Cheapest Way to Clean your Carpet
Cleaning your carpet can be a dreary job. Protein-based stains, pet fluff, unknown hard chunks of food…turning a clean and sparkling carpet into a grubby old carpet doesn’t require any effort.
Especially if you have a full house, the clunk of little feet and your pet can stain your sparkling carpets. Tons of product can be used to clean your carpet, from spilled wine to chunks of food and dirty paws to muddy shoes, but we are primarily focusing on cleaning methods that won't cost you much, cost-effective and efficient.
Don’t fret. If you are on a low on budget and you still want those carpet of yours looking clean and sparkling, then read on to know-how.
We would look at several budget-friendly solutions you can apply on your carpets to keep it clean and maintained.
The solutions listed below work very well and help pre-treat high trafficked areas on your carpet before cleaning it or remove stains. Since it's not an expensive solution, using it sometimes would require a little effort, patience and time to remove the stain completely. Other commercial products may be faster, but they work well and would save you a lot of money as your carpets would still be looking new and fresh.
Before cleaning wait!
Whenever you encounter any stain, you should identify what type of carpet you’re using before cleaning. Whether it’s natural fiber (cotton, wool) or synthetic(acrylic, polyester, or nylon) material.
Then you would have to determine the type of stain you’re dealing with, which can be greasy food or oily, ink, pet urine or just old plain dirt.
Note: be careful when applying these cleaning solutions because utilizing the wrong solution on the right stain can make the stain difficult to remove because it is probably set by the time you realize, it’s the wrong solution you were using on your carpet.
Carpet cleaning solutions for your low budget
If you are not yet sure of the stain you’d be treating, then you can start with the cheapest and first solution and follow the list down in order
Vinegar solutions
Vinegar spray
To use this solution, first mix ¼ cup of clean water with 1/3 cup of white vinegar inside a spray bottle. Then you would want to dab or spray the stained area using a clean cloth. Then after that, wait for about 20 minutes and then press gently (please do not rub)) with the dry cloth to remove the stain. Then keep repeating as required. This works well on any type of carpet whether it is natural or synthetic, and any stain also, including food and pet stains, organic as well as hard-to-remove stains (protein-based stains), dyes and grease.
Baking soda with vinegar
To use this solution, first, pour each part equally and use warm water to mix it for forming a paste. Then sprinkle the stain with the paste and then wait for 20 minutes before you press not rub with a clean cloth to remove the stain. Then keep repeating as required. This solution works on only synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, and acrylic), food and pet stains or any organic stain as well
Vinegar and steam
Before trying this solution, I recommend you try the solutions listed above first because of the stain sets on your carpet. So, to use this solution, mix a solution of two parts water and one part of vinegar (white), and then wait for about 20 minutes. Then place a dry cloth over on top of the stain and then use an iron and set it to steam while placing the iron on top of the cloth. Do this for some minutes. Repeat until the carpet dries.
If it is still damp, repeat the entire process as required until no stain can be seen on the carpet. This solution also works well on mainly synthetic fibers and tough stains from dyes or grease and other difficult stains like protein-based.
Detergent solutions
Detergent spray
First mix a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent, which can be any of your choosing, into a cup of warm water. This solution works well on natural fibers (cotton, wool) food and pet stains, organic stains as well.
Vinegar, baking soda and soap
To use this solution, first mix (1) tablespoon dish soap, and a tablespoon of white vinegar into two cups of lukewarm water. Then sprinkle the solution on the stained area and wait for about 15 minutes. Then, after the waiting period, blot out the stain until it vanishes. This solution works well on mainly natural fiber and organic stains along with food and pet stains.
Ammonia solutions
Ammonia spray
First mix a tablespoon of homemade ammonia with a half cup of lukewarm water into a spray bottle. Then wait for about 30 minutes, before blotting the stained area with a clean cloth.
This solution works well mainly on natural carpet fiber (wool, cotton) and tough stains
Ammonia and steam
First, soak the stain with one part hot water and the other part ammonia. Then use a cloth to cover the area, and then set your iron to steam setting. Keep repeating as required until the stain vanishes. This solution works well on mainly synthetic fibers and tough stains
Hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
This time around, instead of mixing the baking soda with peroxide, you can sprinkle the stain directly on the stain. Then pour a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid (eco-friendly) mixed with a ½ cup of hydrogen peroxide. Then gently scrub the paste on the stain, and allow the paste to sit on the stain for 30 minutes. After doing the necessary steps, vacuum up the paste.
This stain works well on any type of carpet fiber, including common stains like organic, pet stains, and protein-based stains.
Isopropyl alcohol
Before trying this solution, test the vinegar spray if it doesn't work, then apply isopropyl alcohol (use ones with a higher percentage, 75%-90%, high percentage determines how fast it will work). Pour alcohol on a dry towel and dab gently on the stain.
Note: when cleaning do not scrub or rub on the stained area, else the stain may spread, simply dab gently (press and lift). Then allow the solution to sit for 20 minutes before you blot out the stain with a rag. If you're not satisfied, repeat as required. When the stain goes, blot dry, but first dab with clean water.
This solution works on any type of carpet fiber as well, like tough stains, and especially ink stains.
Tips for maintaining your carpets
Treat stains immediately
It can be tempting to scrub stains when it occurs, but it's better you blot them as soon as the spill occurs
Use the right solutions to treat a stain on your carpet
When using the solutions listed above, ensure you use the right material for dabbing and blotting. (Clean cloth or towel)
Keep your carpet dry
Always try to keep your carpet dry often, you can use a hairdryer set the setting to mild for a fast drying time
Vacuum frequently and properly
Vacuuming your carpet frequently will help maintain them. Ensure your vacuum moves in both directions to dislodge any stubborn dust.
Do it slowly
While it can be tempting skimming through your carpet while vacuuming, I recommend you vacuum slowly because it enables the vacuum to suck up dirt particles deep in your carpet.
In Conclusion
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