There are several ways how to clean carpets. One is to use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar. You can mix these substances in a large bowl and spray them onto the carpet. This method is very effective for removing most types of stains. You can also use an empty spray bottle and mix the ingredients.
Baking soda
Baking soda is an all-natural cleaner that can remove stains from your carpet. Unlike harsh chemicals, it has no adverse side effects. It is also great for freshening up the appearance and smell of your carpet. However, baking soda is not suitable for wool rugs since it will degrade them faster.
You can use baking soda to clean the carpet on either wet or dry carpet. It is best to sprinkle it liberally over the area to be treated. Then, you can vacuum it or wipe it clean with a damp cloth. However, it is important not to scrub too hard because too much scrubbing could damage the carpet’s fabric.
In addition to removing stains, baking soda can also deodorize the carpet. The alkaline content of the baking soda lifts the dirt from the carpet fibers. It also eliminates odors caused by pets. It is recommended to leave the baking soda on the carpet for 15 minutes before vacuuming.
Vinegar
One of the most popular methods for cleaning your carpet is to use vinegar mixed with baking soda. However, this method is not very effective. It leaves a white film on the carpet, and the mixture contains peracetic acid, a skin irritant, and a breathing inhibitor. Moreover, vinegar is unsuitable for hardwood surfaces, as its acidic properties may damage them.
Although vinegar is not the best choice for cleaning carpets, it does have several other uses. For example, it can clean odors and loosen food stains. It is also an excellent deodorizer. However, this method may leave a lingering vinegar smell in the room. Furthermore, straight vinegar may cause the carpet to change texture, and its color may fade.
Spot cleaning
Spot cleaning carpets can be a challenging task. If you don’t have the experience or the expertise to spot clean carpets correctly, you may want to seek the help of a carpet cleaning professional. They are trained in spot cleaning techniques and have the proper products. Unfortunately, these techniques require many steps and products that the average consumer does not have. Failing to apply these methods correctly may result in permanent staining of the carpet.
Before using a spot cleaner on your carpet, test it on a small area first. A spot cleaner may react differently with some carpet materials, causing the color to run or shrink.
Using a carpet cleaning machine
Using a carpet cleaning machine to clean your carpet is an effective way to remove stains and dirt. However, it is essential to pre-treat stains before you begin cleaning. Some carpet cleaning machines have a built-in sprayer that sprays the cleaning solution directly on the stain. This feature can help you prevent additional stains and messes because there is no need to purchase an additional spray bottle.
Some carpet cleaning machines also have a removable water tank, which is convenient for cleaning larger areas. However, you should also check the tank capacity since larger tanks hold more cleaning solutions.
