Effortless Carpet Cleaning: Tips and Tricks for Sparkling Results
Washing carpets is often seen as a traditional summer chore. Are your carpets still waiting for a clean this summer? Instead of the hassle of rolling and washing carpets with water, you can easily clean them indoors using common household items.
The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar
“Baking soda and vinegar, found in your pantry, are also excellent for carpet cleaning,” says Retta Alastalo, managing director of Koti Puhtaaksi Oy, in a press release. With dry cleaning and stain removal, there’s no need to wet the carpet, so you won’t have to worry about drying it either.
Here are three tips to make your carpets shine:
1. Freshen Up Your Carpet with Baking Soda
Start by vacuuming the carpet to remove debris and dirt. Then, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the carpet. You can also rub the baking soda into the carpet fibers to absorb odors from deep within. Let the baking soda sit on the carpet for 2-3 hours, then vacuum it up.
According to Marttias, a home economist, you should avoid wet carpet cleaning. Vacuuming is the best option. Trampling is less effective than vacuuming because many carpets, especially those made of synthetic fibers, become so charged that dust is attracted back to the carpet’s surface. In contrast, a vacuum cleaner sucks the dust deep into the carpet.
2. Remove Carpet Stains
When it comes to stain removal, speed is crucial. Immediately blot liquid stains with a towel or paper napkin. Then apply baking soda to the stain. For greasy stains, Koti Puhtaaksi Oy advises adding salt. Gently press the stain with a paper towel and allow the baking soda to absorb the stain for several hours. Finish by vacuuming the carpet. If the stain persists, repeat the process.
3. Tackle Stubborn Stains with Baking Soda and Vinegar
To remove stubborn stains from carpets, use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. Vinegar softens the stain, while baking soda cleans and absorbs unpleasant odors.
“First, apply a small amount of vinegar to the stain, then sprinkle baking soda over it until the stain is covered. Let the mixture sit on the carpet until the stain dries completely. Finally, vacuum the dried mixture from the carpet,” advises Koti Puhtaaksi Oy.
Additional Uses for Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the best cleaning agents you can find in your kitchen. As an alkaline cleaner with a pH of 8-14, baking soda is used for basic cleaning tasks or for removing grease. It’s also effective for cleaning greasy stains, such as coffee cups and thermos flasks, and polishing pots, vases, and crystal chandeliers. However, baking soda is not effective for removing lime or iron deposits.
The Wonders of Vinegar
Vinegar is another small household miracle. For instance, you can brighten windows by adding a drop of vinegar and a few drops of detergent to the cleaning water. Wiping tiles with undiluted vinegar removes lime deposits.
Weakly acidic (pH 6-5), acidic (pH 5-2), and strongly acidic (pH 2-0) cleaning agents are suitable for removing scale. Due to its acidity, vinegar is not suitable for materials like enamel, marble, and aluminum.
