16 Tips For Cleaning Carpets

We all know what it’s like – the carpet, after months or years of traffic, starts to look a little shabby. Where are the tips for cleaning carpets? Right here, that’s where!

Carpets not only look nice, but they are also an essential layer of insulation in your home – you would be much colder without them! Let’s go through the best ways to keep your carpets looking fresh, clean and smelling good for longer than they normally would.

Tips For Cleaning Carpets

Keep on top of the hoovering

Vacuuming up dust, mud and debris is a great way to keep your carpet looking clean, plus it will minimise the amount of cleaning you have to do when you do get around to cleaning it thoroughly. Hoovering is also the best way to get rid of dust and dirt that can cause breathing difficulties and exacerbate allergies.

Get a carpet brush

Although a hoover is great, a stiff carpet brush can actually lift more dust and dirt than even the strongest hoover! You will need a little elbow grease for this, and you should vacuum again once you have brushed the whole carpet.

Lift pet hair with a sponge

Pet hair is notorious for getting into all sorts of places that it shouldn’t! Using a damp cloth or sponge to manually scrape up the hair will be very effective, and can make your carpet look many shades lighter.

Deal with spills immediately

Mopping up spilled drinks or food will help stop the spill from turning into a stain. Lay out some kitchen towels to soak up the liquid, and remove any solids that have fallen on the carpet. Don’t rub at the spill, as you will drive the liquid further into the pile.

Use salt

If you have a spill that is grease-based, using salt will help remove it without leaving a stain. Simply sprinkle a layer of salt onto the spill, add a few drops of water and gently scrub, then blot the area dry with paper towels or a clean dry cloth.

Buy or rent a carpet cleaner

This is a great and easy solution for keeping your carpets clean – a machine that is designed to do the job of cleaning carpets is definitely the best tool for the job! Always make sure that you follow the instructions, and open the windows before you start to improve the ventilation.

Use doormats

This may sound a little too obvious, but placing doormats at the entrance to rooms will help to reduce the amount of outside dirt that comes into the room.

Adopt a “no shoes” policy

Asking friends and family to remove their shoes when they come into your house – and remembering to do so yourself – is a great way to minimise the amount of the outside that comes inside.

Rotate furniture

If you always have your sofa, chairs, dressers and bookcases in the same place, foot traffic can wear away the carpet. Keep things exciting by changing everything around while the kids are at school, or your partner is away! It will not only rejuvenate the room but it can help your carpet look better too.

Sprinkle baking soda

Ok, I know this sounds a little strange – but baking soda is a highly effective, natural cleaner that will not only rejuvenate your carpet but can also help to get rid of unpleasant odours. Schedule a day when you will not be using that room, then sprinkle a layer of baking soda all over the carpet. Let is sit for a good long while, then vacuum it up. Amazingly, this will yield great results.

Use water and white vinegar

Another simple and natural method, water mixed with white vinegar in a spray bottle is a highly effective cleaner. Spray it liberally all over your carpets, after testing a small area to make sure it doesn’t discolour your carpet, then use a soft brush to gently scrub. Blot with a cloth or some paper towels, then allow the area to dry completely before vacuuming and admiring the results.

Steam clean

This involves nothing but steam, so it’s great for those who want to avoid chemicals. You will need a specialist steam cleaning machine, but these are widely available to either rent or buy. Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and you will be rewarded with a carpet that looks brand new!

Use fabric softener

This is like a little spa day for your carpets! Dilute a small amount with water, then spray over the area. You will need to ensure that you rinse with clean water after this treatment, as any softener residue can actually attract more dirt over time.

Schedule a professional cleaning

Every year or so, treat your carpet to a proper clean from the professionals. This will help it to look its best, and will also help it increase its longevity, meaning that you don’t have to replace it as often.

Dry carpet thoroughly

After cleaning your carpet with any method that uses water, you should always ensure that you let your carpet dry completely, as quickly as you can. Leave doors and windows open to increase ventilation, and you can also put the heating on to reduce the drying time.

Use carpet protectors

These handy little runners can be placed over the most heavily trafficked areas of your carpets, meaning that it will stay looking better for longer. Some people think that they don’t look very nice, but surely it is worth keeping your expensive carpet protected so that it lasts as long as possible?

Final Words

Once you have some of the best tips for cleaning carpets under your belt, you can get started with making your carpets look as good as new. A great thing about this is that most of these methods are super easy, and often use natural products so you can avoid chemicals in your home.

Another advantage is that keeping your carpets clean will also increase their lifespan, meaning that you won’t have to fork out for new ones!