Tips for cleaning your dirty carpet without damaging it

Footprints from our shoes and slippers, pet hair and paws, the occasional spill of food, water or both: keeping carpets clean is a difficult task, but not an impossible one. In cities like Santiago, where the air quality is not the best, it is another factor that opposes it, since the particles of dust and dirt that pass through the window constantly settle between the strands of the ground. In addition, they tend to accumulate dust mites and allergens, which can affect the quality of the home environment and cause respiratory or allergic problems for the people who live there.

That’s why it’s important to clean your carpets regularly. By this we refer not only to vacuuming, but also to the application of certain products that clean it more deeply. By cleaning it well, the fibers are preserved and last longer, while retaining their original colors more faithfully.

If you maintain your carpet late, badly or never, you let dust and dirt remain among its fibers, which means that the textile has a dull appearance, retains a bad smell and accumulates bacteria and micro-organisms. Without going any further: a study carried out by HomeAdvisor in 2021 reveals that an average carpet has 5.7 times more germs than a toilet seat. Diug.

This answer depends on both the lifestyle of the owner and the number of people who pass through it daily. The carpet of a person who lives alone is not the same as that of a family with young children or a pet. As beautiful and comfortable as they are, rugs are like traps that capture dust, hair, pet dander and hair, food debris and our dead skin, and much more.

“Each ounce of dust on the carpet (about 28 grams) can harbor up to 2,000 mites, which grow in dead skin cells and nest among its fibers,” they point out on the specialized site. Doctor Mat . The big problem is that the residues left by these mini arachnids are then carried through the air, which translates into an impending allergy for the most sensitive people.

The North American Medium spruce He stresses that the key is to vacuum at least once a week and “more often if you have pets or children.” If you have a spill, the stains should be dealt with as soon as possible, as this will ensure they are gone. To avoid respiratory problems related to dust or dirt, the American Lung Association (American Lung Association) recommends vacuuming three times a week in addition to doing a deep cleaning of the carpets at least twice a year.

Knowing what kind of carpet you have at home will make the cleaning process more efficient and faster. Most of the time, the information regarding the materials with which it is made can be found on the back of each mat. In general, and according to spruce there are six major groups of mats according to their materiality.

1. Wool: these rugs have durable and elegant fibers, but can be very sensitive to heat and humidity. These are good options for a high traffic area, such as living rooms or children’s bedrooms. The wool has antibacterial and antiallergic properties and is extremely soft to the touch. Because its fiber is elastic, it repels water and you can find them in different sizes, styles and pile heights. In general, yes, they are found in combination with other fibers. To take care of them, they must be vacuumed regularly and avoided direct exposure to the sun, to prevent discoloration. If dirty, they should be cleaned with a damp cloth dampened in water with a mild detergent. It must be located and treated with care so as not to damage the fiber.
2. natural fiber : These are rugs made from blends of natural materials and have a rustic look. They’re durable, but they do require you to take care of their stains and don’t get wet, as the fibers can warp or discolor. Another advantage is that they do not generate static electricity. The best known are those of sisa and jute, which differ in their origin: the first comes from the plant Agave sisalaneone hard and tough fiber, while the other is taken from the species Corchorus capsularis, being a softer and more flexible fiber. To take care of them, you must vacuum them regularly, and to remove stains, it is advisable to use a damp cloth with a solution of water and vinegar in equal parts.
3. Cotton: It’s a soft, comfortable fiber and breathable material, making it ideal for areas where you want a cool feeling. If located in high traffic areas, they are likely to leave traces of dust after a short time, especially if they are lighter in color. It is therefore very important to vacuum regularly. Regarding washing, many are compatible to put them in the washing machine, but it is important to always check with the label. If hand washing, use mild detergent and warm water.
4. Synthetic fibers: These are typically rugs for high traffic areas, such as hallways, entryways, or living rooms. They can be found in different compositions, where polyester, nylon, polypropylene and others almost always appear. They are economical and resistant alternatives, although their disadvantage is the allergic reactions they can generate and the low durability of their color. Like the others, they require regular vacuuming to remove dust and dirt. In case of stains, use a slightly damp cloth with a mixture of mild soap and water. Avoid rubbing hard so as not to damage the fibers.
5. Silk: They are considered a luxury. Of all the natural fibres, silk is one of the softest and strongest. They have a delicate texture and appearance and require extreme care. For example, they should never get wet, as moisture can cause permanent damage. Their designs are so meticulous that their use is not only restricted for floors but also for walls. To clean them, it is better to turn to professionals, as they are extremely delicate.
6. Leather: a somewhat more controversial rug these days, since animal leather is used in its manufacture. They are usually irregular in size or consist of different pieces cut into squares sewn together to create a geometric pattern in the shape of a rectangle. They bring a rustic and country touch. Just like other carpets, it should be vacuumed regularly and always on the soft side of the vacuum cleaner, without using the brushes so as not to damage the “fur”. To clean your stains, a slightly damp cloth with a mild detergent solution specific for leather is suggested; if not, it could be worse. In order for its color to be maintained, there are special conditioners that can be applied to keep it hydrated: it must be remembered that it is a piece of leather, so hydration avoids the appearance of cracks in the textile.

TikTok has become a data library for different home solutions. Although it is recommended to go to a specialist carpet cleaner at least once a year, there are times when you can remove the stains yourself and maintain your carpet to prevent it from looking dull and dirty. .

This is a trick compatible with cotton carpets and some hybrids, which mix cotton and synthetic fibers. The essential ingredient is a detergent capsule – here we test the main brands and choose the best – and we can help ourselves with a container resistant to hot water, a microfiber cloth, gloves and pan lid as straight as possible.

First of all, you have to heat some water —almost boiling—, put it in the container and add a capsule of detergent. Wearing gloves, dip the microfiber cloth, wring it out, and wrap it around the bottom of the pan lid. Gather the ends of the fabric and tie them to the handle. With this utensil, a kind of cleaning shield, you need to actively rub against the carpet, re-wetting the cloth from time to time. You will notice how the dirt is removed from the carpet. It is useful, functional, but requires active arm strength.

Baking soda is our best ally when it comes to cleaning. Economical and safe, it basically works for everything. In addition to removing dirt, it eliminates bad odors from carpets. To get it, the trick is this : First of all, you have to vacuum the carpet very well. Then, using a strainer, sprinkle all over the carpet and let sit. There are videos that say 2 hours, another 20 minutes, others suggest leaving it overnight. The truth is that the more time passes, the more the bicarbonate acts. Then you just have to suck the product and that’s it. If you don’t like the smell, you can add a few drops of your f essential oil and shake it in a container before sprinkling.

This seems like an obvious indication, but in practice it can make all the difference. On the popular Martha Stewart site They say it’s important to vacuum dirt spots at least five times and in all directions. “Sucking dirt in one direction can cause it to settle in a certain way, going over it several times from different angles ensures that most of the debris is removed,” they explain.

Do you have a furry pet? Hair is a topic in its own right, especially on surfaces like carpets, where it clings like a castaway to a piece of wood. At first they go unnoticed, but as soon as they accumulate they start to be noticed, attracting other dirt as well. A practical, effective and very inexpensive tool is the Ikea ​​Lillnaggen (window cleaner), which in several TikTok Videos use as a carpet cleaner. You just need to rake your carpet again and again and the hairs will accumulate and then be easily removed.

Having your carpet cleaned by a professional is like a well-deserved spa treatment for them, which is necessary at least once a year (or more if your pocket allows it). These companies use special machines and certified cleaning products to remove anything that shouldn’t be there. In addition to being radiant and disinfected, its lifespan is extended, since the textile fiber is better preserved.

*Prices for products in this item are updated as of August 11, 2023. Values ​​and availability are subject to change.