Is your carpet looking dull? Between hairs and stubborn stains, a simple vacuum cleaner is no longer enough. Whether you are a fan of steam or a fan of bicarbonate, we have tested for you the most formidable methods to disinfect and revive the shine of your fibers without damaging them.
Whether it is very dirty, stained or simply requires a little freshening to eliminate mites, dust and animal hair, your carpet will definitely benefit from a good cleaning. Here is how to clean a carpet effectively.
How to maintain a carpet on a daily basis?
Your carpet deserves special care. Also, twice a week, vacuum in brushing mode because it raises the hairs better and is therefore more effective. However, if you have an oriental rug, a Berber rug, an ethnic or old rugavoid brushing mode and vacuum gently.
Other very simple actions will guarantee it a beautiful appearance and a longer life:
- To erase traces of furniture, use a hot steam iron which you position above the crushed hairs.
- NDon’t hesitate to change the direction of your carpet once or twice a year so that it wears out less quickly.
- Conventional suction, although efficient, does not remove all dust. It is therefore necessary, once a year, to use a injection-extraction shampooerby single brush. It will overcome dust but also dirt.
How to remove pet hair and hair from a carpet?
If you have pets, carpets (especially wool) can be a real nest for dog or cat hair! Likewise, rugs are sure to trap the hair of members of the household.
To eliminate them, suction will of course be a great ally, but another solution exists.
- Take nylon tights that you put on your hand.
- Then run your hand over the mat to generate static electricity which will help remove any hair stuck to the surface.
How to deep clean a carpet?
In addition to foams and other more or less effective products found on the market, there are many more natural recipes for cleaning a carpet, even a very dirty one.
- The first solution is to wash it usinga sponge soaked in soapy water (or a mixture of water and household alcohol). Rinsing is then carried out with vinegar water.
- If your carpet is light, dilute a few drops of ammonia in soapy water and rub the carpet with a cloth soaked in this mixture. Wait a few moments for the mixture to absorb and rinse with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water. Finally, dab with a dry cloth.
- If your carpet is dark, dab it withmineral spirit (wear gloves and ventilate the room). Leave it on for around 1h30 and rub with a damp cloth. Finally, vacuum.
In the case of a long pile carpetyou will make sure to rinse the mixture well or insist on vacuuming to clean as best as possible between the fibers. You can also dry everything with a cloth.
In the case of a wool rugdo not wet the fiber abundantly and do not use ammonia.
Baking soda is a real cleaning ally in the house and this will also be the case for dry clean carpets. To disinfect your carpet, an unstoppable method is to sprinkle it with baking soda. Leave it on for around fifteen minutes and vacuum. It will then be deodorized and sanitized in the blink of an eye. Just be sure to vacuum thoroughly to avoid any powder remaining in the heart of the fiber, especially if it is a long pile carpet.
In the case of a very dirty rug or if you have several rugs and carpets, investing in a shampooer (Bissell, Kärcher, Klarstein…) might be a good idea. This will allow you to thoroughly clean all your carpets without much effort. Note that DIY stores often offer shampoo rental for occasional cleaning.
How to revive the color of a carpet?
There are a few tips to revive the colors of your carpet :
- Moisten your carpet withsparkling waterlet dry and brush.
- Apply to your carpet sawdust impregnated with a mixture of water and ammonia (at 1/10ᵉ). After the mixture has penetrated, brush the carpet and vacuum it.
- In winter, if conditions are suitable, you can also apply hard snow on the carpet and rub vigorously.
Please note: we use the term “humidify” because you must not soak your carpet. In addition, always check beforehand, on a corner of the carpet, that the product or mixture used will not attack the fibers or cause the carpet to discolor.
To clean a white carpet, you can use the same tips as for deep cleaning. You can also use a mixture of 250 ml of white vinegar, 100 ml of hot water and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Use a soft sponge then rinse with a damp cloth.
Note that the recipe with ammonia and soapy water will be particularly recommended on white carpets.
How to remove dust mites from carpet?
If baking soda is a great ally for cleaning and deodorizing your carpets, it will also be ideal for eliminating dust mites that live in its fibers. Start by vacuuming your carpet to remove dust. Generously sprinkle the carpet with baking soda. Lightly brush the fiber and let it sit for several hours. Finally, then vacuum the baking soda from the carpet.
