Carpet care: cleaning, stain removal

Nothing so often complements the interior of a room as a carpet. Not so long ago, this "accessory" could be found on the wall and on the floor ... almost everywhere. It was multifunctional: it protected from cold and noise. Today, the carpet more often serves as an addition to the interior. And for it to last for many years, you need to know some of the nuances of proper care. Let's look in more detail. By the way, you should know that the carpet with a long pile is considered the most troublesome to care for, because he likes collecting dust most of all.

Carpet Care: Nuances and Features

New carpets (which are not even six months old) must be cleaned with a soft broom or a soft brush. After some time, when the pile is compacted, you can use a vacuum cleaner for cleaning. A similar procedure can be performed once a week. By the way, the inside must also be cleaned, at least once a month or two. The carpet is cleaned by pile, and not vice versa. Knocking out carpets is recommended once a season. To do this, it must be hung with the back side out and it is better not to allow too sharp bends. After knocking out dust it will not hurt to walk with a soft brush on both sides. It is not recommended to knock out a fabric carpet, because when suspended, paint or threads can be damaged.

In winter, the carpet can be spread upside down on clean snow and with the help of a knocker, knock out dust and other contaminants. After that you can turn it upside down and clean it with snow. Carpets are cleaned using various commercial means (Umka, Cinderella-M, Carpet, etc.), as well as using improvised materials. For example, sleeping tea grounds are well able to clean the carpet. How this is done: first, the carpet is knocked out and cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, then the still moist tea leaves are scattered on the carpet and cleaned with a brush. You can also wrap tea in gauze and walk along the pile on the carpet. By the way, if instead of tea, wrap sauerkraut and rub it, then the pile will become elastic, soft and shiny. After all, cabbage contains acid, which degreases the pile.

Sometimes table salt is used to clean the carpet at home. To do this, you need to sprinkle it finely on the carpet and wait a bit. Now take a broom, soak in a hot soapy solution and sweep. After cleaning, you can use ethanol or methylated spirits on a wool carpet with a sponge. So it will be better to shine. To refresh the colors, the carpet can also be wiped, but using salt water or table vinegar flavored with lemon juice.

How to remove stains from a carpet

1. Fat stains can be erased using a mixture made from potato starch and gasoline. To begin with, the stain is wiped with a mixture, and after the gasoline has disappeared, the dry starch should be brushed off. You can also use a rag soaked in gasoline or in a solution of water and ammonia (1: 1 ratio) for cleaning. Then the treated area should be wiped with a soapy solution with the addition of soda or denatured alcohol (this will give the carpet freshness and shine);
2. Stains from mayonnaise or sauce are also removed with gasoline or warm water with diluted laundry detergent;
3. Stains from beer, wine, liquor are rubbed with a cotton swab or a rag soaked in a warm solution of washing powder. After that, the place to be cleaned is washed with water and vinegar (one teaspoon of water per liter of water);
4. Stains from fruit juices and red wine are removed with ammonia, which is diluted in cold water in a small amount;
5. Traces of coffee, cocoa or tea are removed using a solution: one liter of cold per tablespoon of glycerin.
6. Traces of cologne and various perfumes are quite difficult to remove.If the stain is fresh, then you can try to remove it with a solution of washing powder and warm water, after which the surface must be washed with warm water.

After removing the stain, the carpet must be passed using a clothes brush, after wetting it in a solution of washing powder. After that you need to go again with a wet sponge.

What else needs to be considered when cleaning a carpet?

1. If certain areas are dirty on a carpet with a pattern, they can be bleached using 5 grams of hydrogen peroxide, 1 liter of water and 2 grams of ammonia. With such a solution, it is necessary to pass through the contaminated areas (preferably several times), and rinse with water with the addition of acetic acid (5 liters of oxen per 2 teaspoons of acid).
2. Damaged areas can be hemmed with colored threads. At the same time, it is necessary to leave loops along the height of the carpet on the surface, and then cut them with scissors. So the repaired area will not stand out visually.
3. Before laying the carpet on a damp or washed floor, it is best to wait until it is completely dry. The carpet, which is made of their synthetic fibers, is cleaned with a foam sponge or a brush soaked in a solution of washing powder.
4. When the carpet is twisted around the edges and corners, a similar defect is corrected as follows: a pocket is sewn on the wrong side of the corner, into which a metal plate is inserted.
5. So that the legs of the furniture do not leave dents, you can nail rubber or leather lining on them.