If you’re like most of us, you’ve been in the position of having a vacuum cleaner or carpet cleaner go on the fritz. This is annoying and costly, and sometimes we just don’t have the money to go out and buy a new carpet cleaner or pay someone to clean our carpets.
Well, don’t worry. Even if you don’t have a machine, there are still plenty of ways to keep your carpet clean without one.
Let’s Talk About Dirt
The first thing you may be wondering is how to get up the dirt and debris. Well, if your carpet is in the form of an area rug that you can easily pick up, simply pick it up, take it outside, and shake it out.
You can also hang it from a line or a railing and beat it with a broom, which is what people used to do before vacuum cleaners were a household name. Smaller carpets can even be washed in a tub or sink.
If your carpet isn’t portable, you can use tape or lint brush or roller to go over your carpet to remove pet hair and fine particles.
You can also purchase carpet brushes or sweepers that allow you to brush carpet fabric to detach debris so that you can move it into a manageable pile.
Getting Out Smells and Stains
Once you’ve gotten up all the dirt, it’s time to refresh your carpet and get out the stains. There are lots of ways to do this, but we’ll go over a few so you can get the idea.
For cleaners, you can purchase the same cleaners used in steam cleaners, or you can use dish soap, baking soda, or any cleaner that would be safe on your carpets.
Some people may prefer organic cleaners. It’s a good idea to always test out cleaners on a small area of your carpet to make sure they won’t discolor your carpet or leave it filmy.
Once you’ve chosen a good cleaner, you’ll want to use the sponge and bucket method. This way, you can move along your carpet while moving the sponge and bucket with you, allowing you to clean as you go. For tougher stains, you can use a toothbrush or other small brush to deeper clean certain areas.
Another way to do this is to put your cleaning solution into a spray bottle and spray areas as you go, following up with a warm, wet sponge to make sure you scrub in the solution and scrub away the stain.
You may also want to consider pre-treating areas with the spray bottle before following up with the sponge and bucket method.
I have found that for deep stains, one of the best methods is to mix mild soap (such as dish soap) with hot water, saturate the area, and place a dry towel on the area to soak up the liquid.
This method will also pull up the stain, and once dry, it will look clean and fresh. Again, you’ll want to test an area first. You’ll also want to be careful you’re in a well-ventilated area or you may risk mold production with too much water.
What About Pets?
Even if you have pets, all of the same methods can work. You can still sweep up dirt or beat the dirt out of your rugs. You can still use tape or a lint roller to get up pet hair and dander.
You can still use the sponge and bucket method with some mild soap to pull up stains and smells. All of these methods will work, but you may need to do them more often, especially during summer months when pets tend to shed more.
Another consideration is the smell. Pet smells can be overwhelming, and if you don’t stay ahead of them, they’re harder to get out of carpets and furniture.
Sprinkling carpets with baking soda can work wonders. You’ll want to let the soda sit for about an hour and then sweep it up or shake it out if possible.
When cleaning with a warm, wet sponge, you can put a few tablespoons of baking soda in your solution. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and if used often enough, you can keep smells from pets away.
Overall, the convenience of having a vacuum cleaner and carpet cleaner may be good for some, but some people may prefer more natural methods. It is possible to keep your carpets clean without these machines. After all, what did people do before them?
Author Bio:
This article is contributed by Kuchiya from CleanUpHome.com. He guides on cleaning and organization. He also help to find what you need to create the perfect modern home.
