Tips For Keeping Your Carpets Clean Naturally
Carpets are often a huge part of our homes. If they look dirty
then the home itself has a dirty feel about it. However, most
conventional ways of keeping the carpet clean involve a lot of harshchemicals
that are dangerous for us, our families, our pets, and even the
environment. With a few good recipes and tips you can keep your carpets
looking fresh and clean (and smelling that way as well) without the
dangerouschemicals. Plus it is even less expensive!
Vacuuming.
Most of us know the advantages of vacuuming our carpets, at least on the surface. However, what most of us don't realize is how much dirt, soil, dust, and other stuff can build up in our carpets. Most vacuum cleaners don't have the power to get all of the mess that is in our carpet. Because of this it is important that we vacuum the floors regularly. Daily is best. This can help eliminate some of the build up and make it less likely for stuff to be pushed into the weave of the carpet where the vacuum can't find it.
*Additionally if you are going to be buying a new vacuum cleaner in the near future you may want to look at how much suction power the vacuum has. Most are rated a five or six on a ten point scale. This means they are leaving a lot behind. It is worth buying a new vacuum cleaner that costs a little more knowing the life of your carpet will be extended.
Freshening.Vacuuming.
Most of us know the advantages of vacuuming our carpets, at least on the surface. However, what most of us don't realize is how much dirt, soil, dust, and other stuff can build up in our carpets. Most vacuum cleaners don't have the power to get all of the mess that is in our carpet. Because of this it is important that we vacuum the floors regularly. Daily is best. This can help eliminate some of the build up and make it less likely for stuff to be pushed into the weave of the carpet where the vacuum can't find it.
*Additionally if you are going to be buying a new vacuum cleaner in the near future you may want to look at how much suction power the vacuum has. Most are rated a five or six on a ten point scale. This means they are leaving a lot behind. It is worth buying a new vacuum cleaner that costs a little more knowing the life of your carpet will be extended.
In addition to enjoying clean carpets we also want to have fresh carpets. Carpets take in organic matter from our shoes, our pets, and dirt. A lot of times this is enough for a smelly situation and if we don't keep it fresh we can notice. Even if we don't notice it during everyday activity we can often notice a great difference after taking the time to freshen our carpets. We have two great options for doing just that!
- Carpet freshening powder-
You can simply use baking soda sprinkled on the carpet, give it an hour
or more to sit, and then vacuum it up. Or you can get fancier for a
fragrance. Mix 1 teaspoon of spice (such as cinnamon, ginger, or
nutmeg) with each cup of baking soda (1 cup will treat about 1 room)
and use this instead of plain baking soda. The second option is to use
essential oils allowing you to scent it in any way you would like. Add
a few drops to each cup of baking soda and mix well with a fork. Make
sure there are no lumps and that the oil is distributed throughout the
mix. A few things you should note is that you shouldn't walk on the
baking soda much because this will push it into the carpet weave. You
should also avoid using this treatment more then once every three
months because the powder (any carpet powder) isn't good for the weave
of the carpet.
- Carpet spray- Carpet spray is
another way to freshen the carpet. There are a few different types that
you can make and what you choose is really up to you. The best option
is to get a new spray bottle and fill it 1/2 with water (distilled
water is best). Fill the other half with a clear high proof alcohol
such as vodka. Then add five to fifteen drops of your favorite
essential oils. Let set for 24 hours. Shake before use. The product
will smell of alcohol when sprayed, but it will kill germs and dry
leaving the fresh scent you choose. You can replace the alcohol with
rubbing alcohol, but it isn't all natural that way. Another option is
vinegar, but this is an even more potent smell.
Spot Cleaning.
No matter how careful we are spots seem to happen on our carpets. This can be disappointing, but it doesn't have to be the end of the world. You can treat the stain and remove it completely without harsh chemicals! You can do it naturally!
- Pick it up- If there
is anything solid involved with the stain then you should pick it up
and throw it away. Doing this before it dries will keep it from getting
stuck to the carpet and will allow you to treat the mess before it
dries.
- Soak it up- The first step in taking care
of a stain is to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. It is best
to do this with a light colored rag and make sure you blot the stain
rather then scrub it.
- Double time- If the stain is
greasy then your best option is to cover it in baking soda and let it
set over night. In the morning vacuum up the baking soda and treat the
stain with a spot remover.
- Spot remover- Whether
your stain is fresh or dry you should treat it with a spot remover. To
make your own add 1/2 cup of salt to 1/4 cup of distilled white
vinegar. Stir well and apply the past to the spot using a spoon. Let it
sit for a few minutes and then using a soft bristled brush gently scrub
the stain up. This will work on most stains. It only smells of vinegar
until it dries.
- Tougher spot remover- Some stains are just tougher such as blood and or wine. For these you may need a stronger solution. Mix 1/2 cold water and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide. Sprinkle salt over the stain and then use the hydrogen peroxide water to gently scrub the stain up.
- Vacuum- Both spot removers
can leave the carpet feeling a bit stiff. Vacuum to loosen the fibers
up and have a clean and soft feeling carpet again.
Carpet Cleaners.
In this day and age everyone should own a carpet cleaner. You can get a small one for as little as $50 and it will be well worth it in time, effort, and the life of your carpet. These cleaners are easy to use and make a huge difference in how your carpet looks. You can also replace the chemical solution with healthier options and still achieve a clean look. For really dirty carpets sprinkle salt onto the carpet before you begin. Then no matter what state your carpet is in fill the tank to the solution line with distilled white vinegar instead of the harsh chemical you shouldn't place on your carpets. Follow the remaining directions for cleaning your carpets. This works well and the vinegar smell goes away after it dries.
*If the vinegar smell really bothers you then get a bottle of vinegar and add about 20 drops of your favorite essential oil to it. Let it sit for 24 hours (or more). Use this in place of regular vinegar in your house hold cleaning products and for your house hold carpet cleaning needs. This will give it a better scent and leave the house smelling wonderful.
Keeping your carpets clean is important. You house will look and feel cleaner with a clean carpet. Even the cleanest house can feel messy and dirty if the carpets look horrible. But your house can be one with the cleanest carpets on the block. Plus you can do it without lots of expense and without harsh chemicals that could harm you, your family, your pets, and Mother Earth!
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