Our carpet is a large part of our household, so when the carpet looks clean the rest of the house seems to sparkle just a little brighter. Unfortunately, the carpet is also where a lot of the spills and dirt seem to end up. The good news is that many of the stains you find on your carpet can be cleaned up in a jiffy with normal household products that we all generally have on hand. Before using any type of cleaner, even homemade carpet cleaners on your carpet, make sure you test for colorfastness on a small area of your carpet that is normally hidden from view. If you have the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for your carpet, read these over as well before attacking any of your stains with homemade carpet cleaners. One of the biggest advantages to homemade carpet cleaners is that you know exactly what you are putting on your floor, unlike the chemical compounds you may encounter with commercial cleaners. And you might be surprised to learn that something as simple as white vinegar might be able to handle a tough job just as well as the commercial big boys, as long as you get to that stain quickly.
Homemade Carpet Cleaners You Probably Have On Hand
Two items that you can keep on hand that make effective homemade carpet cleaners are white vinegar and ammonia. Detergent is also essential for these solutions, but if you wash clothing regularly, it should be a given that detergent is in your cleaning cabinet! A solution of one tablespoon of white vinegar to detergent solution will work wonders at removing alcohol, coffee, chewing gum or shoe polish. Scrape lightly at the excess with a dull knife, then spray the vinegar solution and work from the outside of the stain in. Make sure you blot the spot completely dry when you are finished. Another good homemade carpet cleaner is made with one teaspoon of ammonia to one cup of water. This solution is good for really stubborn stains, such as blood, chocolate or glue. You can follow up both of these procedures with a solution of four parts water to one part vinegar. Spray the spot where the stain was and continue blotting the spot with dry, clean white paper towel until the carpet is completely dry.
When using any homemade carpet cleaning solution, always remember to scrape up solid spills and blot up liquids. Never rub the stain since this can cause damage to your carpet fibers. And always, always make sure that your carpet is completely dry before leaving the stain alone. In the event that your homemade carpet cleaner does not take out the stain to your satisfaction, you will pave a smooth way for a professional to come in a finish the job by following these simple procedures.
Which Carpet Cleaner is Right for You?
If you thought deciding on what carpet to buy was tough, the choice of a carpet cleaner is tougher. Just as there are a variety of carpets, differing in material, color and style, there are a variety of carpet cleaners, varying in power, convenience and methods of cleaning.
Believe it or not, the regular vacuum cleaner comes in seven standard types. The upright and canister types are the most common. Then we have the backpack carpet cleaner, the built in vacuum, the hand held vacuum, the wet/dry type and the robotic carpet cleaner.
Each type is specially designed to serve different purposes.
A Carpet Cleaner Designed Specially For You
The choice of a carpet cleaner depends on several factors, including the user, the type of carpet and the different areas to be cleaned around the house. A senior citizen, for example, should go for the light weight, compact vacuums whereas a mother of messy toddlers should go for the heavy duty, powerful steam vacuums which clean the carpet from deep within.
Certain individuals suffer from various allergies. For these people, harsh chemicals from detergents and shampoos are a severe threat to their health. New technology has allowed the development of allergen filters which are specially made to target dust mites and other allergens. The cyclone system of carpet cleaners uses air filters which disinfect and release clean air into the environment.
The mechanism of the carpet cleaner should also be kept in mind. The devices which use liquid based cleaning are good for steam cleaning. On the other hand, powder based cleaning devices are also widely used. This dry powder method can be used for carpets with silk fibers or other soft, natural fibers. Strong chemicals or hard brushes at high speeds, may damage the carpet, instead of cleaning it. Carpets made of coarse synthetic fibers, however, can be treated with any shampoo.
Certain cleaning devices are made for the obsessive cleaner, who wants to reach every nook and cranny. Some new carpet cleaners are lightweight, compact, and flexible and have extra accessories which help reach under the furniture and behind book cases.
Hand held vacuums have now become part of every household. They are a must for homes with little kids, who enjoy throwing things on to the floor. Several of these hand held vacuums effectively clean floors as well, making it an all purpose device.
When starting to shop for a carpet cleaner, don’t limit your options. Spend some time researching the item, until you find the perfect piece of equipment. Just like a good pair of shoes, the carpet cleaner should fit right and feel right, because this machine will be with you for a long time.
