10 Tips for Easy Carpet Cleaning

Quick carpet cleanser

If you’ve got guests coming over and need to clean your dirty carpet fast, mix 1 cup ammonia with 1 quart water. Use a mop to rub this solution onto the carpet, and it’ll help remove the grime. You might want to test this method beforehand on an unseen area, such as underneath a chair.

Do not use this mixture on wool carpets.

Cast out carpet stains

Want your home to smell fresh? Start from the bottom up—your carpets!

Notice a new spot on the carpet? Don’t panic: There’s no need to hire a professional carpet cleaner just yet. Simply combine equal amounts of hot water and ammonia and pour over the stain. Place a white towel on top, then iron over the covered spot. The cleaning powers of ammonia combined with the extreme heat will steam out the stain in no time!

Magic for mud

The kids were out playing in the mud, and—lucky you—they forgot to take off their shoes before traipsing on the carpet. Don’t worry! It’s not impossible to get rid of those muddy footprints. First, let the area dry, and vacuum up as much dirt as you can. Then, using the cut side of a raw potato, rub the stains. The enzymes in the potato will help dissolve the dirt. Allow the area to dry again, and then blot with a wet rag.

SEE ALSO: Domestic CEO's 8 Habits to Keep Your House Clean

Make this easy deodorizer

Want your home to smell fresh? Start from the bottom up—your carpets! In a glass container or canister, simply mix 16 ounces baking soda (your standard box) with 20 drops of any essential oil scent you like. To put it to work for you, shake the mixture on your carpet, wait 30 minutes, and then vacuum.

Sudden spills can bring on panic. But you (and your rugs!) can rest easy when you know these ways to wage war on even the most stubborn substances that meet your floors.

Carpet cleaning work-around

Finally getting around to shampooing your carpet? You don’t have to remove all your furniture. Slip plastic bags over the feet of tables and chairs and secure them with rubber bands. You can clean underneath, then shift the furniture a bit and wash where its legs were. The plastic will keep the furniture from getting wet.

Save money on shampoo

The commercial cleaners sold for carpet shampooers can be pricey. Did you know that you can make your own nontoxic solution with ingredients you likely have around the house already? Mix together ¾ cup hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons dish soap, 2 tablespoons...

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