As insignificant as it may seem, a carpet really has the power to pull your entire space together and offer that much-needed touch of warmth and comfort, but the catch is that you have to care for it properly. Your carpet can’t feel and look its best if you don’t put in the time and effort, so here are a few carpet cleaning tips to keep in mind!
Regularly Vacuum Your Carpet
It’s easy to overlook your carpet when you’re going about your household cleaning routine, but it’s best to include it in your efforts towards a cleaner home. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be that hard because all you really need is your vacuum cleaner. Use a soft brush or upholstery attachment and thoroughly vacuum your carpet, making sure to use several long strokes in each area. This will ensure that all the dirt and dust that may have settled is lifted away.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you do this at least once a week, but the frequency can increase depending on certain factors. If your carpet receives a lot of foot traffic, then you’ll naturally need to crank up the cleaning efforts to remove impurities. The same can be said if you have an active and energetic fur baby that loves running around outside or if someone in your home has a health issue that makes them more sensitive to these particles.
Address Carpet Stains Immediately
There’s no denying that your home can get crazy, and some messes can end up splattering all over your carpet. When this happens, it’s important that you take immediate action and use a clean cloth to blot away as much of the spill as you can. Not only will this stop the liquid from penetrating deeper into your carpet’s fibers, but it will also make the whole stain removal process much easier.
Then, you can either choose a carpet shampoo Singapore, or you can create your own by combining a quarter teaspoon of dish soap with a cup of water. If you’re using the commercial cleaner, then follow the instructions. Otherwise, dampen a clean cloth with the soapy water solution and blot at the stain, working from the outside and going in. When the stain’s gone, blot away the cleaner with a damp cloth before using a dry cloth to remove the excess moisture.
Be Careful with Commercial Cleaners
Just because you bought a commercial cleaner from the grocery store doesn’t mean that it can be used on your carpet. It’s important to remember that commercial cleaners are formulated with strong and harsh chemicals that can do some serious damage to your carpet fibers, so make sure to remember the following when handling these products:
- Always Read the Instructions: It may seem tedious and unnecessary to read the printed label at the back of your product, but it actually contains important information from the manufacturer like proper use, recommended dosage, and safety precautions.
- Always Test the Product First: Before you expose your entire carpet to the cleaner, make sure that you test it out on an inconspicuous area first. Wait a few minutes and see if there’s any visible damage, like discoloration, before proceeding.
- Never Mix Cleaners: It’s never a good idea to play chemist and mix different cleaning products together. No, it won’t actually help you clean more effectively. In fact, any chemical fumes or negative reactions could put your health and safety at risk.
Always Let Your Carpet Fully Dry
Many people overlook the importance of letting the carpet dry before continuing to use it, but it’s actually a crucial step. Any moisture left on your carpet will not only cling to dirt, dust, and other impurities much more easily but also encourage the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, which present much more serious cleaning problems.
To help your carpet dry more quickly, you can leave it outside on a sunny day, as the warmth will eliminate any remaining moisture and bacteria growth that you may have missed. You can also leave it indoors and just open a few windows to encourage air circulation, even pointing some electric fans towards it as an added option.
Remove Carpet Odors Naturally
If it’s been a while since you’ve last cleaned your carpet, then you might have noticed some odors starting to form. When all the dirt, dust, debris, and other impurities have a chance to settle into your carpet, they can not only cling onto other impurities and spills but also create the perfect environment for odor-causing bacteria to grow. Aside from ruining your carpet, this odor can also compromise your indoor air quality and overall comfort.
Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can tackle this issue:
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a well-known household cleaning ingredient, and it can be used in a variety of ways, including odor removal. Just sprinkle your carpet with a generous amount of baking soda and leave it for a few minutes. As an option, you can work the baking soda into the fibers with a soft brush before using your vacuum to remove everything.
- White Vinegar: The main ingredient in white vinegar is acetic acid, which is a very common ingredient used in commercial cleaners. In an empty spray bottle, mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar. Dampen a cloth with this and blot the affected area before leaving it to dry. Don’t worry about your carpet smelling like white vinegar because the smell will disappear and take the odor with it.
There’s no reason why your carpet shouldn’t be a part of your regular household cleaning routine. Not only will frequent cleanings help preserve the quality and appearance of your carpet, but they will also ensure that the collected impurities won’t be able to spread across your home, allowing you to maintain a much more hygienic living environment.
