How to clean carpet yourself at home

Carpet is one of the most common floor coverings that has a fleecy structure. It hides all the unevenness of the floor, provides good sound insulation and thermal insulation, and has a surface that is pleasant to the touch. Cleaning stains from carpet in specialized laundries is quite a labor-intensive task. This is due to the difficulty of its dismantling and subsequent transportation. The best way out of this situation would be to clean the carpet from all kinds of dirt at home.

Types of carpets and their features

The structure of the carpet consists of a base, a protective layer and a face pile. The composition and type of base have a great influence on the thermal insulation and sound insulation qualities of the floor covering. The carpet cleaner is selected taking into account the characteristics of its base. The base is made of the following materials:

• Felt. Artificial or natural felt is used for production. It is allowed to use wet cleaning for this type of floor covering.
• Foamed latex. It can be cleaned by wet cleaning using special cleaning products.
• Textile. Removal of contaminants is carried out using methods that are selected taking into account the composition of the threads: natural or synthetic.
• Jute. A natural material that does not tolerate moisture well. It is not allowed to clean the jute base using wet cleaning.
• Rubber. Synthetic material, resistant to all types of cleaning. The main disadvantage is the long drying time after contact with moisture.

Carpet cleaning products

You can clean carpet using different methods, which differ in efficiency, labor intensity, and the type of devices and cleaning products used. The most common options for cleaning carpet at home are:

Vacuuming

Refers to preventive measures that eliminate dust, debris, and dry particles of contaminants. Cleaning is done using a vacuum cleaner with a special furniture attachment. By treating the carpet with a vacuum cleaner with an attachment, it is possible to remove minor dirt not only from the surface of the floor covering, but also from the entire area of ​​its base.

Dry cleaning

This is the fastest, easiest and safest way to remove complex stains. Dry cleaning of carpet at home is carried out using a special cleaning powder. It is rubbed into the flooring with a brush and left for several hours. During this time, the powder will dissolve all obsolete contaminants and clean the surface of the pile. To remove the powder, use a vacuum cleaner with a special furniture attachment.

Wet cleaning

This carpet care option is only suitable for coverings with a moisture-resistant base. To remove stains, you will need a brush, a special cleaning compound and a container of clean water. It is not recommended to use household cleaning products; they are poorly washed out of the pile and negatively affect the appearance of the carpet. The labor intensity of wet cleaning is quite high, which is associated with the need to manually clean the floor covering and wait a long time for it to dry.

Cleaning with foam

Combines all the advantages of dry and wet carpet cleaning methods. First, the floor covering should be thoroughly vacuumed, which will remove all dry dirt particles from its surface. After this, a special foaming composition is stirred in a small amount of warm water. The foam is applied to the entire surface of the carpet that needs cleaning. The foam contains active substances that effectively and quickly dissolve all contaminants. Forty minutes after applying the foam, it is removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Cleaning carpet with soda

Soda is characterized by high efficiency in the fight against pollution of any complexity. It is completely safe for people and pets and does not leave an unpleasant odor. Removal of dirt on the carpet surface is carried out using a dry method. To do this, leave dry soda on the contaminated carpet surface for 30 minutes. After this time, the soda along with the dissolved dirt is collected using a vacuum cleaner.

Steam cleaning

To perform this procedure, you will need a steam generator. The operation of the steam generator is based on the conversion of water into steam, which is subsequently used to treat various surfaces. In addition to removing old stains, steam provides high-quality disinfection of the floor covering. Steam treatment is not allowed if the material is sensitive to thermal effects.

Traditional methods

You can quickly clean carpet at home using improvised means that any housewife has in her kitchen. The most popular and widespread remedy is citric acid. It allows you to quickly remove stains from a ballpoint pen, felt-tip pen, compote, berries, ice cream. You need to remove all large particles of dirt from the floor and wash the stain with warm water. The area treated with water is sprinkled with citric acid, which dissolves all dirt particles. At the end of five minutes, citric acid is completely washed off from the surface using water and laundry soap.

Carpet care rules

As soon as you have purchased the carpet, carefully read all the recommendations for use and care:

• if there are no visible stains or greasy areas, do not use wet cleaning for the first six months;
• If you have pets, purchase a turbo brush;
• Carry out weekly dry cleaning of the carpet surface with a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and small debris
• If you spill liquid on the carpet, try to dry its base as quickly as possible, at least with a hairdryer.

Cleaning the room where this type of floor finishing is located should be regular and timely - then less dirt will penetrate into the structure of the coating.
Caring for carpet is not difficult if you follow simple rules. Choose a floor covering not only for aesthetic reasons, but also in terms of maintenance recommendations.

After wet cleaning, it is recommended to dry the carpet thoroughly before further intensive use.

How to clean stains from carpet

Cleaning carpet safely and quickly at home is a very real task if you know the basic methods of dealing with traces of dirt. Each type of stain has its own properties, knowing which you can easily remove the stain on the carpet.

Removing coffee and tea stains

To remove traces of drinks such as coffee and tea, the following algorithm of actions is used:

1. Remove liquid with a dry cloth or cloth.
2. Stir a glass of warm water, 15 g of citric acid and a quarter teaspoon of detergent into a container until foamy.
3. Apply the resulting foam composition to the contaminated piece of carpet by rubbing it in with a soft sponge.
4. Wait until the previously treated stain dries completely.
5. Carefully vacuum the area where the stain was previously.

How to remove dirt

If there is a wet trace of dirt left on the carpet, there is no need to rush to rub it and thereby increase the area of ​​contamination. To effectively remove stains from carpet, you should follow these steps:

1. Wait until the dirt dries completely.
2. Carefully vacuum the stain.
3. Mix salt and soda in equal proportions.
4. Apply the resulting mixture to the entire surface of the stain.
5. Vacuum the surface with a furniture attachment.

How to get juice out of carpet

Cleaning the carpet at home from traces of fruit, berry or vegetable juice is done as follows:

1. Wipe the carpet with a rag or napkin to remove traces of moisture.
2. Cover the entire area of ​​the stain with table salt.
3. Wet clean the floor covering using special cleaning products.

How to remove gum

Chewing gum, paraffin and wax cannot be removed from fleecy surfaces using classical cleaning methods. A good way to clean carpet from this type of stain is freezing. The process of removing chewing gum, paraffin, and wax has the following algorithm:

1. Place ice cubes in a tight bag and apply it to the stained area for 5 minutes.
2. After the wax, gum or paraffin has hardened, carefully scrape off with a knife.
3. Quickly remove particles of chewing gum, wax, and paraffin from the surface of the pile using a vacuum cleaner before they melt and stick again.

How to remove blood

Not everyone knows how to wash carpet from blood stains. A remedy for removing such marks from the surface of light-colored pile is hydrogen peroxide. It effectively dissolves traces of blood and does not have a destructive effect on the floor covering. Before using hydrogen peroxide, you should test its effect on a small piece of carpet in an inconspicuous place. Such caution is associated with a high risk of spoiling the appearance of the coating by discoloring it.

How to remove urine stains

In an apartment or house where there are pets and children, an unpleasant event may occur in the form of urine stains on the carpet. In this case, dry carpet cleaning products will not help cope with the smell. You can remove traces and unpleasant odors using the following steps:

1. Remove any remaining liquid using a dry cloth or napkin.
2. Mix warm water with a 9% acetic acid solution in a container in a ratio of 3 to 1.
3. Apply the resulting mixture to urine stains using a spray bottle.
4. Wait until the previously treated area dries completely.
5. Sprinkle dry baking soda on a piece of carpet with traces of urine.
6. Mix warm water with hydrogen peroxide and add one tablespoon of detergent to this solution.
7. Treat traces of contamination with a previously prepared solution using a soft sponge.
8. After the area of ​​contamination has completely dried, go over its entire surface with a vacuum cleaner.

How to remove fat

Traces of fat on long piles are considered one of the most difficult types of dirt. Such stains can only be removed by wet treatment using special cleaning agents. It will be much easier to wash the carpet from traces of grease if you sprinkle flour or salt on fresh, not dried stains.

How to remove traces of wine

You can wash carpet at home from wine and ink stains using acetic acid, which is applied directly to the stain. When performing such work, you should observe safety precautions, work with glasses and rubber gloves. After the vinegar has completely dried, the treated area is cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.

How to remove other stains

To safely and quickly remove stains on carpet, you should consider the nature of their origin:

• Stains from jam and berries can be removed with citric acid. It is necessary to generously cover the contaminated area with citric acid powder and after 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly with warm water and soap.
• Oil paint is removed using ammonia. A solution of warm water and ammonia in a ratio of 1 to 1 is stirred in a container. The area of ​​contamination is thoroughly treated with this solution using a soft sponge.
• Table salt will help remove greasy marks. Immediately after the carpet is contaminated with grease, before it has time to dry, sprinkle the stain with table salt. It effectively absorbs grease particles and prevents them from drying on the pile. After this, the salt is removed with a vacuum cleaner, and the area of ​​contamination is treated with a soft sponge soaked in a solution of water and detergent.

Preventing odors

To prevent the carpet from starting to exude a musty aroma, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

• Do not lay carpet in damp rooms; allow the covering to dry.
• Carpet installation must be carried out in accordance with the technology: mandatory antiseptic impregnation of the base and high-quality waterproofing.
• In warm and dry weather, regularly ventilate the room, take the carpet outside and give it sunbathing.
• In winter, in snowy weather, clean with snow.

To remove odors of other nature (tobacco smoke, fish), the pile is wiped with a sponge soaked in vinegar.

How to remove dents from carpet

They moved the furniture, and footprints in the form of dents on the surface of the carpet spoil the appearance. We will show you how to update your carpet with minimal financial costs. The best way to remove dents on carpets is steam. To eliminate defects in the flooring, you will need a steam iron or steam generator. With their help, steam treatment is carried out until the pile becomes pliable and soft. After this, the area with the dents is carefully combed out with a stiff comb.

General provisions

All of us, undoubtedly, can immediately, without much thinking, list the main advantages of woven carpet, which is most similar to classic carpets and is most often used in residential premises.

This:

1. High thermal insulation . This type of flooring simply radiates heat and pleasantly warms bare feet if you walk on it barefoot. It even acts as some less expensive alternative to the underfloor heating system, although, of course, unlike it, it cannot serve as a replacement for the radiator heating system. The thermal conductivity coefficient, depending on the base material and pile, can be 0.1 W/(m×K) and lower;

Even if you sit on the carpet, you will be warm and comfortable enough

1. Pleasant tactile sensations . Touching the pile is distinguished not only by warmth, but also by softness and pliability, thanks to which you just want to bury yourself in it;

Pets are able to appreciate the delights of “communication” with carpet even faster than people

1. Beautiful appearance . The mass of existing colors and patterns can allow you to choose not just a model that matches the interior, but a real work of art that will become the “highlight” of your home.

A themed carpet in the nursery will surely delight your child.

It is for these qualities that people value this type of flooring so highly. In fact, you can even narrow them down to the root cause - lint. It is this element that helps retain heat, springs pleasantly underfoot and takes on interesting color solutions to our eyes.

But it also contains a list of problems that arise in the process of care:

1. Between the villi:

• A colossal amount of dust accumulates, which becomes a threat to the human respiratory system;
• Fragments of dirt brought from the street get stuck, which is not only unhygienic, but also very ugly;

Traces from dirty shoes spoil the entire appearance of the floor covering

• The trapped moisture is retained, which becomes a source of mold and unpleasant odors. This applies not only to water, any spilled liquids create difficult stains;

A spilled glass of wine will be difficult to clean up

1. In addition, the pile itself tends to stick together and become deformed during use, which has a very negative impact on both the general appearance of the carpet and its technical characteristics;
2. Reproduction of microbes and other pathogens. In general, this problem comes out of the first point, but it’s worth mentioning it separately. Moisture, dust and protection from sunlight penetrating through the window thanks to the shade of the same fibers are an ideal habitat for living creatures that you don’t even want to think about.

Thus, of course, you can choose an inexpensive needle-punched model that practically does not get dirty, but, unfortunately, it cannot boast of softness, warmth and beauty. Or you can purchase a woven or tufted fabric with all the described advantages, but then you will also need to care for it accordingly.

Carpet cleaning products

It is possible to properly wash carpet at home only using detergents. The effectiveness of combating stains and preserving the appearance of the floor covering depends on the correct choice of cleaning agent. To work with pile, dry powders, foam, special shampoos, and concentrated liquids are used. The absolute majority of these products operate on a similar principle - they dissolve the pollutant and lift it to the very top of the pile, where they are easily collected with a vacuum cleaner.

When selecting carpet care chemicals, careful attention should be paid to the following factors:

1. Aggressiveness of bleaching agents. Using too much cleaning product can cause the floor to become discolored.
2. Concentration level and type of active substance (surfactant). For products made from natural pile and substrate, the permissible surfactant level is no more than 5%, and for synthetic coatings – up to 15%.

To determine whether the carpet can be washed with a specific cleaning composition, you need to test its effect on an inconspicuous area. If, after using the cleaning product, the carpet has not lost its decorative qualities, then you can treat the entire surface of the floor.

Pile restoration

Often the pile on the carpet deteriorates locally or is completely removed. You can try to repair such serious damage yourself by performing simple carpet repairs.

Carpet patch

Restoration of fallen lint is carried out using gel glue. The work is done like this:

• The resulting bald spot is completely cleaned of any remaining lint. To facilitate the procedure, the base can be moistened with gasoline (but not acetone).
• Then you will have to determine the place that will become the “donor” of new fibers. This could be an area under some furniture. From there it is necessary to pull out a bunch of new fibers.
• All that remains is to coat the problem area with glue and fill it with new pile.
• After the glue has dried, the pile is combed with a stiff brush to mix new fibers along the contour with the rest of the pile. If the new fibers are higher than the rest, they can be trimmed.

If the owner is faced with the task of repairing a hole in the carpet in an apartment, it is necessary to use patches:

• To begin with, select a template that will cover the area of ​​the hole. This could be a tin can, saucer, etc.
• Then determine the location from which the patch can be cut. It’s good if there are scraps of material left after installation.
• Then, according to the template, an even hole is cut out in the problem area, and a patch is made from the material. It will fit perfectly into the shape of the hole. If the material is textured or has a pattern, it is necessary to select a similar area for the patch (fortunately, the pattern is repeated in carpet).
• At the end, all that remains is to coat the area with glue and insert the patch. While it dries, it is pressed down with a heavy book.

The pile is combed with a brush and trimmed if necessary.

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How to clean light-colored carpet

Cleaning light-colored carpet requires performers to be careful and use a limited range of delicate cleaning products. The use of too aggressive substances can provoke the formation of dark or light spots and loss of a homogeneous structure. Caring for light-colored coatings should be carried out taking into account the following recommendations:

• Before choosing a method and means for cleaning carpet, you should accurately determine the type of carpet backing and the material used to produce the pile.
• If the dirt is not very persistent, you can try to remove it with a clean cloth and a vacuum cleaner.
• Strictly control the amount, proportions and exposure time of detergents used for light-colored carpet.
• When using special cleaning products, you must find out their composition and manufacturer's recommendations.
• If you are unsure of the correctness of the actions being performed, it is better to entrust the cleaning work to specialized companies.

Other contaminants

This method can be used to also output:

• rust;
• food coloring;
• sauce;
• shoe polish;
• blood;
• paint.

1. Treat with detergent.
2. We soak it with a napkin and treat it with ammonia, and soak it again.
3. Wipe with detergent and water.
4. We soak it dry several times with a napkin.

After the stain removal procedure, it is advisable to take the carpet outside, where the odors from the products used will quickly disappear, in addition, the coating will dry out.

How to properly clean carpet

Effective DIY carpet cleaning at home should begin with studying the composition of the floor covering. All manipulations with cleaning and drying must ensure that the performance and decorative qualities of the carpet are preserved. For this reason, individual cleaning methods are selected for each specific type of contamination and type of floor covering.

Carpet made from natural materials

Wool, cotton, linen, and silk are used to produce carpet from natural materials. These materials are extremely difficult to care for, they do not tolerate wet cleaning well, and easily absorb odors. You can safely refresh carpet made from natural materials using a vacuum cleaner, which effectively removes all dry residues of dirt. Wet cleaning is rarely carried out, which allows you to preserve the rich color of the pile for a long time. If you overdo it with the amount of water, the natural base will take a long time to dry. This can cause the appearance of mold, fungi, and a rotten smell. To prevent the formation of such negative phenomena, it is recommended to remove residual moisture using dry wipes, which quickly absorb moisture.

With natural wool bristles

Natural wool deep-pile carpet has a dramatic appearance, making it a popular flooring choice in many living spaces. Proper care of this product will ensure its long-term operation. The main requirement when cleaning dirt from long natural pile is the moderate use of water. Excess moisture can make the carpet unsuitable for subsequent use within one week. Therefore, it is advisable to adhere to the following rules after each wet cleaning:

• Do not walk on the surface of the carpet, do not roll it up or fold it even partially until it is completely dry.
• Do not dry the product with a hairdryer or on a radiator; it should dry naturally.
• After all manipulations, the surface must be thoroughly vacuumed, which will help restore the fluffiness of the pile and lift it up.

Synthetic based

Polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene are used as synthetic bases for carpet production. These materials are resistant to abrasion and chemically active substances. Owners of such floor coverings rarely have the question of how to clean the carpet. It can be cleaned with almost any cleaning agent and is not afraid of moisture. Due to this, it is used for finishing floors in the living room, balcony, kitchen, hallway, and office. When cleaning stains on a floor with such a coating, there are significant restrictions on the use of steam. This is due to the high risk of destructive thermal effects on the base material.

Adhesive based

The adhesive base of the carpet is destroyed due to moisture. Therefore, the clear answer to the question of whether adhesive-based carpet can be washed is no. Such products can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner, dry powders or foam. The use of steam is prohibited due to possible deformation of the base from thermal effects.

A few words about installation and the first steps of using carpet

You should think about carpet care from the moment it is laid. The instructions assume the use of one of four possible methods:

Laying carpet with double-sided tape

I recommend laying the canvas so that the pile is directed towards the entrance. This will make the cleaning process easier in the future.

Subtleties of correct docking

If you use several canvases, you will need to join them well. This point plays a very important role in the further care of the material in question, since if there is a gap, water will penetrate into it while washing the floors, which will ultimately cause rotting processes on the underside of the carpet.

So, how to connect carpet together correctly?

Now I will describe to you all the intricacies of this operation:

Schematic instructions for the necessary actions

1. In the process of laying the canvases, we place one on top of the other with a spacing of several centimeters;
2. Then, approximately in the middle of the overlap, we apply an even elastic strip and along it we make a cut with a sharp knife through both layers of the floor covering at once;
3. We remove the excess pieces and glue the edges of the carpet that fit perfectly together.

A properly executed docking will not be noticeable from the outside at all.

If a gap still forms at the joint, which can happen, for example, due to a dull knife and very thick sheets, then do not despair, but simply pull out the pile from the remnants of the carpet and place it on the glue directly in the gap. This place, of course, will be tougher than the rest of the coating, but it will not stand out externally.

Eliminating the smell of a new product

Another problem that you will have at the initial stage of operation: how to get rid of the smell of new carpet? This is especially true for synthetic products, although natural ones also have a very persistent and specific aroma. The manufacturer, as a rule, promises its disappearance within a week, but very often this period stretches for almost a month.

Eliminate odor as follows:

Schematic execution of the task

1. We open all the windows and doors in the room, turn on the fan or air conditioner, thereby creating the maximum possible draft;
2. Sprinkle the carpet with baking soda, which has a useful property for our case - absorbing odors;
3. After a day, carefully vacuum the coating to remove all soda crystals from it.

Preventive measures

To reduce the amount of dirt that gets into the pile, it is enough to lay special foot mats at the entrance to your apartment or house. This simple precaution will make caring for the main floor covering much easier.

Photo of plastic foot mats

Useful tips

Rules for caring for carpet made from different materials may differ significantly, but there are general recommendations for owners of floor coverings:

1. Using a broom to clean pile coverings is extremely ineffective. The optimal solution is a vacuum cleaner with special attachments for cleaning soft, fluffy surfaces.
2. If a wet spot appears on the carpet, it is necessary to eliminate it as soon as possible before the dirt is absorbed into the pile and base. The older the traces of contamination, the more difficult it will be to get rid of them.
3. If there are pets in the room with long hair that constantly remains on the floor, then the best solution would be to buy a special turbo brush for the vacuum cleaner.

Regular monitoring of the cleanliness of the floor covering will preserve its attractive appearance for a long time, and will also allow you to create comfort and coziness in your home.

You can contact our cleaning company and order carpet dry cleaning at home.

Why professional dry cleaning is indispensable

Regular high-quality self-care for flooring products is also necessary, as is regular professional dry cleaning. Home care is a must for carpet maintenance. But it is worth remembering that self-cleaning only removes noticeable and large dirt, such as pieces of dirt, balls of dust, pet hair and hair. This is only enough to maintain a presentable appearance of the coating.

Professional carpet cleaning can remove even deep stains. Only after dry cleaning has been carried out can you be sure that your floor covering is perfectly clean. The cleaning compounds used in the cleaning process, as well as professional equipment, eliminate deposits of allergens in the pile, traces of biological fluids, and odors from pet hair and urine.

It is recommended to seek professional cleaning services at least twice a year. High-quality total cleaning is the best thing you can do for your carpet.