When you first install your home flooring, you might treat it like you would a new couch or table. You walk carefully on it, avoid wearing shoes from outside when indoors, and steer clear from liquid or food that might stain the carpet. However, messes are inevitable—you might spill wine, track in mud from a rainy run, or find that your pet had an accident on your flooring.
If you find yourself in this situation, you do not need to buy pricey cleaning products. You can make your own carpet-cleaning solution from ingredients you may find in your pantry or in any grocery. A homemade carpet cleaner is inexpensive and perfect for spot cleaning. Keep reading to see our guide to making your own carpet cleaning solution, and how to use them!
Gather your materials
The beauty about making your own solution is that you can customise the amounts to suit your needs. For carpet spot cleaning, you can use a small spray bottle, a thick, absorbent piece of cloth, and a clean sponge. For jobs like these, it is better to use a white or light-coloured fabric. This prevents the transference of colour to the surface you are cleaning.
The solution is made of dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, warm water, and baking soda. You can make as much of the solution as you need by adjusting the ratios to your container. For this guide, we used one cup of warm water, one tablespoon of vinegar, and one teaspoon each of baking soda and dishwashing liquid.
Combine your ingredients in the bottle
When combining ingredients, it is best that you work over a sink, since some of the items are highly reactive to each other. First, put the dishwashing liquid in your spray bottle, and follow it up with the vinegar. Next, add a cup of warm water.
Finally, add the baking soda, and quickly screw on the spray bottle top. Vinegar is an acid, and baking soda is a base. These two products create carbon dioxide, which causes them to froth up and bubble. When you have the container secured, it is time to start cleaning.
Clean the area before applying
Vacuum over the area you intend to clean. This removes the largest pieces of dirt or grime and it helps make scrubbing out the stains easier. After you have vacuumed, wipe the surface with the rough side of your sponge. Make sure that you do not press down too hard on the sponge, since this can damage the fibres of your home flooring.
Spray the solution on your carpet
Apply the carpet cleaning solution generously on the stain, and dab it out with the cloth. Do not put more solution than is needed to soak the affected area. If inundated, the stain will grow larger and you will have more to clean. Keep dabbing and wiping to absorb the water; scrubbing at the stain will press the dirt particles deeply into the carpet.
Keep your carpet stain-free
As with most things, prevention is better than course correction. Keep your floor free from stains by avoiding certain behaviours, like eating and drinking on carpeted areas. This is the reason why many people opt for area rugs in dining rooms or kitchens.
Vacuum your carpet flooring regularly as well. ‘Regular’ might mean a couple of times a month if you are someone who does not have a particularly active lifestyle. However, if you own a dog or are fond of outdoor activities, you might want to clean more frequently.
Conclusion
Keeping your home neat and clean is important in keeping your household members healthy. A tidy home also boosts morale. Immediately clean your carpet if it gets stained, and take steps toward preventing messes in the future.
When you feel like your home is in need of an update, you can always call Home Flooring Design Centre. We are the best source for carpets and home flooring in Calgary, and we promise comfort, design, and durability in the floorings we install. Get in touch with us today and let us talk about the best flooring solution for you!
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