If you’ve been researching how to clean carpet yourself, you’ll probably already know that there are several options. Professional carpet cleaners deliver excellent results with industrial machinery and a range of cleaning chemicals. However, such services aren’t cheap, and they’re not ideal if you have allergy sufferers in the house.
The other options include low-tech procedures, the use of steam and good, old-fashioned elbow grease. These simple cleaning methods should remove the majority of stains and discoloration — and save you some serious money in the process.
Vinegar
While this method is labour-intensive and time-consuming, it will probably deliver results if you have the patience. Create a solution of one part distilled vinegar and three parts cold water. Spray it onto your carpet fairly liberally, and allow it a few minutes of contact time. Then take a microfibre cloth, and start gently blotting. Don’t scrub, otherwise you could damage your carpet.
This method is suitable for cleaning stains and limited high-traffic areas. However, it isn’t practical for large carpets.
Regular vacuuming
Carpets often become discoloured because they’re not vacuumed regularly enough. When tiny grains of dirt are trodden on, they work their way into the fibres and cause them to become discoloured. Although your carpets might look fine, you should always try to vacuum them at least once a day — particularly high-traffic areas.
Baking soda
It’s amazing just how much baking soda can do on its own. If you ever notice a spillage the moment it happens, simply cover it in baking soda and wait an hour. In many cases, the stain will be absorbed without the need for any cleaning — just make sure you vacuum the area thoroughly.
But baking soda is also a great way to give your carpet a general clean. Start by clearing the room of furniture and clutter. Work on individual stains with your vinegar solution, and then sprinkle baking soda liberally over your entire carpet. Leave it overnight, and then vacuum it up the next morning. Your carpet won’t just look cleaner, and it smell fresher too.
Steam
It might surprise you to know that a domestic steam mop or handheld steam cleaner can be used to clean carpets too. Of course, you’ll need to check the carpet manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines first, but superheated steam is great for removing dirt, cutting through grease and killing bacteria.
If you’re using a steam mop, make sure you have a carpet cleaning attachment — which reduces friction and protects carpet fibres from damage. Clean your carpet just like you’d vacuum it, and make sure you ventilate the room in order to allow it to dry naturally afterwards. The great thing about the latest efficient steam mops is that they make a tiny amount of water go a long way. As a result, you carpets won’t be drenched afterwards.
Carpet shampoos
There are some very effective home carpet shampoos on the market these days — although using them involves a lot of hard work. Because you’re not using a machine, you’ll need to use a soft-bristle brush. However, this involves a degree of scrubbing, so it should only be done on short-pile carpets with man-made fibres.
If you’re determined to find out how to clean carpet without a machine, the information you need isn’t hard to find. However, with the possible exception of the steam option, the methods probably won’t be as good as a professional clean with specialist equipment. But if you can save some money, doing it yourself could be the best option for you.
