5 of the BEST Kept Carpet Cleaning Secrets
People love carpet. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the carpet industry in the U.S. accounts for about 51 percent of the total flooring market. One reason that people love carpet is that it requires less maintenance and upkeep than hard-surface floors. Frequent vacuuming and an occasional deep-clean scrubbing is typically all that’s required to keep carpet looking new and fresh.
Sooner or later though, your carpet will become the victim of spills, splashes, messy accidents, and whatever you track in on the bottom of your shoes. We’re sharing some of the best kept secrets for how carpet professionals handle these problems.
#1 - Stains: Blot them, Don't Rub!
When a stain or spill first occurs, resist the urge to immediately start scrubbing. That’ll only drive the stain down deeper into the carpet. Instead, gently dab stains with a cleaning solution and a clean cloth, paper towel, or sponge. Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain, so you can soak it up. And always blot from the outer edge of the stain inward toward the center; blotting outward can spread the stain further across the carpet.
#2 - Club Soda and Vinegar are Your Friends!
Club Soda is no longer just for stains on your clothes! If done CORRECTLY, you can use club soda to remove beer and wine stains from carpet. First, pour club soda onto a clean cloth and blot the stain. If the stain appears lighter, repeat with more club soda. If that doesn't work, mix a one-to-one ratio of white vinegar and water, and pour it into a handheld spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stained area, then wait 10 or 15 minutes for it to soak in. Next, press a clean, dry sponge down onto the saturated area to soak up the cleaning solution and the diluted stain, too. Repeat this process, if necessary, until the entire stain is gone.
Once you’ve removed the stain, rinse the spot with clean, warm water. Use your hand to brush the carpet strands into their natural direction. Finally, lay several white paper towels over the area and weigh them down with something heavy, like a book. The towels will absorb the dampness from the carpet; leave them in place until the carpet is dry, usually about one day.
#3 - Try Shaving Cream
The best carpet cleaner for general stains is—believe it or not—ordinary shaving cream. It will remove just about every type of stain. Apply the shaving cream directly to the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Once the shaving cream has set, blot it up with a dry white cloth. Finish by spraying the area with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, and then wipe away the solution with a cloth.
#4 - Dish Soap Cuts Grease
Greasy spills are some of the most difficult to remove from carpet, but again, the secret is to use the proper product and technique: Place a few drops of grease cutting dish soap, such as Dawn, into a cup of warm water. Gently mix the solution to dissolve the soap. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and soak the greasy stain. Then blot it up with a white cloth or paper towels. Depending on the size and age of the stain, you may need to repeat this treatment multiple times.
#5 - Heat Hardened Wax
Burning candles (or Scentsy’s) in the house can result in wax dripping onto the carpet, where it quickly hardens and becomes embedded in the fibers. Try heating the wax back to a semi-liquid state in order to remove it. Place a white cloth over a warm clothes iron (use the “no steam” setting). Then set the iron on top of the wax until it melts. Scrape off the softened wax with a butter knife or a comb.
Closing Thoughts: Deep Clean Regularly
The very best way to keep carpeting looking fresh and new is to deep-clean it regularly using a steam cleaner. The hot water and steam penetrate the carpet fibers all the way down to the backing to loosen any embedded soil, dust, or greasy deposits. At Total Care, we specialize in providing a deeper, longer-lasting clean with healthier results - leaving your carpet cleaner than it has ever been. Call us today (319) 382-9815 to schedule an appointment!
