10 Tips To Keep Your Carpet Clean and Hygienic

First, remove as much of the gum as you possibly can by hand. Careful not to damage the carpet fibers! Then put some ice cubes in a bag and hold the bag against the gum until it freezes. Once it’s frozen you can chip away at the frozen gum with a metal spoon, collecting the frosty shavings as you go. Once you have removed the gum completely you can use a little dry cleaning solution on the spot to zap any remaining hidden stickiness. Blot that up and finish up by giving the spot a quick scrub with a bit of soapy water, a mild dish soap works well. Rinse and blot dry with a clean towel for the win!

Contributors: Greg Shepard from Emily’s Maids

There are two main things you should know when dealing with stains. Firstly, you should treat stains as soon as possible, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to lift them.

Secondly, never rub the stain, blot instead. Rubbing might set the stain deeper into the fibers and make it permanent. To treat spills, dab cleaning solution onto the affected spot and blot with a clean cloth or paper towels. This will help you soak up the liquid instead from the fibers.

And finally, always blot the stain from the outside to the center to avoid spreading the stain further.

Contributors: Dean Davies from Fantastic Services

Depending on your household needs, you might need more than one vacuum so you can handle different zones in your home. For example, it is more convenient to clean carpeted stairs with a cordless handheld cleaner as opposed to large carpeted spaces where an upright vacuum cleaner will do a better job.

Because no one is protected from stain and spill accidents, an emergency kit is a great way to tackle the issue immediately. Consider the following items in your kit:

• Club soda – for wine and beer spills
• Hydrogen peroxide – for blood stains
• Shaving cream – will remove just about any type of stain.
• Ice cubes – for removing chewing gum by freezing it.
• A few drops of dishwashing detergent – effective against oil-based stains.
• Commercial stain remover – for the most stubborn stains

Contributors: Dean Davies from Fantastic Services

Regular vacuuming around the house can’t replace a good deep clean. It is advised to have your carpet cleaned at least twice a year and even more frequently if you have kids or pets. Don’t wait until your carpet looks all grimy, plan your cleaning in advance. Here you have two options: to rent a carpet cleaning machine and do the work yourself or to arrange a professional cleaning and let the expert do their job. Needless to say, you can expect better results when you call a professional. The experts have tackled hundreds of items and know how to achieve the best possible results.

My rule for the carpet is, clean it now because it never becomes easier later. It applies to everything concerning the carpet, from vacuuming to cleaning spills. Keeping dust and dirt on the carpet for a long time only makes things worse, because the dirt gets worked up into the fibre, which makes it impossible to remove. Everything, if not removed, eventually gets to the carpet padding, and it can’t be removed from there. Some spills can even resurface after they appear to be cleaned, simply because some of the liquid has dried on the padding and liquifies again when heat is applied. So, vacuuming twice a week is mandatory, and as soon as you make a spill, get an absorbent towel, blot up the stain, then apply a paste of baking soda and water, work it into the fibre using a soft brush and back and forth motion, then blot up the excess with a moist towel until the stain disappears. And remember – never wipe and scrub!

The easiest way to keep your carpet clean is by using a robot vacuum cleaner. What also makes robot vacuums so great is that they can be set up on a schedule to clean your carpets while you are away. This means you can enjoy dirt-free floors every day without lifting a finger. These machines are so good (even the cheaper ones) at what they do that you will find yourself rarely using your upright vacuum cleaner.

Contributors: Trusty Joe from Trusty Joe

One reason it’s so important to keep the carpet clean is that it’s so hard to clean in the first place. In order to avoid stains, you need to make sure that the carpeted area doesn’t become an acceptable place to eat and drink.

Contributors: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics

Don’t walk on the carpet with your shoes, the carpet is a socks only zone. If you wear your shoes on the carpet you’ll soon find it lumpy with dirt and all sorts of undesirable particles.

Contributors: Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics

First, soak up as much of the spill as possible, then clean the stain according to the carpet manufacturer’s directions.. Once the area is completely dry, sprinkle Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (Product link: For USA readers, for UK readers) to cover it and let sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum. Even tough kid and pet messes are no match!

TIP: Check for color-fastness first before applying ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda.

Contributors: Consultant from ARM & HAMMER™ Baking Soda