We love it, but we tend to neglect it: a clean carpet gives every room a pleasant atmosphere. Regular cleaning is essential to keep your carpet in the best possible condition. Cleaning your carpet? You’re probably thinking of your vacuum cleaner now – and that’s still true. It does an important job in carpet cleaning and should be used every week. However, it cannot completely replace a thorough cleaning. That’s why you should give your carpet a thorough cleaning twice a year.
Whether professional carpet cleaning or DIY: There are various ways to clean carpets thoroughly. Our guide offers first aid tips for stains as well as instructions for annual deep cleaning. Find out everything you need to know about clean carpets!
Table of contents:
- 1 Clean the carpet yourself
- 2 The seven best home remedies
- 3 Cleaning Persian carpets
- 4 Cleaning silk carpets
- 5 Professional Carpet Cleaning
How do I clean my carpet myself?
Carpets get dirty and stained over time. Their beauty suffers. Regular cleaning is therefore important to keep them in good condition. Here are some useful DIY carpet cleaning tips to help you remove light stains and make your carpet look fresh again.
Can I use a steam cleaner to clean carpets? Yes, a steam cleaner can be an effective way to clean carpets. The hot steam loosens dirt, kills bacteria and mites, and helps with unpleasant odors. Make sure the carpet is suitable for steam cleaning by checking the manufacturer’s instructions. It is important to use the steam cleaner according to the instructions and to allow the carpet to dry thoroughly to avoid mold growth.
A steam cleaner specifically designed for carpets often offers additional features and specific settings to ensure efficient carpet cleaning. These devices are available at hardware stores or specialty shops and can help you gently clean your carpet.
Which carpet cleaner should I use? There are a variety of carpet cleaners on the market that are specifically designed to remove stains and clean carpets. Be sure to choose a cleaner that is suitable for your carpet type. Read the instructions carefully and test the product on an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using.
Where can I rent the right machine for carpet cleaning? If you don’t have your own cleaning equipment, you can rent professional carpet cleaning equipment from many hardware stores and cleaning companies. These machines are powerful and offer various features to thoroughly clean your carpet. Find out about availability and rental costs in your area.
Which household remedies help with carpet cleaning?
Cleaning a carpet can be a challenging task. If you are looking for a natural and inexpensive solution, home remedies are ideal. Here are our freshening tips from your home:
Home remedies for carpet cleaning:
Pros:
- natural & cost-effective solution
- absorbs most odors
- environmentally friendly alternative
- easy to use
- available in most households
Cons:
- may not be as effective on stubborn stains
- some home remedies require longer exposure times
Baking soda: For grease stains, pet odors & spilled food
Vinegar & Lemon: Dried Stains, Odor Neutralizer
Salt: Fresh water-based stains
Detergent: Deep cleaning for sensitive carpets
Shaving foam: refreshment and light soiling
Club Soda: Stains such as coffee, tea or red wine
Carpet shampoo: Penetrates deep into the fiber, basic cleaning
Cleaning Carpet with Baking Soda
Carpets can be cleaned with baking soda and baking powder to absorb odors, remove stains, and freshen them up. One way is to dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda or baking powder in a liter of warm water and spray the mixture liberally on the affected areas. After a few hours, the mixture can simply be vacuumed up.
Alternatively, baking soda can be applied directly to the carpet in powder form. After it has been worked in with a soft brush, it should be left to work for about a day and then vacuumed. This method is particularly effective for stubborn stains.
Baking soda can also be used to freshen up the colors of the carpet. To do this, mix half a packet of baking soda with five liters of water and apply the solution to the carpet with a microfiber cloth. After several hours, the solution can be vacuumed up.
Important! The baking soda-water mixture is a lye! Always wear gloves and protect the rest of the floor.
Cleaning Carpet with Vinegar & Lemon
To remove particularly stubborn or dried stains, you can use lemon or vinegar. Both substances contain acid, which helps to loosen the stains. In addition, the vinegar solution neutralizes odors. However, it is advisable to test it on an inconspicuous area before using it to ensure that it does not damage the carpet. Both lemon and vinegar can be applied undiluted directly to the stain. It is important that they are only left to act for a short time and then gently blotted.
Cleaning carpets with salt
Salt is a simple but effective home remedy for fresh stains on the carpet. Sprinkle the stain generously with salt and let it soak in. The salt helps to draw moisture out of the stain and makes cleaning easier. After a while, you can carefully vacuum the salt away.
Cleaning carpet with detergent
A solution of water and mild detergent or shampoo is suitable for combating stubborn stains on carpets. A mixture of one tablespoon of mild detergent to three liters of water produces good results. This solution is applied to the stains and gently worked into the fabric with a soft brush. The solution should then be left to work for several hours. Finally, the treated area is „rinsed“ with water and a cotton cloth to remove all residue.
Using mild detergent or shampoo not only combats localized dirt, but also enables deep cleaning. These products have been specially developed for sensitive materials and thus prevent possible damage to the carpet.
Cleaning Carpet with Shaving Foam
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional carpet cleaners, you can use shaving foam instead. It is important to choose a colorless foam that ideally does not contain any preservatives. The shaving foam is either applied over a large area of the entire carpet or specifically to the stain. It is then carefully worked into the carpet fibers using a brush or cotton cloth. Depending on the level of dirt, the foam should be left to work for several hours. After that, it is important to vacuum the shaving foam thoroughly, as residue can cause more dust and dirt to accumulate.
Using shaving foam cannot guarantee a deep clean, especially for stubborn stains. Shaving foam is more suitable for light soiling and to freshen up the carpet.
Carpet cleaning with Club Soda
A simple method of cleaning carpets is to use club soda (mineral water). The carbon dioxide it contains makes it effective against stains. Simply pour club soda on the stain and dab gently with a clean cloth or sponge. The carbon dioxide will loosen the stain and remove contaminants. It is important not to rub the stain, but to dab gently to prevent it from spreading. Then rinse with clean water and allow to dry thoroughly to remove residue and prevent re-soiling. Club soda is best for fresh stains, especially those that are water-based, such as coffee, tea or red wine.
Cleaning the carpet with carpet shampoo
Industrial carpet cleaners are an effective alternative to home remedies. Their application is similar to shaving foam, but they usually work faster, which reduces the exposure time. The exact exposure time is indicated on the product. After treatment, it is important to vacuum or wash the carpet thoroughly to remove residues that could attract dirt. Carpet foam and carpet cleaners use special cleaning solutions that are optimally tailored to the needs of carpets. They penetrate deep into the fibers and thoroughly dissolve stubborn stains and embedded dirt, leaving a fresh smell.
- Baking soda: For grease stains, pet odors & spilled food
- Vinegar & Lemon: Dried Stains, Odor Neutralizer
- Salt: Fresh water-based stains
- Detergent: Deep cleaning for sensitive carpets
- Shaving foam: refreshment and light soiling
- Club Soda: Stains such as coffee, tea or red wine
- Carpet shampoo: Penetrates deep into the fiber, basic cleaning
How do I clean a Persian carpet?
Inspection: Examine the carpet thoroughly to determine its condition, type of soiling and possible damage. This will help you choose the right cleaning method.
Dust removal: Beat the carpet or use a special carpet vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt particles and dust.
Stain treatment: Treat stubborn stains individually using special cleaning products and techniques suitable for Persian carpets. Choose cleaning products carefully and apply them gently to avoid damage.
Wet cleaning: Use a wet cleaning method by applying a special cleaning foam or cleaning solution to the carpet and rinsing with water. This loosens and removes deep-seated dirt.
Drying: Allow the carpet to dry gently, either in the air or with drying equipment. Make sure the carpet is completely dry to avoid mold growth and moisture damage.
How do I clean a silk carpet?
Regular vacuuming: Remove dust and dirt regularly with a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush nozzle.
Treat stains immediately: Gently dab stains with a clean, dry cloth and use a mild silk detergent.
Avoid water or moisture: Avoid direct water treatment or cleaning with excessive moisture, as silk is sensitive to this.
Prefer dry cleaning: Use special carpet cleaning powder or foam for delicate materials such as silk and remove it with a soft brush nozzle.
Always follow the manufacturer or retailer’s specific cleaning instructions for your silk carpet.
When is professional carpet cleaning recommended?
If you are faced with stubborn stains that cannot be removed with conventional household remedies, or if you have valuable and delicate carpets such as Persian or silk carpets that require special treatment, professional carpet cleaning is a sensible option. This also applies if your carpet is generally very dirty and needs a thorough cleaning.
By leaving the cleaning to a certified cleaning company, you save time and effort . The service providers have the necessary expertise, the right cleaning products and techniques to clean the carpet effectively.
Another benefit of professional carpet cleaning is the elimination of unpleasant odors that can build up in the carpet fabric over time. The experts use special cleaning products and techniques to effectively remove odors and leave your carpet fresh and fragrant.
Professional carpet cleaning via Helpling not only saves time, but also delivers top results. All you have to do is clear the carpet or carpeting and the professionals will take care of the rest. Simply enter the dimensions, the number of stains and the type of carpet to determine the cost of professional carpet cleaning . After we have received your booking, you will be informed immediately by email as soon as a suitable partner company accepts your order. This way you can get a binding appointment for your professional cleaning quickly and easily!
Let your carpet breathe and enjoy a clean home.