Children, pets, meals… Your carpet is put to the test every day. After a while, the colors fade, the dirt sets in, and the smells remain. If the maintenance of your carpet begins with regular vacuuming (especially for long hairs which retain even more dust and mites), a deep carpet cleaning of stains remains essential to keep your carpet as on the first day. . However, without a steam cleaner or specific product, the operation can seem laborious. Do not panic! We give you the most effective tips, achievable with home products.
Note: Before you start, do a test on a part (if possible hidden) of the mat. If in doubt, you can also check your carpet material on its label for safe cleaning.
1. Apply dishwashing liquid to the carpet
For this first tip, nothing could be simpler! Whether you want to remove a stain or sanitize your entire carpet, dish soap works wonders. To freshen up your carpet, first lather up some washing-up liquid in a basin of lukewarm water. Get a sponge or brush and scrub gently. Rinse off with clean water and a microfiber cloth. Be careful not to rinse your carpet with plenty of water, as it will have a hard time drying. Wipe off with a towel, then let sit in the open air. To speed up the drying time, use a hairdryer. This technique also works with black soap, a natural multifunction product whose effectiveness is well established.
2. Clean your carpet with sparkling water
Imagine. This is your housewarming. All your friends are gathered at your home to celebrate your installation in this new, freshly renovated apartment. Around a glass, everyone is ecstatic about the pretty decoration you have chosen. Suddenly, the tragedy: the awkward gesture of a guest sprays a few drops of wine on your brand new beige carpet …
You must react and quickly. To overcome splashes of wine (or juice, tea, coffee, etc.), sparkling water is your best ally.
How to do it? One watchword to find an immaculate carpet: speed! First, blot up the spilled liquid with paper towels: above all, avoid pressing the stain against the carpet. Drizzle it with a little sparkling water. Then absorb the sparkling water with a clean cloth. The operation can be repeated as many times as necessary. To optimize the stain removal action of sparkling water, do not hesitate to combine its use with baking soda. In addition to sanitizing your surfaces, this 100% natural powder instantly revives colors. Pour sparkling water over the area and brush with light circular motions. Wait half an hour. Then sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Leave on for several hours, then vacuum to remove the powder.
3. Adopt the iron technique
Think your living room rug is unrecoverable? Try this somewhat unusual method for a tough stain. It requires an iron, white vinegar, and a cloth. Here is how to use it:
- Set your iron to the highest steam level and let it heat up for a few minutes;
- Meanwhile, prepare a mixture of 2 thirds of water and 1 third of white household vinegar;
- Spray this mixture on the stain. Our advice: spray the edges of it first to prevent it spreading;
- Cover the area with a light-colored damp cloth;
- Run your iron back and forth over the laundry for about 10 seconds.
The stain should transfer to the fabric. If necessary, repeat this same gesture on another area of the towel. However, be careful with the composition of your carpet: some materials cannot withstand high temperatures and risk being damaged.
4. Sprinkle the carpet with Sommières soil
Sommières soil is a kind of clay with the same purifying properties as bicarbonate. Naturally decreasing, it saves you the cost in the event of stubborn marks on your carpet! Perfect for neutralizing bad odors, this fine beige powder is used for dry cleaning. What rugs is it suitable for? The soil cleans without discoloring, which makes it an excellent ecological cleaner for the most fragile materials, such as wool rugs.
Don’t have enough time to do all of the above? Why don’t you contact a professional carpet cleaning service?
