How to clean the 3 most common types of carpets?

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The carpet gives a sense of completeness and cosiness to the home interior. Its proper maintenance and cleaning are essential to preserving its original appearance for as long as possible. The way you should clean the carpet depends on the material it’s made of – whether it is made of natural fibres, synthetic or mixed, and on the degree of soiling, of course. 

There are cases in which it is best to have it cleaned by a professional tenancy cleaning company specialised in this. This applies especially to the very expensive, fluffy, silk and handwoven carpets. The three most common types of carpet are wool, acrylic and polypropylene/polyester. Several rules apply to all carpets, regardless of the material they are made of. Following them will help you enjoy a well-maintained and clean carpet for many years:

  • Vacuum regularly – at least twice a week;
  • If any liquid is spilt on the carpet, immediately absorb it with a clean cloth or napkin;
  • Remove any new stains as quickly as possible. In order not to increase and spread the stain, cleaning is carried out from its outer edge to the centre. A clean cloth dampened with water or carpet cleaner is used. Finally, the area is dried as much as possible and allowed to dry freely;
  • If you have used hot steam or washed your carpet, wait for it to dry thoroughly before stepping on it. This may take several hours. Provide maximum air circulation in the room to shorten the process;
  • Always test the stain remover on a small area of ​​the carpet in an inconspicuous spot. Watch out for colour change, colour fading, fibre change or other unwanted results. If everything is fine, feel free to use it. 

At home, stubborn stains, germs and allergens are best removed with the use of a vacuum cleaner. But this cleaning is not suitable for all types of carpets. So read the cleaning instructions right on your carpet. Here are some guidelines on how to clean different types of rugs, so they don’t get damaged.

Wool rugs 

If you take proper care of your wool rug, you can extend its life for many years and keep it looking beautiful. 

  • Cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. It is normal (especially for a new carpet) for wool carpets (as well as acrylic) to shed fluff when cleaning it. Therefore, there is no need to use the maximum power of the vacuum cleaner to remove it. Aggressive cleaning with rough attachments is also not recommended;
  • You can use sticky clothes roll if there is pet hair left on the carpet; 
  • Use a detergent designed specifically for wool and make sure it does not contain bleaching agents and strong acids;
  • Home hot steam cleaning is not recommended for a wool rug. Its fibres are difficult to ventilate, retain moisture, and this creates a favourable environment for the development of mould. After such cleaning, you will feel a heavy smell of moisture for a long time;
  • If the woollen carpet has remained wet after cleaning, you must dry it before stepping on it. It is best to do this outside, in the fresh air. It can also be done in the room, but it must be very well ventilated;
  • Once a month it is good to use special powders for deep cleaning. They stay on the carpet for a certain amount of time, according to the instructions, and absorb the dirt, after which they are removed with a vacuum cleaner;
  • You can refresh the colour of your carpet by treating it with a brush dipped in ammonia solution (3 tablespoons of ammonia per 1 litre of water);
  • Salt also absorbs liquids and dirt, and in the absence of detergent, it can do a great job cleaning your carpet. Also, adding white vinegar makes it easier to remove stains and leaves the surface clean and fresh. 

Acrylic carpets 

A great alternative to wool carpets is acrylic carpets. They offer almost the same feeling of softness and comfort but at a lower price. Cleaning them is also easier and faster. 

  • You can safely wash your acrylic carpet with a vacuum cleaner without worrying about excess moisture because acrylic fibres do not absorb water. You can use a carpet cleaner. At night, leave all windows open to allow the carpet to dry thoroughly;
  • If you have to clean a stubborn stain, first apply some alcohol to it. Vacuum and then put glycerin on the stain. Leave it on for 2 hours and clean it with soapy water and then with a cloth soaked in clean water. 
  • Steam cleaning is ideal for acrylic carpets. Just let it dry well for one night before stepping on it. 

Synthetic polypropylene and polyester carpets 

They are very easy to clean and dry quickly. The rule of regular cleaning with a vacuum cleaner remains mandatory so that a lot of dust does not accumulate. Feel free to use a vacuum cleaner if you have one. To clean them, you can use, in addition to the preparations specially developed for the purpose, and some means found in every home: 

  • Cleaning the carpet with baking soda is super ecological and cheap. It removes not only stains but also unpleasant odours. Sprinkle on the stain or all over the carpet. Leave it on for a few hours and then vacuum. A soda solution is also successfully used. To do this, dissolve half a cup of baking soda in about 4 litres of water. Dip a cotton cloth, wring it out well and go over the surface of the carpet or stain. You can also use a brush with soft bristles. When dry, clean with a vacuum cleaner;
  • Citric acid will clean food and red wine stains. Dissolve one tablespoon of acid in 1 litre of warm water and apply it to the stains. After 30 minutes, use a vacuum cleaner;
  • The laundry soap also deals with a variety of stains. Wet the desired area and rub the soap into a lather. Wait an hour and vacuum up the residue. 

And yet, even if you can successfully maintain your carpet with home cleaning, sometimes it is best to trust a specialised carpet cleaning company for this. You will save yourself a lot of physical effort, and the result will make you smile for sure!

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