Learning to Clean Like The Pro's

A few years ago, I realized that I didn't really know how to keep my house clean. There were always dishes sitting in the sink, and I couldn't keep up with laundry if my life depended on it. However, a friend of mine suggested working with a professional maid, and so I took her advice. As she worked, I watched her methods, and I learned a lot. This blog is dedicated to my cleaning studies. Here, you will find information on how to clean your house more effectively, so that you can stop wasting time on certain jobs. My plan is that this website could help you to live better than ever. Thanks for reading!

How To Remove Stains And Odors From Carpeting Using Household Products

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No matter what kind of carpeting you have, and no matter whether you have kids and pets or not, your flooring is bound to get stained at some point. Everything from walking to eating on the carpeting can cause stains and odors to form in the fibers.

Some types of carpeting, such as durable Berber, are more stain-resistant than others, but they'll still need to be deep-cleaned and deodorized several times a year. The good news is that you most likely have everything you need to remove stains and freshen up your carpeting on hand. Not only are everyday pantry items more eco-friendly than commercial chemical-based cleaners, they're usually more affordable too.

The following is a list of common carpeting stains and odors and the best carpet-cleaning tips for removing them. 

1.  Dark Liquids Such as Wine, Coffee, and Ketchup

When it comes to removing dark, organic stains, time is of the essence. Immediately after you spill the fluid, blot it up with paper towels or a clean towel to soak up the excess.

Next, add a few drops of a clear, gentle dishwashing fluid to a bowl of warm water and mix. Dip a sponge or towel into the soapy solution and begin dabbing it onto the stain, repeating the process as often as necessary.

If that doesn't work, or if the stain is already set, add one cup of distilled white vinegar to two cups of warm water and apply the mixture to the soiled spot in the same manner as above.

Allow the carpet to dry, and then repeat the process as many times as needed until the stain is completely gone. You should see the stain lightening more and more after each application.

2. Grease

If you dropped a piece of greasy fried food on your carpet, pick it up immediately and sprinkle the oily stain with either corn starch or baking soda. Each product has the ability to lift out and absorb oil from carpet fibers, but baking soda is best to use if the stain has an odor, as baking soda has deodorizing properties.

Allow the starch or soda to sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming it up. If a residue remains, repeat the vinegar-and-water process from the above tip.

3. Gum or Candle Wax

As soon as you notice the gum or dripped wax on your carpet, begin rubbing it down with a plastic bag filled with ice cubes to harden it.

Pry the hardened gum or wax, which should easily break apart, up and out of the carpet fibers using a butter knife, and then vacuum up the pieces. 

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28 September 2016