Vacuum cleaners or robot vacuum cleaners make cleaning carpets much easier. If you don’t have stains that resist vacuuming, you have no choice but to deal with the stain using manual methods.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know to get rid of the dirt on your carpets without having to vacuum.
Tips for Clean Carpet without a vacuum cleaner
The first piece of advice I’ll tell you is to take a sunny day. The good summer weather is perfect to plan a deep cleaning. Especially, if they are rugs of a manageable size, and you can move them easily. Make sure the tag doesn’t say Dry Clean Only!
You just have to follow 3 basic rules:
- Use detergent sparingly.
- Rinse any cleaning solution right away, rinsing very well.
- Let the rug dry completely.
Drying the carpets well is essential since the moisture that the fiber retains is what encourages the growth of fungi or mold and generates a bad smell. If you are cleaning them to store them until next season, this aspect becomes even more important.
Spot cleaning
It is possible that during the weekly vacuuming of the carpet, you will find recent stains. The recommendation is that you do not let time pass and proceed immediately with its cleaning. You will need a 250 ml spray bottle, dishwashing or carpet detergent, and warm water.
- Put ¼ cup of white vinegar in the bottle, add 2 drops of detergent, and makeup to volume with warm water.
- Brush the carpet as you normally do.
- Generously spray the stained area with the solution. Then press a clean cloth over the stain until it disappears. Repeat if necessary.
- You can use only carpet detergent or any commercial stain remover. But you must test the product before proceeding to confirm that the carpet does not fade, or that the compound reacts to the fiber.
- During the process, avoid pressing too hard, and lightly rubbing the stain on the carpet. When you will only deepen the stain, it will be much more difficult to remove it.
- Use napkins and try to dry the area well.
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How to clean a large carpet with a cleaning solution?
Large rugs and wall-to-wall rugs are challenging to clean, especially if you have to do it yourself.
Cleaning carpets without a vacuum cleaner becomes more complicated as the area of the carpet increases. In this case, we will use bicarbonate. Its deodorizing and disinfecting power leaves the area very clean. Prepare a detergent solution with 2 drops in a 250 ml bottle.
- The first thing you should do is remove the dust by shaking or brushing the rug.
- Apply the baking soda making sure to leave an even layer over the entire area of the carpet. Let the product act for an hour before removing it.
- Spray the cleaning solution, being careful not to saturate the carpet fiber. If the rug is very large, work by area.
- With the help of a carpet brush rub in all directions to remove dirt trapped in the fiber.
- Dry the area by pressing firmly with a dry cloth to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Using another spray bottle, spray warm water over the same area and press dry towels to collect moisture.
- Repeat the process on the other sections of the rug until the entire area is covered.
You want to make sure the rug dries well, so open the windows and ventilate the room. If you can move the rug outside and leave it in the sun, all the better.
If you have to clean the entire floor of a room, the procedure is the same. I only advise you to remove all the furniture on the carpet and start from the farthest corner. Of course, you will need lots of dry towels.
How do clean carpets DRY without a vacuum cleaner?
If you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, let the cleaning powder act for a couple of hours before removing it with the help of the same brush. Gently sweep in the same direction and depending on the size of the rug you can shake it to finish removing the dust.
How to clean carpets at home with homemade products?
We already know everything that can be done with baking soda, vinegar, and dishwasher for carpet maintenance. But there are many other common products in your home that come in handy for treating some specific stains.
- Liquid detergent preferably should be transparent. Avoid using too much as it leaves a sticky residue that becomes a magnet for dirt and dust. Keep in mind that detergents work best on stains that are soluble in water.
- Baking soda, despite being a natural wonder, must be patient and let it act, especially if you need to remove pet odor from your carpet. Sometimes you will need up to more than 24 hours to ensure better results. While the deodorization process is taking place, avoid walking on the carpet.
- Vinegar not only cleans and helps loosen stains, but it also disinfects and removes unpleasant odors. Once the carpet dries its intense smell disappears. For these jobs always use white vinegar.
- Cornstarch and baking soda (mixed in equal parts) help remove fresh grease or oil stains. They work by absorbing the material. It is important to act quickly to prevent a stain from remaining in the area. Apply the mixture to the stain and leave it on for half an hour, then brush off the solid residue.
- Carbonated water is a basic solution, ideal for neutralizing some stains of an acidic nature, such as red wine and tomato sauce. It can also be used with other stains, as long as they are soluble in water. The timely action of the carbonated water will prevent the food from oxidizing and the stain from setting on the carpet. Apply with light touches, with the help of a cloth soaked in club soda on the affected area. Dry well and repeat whenever necessary.
- Ice is ideal for removing gum from the carpet. Remove the excess gum with the help of your fingers or some practical tool. Place several ice cubes in a plastic bag and chill the area, trying to harden the gum, which will be easier to remove. Scrape the surface with the help of a blunt-tipped table knife, taking care not to abrade the rug.
- Hydrogen peroxide is ideal for cleaning up recent spills of water-soluble products. Apply to the stain and remove without rubbing, just by pressing a clean, dry cloth over the area. Always act from the edge and towards the center of the stain to prevent it from spreading.
- Salt is perfect for disinfecting and cleaning carpets by applying it as a solid and letting it sit before brushing it off. But it also helps preserve colors if used as a cleaning solution.
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How to clean carpets at home with ammonia?
Ammonia is a very powerful household cleaner that, due to its alkaline nature, cannot be used on all types of carpets. Especially those made of synthetic fibers, widely used to clean woolen carpets, or those that are very colorful. It is always necessary that you test the product on a small section of the carpet before applying it.
It can be used to clean specific stains or as a solution to clean the entire carpet. Furthermore, It is ideal for treating spills from sauces, mayonnaise, ink, and pet poop. Likewise, It is used as a diluted solution that not only fights stains but also helps deodorize and neutralize bad odors, mainly caused by pets. When using an ammonia solution, it is necessary to prevent the sun’s rays from falling on the carpet. It can discolor it.
- To treat stains, prepare a solution by mixing 1/2 cup of ammonia in 1 liter of warm water.
- Spray on the area of the stain until completely wet.
- With the help of a dry sponge cleans the stain, from the edge and towards the center, and then let it dry. If the stain persists, repeat the process.
To clean a large rug, prepare a cleaning solution by mixing 1 part ammonia with 10 parts hot water. Spray the solution on the carpet and with the help of a soft bristle brush rub the entire surface. Let the rug dry and check the results. It’s an easy way.
How do dry clean carpets with baking soda?
Take advantage of the natural properties of baking soda to clean your carpet, replacing the different dry detergents. Sodium bicarbonate deodorizes, eliminating persistent odors caused by humidity. In addition, it has abrasive properties, which allow it to loosen and drag dirt. It is a disinfectant, antibacterial, and one of the best products to absorb moisture from carpets.
To proceed with dry cleaning, just apply the solid product, distributing it evenly on the already dust-free surface of the carpet. Let it act for a few minutes and with the help of a stiff bristle brush, work the surface of the carpet in all directions.
If you need to eliminate bad odors, you can leave them on overnight before removing the solid.
