Caring for it is much more difficult than motley and dark carpets. But the problem of cleaning such a product can be completely solved by using folk recipes and household chemicals.
In this article we will tell you how to clean a white or light-colored carpet at home - quickly and effectively.
Cleaning Features
The requirement for care and the difficulty of maintaining a white carpet are due to the fact that the slightest dirt is noticeable on it. Added to this is the difficulty of maintenance - not every product can be used on such a delicate surface.
Dry cleaning of such a carpet is no different from caring for dark models: it is periodic vacuuming. You should try to remove stains from the surface before they become ingrained.
The following points should be taken into account:
- composition of the material;
- nature of pollution.
When it comes to caring for a white carpet, the following principles should be taken into account:
Regular use of a vacuum cleaner . If there is already dirt on the carpet (stains, cigarette ashes, etc.), then you must first remove them. Otherwise, even with a vacuum cleaner they can be spread over a larger area.- The use of cleaning products should be thoughtful - you can only use household chemicals that are intended for cleaning carpets.
To remove serious stains from an expensive white carpet, it is recommended to contact a professional.
Cleaning stains
Stains on the carpet can appear from various contaminants:
- leftover food;
- spilled liquids;
- from objects used for creativity (paints, plasticine);
- careless handling of candles (wax);
- unforeseen situations (blood, vomiting).
Depending on the type of dirt, you can use different products to clean a white carpet.
Blood stains can be removed if you act quickly. Apply a damp cloth to the stain, and then clean the marks with a brush moistened with cold water.
Remove traces of wax and paraffin using an ice cube from the freezer. It is wrapped in a plastic bag and applied to a drop of wax. It separates itself from the cold. This way you can also remove stuck gum. Wax can be removed in another way: apply a piece of dry cloth and iron it with a hot iron. Residues are removed after cooling.
Proven folk recipes
If the stain has just appeared, you need to act quickly . First, blot it with a clean, dry cloth, trying to collect as much of the spilled liquid as possible.
Wipes should be changed as needed. Having collected all the excess moisture from the carpet, you can move on to the next stage - removing the stain.
Ammonia
The use of ammonia is recommended for removing water-soluble stains left by: tea, vomit, coffee, chocolate, etc.
To prepare the solution you will need the following components:
- clean water (1 glass);
- ammonia (1 tbsp).
To achieve better distribution throughout the pile, without excessive moisture, it is recommended to pour the prepared product into a spray bottle. This will make the stains easier to handle.
Procedure:
- Spray the mixture onto the stain.
- Treat the area of contamination with a sponge.
Hydrogen peroxide
For a fresh blood stain on a white surface, you can use hydrogen peroxide.
You need to act quickly:
- Blot the stain with a napkin.
- Moisten the pile with cold water.
- Treat with undiluted hydrogen peroxide using a sponge or napkin.
If you start dealing with the stain right away, not a trace will remain of it, even on a white surface.
Soda
Baking soda has the ability to absorb dust and dirt.
To clean the surface it is used in dry form:
- Cover the stain with soda.
- Leave for 30-40 minutes.
- Vacuuming.
The use of starch has a similar effect.
You can read more about cleaning carpets with soda here.
Vinegar
To remove stains on a light surface, you can use an aqueous solution of vinegar at the rate of 1 liter. water – 2 tbsp. l .
The brush is moistened in the prepared liquid, excess water is shaken off. Only after this can the surface be cleaned.
To clean a carpet that has no stains, it is recommended to use a less concentrated product. 2 tbsp will be enough. vinegar for 3-5 liters. water.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice has a brightening and stain removing effect on carpets. Only freshly squeezed juice is used for processing .
It is applied to the stain and left for one and a half to two hours. After this, the pile is carefully washed with a sponge soaked in warm water.
Pre-prepared or canned lemon juice cannot be used to remove stains.
Soap
Using soap is a universal way to combat pollution. But if you have a light-colored carpet, you should use only white soap. It is used in the form of a soap solution.
Proportion for preparing the cleaning composition:
- 0.5 l. water;
- 5 grams of soap.
For the convenience of preparing the solution, it is best to grate the soap first. It is easier to dissolve the resulting shavings in hot water. It is recommended to use it at a warm temperature.
The soap solution is applied using a sponge or napkin . If the pile is long, then cleaning is carried out strictly in the direction of the pile. After cleaning is completed, the remaining solution is washed off with a sponge soaked in clean water.
You cannot use bar soap directly, as this will damage the lint.
Snow
Using snow for cleaning is an old, time-tested way to bring flowers to life and add freshness to the material. It is advisable to use this cleaning method once a year.
But even with this application it is necessary to take into account a number of factors:
- The day chosen for cleaning should be frosty so that the snow is not too wet.
- The snow must be clean. Optimally – freshly fallen.
The cleaning process is not difficult:
- The carpet is spread out on clean snow.
- Sprinkle a layer of snow on top, which is then swept away with a clean brush.
- The process is repeated until the snow is completely cleaned and turns white.
Instructions for cleaning long piles at home
Long-pile carpets are very susceptible to stains. They quickly absorb dirt, accumulate dust and hair. Because of this, it is necessary to provide him with complete care. You need to clean a product with long pile according to the following instructions:
- Vacuum the floor thoroughly. To better treat the surface, use a narrow nozzle. It will more powerfully suck in contaminants even from the depths. A vacuum cleaner with a narrow nozzle will allow you to get rid of even old dirt that has already been trampled on.
- Prepare a cleaning solution. To do this, fill a bucket with water and pour the selected detergent into it according to the proportions recommended by the manufacturer. After this, mix everything thoroughly.
- Take a soft brush and soak it in the solution. After this, start brushing in a circular motion.
- After thoroughly treating the entire surface, take a dry cloth and wipe the carpet. The soaked dirt will be absorbed into it. Repeat this step several times.
- You can finish the job only after the rag remains clean.
- Be sure to comb the pile to give it volume and shine.
- Dry the product thoroughly. This can be done on the balcony or on the street. In winter, you can use a fan. If you place a wet carpet on the floor, mold will soon appear on the inside.
To clean a long-pile carpet as efficiently as possible, you need to do everything one at a time. Make sure you don't miss a single step. On average, cleaning 1 square meter will take 30-60 minutes. It is better to regularly do such short cleaning than to buy a new product later.
Top 5 household chemicals
A wide range of household chemicals allows you to choose the most suitable carpet cleaning product in terms of effectiveness, ease of use and cost.
For cleaning, you should use only what is marked “for carpets”; it is better not to experiment with other preparations, so as not to spoil the item.
Shampoo 5+
This product has an affordable price - about 120 rubles. 5+ is used in diluted form. To do this, according to the instructions, the shampoo is diluted with water and whipped into a thick foam. Proportion for preparation: per liter of water – 2 tbsp. l.
Shampoo is applied to the pile in the form of foam. After the composition has dried, the residues are collected with a vacuum cleaner. In case of severe contamination, the use of shampoo must be repeated.
Advantages 5+:
- price;
- quality;
- color refreshing;
- elimination of odors and germs;
- can be used in washing vacuum cleaners.
Minuses:
- some old stains 5+ may not be overcome;
- labor intensive cleaning.
Drop of VOX
The cost of the product is about 80 rubles. The principle of using this tool is similar to the previous one.
For 2,500 ml of water you need 1 capful of Drops. After diluting in water, whip up the foam. High efficiency eliminates complex mashing and effort.
Advantages:
- economical consumption;
- effectiveness;
- low price;
- no rinsing required;
- pleasant aroma.
Minuses:
- some old stains 5+ may not be overcome;
- labor intensity.
Help
The price of the product is from 90 rubles. This product works on the principle of a stain remover. Using a sprayer, Help is applied to the stained area from a distance of about 0.2 m and the area is wiped with a napkin.
Pros:
- efficiency;
- low price;
- ease of use.
Minuses:
- More suitable for cleaning individual stains than the entire carpet;
- some old stains 5+ may not be overcome;
- It is difficult to treat a large area of carpet in this way.
Vanish
The cost of shampoo for carpets is about 250 rubles. Vanish liquid form is designed for cleaning carpets and upholstery.
The shampoo is diluted with water (9 parts water - 1 part Vanish) and whipped into foam, which is convenient to apply to the hair. After the foam has dried, the surface should be vacuumed. If some stains cannot be removed the first time, cleaning can be repeated.
Pros:
- refreshes the carpet;
- eliminates unpleasant odors;
- removes most of the contaminants.
Minuses:
- high price;
- has a characteristic odor;
- may not cope with serious stains.
Udalix
The oxygen-containing complex of Udalix is able to cope with the contamination of even long-pile carpets, eliminating most of the most popular types of stains. Product price – from 80 rubles.
Diluted in the standard way: 1 tbsp. l. for 1 l. water. The foam whips well and is applied as in previous cases.
Advantages of use:
- low cost;
- economical consumption.
Minuses:
- slow dissolution in water;
- does not always have a highly effective effect.
Cleaning carpets from various stains using folk remedies at home
Numerous chemical preparations (“Belizna”, “Twin”, “Fary”) greatly facilitate the cleaning process. But there are dozens of life hacks on how to clean a light-colored carpet at home quickly and effectively using improvised means and folk recipes.
Clean carpet in the nursery
This product is found in every home. Using it you can carry out wet and dry soda cleaning:
- An effective dry method - the substance is scattered onto the stains and lightly rubbed. Wait 15-20 minutes and vacuum the pile. Suitable for removing stains from grease and greenery;
- with the wet method, 100 g of baking soda is dissolved in a five-liter container of water. The composition is sprayed over the coating and left to act for 20-30 minutes. Then vacuum the front and back sides of the carpet. The method is suitable for washing away unpleasant odors.
Advantages of soda: cheap; harmless to health; can be used several times in a row to remove heavy stains. Disadvantages: cannot be used to care for silk carpets; may not remove old stains.
How effective is it to clean carpet with baking soda?
How to return the color?
Not all white carpets can be restored to their original brightness. For example, viscose, which has turned yellow over time, is almost impossible to bleach .
When using cleansing compositions, you should act strictly according to the instructions for the specific product, without increasing either the concentration or the exposure time. Otherwise, the material may be damaged.
Both folk recipes based on vinegar solution and household chemicals, for example, Vanish, will help to refresh the white color. It is important to observe the regularity of cleaning and the rules for using a white carpet.
If the shade of the carpet after home treatment is not satisfactory, you can seek help from a dry cleaner.
Why does the carpet fade?
Light-colored flooring becomes dull due to dust and small particles of dirt settling on it.
White carpets get dirty most quickly in rooms where there are small children and pets.
There may be traces on the pile from unwashed paws, watercolor paints, spilled liquids and food debris.
Carpet made from natural fibers may change color after washing or wet cleaning. When wet, woolen threads release a yellow pigment, which becomes even more noticeable when dry. The yellow tint also appears due to the wetness of the glue that is part of the base.
Preserving whiteness, getting rid of yellowness
When using a white carpet, it will lose its color over time. There are a number of reasons for this:
- dust settling;
- sunburn;
- improper operation;
- improper care of the product.
Simple tips will help you maintain the whiteness of your carpet.
Recommendations for maintaining white color :
Regular vacuuming is necessary.- To treat white surfaces, only immaculately clean napkins and brushes should be used.
- If possible, a light-colored carpet should be shaded from direct sunlight.
- For cleaning, you should use those preparations that do not stain the material, even slightly.
- Do not use bleaches that are not intended for cleaning carpets.
- You should not walk on a white carpet in shoes, even indoor ones.
If there are pets in the house, caring for a white carpet becomes more difficult, and wiping pets’ paws becomes a mandatory ritual.
