Clean and Care for Your Carpets

The positioning of furniture in a room can often determine high-traffic areas on your carpet. To ensure even carpet wear, rearrange your furniture occasionally to redirect the flow of traffic. Use area rugs—or even doormats—in front of everyone's favorite chairs, and be sure to turn the mats around regularly for even mat wear.

Sometimes shoes scuffing against carpet can build up static electricity and create quite a shock. Prevent static shock by spraying carpets with a solution of one part liquid fabric softener to five parts water. The solution can also be applied with a sponge or cloth.

To revive the color of a rug, vacuum it first and then use a sponge or cloth to apply a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts boiling water. Dampen only the nap of the rug—don't wet the backing. When the rug is dry, rub it lightly with plain dry breadcrumbs. Then vacuum thoroughly to remove the breadcrumbs.

To make your own carpet shampoo for nylon or other synthetic-fiber carpets, add one tablespoon of ammonia and a generous amount of mild detergent to a large bowl of warm water. Mix the solution vigorously, preferably with an egg beater, to make suds. Rub the suds lightly over the carpet with a light-colored dishcloth or rag, let the carpet dry, and then vacuum.

Corn flour can also act as a carpet cleaner. Sprinkle it all over the carpet, leave it for at least two hours, and then vacuum it off.

To remove odors from a carpet, liberally apply baking soda. Leave it for at least fifteen minutes to soak up the odor, and then vacuum the entire carpet. You may need to leave the baking soda on the carpet overnight if the odor results from pet messes or if it is particularly strong.