After the years we spent living in Miami, FL, there is one thing we just can’t stand to have in our home or apartment: carpet. We are BIG fans of all things tile and wood, but at some point, you start to notice the draft in the floor cracks or the fact that you’re tracking dirt all over the place. And so you end up with a few area rugs, which may or may not cost you a fortune!

When we moved out of the farmhouse, we actually trashed several rugs that only cost us a few bucks at IKEA. Like the rug that Ayla insisted on sharing her dinner with. And by sharing her dinner, I mean she would take one piece of food out of the bowl, put it on the rug, return to her bowl, inhale the food there, then return to the carpet to eat the last drop of gooey food. That was also the rug which she chewed most of her bones on…and the same rug that Mack was very gifted at spilling finger paints on.

Those rugs we were happy to get rid of because they were nothing special. Sure, they served their purpose and may have helped tie a room together a bit, but they were ultimately not something we’d keep forever. But after the passing of Stefan’s grandparents, we inherited some really beautiful area rugs. One of which is so heavy, you can barely move it when it’s rolled out…and it must be 4 meters by 3 meters when it’s open. I can still recall moving it into position in our new living room by myself one night and nearly loosing the battle. But it’s really quite stunning.

So now that we’re getting more and more settled in the apartment, and a new box is disappearing every day (that’s my goal anyway), I’m starting to think about giving the rugs a good scrub down also. I’m sure they are more than overdue for some preferential treatment.

The Basics of Green Carpet Cleaning

One of the most basic ways of cleaning your carpets is to hang it up outside and to beat on it with a stick or special beating wand. But sometimes that’s just not practical or even possible. So the next best thing is a vacuum cleaner with an electric-powered rotating brush. These brushes are typically found on the old-style upright vacuums, and while they are not quite as effective as other vacuum styles on hardwood, they cannot be beat when it comes to getting dirt out of your rugs.

If you are trying to clean a stain from your rugs or carpets, it’s important to know that you need to act as quickly as possible for the best results. Once you see a spill, take action; even if it’s not convenient. So once you figure out a cleaning solution you like best, always try to keep some handy. And do your best to get the entire stain out at the beginning versus coming back to deal with leftovers later. Usually waiting will cause the stain to set and make it just that much harder to get out (if not impossible).

When dealing with wet spills, BLOT the liquid up with an old towel, t-shirts, paper towels, whatever as soon as you can — and before you put any other powders or cleaners on. Never rub a fresh spill or you will push it further into the carpet fibers. Once you have the stain out, put several layers of paper towels or an old towel over the stain and stand on it for a while — or better yet, leave a heavy book or something else that won’t be damaged by any moisture which seeps through on top and leave it to soak up excess liquid. If the towel becomes saturated, replace it with a fresh one.

Green Carpet Cleaning Home Remedies

Carpet cleaner/disinfectant + deodorizer: Combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup borax, and 1 cup cornmeal, and then sprinkle the mixture over the carpet. Rub it in with a cloth, and then let it stand for several hours or overnight. Finish up by vacuuming thoroughly.

Carpet deodorizer: Combine 2 cups baking soda with one of the following essential oil blends (or your own favorite blend):

• 10 drops lavender essential oil, 5 drops clove, 5 drops cinnamon
• 10 drops orange or lemon, 5 drops lemongrass, 5 drops tea tree

Sprinkle a fine layer of this powder on your carpet for at least a two hours. Vacuum the area thoroughly. This can be done regularly to keep your carpets from smelling stale.

Remove spots & stains: First, blot the stain with an old towel to get excess moisture out. Make a paste of 1 part borax and 3 parts water. Dab the paste onto the stain with a damp cloth or sponge and let stand at least 10 minutes. Vacuum thoroughly.

Or combine 1/4 cup liquid dish soap, 1/2 cup warm water and 5 drops lavender essential oil in a large bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients until they make a stiff foam. Use a damp sponge to rub the foam into any soiled areas of the rug or carpet, then wipe up with a damp cloth. Repeat as necessary. Let the carpet dry, then vacuum.

Or combine 1 teaspoon borax, 1 quart warm water, 1 teaspoon vegetable-oil-based soap/detergent, and a few drops of vinegar. Just gently rub it into the stain with a damp cloth or sponge, and then keeping blotting it until the moisture is thoroughly absorbed.

If and when you decide to use a professional service, which is a good idea to do every few years or when you have a lot of daily wear and tear on your carpets and rugs, make sure you find one that is reputable, has references you can call and talk to, and which uses quality green carpet cleaning products. Whether you are looking for green area rug cleaning nyc or in a small village in Germany, there are many companies out there now that use green methods which will not put you, your family or your pets at risk to all the toxic chemicals which have been used in the past.