If you have always had a carpet in your living space, you probably spend a lot of time on its upkeep every month. Shag rugs and wool carpets need more care and have to be cleaned more often.
Luckily, there are so many easy hacks to clean them using household items. Here are some very simple DIY hacks to clean your carpets at home.
1. Use Baking Soda for Greasy Stains
Baking soda is very versatile and can totally save your carpet from dirt and grease. You must know that heavy and oily stains should never be allowed to sit long on carpets.
The easiest way to take out the greasy smudges is by using baking soda. Instead of rubbing the stain away apply a generous amount of baking soda on the area.
Then, let it sit for a few minutes and let the soda absorb it. It basically dries out the oil and the grease and does not let them settle.
It simply leaves a very manageable stain which can be easily dealt with. This is one of the easy cleaning hacks you must definitely try.
2. The Magic of Shaving Cream
Dirt and grease stains are often a much bigger problem than residual crumbs. Especially, if your carpet is light-colored.
We’ve all at some point dropped drinks or spaghetti on our rugs, and it’s not as disastrous as you think. It can be very easily removed with shaving cream.
After you vacuum your rug, just blot the stain first and apply some shaving cream to it.
Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away with a damp sponge or a cloth.
3. Food Stains Can Be Fixed with Salt
Salt can be a huge help when it comes to cleaning your rugs. If you get some oil food on the carpet, do this.
Mix alcohol and salt in a 4:1 ratio. Apply it to the area, and then rub it away.
For spilled ketchup or wine, blot the excess spill first and just sprinkle a generous amount of salt. Then, let it be for a few minutes.
The salt absorbs the moisture and some of the stain. Then just vacuum it till the remaining stain is completely gone.
4. Lint Roller Always Helps
Lint roller can be your hero if you’re a clean freak who owns a carpet. From rugs to pillows to couches, they can clean everything.
Especially, if you have a carpet with long hair. Sometimes the crumbs and small particles get stuck as the fibers of the carpet hide them.
A lint roller can easily slide over anywhere, and it’s amazing how fast it can clean up your messy carpet.
5. Try Ironing Stains Away
The most effective way to clean out stubborn stains is to use a water-vinegar mixture and an iron. First, you need to vacuum the carpet so that the residual particles and dirt go away.
Then, make a solution with 3 parts of water and 1-part vinegar. Apply this to the stained area and leave it to work through the layers for 5-7 minutes.
Place a terry towel over the area and iron the stain out. Basically, the pressure and the heat take the stain out and it gets absorbed by the towel.
6. Club Soda Is a Talented Agent
Pet urine on carpets is often a huge problem. But, believe it or not, they can be dealt with pretty easily.
Take some paper towels and blot out as much urine as you can. Then soak the area with club soda.
Afterward, rub in the carpet shampoo and clean the area thoroughly. Spilled coffee is also a huge issue, as it happens so often.
Club soda works on that too. Just pour some soda over the stain and blot it. Then you can vacuum the area.
7. Toothbrushes Keep Rugs Clean Too
Shag carpets have areas our vacuum cleaners simply cannot reach. A regular toothbrush with soft bristles can be a huge help.
Especially with taking out stains that have settled. Apply the vinegar or baking soda, depending upon the nature of the stain.
Then, you can gently work on the stain with the toothbrush.
8. Grease or Oil
Accidentally drop that family-size bucket of takeout fried chicken on the den carpet? Sprinkle the grease spots liberally with cornmeal or cornstarch, let sit for several hours, and vacuum it up. Or work shaving cream into the stains, let it dry, and rub it off with a damp soft cloth.
9. Coffee and Tea
Choose one of these three methods and act fast. Pour club soda liberally onto the stain and blot, repeating as necessary. Or blot with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Or beat an egg yolk, rub it into the stain, and blot it.
10. Ketchup
Jump right on this one because once a ketchup stain sets, it won’t come out (ever). Grab the salt and sprinkle it over the spill, let sit for a few minutes, and vacuum. Sponge up any residue and continue salting and vacuuming until the stain is completely gone.
Have any of your own cleaning hacks? Share them in the comment section!