Easy carpet cleaning tips: remove stains and odours from your carpets

Whether you have coffee stains on a cream-coloured carpet, crayon marks from cheeky toddlers, or simply a build-up of everyday dust and dirt, all carpets need a little care and attention every now and then. What puts many homeowners off carpet cleaning is the effort involved in moving furniture and waiting for the fibres to dry, but carpet care doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to clean carpets with ease, here are a few swift, simple ways to remove stubborn stains and lingering smells.

Tried and Tested Carpet Cleaning Tips

How to use powder as a carpet cleaner

Using powder is a great way to clean your carpet. This is the best strategy for cleaning your carpet with powder, whether it’s a powdered carpet cleaner or baking soda:

1. Sprinkle the powder liberally over the carpet.
2. Leave the powder for at least 30 minutes – but if you can leave it overnight, all the better – this gives the cleaner time to work, softening the stains and consuming the odours.
3. Vacuum up the powder when you’re done.

How to use carpet shampoo 

Carpet shampoo is another popular way to clean your carpets. There are many different brands of carpet shampoo, so make sure that you follow the guidance on the label.

1. Make up the solution as directed on the packaging. In many cases, the product will need to be diluted with water
2. Use just enough carpet shampoo to cover the area
3. Do not make the carpet too wet – not only is this a waste of detergent, but it’s also going to increase drying time
4. Scrub on the particularly stubborn areas using a hard-bristled brush
5. Let the carpet dry
6. Vacuum the shampoo once it has dried

The Best Carpet Cleaners for You: Powder or Shampoo?

When it comes to cleaning carpets, plain old soap and water just isn’t going to cut it, especially if you’re dealing with persistent stains, deep-seated odours, or years worth of caked-on muck. Most people go for either carpet powder or carpet shampoo when cleaning the carpets in their home.

For tackling stains and dirt, it’s worth looking for a dedicated carpet powder rather than a shampoo if you want to make it a quick job. Shampoos can take hours to dry, leaving the room off-limits until ready. Powdered products can be vacuumed up much quicker, and do just as good a job.

Whatever carpet cleaning product you use, make sure to read the directions and follow any instructions.

Natural Carpet Cleaning Products

If you’d rather use natural carpet cleaning products, there are some everyday kitchen cupboard staples that work wonders. Most people have heard about using soda water or tonic water to counteract coffee stains, but salt is also a good alternative for removing dirt or soaking up fresh stains. Also, baking soda absorbs those nasty smells hiding amongst the fibres. Remember, when using a new cleaning method or product, always test it on a small area first.

Handy Carpet Stain Remover Tricks

For isolated stains, it’s always best to get them up as soon as possible before they really dry into the carpet material. Remember, don’t be tempted to wipe any stains – blot them instead to prevent the stain from smudging or going deeper into the carpet. While you can spot clean using a detergent, it’s also worth trying these handy stain remover tricks, too, depending on the source of the stain:

• For sticky stains like gum, harden it using an ice cube before prying it off
• For smelly stains, mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and apply to the area with a cloth.

So there you have it – stain-free carpets can be yours. Enjoy fresher, brighter-looking rooms!

Key Steps:

• Powdered carpet cleaners are quicker to use as they can be vacuumed up – there’s no lengthy drying process involved.
• Use a hard bristled brush with a solution of water and carpet shampoo to scrub stains.
• Baking soda can be used as a deodoriser.
• Always remember to test any cleaning products on a small area first.

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s &McGregor International Realty® editorial team. Get in touch with us at [email protected]