Whether a dirty footprint, a spilled glass of Shiraz or the waste from a yet-to-be toilet trained pet, carpet stains are an immutable presence in any family home. When this happens in your house, appropriately chastise the perpetrator—whether dog or partner—but don't rush to the supermarket for expensive carpet cleaners. A simple solution can be made with ingredients found in any kitchen and it will lift even heavy stains. This solution can also be used to spot-clean furniture, erase stains from rugs and touch up old curtains. What's more, it costs only cents to make, and can be stored easily so that you always have some on hand for emergencies.
You'll only need:
1 teaspoon of dish washing liquid
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
1 cup of warm water
1 teaspoon of baking soda
Vinegar-based home cleaning remedies are common, because the acetic acid in vinegar is a very effective antibacterial sanitiser and deodoriser. Not only that, but, it's safe for use around kids and pets. However, if you remember primary school science classes, you'll remember that vinegar and baking soda are the main ingredients in a makeshift volcano. This foam is made from carbon dioxide that's generated when the two mix. In order to combat this you'll need to start with the dishwashing liquid in the bottom of a spray bottle, add the vinegar, and then mix in the warm water. Lastly, add the baking soda, and quickly screw on the top of the bottle to contain any lingering fizz.
Start by spraying the stained area generously with your new cleaning solution. Dab with a towel or absorbent cloth, starting from the outside and working inwards to prevent the stain from spreading further. Always avoid rubbing the stain, as this can be abrasive and damage the carpet. Continue dabbing, using the towel to absorb the cleaner and remove the stain. For light stains, you should start seeing results straight away. For particularly harsh stains, leave the cleaner on for 15 minutes to give the solution time to act. Not all carpets are the same though, so be sure to do a small spot-check before tackling larger stains.
After using your homemade solution you'll be left with clean carpets, a clear conscience and a crisp scent. You'll even save enough money to replace the bottle of Shiraz that necessitated the stain remover.
For particularly stubborn or deep stains, consider having your carpets professionally cleaned by a company like Stain Busters Carpet Cleaning.
Share17 November 2014
My yard is in the shade of both of my neighbour's homes for most of the day which makes it quite hard to grow some of my favourite plants. Even though the yard is shady I still want it to have some nice look ground cover and be a cool place to entertain people. I have used a combination of shade resistant plants and pavers to create a lovely space that is good for entertaining all year round. This blog has some tips on creating a pleasant atmosphere in your shady backyard, particularly if you have a yard that is too shady to grow many kinds of plants.