Clean and Care for Your Carpets

Written by Amy Gordon (last updated September 26, 2022)

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 eggbeater, 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.

Author Bio

Amy Gordon

Amy Gordon loves keeping things simple, natural, and safe so she can spend more time having fun. Every day she learns new things about making life at home easier and she loves to share it with you! ...

MORE FROM AMY

Urine Stain Removal

Urine stains on clothing are best treated by rubbing a paste of baking soda and water on the stain, then soaking the ...

Discover More

Removing Stains from Nylon

To clean a fresh spill off nylon, wipe all you can off, and then blot the residue with a paper towel or a damp cloth. If ...

Discover More

Removing Dead Wood

Dead wood on your tree can be unsightly, and can also make fruit trees not grow as well. You do not need to remove dead ...

Discover More

The Power of Microfiber! Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths will become your favorite tool for every cleaning task. This 36-cloth package is perfect for hundreds of uses in the garage, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and all around the house. Each cloth is tough, streak-free, lint-free, reusable, and washable. Check out Microfiber Cleaning Cloths today!

More Cleaning Tips

Carpet Cleaning Rentals

Does your carpet look dull and dirty but you don't have the money to hire a carpet cleaning company? Consider renting a ...

Discover More

Carpet Cleaning Methods

There are five different methods of carpet cleaning. Choose the one that is best for your needs.

Discover More

Removing Tinsel from Carpeting

If you love the glitter of tinsel during the holidays, but dread the cleanup afterwards, there are a few simple things ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 3 + 2?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.