dirt with absorbent cleaning works well and guarantees that even difficult stains are removed.
Steam cleaning is a very effective method.
Foam dry cleaning of acrylics is another method that can effectively fight even difficult stains.

Viscose

Viscose is a man-made fiber, not a synthetic one. Such carpets look chic, similar to silk, but cost much less.

How to properly clean a viscose carpet?

To remove dirt from liquid spills, you should use dishwashing detergent.
Clean particularly stubborn stains with a mixture of acetic acid, water, and dishwashing detergent.
Any water or liquid from the surface should be gently removed with a cloth, without rubbing the stain in any way.

Cotton

Cotton carpets are great for the bathroom because this material absorbs moisture very well and dries quickly. Small cotton carpets are easy to clean at home. A big plus of cotton carpets is the natural material, which doesn’t cause allergies.

How to properly clean a cotton carpet?

Vacuum it every week with an ordinary dry vacuum cleaner and prevent the appearance of stains.
Try to get rid of stains with home remedies. The most gentle is baking soda or salt.
Dry powder and shampoo for carpets are also acceptable.

How to Remove Stains and Spills from Carpets?

Cleaning carpet at home is easy using special solutions.

Wine stain

It is important to blot the carpet as soon as it is stained with dry tissues. Then spread salt on the stain and leave it. After that, wipe off the salt and wine stain with a damp cloth in a circular motion in the center of the stain to keep it from spreading. White wine or citric acid mixed in half with water also helps to remove such stains.

Bloodstain

Try quickly cleaning up a fresh blood stain with a damp microfiber cloth dampened with COLD water. You can use salt mixed with water until it becomes a mush. Spread it on the stain and leave it for about 10 minutes, then remove it with a damp cloth.

Tea or coffee stains

These stains are easier to remove with a brush using a soapy solution. If the stain isn’t fresh, use a glycerin solution. Put it on overnight, and in the morning only remove the remains with a vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth.

Oil stains

They are easily washed off with a dishwashing detergent. Mix it with a little water, apply it to the desired area and leave it for a while. Or just put baking soda on the stain for half an hour. Wipe off the remains with a damp cloth.

Chocolate or fruit stains

Remove them with a soapy vinegar solution. Spray a liter of the solution on the dirty areas and blot it with a sponge.

Old stains

A universal tool suitable for old soiling is a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. This paste should be applied to the carpet and left for a few hours, then remove the remains with a damp brush.

DIY Cleaning Solutions for Carpet Cleaning at Home

To get the best clean carpets, some turn to professional crews, such as NICK’S Window Cleaning, while others try to find home cleaning tools. The main home alternatives to store-bought cleaners for cleaning carpets are as follows:

Baking soda is one of the most affordable agents. It doesn’t leave a strong odor, it isn’t dangerous. Use it independently or mix it with salt, or vinegar. Spread dry baking soda (or its mixture with salt) on the stain, and remove it after 20 minutes.
Vinegar (diluted solution). It’s another budget solution that’s easy to get. It is suitable for wool carpets. Apply the solution with a soft brush behind the pile, and remove it after 20 minutes with a dry sponge. After that, vacuum the covering.
Ammonia alcohol (diluted solution). It works best with red wine and juices. Apply with a brush only on the pile. Remove with a dry cloth after 5 minutes.
Starch <(for light-colored monochrome carpets). Use it in dry form - spread it on the carpet and remove it with a powerful vacuum cleaner.
Household soap< is suitable for fresh stains. Dilute a small amount in water and spray on the carpet.
Lemon juice. Apply fresh juice to the stain and wash after two hours.

Which Tools Required for Deep Cleaning Carpets

The best way to clean carpets is to take the process seriously. Here is a list of equipment to make your carpet cleaning successful:

A carpet cleaner, liquid soap or washing powder,
Carpet cleaning at home solutions (baking soda, household soap, starch, etc.),
Large container for water,
Sponge or broom,
Water,
Gloves,
Vacuum cleaner.

Tips for Regular Carpet Cleaning to Prolong the Carpet’s Life

Vacuum the carpet at medium speed, and long-woven and textured carpets at minimum speed. Use a wet vacuum cleaner rarely.
Periodically, beat the carpet to remove the dust.
If you spill water or any other drink on the carpet – you must immediately soak it up with a natural cloth or paper towel.
Remove stains with a soft brush or cloth.
Once a year, use a professional carpet cleaning servicefor natural or synthetic carpets.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning carpets.
Consider the carpet’s components and materials when cleaning it.
Use any product first on the carpet’s backside and see if everything is okay with it.

When to Turn to a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Carpets need constant cleaning. Even the cleanest and prettiest carpet, at first sight, hides dust and other dirt. Carpet cleaning service is always a great idea because the professionals have enough experience to deep clean carpets properly and make them look like new. Plus, they can handle the oldest dirt that seems impossible to remove. A huge advantage is also the switch by most companies to eco-friendly agents for cleaning a carpet. So, try to stick to the standard rules: maintain the carpet, remove fresh dirt immediately and at least once or twice a year turn to dry cleaning.