Carpets are used in many homes, as a full floor covering or an accent rug to spice up the room or warm up the space. They’re purchased with the intention that they’ll last a long time. That’s probably why they’re looked at as an investment.
But what happens when your carpet takes some wear and tear over the years? What happens when it turns into a dull and matted rendition with faded color?
Sadness. Sadness happens. But there are many ways to spruce up your carpet, to revive it, to make it look new again. We have those ways listed here and we’re more than happy to share them with you. Pick one “tip” or “trick” and try it out. If that one doesn’t work, just move down the list of suggestions!
Ice Cubes + Stiff Brush
If you’re looking to rearrange your living room furniture and re-place items like the recliners and sofas, one carpet problem will arise. Carpet divots.
These indentations definitely take away from the aesthetic of the room, but they’re pretty easy to get rid of. All you have to do is grab an ice cube and put it in the middle of the divot. Let it melt and once the carpet is fully saturated, take a stiff bristled brush and gently scrub back and forth. The carpet fibers will look as good as new within minutes.
Damp Cloth + Iron
This one’s for heavy use carpets. Get a damp cloth and steam iron out. Begin the process by wetting a cloth, preferably a microfiber, and place it on top of the most trampled areas. When we say most trampled, we mean the areas that get a lot of footwork. You know, spots that have less “fluff” to them than others.
Once you have the microfiber cloths down, place a hot iron on the cloth for 30 seconds. This process will help lift the fibers back into their original place.
Be sure to never let the iron directly touch the carpet. Just a few seconds with that hot heat and those fibers and you could permanently damage or burn the surface. If you’re reusing the microfiber cloth for different areas of the carpet, be sure to keep it damp.
Baking Soda + Vinegar
Whether you’re spot cleaning or getting down to clean the entire rug in question, a quick DIY baking soda and vinegar mix will get the job done.
Begin by applying the baking soda directly on top of the carpet. Work the ingredient into the fibers with a stiff brush. This will act as an inexpensive, natural cleaning solution. Be sure to thoroughly saturate every square inch, brushing it left, right, up, and down. Leave it for at least 12 hours.
Then, vacuum it all up. Don’t stop here, you’re not finished. The next step will require you to mix equal parts vinegar to water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the area you just vacuumed, using the brush to raise the pile if necessary. Allow the carpet to thoroughly dry.
Shaving Cream
Did somebody say shaving cream? Yes, that would be us! Grab a can and apply that foamy stuff directly to your carpets. One single layer is all that’s needed.
As time passes, you’ll see the shaving cream dissolve naturally into the carpet. After approximately 15 minutes, take a damp sponge and blot the areas. This step will pick up leftover shaving cream residue. Just keep repeating it until there’s no more left on your carpet.
Once the process is complete, you can grab a dry cloth to extract any water the carpet has left behind, or you can simply let the area air dry.
If you have any further questions on these suggestions, or would prefer a professional to come in and clean your carpet(s), please visit undertherugfloorcare.com. We’ll book you a consultation, get you in our schedule, and answer any questions you may have regarding carpet cleaning today!
