Keeping your carpets clean can seem like an uphill battle, especially if you have kids or pets who are constantly bringing in dirt and debris. But don’t worry! With a few simple hacks, you can ensure your carpets look and smell fresh no matter what they have to contend with.
While regular vacuuming helps, it’s not enough to truly deep clean your carpets, but it’s a sound interim solution. The good news is there are some handy carpet cleaning hacks you can use to keep your carpets looking good and feeling fresh in between the professional services we recommend you book annually.
Read on because below we share our top 10 carpet cleaning hacks for Sunshine Coast homeowners!
(1) Use Baking Soda as a Carpet Deodoriser
Baking soda is a versatile natural cleaning product that absorbs odours effectively. To use it on carpets, simply sprinkle baking soda liberally over any area that smells bad. Let it sit for at least an hour, or preferably overnight, to give it time to absorb odours from deep in the carpet fibres. Then vacuum up the baking soda. This is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to freshen up stinky carpets.
(2) Clean up Spills Quickly
Acting fast when you spill something on the carpet is crucial in preventing stains. Immediately blot up as much liquid as possible with a clean white cloth or paper towels. Avoid rubbing, which can spread the stain and press it deeper into the carpet fibres. Then sprinkle a bit of baking soda over the spill and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before vacuuming. This should help lift any remaining traces of the spill from the carpet.
(3) Make a DIY Carpet Cleaner Solution
Rather than buying expensive commercial carpet cleaner products, make your own safe and effective cleaner at home. Mix together white vinegar, baking soda, and warm water to form a solution. The vinegar helps disinfect while the baking soda deodorises. Put the solution into a spray bottle and spritz it onto any stained or dirty areas of your carpet. Let it soak in for 15 minutes, then scrub with a soft bristle brush and blot with a clean towel. The stains and dirt should transfer to the towel.
(4) Use Salt to Lift Red Wine Stains
Spilling red wine on your carpet can induce nightmares, as removing it seems impossible. But pouring plain table salt on a red wine stain immediately after it occurs is your best chance for success. The salt will absorb and lift the pigment of the wine so you can blot it away easily. Rinse the area with cold water mixed with a bit of white vinegar, then blot dry again. You may need to repeat the process depending on the size of the area affected and your type of carpet. At least now you know a red wine spill doesn’t have to mean disaster when you have this trick up your sleeve!
(5) Freeze Chewing Gum to Remove It
Stepping on chewing gum that’s stuck in the carpet is every homeowner’s idea of hell. Rather than cutting it out and permanently damaging the carpet further, freeze the gum first to harden it. Then take a blunt object like a butter knife or spoon and chip away at the gum until you can crumble and vacuum all of it up. The freezing technique should easily remove the sticky gum from the carpet fibres.
(6) Clean Spots with Soda Water
If you don’t have carpet cleaner on hand, reach for a can of soda water instead. Its mild carbonation can help lift stains and dirt from carpets, just like store-bought cleaners do. Pour a bit over any stained area, let it fizz for a few minutes, then blot it up with some paper towel or a clean cloth. You should be able to see the stain transfer onto your cloth or towel though it may take a few applications to remove a stubborn stain entirely.
(7) Make Your Own Powdered Carpet Cleaner
Whip up your own carpet cleaning powder with natural ingredients you likely already have at home. Simply mix together 2 cups baking soda, 1 cup corn starch, and 20-30 drops of essential oil in the scent of your choice. Store this mixture in a container with a shaker top. When it’s time to freshen your carpets, shake this homemade cleaner evenly over the floor and let it sit for at least an hour before vacuuming. The baking soda deodorises the area while the cornstarch absorbs dirt and odours.
(8) Clean Traffic Areas More Often
High-traffic areas of your home, like hallways and common areas, require more frequent cleaning to keep carpets looking fresh. Target these spaces when you vacuum, using extra passes over the carpet to lift embedded dirt from foot traffic. Twice weekly vacuuming of high-traffic areas will help prevent dirt buildup. Also, treat stains in busy spaces immediately to prevent them from setting.
(9) Use White Vinegar for Pet Stains
White vinegar is highly effective at removing that stubborn funky smell caused by pet accidents on carpets. As soon as you spot where your cat or dog has had an accident, blot the mess up as much as possible. Then spray the area liberally with plain white vinegar and let it soak in for 15 minutes. Blot up the vinegar and place several layers of paper towels over the spot. Place a heavy object on top to absorb any remaining moisture. Repeat this vinegar-soaking process until the stain and odour disappear. Vinegar neutralizes the ammonia in pet urine, which causes terrible smells in the carpet.
(10) Rinse Carpets After Cleaning
When pretreating heavily stained or dirty carpet areas, always rinse after scrubbing. Leftover dirt and cleaning product residue will re-attract soil if you don’t rinse it away. Use clean water mixed with a small amount of white vinegar and blot with towels until no more dirty water transfers. Let the area air dry completely before walking on it. Rinsing prevents dirt from backing up into the clean carpet fibres.
Conclusion
A clean carpet has the power to transform your home from drab to fab! But maintaining a clean carpet on the Sunshine Coast can be a tricky business, especially with our region’s humidity, not to mention sand from the beaches if you live seaside. And those with young kids and pets certainly face greater challenges when it comes to maintaining clean and fresh-smelling carpets.
While the above tips are great, natural, and low-cost carpet cleaning ideas, there’s no doubt that carpets need a professional touch. That’s when you call in professional carpet cleaners like Brightaire Property Services, whose skilled technicians use advanced methods and eco-friendly products to give your carpets a deep clean.
Sunshine Coast locals, our team are available to make your carpets look and smell like new again, so you can enjoy a brighter living space. Contact us at Brightaire Property Services today for the most trusted carpet cleaning on the Sunshine Coast!
