6 DIY Carpet Cleaning Tips That Really Work

Regardless of how careful we are, we always manage to get food crumbs, spills and tidbits of debris all over our carpets at home.

Carpets are essentially a trap for dirt and if not cleaned regularly they can compromise indoor air quality. They are home to pathogens that can cause skin allergies, respiratory issues, infections and can in turn weaken our immune system.

Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a carpet that looks and smells fresh like you just bought it? Aside from hiring your local professional carpet cleaner to fulfill your carpet cleaning needs. We actually collated the top 6 do-it-yourself carpet cleaning tips that we think really work!

In a nutshell, here are carpet cleaning tips that you can do on your own:

1. Baking Soda Method
2. Homemade Carpet Deep Cleaning Solution
3. Fluffing Method
4. Club Soda Stain Removal Method
5. Ice Cube Method
6. Carpet Blotting Method

Baking Soda Method – The Best Technique for a Dusty and Smelly Carpet

Baking Soda acts an excellent odour absorber and deodorizer. Its ability to act as a neutralizing agent for acidic and alkaline spills as well as regulating the pH make it ideal.

For instance, adding baking soda to cat urine stains (which is naturally acidic) allows the odour to be absorbed.

The added benefit of using baking soda is that it is easily available and is an inexpensive and eco-friendly cleaning option.

Here’s how to apply baking soda to carpets:

• Spread the baking soda evenly on the carpet and leave it overnight. After 24 hours, use a vacuum cleaner to remove the soda and voila! Your carpet is as good as new.
  If you think that there is still a stench and are unable to pinpoint what it is exactly, then have a look at what’s thriving in your carpet to learn a little more.

Homemade Carpet Deep Cleaning Solution – Do It Yourself

Wall-to-wall carpeting is quite a popular choice in Singaporean homes. However, day-to-day foot traffic, pet mess, and accidental spills can make it look dingy. We whipped up some DIY deep cleaning solutions to maintain wall-to-wall carpets and keep your carpet looking fresh.

Use the DIY carpet and rug cleaning solutions shared below to deep clean your carpet and get rid of the allergens and dust mites residing in between the rug fibres.

• Carpet Cleaning Machine Solution – A quick mixture of hot water, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap and a few drops of essential oil can make a great carpet cleaning solution.
  Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are tough on dirt and stains and kill pathogenic microorganisms in the carpet, leaving it clean and the essential oil to make sure it stays smelling fresh.
• DIY Carpet Shampoo – This time try adding a mix of ammonia, liquid dish soap, hot water and a few drops of essential oil of your choice. Use this solution to shampoo the dirt away.
• DIY Carpet Stain Remover– Getting rid of stubborn stains on a carpet can be a tricky undertaking. You need a solution that’s tough on stains but easy on the carpet fibres.
  Mix clear ammonia, fabric softener and warm water for an effective DIY carpet stain remover that lifts dirt and stains while neutralizing any unpleasant odour.
• DIY Carpet Deodorizer – Use baking soda and a few drops of essential oil and follow the instructions in the first DIY method.

Fluffing Method – For Carpets with High Foot Traffic

Carpets laid in the high-traffic areas of your home tend to get flat or lose their fluffiness and look faded over time. Aside from looking unkempt they also harbour extra dirt, hair, allergens and pet dander. Therefore, it’s critical to fluff carpets.

Fluffing up a carpet also allows the vacuum cleaner to suck up more dust and trapped grime. Here’s how you go about fluffing the carpet.

• Method 1 – Spray the carpet with a pre-treatment solution and let it sit for a while. Next, run a rake along the carpet fibres to fluff them up. This will allow the strands to stand up and pull out the pet and human hair.
• Method 2 – For carpets or rugs that have furniture laid on it for an extended period of time, this method is extremely effective. Place ice cubes on areas where the furniture legs have flattened the carpet. Then allow the ice to melt.

Next, place a dry towel on this area, allowing it to absorb the excess water. Finally, run an iron back and forth on the towel to let the fibres dry. Now, run a brush to gently fluff the fibres.

Club Soda Stain Removal Method – Easy to Use

An ingredient as simple as club soda can be an effective option to get rid of stubborn stains on the carpet. Club soda mainly comprises carbon dioxide, water, and a few salts. Since the solution is weakly acidic, its been proven capable of fading stains, especially those beer and red wine spills left around after a party.

Begin by spraying some club soda on the stained area. The stain will disappear after some time. Rinse the area with some water. Now, place a few paper towels and add some weight on it, allowing the area to dry completely.

However, there are a few stains like ink stains that club soda doesn’t work on. In fact, it may make matters worse. It’s best to leave such stains to professional and experienced carpet cleaning services in Singapore.

Ice Cube Method – Getting Rid Of Stubborn Stains

Candle wax, chewing gum or play dough can easily find their way into carpets (and stay there!), making them look shabby. These stains are stubborn and deserve an innovative cleaning technique.

Ice cubes can help get rid of this mess in no time. Grab a handful of ice cubes and press them against the area. Once frozen, the clumpy mess will solidify and easily detach from the carpet fibres without any damage. Use a brush to clean the area of remnants if any.

Carpet Blotting Method – Removing Stains Safely!

Our natural reaction to a spill is to grab a rag and rub the area clean. However, rubbing is probably the worst possible thing you could do. Rubbing causes the stain to spread to a wider area and forces the pigment deeper into the carpet fibres, making it almost impossible to get rid of the stain.

The key to getting rid of stains on a carpet is to blot them.

• Blot the Area with Water – First things first, remove the excess spill. Next, add some water and use a white absorbent cloth or microfiber cloth to work from the outer part of the stain towards its centre. Gently dab the area to allow the stain to fade.
• Blot the Area with Diluted Vinegar – If blotting with water hasn’t worked, use diluted white vinegar to blot the area.
  Alternatively, you may use some mild liquid detergent. Work up some foam around the stain and rinse it with water. Take care not to wet a large area on the carpet.

Give up trying to clean your carpet yourself? Let the experts do it.

Summing Up these Carpet Cleaning Tips

Owing to the luxurious appeal and the comfort they provide, carpets are generally a popular flooring choice in most Singaporean homes. However, if not cared for and maintained routinely, carpets tend to lose their attractive appeal.

Dust, spills and smudges are a part of life! As a responsible homeowner, you should invest in professional carpet cleaning services twice a year to ensure that your carpets are thoroughly cleaned and maintained. Also, in between these carpet cleaning schedules, remember to use the DIY carpet cleaning hacks shared above to keep your home looking clean and family in good health.

What’s Next?

Check out our other services or know more about our carpet stain removal services in Singapore.

More Articles to Read:
• How to Extend the Life of your Carpet – Big Red Carpet Cleaners
• Infographics: The 7 Carpet Cleaning Mistakes You Should Avoid
• The Importance of Carpet Cleaning – Big Red Carpet Cleaners