Over time spot cleaning just doesn't do it. You turn around one day and your carpets are a shade darker than when you had them installed. Or, you do a great job spot cleaning only to reveal how dirty the rest of the carpeting really is. Here's a way to get them green clean.
What You Need
Ingredients: Salt, borax and white vinegar.
Equipment: A vacuum and a carpet steam cleaner, don't worry, I explain why we need the heavy equipment below.
Instructions
Start out with good old spot cleaning then move to the more heavy duty all over work.
1. Vacuum. Vacuum like you've never vacuumed before: go in 3 different directions and take your time. Get the dust, hair and particles out of the pile.
2. Mix 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup borax and 1/4 cup vinegar, then apply this paste to deep stains or heavily soiled sections of carpet. Allow the paste to sit on the carpet for several hours until it dries completely, then vacuum it away.
3. Start up the steam cleaner. Why are we using a steam cleaner you ask? I've looked into lots of options from dry chemical cleaning (vetoed because of the chemicals and what is left in the carpet) to steam cleaning and have decided that renting a steam machine is the best option because the chemicals are optional. Try to rent a new machine to increase efficiency and do a little pre-cleaning of the machine if it doesn't come to you pristine.
4. Skip the carpet shampoo. Hot water can get most grime out of your carpet alone, just make sure you're filling your machine with really hot water.
5. If you have especially soiled carpeting you can add 1 cup white vinegar to 2.5 gallons of water for very deep cleaning.
6. Most machines have 2 modes. First you depress a button and release the hot water and second you release the button and it sucks water back up. Spend 3/4 of your time on the second mode. Soak the carpet then go over it three or four times to dry the carpet as much as possible.
7. Steam clean the carpets a second time. You rented the machine for the day right? you might as well get your money's worth and do 2 passes.
8. Let the carpets dry completely. Once they are mostly dry you can bring furniture back in but we usually put aluminum foil under the legs to avoid any stain bleeding onto the wet carpets. Then, let them dry all the way before you walk on them to avoid staining them again.
9. Finally, dispose of the water from the machine responsibly. Many places that rent out the machines will take the machine back full to avoid putting the chemicals from your carpet down the drain. Otherwise, call your local water treatment plant to enquire about how to dispose of the waste water.
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(Images: Allison Verdoorn)
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I LOVE steam cleaning my carpets
I haven't done this since we moved into the house over a year ago because we have wall to wall carpet (which I hate).
Since there is carpet in every room would it be possible for me to maybe do half the house at a time? Would I still be able to get the house done in one day or would this most likely cost twice as much since I would have to rent the cleaner for two days?
seems like if you place your furniture on foil then you should be able to do it all in one day
Awesome post but I don't see instructions on where/when the baking soda is used?
This is an awesome post! Can steam cleaning machines be used on long wool shag rugs?
The ingredients don't call for baking soda, only salt, white vinegar and borax
I see where the baking soda was in the pictures. I think that is a mistake because it isn't mentioned anywhere else.
You sprinkle the baking soda on the carpet before you vacuum. Let it sit for about 30 minutes and then vacuum. This will help get up a lot of surface dirt. I do every single time I vacuum.
I used this deep clean green method today and I think it is the best way to clean carpets. It takes a while to clean several rooms, but it's worth it and it's inexpensive. Why did I ever call a carpet cleaning company in past??? I had all the tools I needed right in front of me the whole time.
Does this work on rugs too?
I love your suggestions. Honestly, I would have never believed that such a method would work but yesterday, I decided to give it a try. I must admit it took me hours to get everything done on just one of the carpets at home :( ...OK, mostly it is my fault because I take my time with everything I start doing.
I am glad that my budget isn't that tight as I prefer delegating this particular chore to carpet cleaners in Melbourne. I realise it is pricey, and not as green as your method but time-wise it is more up my alley :) Don't judge me, please ;)