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Most households do their general house cleaning during springtime. It is also this time that carpets are usually maintained by professional cleaners. This is timely because springtime signals the end of the winter season and the start of the dry seasons.
While making your home feel like a sparkling abode, it is necessary to give your carpets the care it truly deserves. Carpet cleaning issues include shagginess, stains, and padded-down spots. There are DIY projects that utilize non-toxic methods to restore your carpets back to their premium state.
Five Resources You Need to Know When Cleaning Your Carpet
But before getting into the details of cleaning the carpet, it is necessary to know the different types of carpets.
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Different Types of Carpet
Different types of carpets entail different approaches to cleaning and maintaining them. There are plush or shaggy carpets and low loop carpets that may or may have no stain protection. The fibers may be made of pure 100% wool or synthetic materials.
Low-pile Looped Carpets
Low-pile looped carpets are appropriate for high-traffic areas. They are not so easy to clean compared to plush carpets. You have to be patient when cleaning these types of carpets.
Nylon
Nylon is the most stain-resistant and durable carpet fiber available. Usually, this type of carpet is treated with stain protection, and the carpet of homes for most households, especially with children and pets.
This is also suitable for homes that cater to several guests at a time. You can place this carpet on hallways and stairs.
Polyester
Polyester is famous for its lavish look, appeal, and wonderful selection of styles and colors. It is suitable for homes with an average amount of foot traffic.
Olefin
Olefin fibers offer sturdy resistance to moisture and stain. Compared to Nylon and Polyester, it has a lower degree of durability and is suitable for high-density piles or loop pile fiber construction.
Wool
Wool is the fabric of choice to experience natural carpet beauty. Wool carpet is resistant to soil though not entirely stain-resistant. This type of carpet is well constructed and can appear good for a long time.
Now that you know the different types of carpets, here are the five resources you need to know when maintaining and cleaning your carpet.
Remove Stains Using an Iron
A clothes iron can do many clever hacks you can use in cleaning your house. You can use an iron to remove or reduce carpet stains.
Before you press on the iron, do some thorough vacuuming in all the areas of the carpet. This removes any particles that may have been stuck in between the fibers. Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing one part vinegar, and three parts tap water.
Get a towel and dip it into the solution. Place the dampened towel on the spot with stains. Glide the iron over the towel to heat it up and eventually lift the stains. Stop ironing when all the stains are gone or when it becomes hardly noticeable.
Essential Oil and Baking Soda Carpet Freshener
Do you want to walk into a wonderful scent-filled room that feels like a field of flowers every time you come in?
To revamp the smell of your carpet, you can make your own deodorizer by mixing 10-20 drops of essential oil of your choice; the recommended scent is lavender or citrus orange, with a 16-ounce box of baking soda. Stir the mixture until the essential oils are completely absorbed. Place in a glass container.
To use the mixture, shake the scented baking soda on the carpet. Let it sit for about five minutes and then start vacuuming it.
DIY Deep Clean Carpet Cleaner
Carpets are magnets for dust mites and allergens. To thoroughly remove dust mites and allergens, you have to perform deep carpet cleaning. Most people think that you need a carpet cleaning company to perform deep cleaning, but you can make your own liquid green cleaner.
Mix the following ingredients together to make a non-toxic deep cleaner for your carpet-cleaner extractor:
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¾ cup Hydrogen Peroxide
- 2 tbsp dish soap
- 2 tbsp of fabric softener
- 5 drops of essential oil
- One gallon of hot water
Use this mixture in your cleaning machine as an alternative to the expensive chemical-filled commercial brand options.
Carpet Fiber Cleaning Methods
Cleaning a Shag Carpet
There are certain techniques for properly cleaning a shag carpet. Using vacuums may cause the shag carpet to get frizzy or worse get caught in the machine. If you start to notice that your carpet is gradually “shedding”, you can reverse the shedding by using the hose that is attached to your carpet vacuum.
It may take longer to clean the rug, but it will give it a deep and thoroughly clean in between the fibers of the rug maintaining the integrity and strength of the shag.
Carpet Fluffing
If your carpet looks like it has been trampled on by thousands of elephants, it could be time to give it a pampering session to bring back its fluffiness. To revive the fluffy disposition of your carpet, mix equal parts of tap water and vinegar.
Pour inside a spray bottle and spray on carpet stains, hardened carpet debris, and impurities. Let it sit in for a couple of minutes and start blotting. Using a cloth, blot the impurities by using a dabbing motion. Dab don’t scrub, or else you will be spreading the dirt to other areas.
Tilt a spoon and run it along the carpet to fluff the fibers up and allow it to stand up again. If you think your entire carpet needs revival, consult a carpet cleaning company for a professional, thoroughly clean, and fiber treatment.
Another way to fluff up carpet fibers is to put a cube of ice on the spot. Let the ice melt on the dents. When the water has completely dissolved, blot the spots using a soft towel to absorb the excess moisture. Press gently to prevent the fibers from denting down again.
Place a damp towel on the dented area and start ironing the spot with a cotton setting. When you notice the area is almost completely dried up, stop ironing and let the carpet dry naturally. Use your hands to let the fibers stand up again or use a tilted spoon to fluff up the spot.