How to Spot Clean Your Carpet Easily and Cheaply
It is entirely possible to plunk down $200 and get a machine that will clean even the worst spot out of your carpet for you. No fuss, no muss, just set the machine down on the spot and let it do the scrubbing for you. But if you don't have that kind of money to remove a spot, and you still need to clean your carpet, you can rely on elbow grease and common household cleaning products. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 2 cleaning cloths
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Oxygenated bleach
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Toothbrush
Instructions
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Use a cleaning cloth to blot up any wet or damp material on the stain. If there are large particles in the stain such as food, pick them up with the cloth.
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2
Mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda to form a paste. Don't worry if the mixture is not smooth throughout or feels grainy.
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3
Apply a small amount of the baking soda paste to the stain, then spray it with water from a spray bottle. Then use an old toothbrush to scrub the mixture into the carpet.
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4
Spray more water on the stain, then use a dry towel to soak up the moisture and rinse all the paste from the carpet. If the stain remains, sprinkle powdered oxygenated bleach it, and use the toothbrush again to scrub. Rinse the spot again. Repeat until the stain has lifted completely, then let the spot dry naturally.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not use oxygenated bleach on rugs or specialty carpets (such as shag or heavy pile). These rugs have special care needs, and you will need a specialty cleaner to ensure that they are not damaged.
