How to clean carpets at home: It's very easy!

We explain how to clean the most difficult stains on carpets and carpets at home. Our secret? We use ammonia, an excellent and cheap stain remover.

But not only that, we also explain how to clean these fabrics with white vinegar, baking soda, and other products you have at home. Take note of the following cleaning tricks!

Carpets, large or small, made of wool, vinyl, nylon, polypropylene or pile, require a lot of care and frequent cleaning to keep them in perfect condition and without any kind of bad smell.

In addition, depending on their size and degree of dirt, you can wash them in the washing machine or dry clean them , that is, removing the dirt from the stains as they appear.

For cleaning you can use products such as ammonia (the best known), table salt, dishwasher or dish soap, white vinegar (our favorite ecological cleaner) and, if they are light-colored or white carpets, baking soda. sodium, lye and lemon. Let's see how it is done in each case.

1. With ammonia

To clean carpets or carpet stains with ammonia, you will need:

• 1. Liquid ammonia . We will use Volvone ammonia , but you can opt for any supermarket brand. For this cleaning, always use long rubber gloves and do it in an open space, that is, where there is current, since ammonia gives off very strong vapors.

• 2. Soft-bristled cloth or brush . If they are stains on wool or pile carpets, use a lint-free cloth. On any other carpet, you can use a soft-bristled brush.

• 3. Cold or lukewarm water .

After having all the materials on hand, dilute in a container a capful of liquid ammonia plus 1/4 of warm water plus a splash of dish soap. Then, you just have to follow these steps:

1. Vacuum

The first step in cleaning any rug is to thoroughly vacuum it. Vacuuming removes the remains of crumbs, hair, dust and small pieces of paper , as well as other residues that accumulate on the carpets. Of course, also try to clean the floor where the carpet is located.

2. Locate and clean the stain

The most common is to locate food or drink stains or even urine stains (if you have pets). It is highly advisable to clean the stain immediately, otherwise it adheres more to the fibers and is more difficult to clean.

large rugs

However, to spot clean large rugs, first soak the cloth in the ammonia and water mixture, and rub vigorously into the stain. You will see, almost immediately, how the formula dissolves the stain. And, if it has a bad smell, it also removes it.

Liquid ammonia is one of the best for cleaning carpets, rugs, upholstery or others. The best? Its economic cost . You can buy it at any drugstore, supermarket and even online, since it is available on Amazon.

small rugs

If they are small and fine rugs , after vacuuming them, immerse them in a basin with warm water and liquid ammonia. After introducing the carpet in the basin or bucket, let the product act for 10 to 20 minutes . If you find that you can rub off the stains, put on gloves to prevent the ammonia from irritating your skin. From this point you have two options:

• 1. Put them in the washing machine with a washing program for delicate fabrics without spinning. The result is incredible!

• 2. Continue with hand wash. If you choose to wash it by hand, rub on the stains until they disappear and rinse with plenty of cold water. Let it drain on its own in the shower or bathtub and when there is no excess water, hang it out in the open air, but out of direct sunlight.

3. Let it air dry

If you have cleaned a large carpet, open the windows and the door to let the air flow and dry it. If they are small rugs, lay them out in the open but not directly in the sun.

Clean the stain and then wash the rug on a delicate program.

2. With vinegar and lemon

The following trick is hand of saint if you love 100% ecological and economical cleaning. And it is that one of the best homemade cleaners is prepared with 1/4 white vinegar + a splash of dishwasher + 1/2 lemon juice + 1/4 hot water .

When you have this mixture ready, place it in a spray bottle and shake it well. Afterwards, you just have to spray the mixture on the carpet or carpet stain . Allow the product to permeate all the fibers and rub with a lint-free cloth or rag. To clarify, just wipe with another clean, damp cloth.

Do not cover the area until it has completely dried.

3. With table salt or sodium chloride

One of the best tricks to eliminate the bad smell of the carpets is to spread table salt all over its surface. Table salt or sodium chloride is very cheap and tremendously effective in doing this job. Apart from removing bad odors, it is also effective for disinfecting carpets or carpets.

After spreading table salt all over the surface, let it sit for 15 to 25 minutes . Afterwards, you will only have to vacuum well and voilà . If you want a more elaborate product, take note of the following formula:

• In a jar or glass bottle pour 125 g. of borax + 250 g. baking soda + 6 drops of lavender essential oil + 6 tea tree essential oil + 6 drops of mint essential oil .

Then, shake the mixture so that it is well integrated and spread it all over the carpet or carpet. If the rug is very large, you can double the amount. Let the product act for at least 20 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly and voila! You will have a clean, disinfected carpet with a very fresh aroma.

If there are stains, we advise you to brush gently before picking up the remains of the cleaner with the vacuum cleaner.

4. With baking soda and white vinegar

If your carpets have wine, food, urine or similar stains, use the following homemade formula: In a sprayer pour 60 g. of baking soda + 500 ml of warm water + 500 ml. white vinegar (we mean alcohol vinegar).

When you have it, shake the mixture well. You will notice that a kind of foam forms, something completely normal. Then, spray the mixture on the area of ​​the carpet stain and allow it to work for 5-10 minutes.

After the time has elapsed, use a damp cloth to rinse and kitchen paper to dry the stain as much as possible. When you're done, for faster drying, you can open the door and window of the room or place the rug in the open air.

5. Large rugs or carpets

To remove stains from large rugs or carpets, you can also use scented ammonia. I eat? Make a mixture with hot water and liquid ammonia and apply with a cotton cloth to the stain to be treated. Let the carpet absorb the moisture and the product for a few minutes. To finish, rub gently and clean with a dry cloth .

If the stain is very deep , blot as much as possible with absorbent paper and then apply the solution (hot water and ammonia) and scrub with a brush .

Absorbent kitchen paper is a great material for removing stains from carpets .

How to store rugs

Many people remove their rugs in the spring to keep the house cooler. If the rugs are small, lay them flat and wrap them in packing paper, this will protect them from dust during the summer. If the rugs are large, roll them up with the pile on the inside and secure them on the outside with masking tape.

Then, store them in a horizontal position to prevent them from deforming in a place free of moisture and well ventilated to prevent them from acquiring bad odors.

Lastly, protect them from moths by making little bags of lavender and rosemary leaves. And don't forget to give your home organization a spin so it can breathe and revitalize.