How to Remove Ground-in Dirt From a Carpet
Using mats at all of your doors and removing your shoes at entryways are two ways to minimize the amount of dirt on your carpets. Unfortunately, however, you cannot prevent all dirt that makes its way into your home from becoming ground-in stains. Dirt works its way through fibers and to the base of carpets. Unlike area rugs, you cannot lift carpets to vacuum the floor and padding underneath. But you can draw out the ground-in dirt with a few common household items, and you can vacuum your carpets regularly to help keep deep-cleaning sessions fewer and farther between. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Vacuum cleaner
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 tbsp. white vinegar
- Sponge or soft cloth
Instructions
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1
Vacuum your carpet thoroughly, concentrating on the areas with ground-in dirt.
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2
Mix 1 tbsp. cornstarch and 1 tbsp. white vinegar into a paste.
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3
Dab the cornstarch and vinegar paste into the ground-in dirt with a sponge or a soft cloth.
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4
Leave the white vinegar and cornstarch on the dirt stain for up to two days to draw out the dirt. The longer you let the paste stay on the stain, the more effectively it will pull out the dirt.
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5
Vacuum the dry cornstarch from the carpet and examine the area to see if the stain is removed. If any of the stain is still present, repeat the cornstarch and white vinegar paste.
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Tips & Warnings
Vacuum your carpets weekly to keep dirt from settling deeply into the pile. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute, you should deep-clean your wall-to-wall carpeting at least once per year.
Cornstarch can help you clean smaller amounts of dirt from your carpeting as well. Sprinkle it liberally on the carpet and allow it to sit for at least a half-hour before vacuuming.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
