Just like going bald is a fact of life, carpets getting dirty is also a fact of life. Whether your toddler spilled a cup of juice or your pet peed on the carpet, your carpet will absorb everything and return your love in the form of bacteria. However, today, our concern (not bald! of course) is how to clean carpets without a carpet cleaner.
Cleaning the carpet is an essential task but also a tedious one, especially if you don’t have a carpet cleaner. In that case, you have to become the chemistry professor mixing and matching the solutions and making the magic potion for the carpet.
That’s what we call DIY solutions, and they are quite effective in helping you clean the carpet. So, put on your DIY hat, and let’s get started on the guide to the solutions to clean your carpet without a carpet cleaner.
How Much Does It Cost To Clean A Carpet?
First things first- ‘Money’. If you are thinking of getting your carpet cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner, then it typically costs $120-$230.
On average, for shampooing the carpet, the cost will be $240, and for steam cleaning, you’ll be charged $300.
However, if you are a do-it-yourselfer, then you’ll have to pay for just the materials that you’ll be buying. Commercially available carpet cleaners generally cost less than $20 at a local hardware store.
Prepping To Clean The Carpet
Before you start cleaning the carpet without a carpet cleaner, you need to do a little preparation. Firstly, you need to opt for a carpet cleaner that is safe to use on the carpet.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions on both the cleaner and the carpet, and always spot-test the cleaner.
So, to start, always choose the gentlest cleaner possible. You might be able to blot a fresh stain with some club soda or vinegar, but if not, then go for these cleaning agents:
- Powdered Carpet Cleaner
- Baking Soda
- Carpet Shampoo
- Vinegar
- Dish Soap
All these cleaning agents are easily available in the commercial stores in your area.
How To Spot Clean Carpets Without A Carpet Cleaner?
Before you clean the entire carpet with the solutions, you need to vacuum the carpet thoroughly and spot-clean the stains, ideally when it is fresh.
Moreover, some of the cleaning agents are gentle but are not effective in lofting the stain, while some are hard but can lift the tougher stains without your hard work.
1. Refresh The Stain With Baking Soda
Deodorizing and refreshing the stain on the carpet with baking soda is an old trick. When stuck without a carpet cleaner, you can always treat the spots with bad odors, such as dog urination on the carpet.
Sprinkle some baking soda on the stain and let it sit overnight for best results. And the next day, vacuum the spot, and voila! The smell, plus the stain, will vanish from the carpet.
2. Lift The Grease Or Oil Stains Using Salt
It might never have crossed your mind to use salt to clean the greasy stains on the carpet, but it does work magic to remove them.
To remove grease and oil stains from the carpet, make a mixture of equal parts salt and borax and rub the mixture in the stained area of the carpet. Before vacuuming, allow it to sit for a few hours.
3. Remove Tough Stains With Enzyme Cleaner
Enzyme-based cleaners are not gentle cleaners but are commonly used to tackle both human and pet vomiting stains.
These cleaning agents break down the protein and other organic matter from the stain, effectively removing the stain and odor.
Make sure you wear safety gear like gloves and glasses while using enzyme-based cleaner, and also ventilate the area in which you are using the product.
4. Use Hydrogen Peroxide
You can remove any type of stain using hydrogen peroxide, but the main concern people often have is: does hydrogen peroxide bleach the carpet?
To remove the toughest stains like blood, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stained area, let it fizz, and then blot it using a clean, dry cloth or a paper towel.
How To Clean Carpets Without A Carpet Cleaner?
After you have treated the spots on the carpet, the next step is to clean the entire carpet. Follow these steps to clean it effectively:
1. Vacuum The Carpet
If your carpet doesn’t need any spot treatment, then the very first step is to vacuum the entire carpet. This will remove all the dirt and debris from the carpet.
Another case is if your vacuum is not doing its job, then you can rely on soft-bristle brooms to remove the dust from the carpet.
2. Make A Paste Of Baking Soda
A baking soda paste works best to remove the toughest stains from the carpet. So, if there’s still any stain left on the carpet, here’s what you need to do:
1. Make a paste by combining three parts of baking soda with one part of water.
2. Work the paste on the carpet using a soft-bristle brush.
3. Let the paste sit for a few hours.
4. Once the paste is dried, vacuum the paste.
5. If all the paste is not removed, then blot the area with warm water and use a paper towel to lift the paste residue.
3. Apply Powdered Carpet Cleaner
You can also use a powdered carpet cleaner to freshen up the entire carpet instead of using baking soda.
These are easily available at home improvement stores and are excellent options for wool, which doesn’t respond to moisture well. Read all the instructions given in the packing of the product and use it accordingly.
Generally, you’ll have to sprinkle the powder on the carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes, then vacuum it.
4. Use Carpet Shampoo
If you are using a carpet shampoo, then you can make it a little gently by diluting it with water. In a spray bottle, fill warm water, put a couple of drops of carpet shampoo, and shake the bottle well, then follow these steps:
1. Spray the solution on the carpet as little as possible.
2. Blot the area using a clean, dry towel or a paper towel.
3. Spray the carpet with fresh water. Remember not to oversaturate the carpet, as it will lead to mold growth.
4. Blot the carpet with a dry towel until it’s completely dry.
5. Lastly, brush the carpet pile with a carpet brush to make the carpet look fresh and neat.
Tips For Cleaning Your Carpet Without Carpet Cleaner
Not all carpets are made from the same material, and not all solutions are the same. Therefore, to ensure your carpet comes out clean and smells as fresh as a lavender field, here are a few tips to remember while cleaning the carpet without a carpet cleaner:
- Limit the moisture, which can help you eliminate mold and mildew growth.
- Always use the gentlest cleaner possible.
- Before using the entire product on the carpet, always spot-test it in an inconspicuous area.
- Move the furniture out of the way to give you a better workspace.
- Always remember to blot the stain and not scrub it rigorously. Scrubbing will spread the stain or ingrain it deeper into the carpet fiber.
- After you have cleaned the carpet, open all the windows to let the moisture evaporate from the carpet and the room.
- If you are cleaning the entire carpet, then start from a corner and work your way across the carpet.
- Avoid walking on the wet carpet. Allow the carpet to dry completely.
Which Is The Best Homemade Natural Carpet Cleaner?
The above-mentioned solutions are easily available in your home and are also gentle on the carpet. However, if you are looking for the best DIY solutions, then consider these two:
1. Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the best DIY solutions when cleaning the carpet. It not only acts as a natural cleaner but also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which help eliminate bacteria and other kinds of organisms from the carpet.
To use vinegar, mix 1/4 tablespoon white vinegar into one quart of warm water and one tablespoon of dish soap.
Before applying the solution directly on the carpet, make sure you test it on a hidden area of the carpet and test only a small amount of the solution.
2. Club Soda
Club soda is an excellent cleaner to remove stains like blood and red wine. You just have to spritz a generous amount of soda on the stained spot, then use a dry cloth or a paper towel and blot the surface until the stain is completely removed.
Remember to rub the stain gently and not scrub the carpet fibers.
How To Clean A Rug Using Snow?
It might sound weird, but yes! Snow can also be used to clean rugs. This cleaning trick works best for small or antique wool rugs, but you can also clean heavier rugs using some helping hands.
For the best results, use dry, freshly fallen, powdery snow.
Here’s how to clean your rug using snow:
1. Take the rug outside your house and shake it to remove all the dirt from it. Let it sit for 30 minutes to acclimate it to a lower temperature.
2. After 30 minutes, pile 3 to 4 inches of snow on the rug and spread the snow using the broom.
3. The next step is to beat the rug using the flat side of the broom. This is because the ammonia in the snow will help solidify the dirt and ultimately remove it when you beat the rug.
4. Let the snow rest on the rug for another 15-20 minutes. Then flip it and repeat the step 1 to 3 on the other side of the rug.
5. Lastly, remove the excess snow from the rug before you hang it for 20-30 minutes. This way, the snow will evaporate without leaving the rug wet.
Conclusion
There are situations where you don’t have a carpet cleaner then how to clean carpets without carpet cleaners?
Well, cleaning a carpet is an essential part of your chore, and it can be cleaned even if you don’t have a carpet cleaner. You just need to know a few cleaning solutions like baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and more.
And believe us, all these cleaning agents are hanging out in your house only. Moreover, these are also cost-effective as compared to professional cleaning.
However, if you are skeptical about using DIYs on your beloved carpet, then going for a professional cleaning is the best option.
FAQs
Which is the easiest and fastest way to clean the carpet?
The easier way to clean your carpet is by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda on the entire carpet and letting it sit overnight. After that, vacuum the carpet.
How long should I wait for the carpet to dry?
Generally, a carpet takes 30 to 72 hours to dry completely, but you can also resort to methods like using fans, air conditioners, using industrial fans to speed up the process of drying.
How to clean a large carpet area without using carpet cleaner machines?
The best way to clean a large carpet area is to use a hand scrub. Use a soft-bristle brush and gently scrub onto the carpet in a circular motion.
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!