martha stewart carpet cleaning method

C2007 MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST CLEAN RUGS, CARPETS, AND FLOORS Vacuum rugs and carpets. Machine-wash or dry-clean area rugs (check label for manufacturer’s directions), and shampoo wall-to-wall carpeting. Wash and wax floors. (See page 3 for more tips.)

Full Answer

What is the most effective carpet cleaning method?

The best method of cleaning carpets is usually steam cleaning, which removes over 90% of dirt and bacteria from carpeting. Dry cleaning carpeting is also effective for ensuring carpets are ready for foot traffic as quickly as possible.

Does vinegar and baking soda remove old stains from carpet?

A combination of white vinegar and baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent for various stubborn old stains such as wine spills, blood stains, coffee stains, and fat stains.

What is the proper way of cleaning the carpet?

Clean With Distilled White VinegarVacuum and Treat Visible Stains. Always begin any cleaning process by spot cleaning stains and then vacuuming the carpet to remove loose soil, dust, dirt, and debris. ... Mix a Vinegar and Water Solution. ... Apply the Solution, Wait, and Blot. ... Allow the Carpet to Air-Dry.

What is the best homemade carpet cleaning solution?

Baking soda and vinegar is one of the best mixtures for spot-treating messes on a carpet. ... Using a mixture of salt and water can clean recent stains made from spilling wine or dropping food.More items...•

What stains Cannot be removed from carpet?

According to carpet cleaning professionals, these are the 8 hardest stains to remove from a carpet: Blood. Obviously, your first priority will be to deal with the person who's bleeding. ... Red wine. ... Other coloured drinks. ... Coffee. ... Ink. ... Animal urine. ... Other bodily fluids. ... Cooking oil.

How do you make high traffic carpet look new?

How to Unflatten Furniture MarksFill the carpet indentations with ice cubes, keeping them at least two inches apart.Let the ice melt completely (this might take a few hours)Use your fingers (or a stiff brush) to fluff the carpet fibers back up.Repeat the process if needed.

What do professionals use to clean carpets?

Hot Water Extraction Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.

Is it better to shampoo or steam clean carpets?

When choosing between steam cleaning and shampooing your carpet, you really can't go wrong with both, but steam cleaning would be the better option. It removes more unseen pests and dirt, and can handle heavy-duty cleaning without making you wait long for drying.

Is steam cleaning good for carpets?

Steam cleaning is a really effective and efficient way to lift build up from the carpet fibers, including mold and pet scents. It also is effective at improving the appearance of carpets that have been neglected over time.

Can you use Dawn dish soap in a carpet cleaner?

No, you can't use dish soap as a substitute for a carpet cleaner. Dish soap leaves a residue on your carpet fibers, which attracts dirt and makes your carpets appear old faster. This is because, unlike dish soaps, most carpet cleaners are not foaming liquids. Also, some household detergents work better than others.

Can I make my own carpet shampoo for machine?

~DIY carpet cleaner for machines~ I just made a gallon of this carpet cleaner. Add 1/4 cup vinegar, 4 tbsp dish soap, 4 tbsp softener and 1/4 cup peroxide in a measuring cup. Stir it. Then add it to an almost full gallon of warm water.

How do you clean badly stained carpet?

1:204:55How to Remove Tough Carpet Stains | HGTV - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a spoon to push the baking soda down into the fibers of the carpet the baking soda will absorbMoreUse a spoon to push the baking soda down into the fibers of the carpet the baking soda will absorb the liquid grease. Leave the baking soda on the carpet for a few. Minutes.

Introduction

This idea comes from our friend Ashley Poskin. " Cleaning your carpets is a very rewarding task—not only does it keep your home healthy, it just feels so fresh under bare feet," she says.

steps

Add four cups of very hot (but not boiling) water to a pitcher (or a spray bottle if you aren't using a carpet cleaner). Add two tablespoons dish soap, two tablespoons distilled white vinegar, and 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide. (Optional: If you like a scented cleaner, a citrus essential oil, like ​lemon​, is always a pleasant option.

Keeping Clean: The Basics

An ounce of prevention, as they say, is worth a pound of cure. To keep carpets as clean as possible, limit how much dirt gets into them in the first place. Declare a shoes-off rule, or place sturdy doormats at all entries. Frequent vacuuming is the only way to keep grit from becoming embedded, and having a vacuum that's easy to use is crucial.

How to Clean Common Carpets

Depending on the materials of your carpet, different methods should be used for vacuuming, liquid spills and deep cleaning.

Carpet Type: Synthetic

Vacuum first. Remove grit with multiple vacuum passes in varying directions using the beater brush, set to the pile height. Change the bag once it's bag is half full because efficiency decreases after that.

Carpet Type: Wool

To vacuum, follow the instructions above but avoid using a rotary brush on loop-pile (Berber) carpets; the yarn may get fuzzy. Instead, use a floor tool. To clean liquid spills, start by misting with water and blotting, as you would for synthetic carpets. Never use ammonia or any other high-alkaline cleaner, which can damage wool.

Carpet Type: Plant-Based Fibers

Use the same vacuuming technique as for synthetic carpets. A beater brush is the best way to remove grit, which causes excessive wear on these carpets. Plant fibers are less stain-resistant than synthetics or wool, even if they have been treated with a water repellent, so blot liquid spills promptly using the method described above.

Hardwood

"How often you clean your hardwood floors depends on how many people and pets you have in your home and how much foot traffic you get," says Gagliardi.

Best Products for Cleaning Hardwood

"To clean and disinfect your hardwood floors in one step, Clorox® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths ($4.49, target.com) are ultra-textured to help you trap particles, dirt, and hair—and are safe on multiple surfaces, including finished wood," Gagliardi says. To deep clean, she recommends Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner ($9.98, homedepot.com ).

Tile

Cleaning tile floors is actually quite simple, according to Gagliardi, which is good news considering the fact that this is a task that should be done weekly. "All you need is a broom or vacuum and a clean cloth. Once you collect your supplies, just sweep or vacuum up any dry debris, like grit, dirt, sand, or crumbs.

Best Cleaning Products for Tiled Floors

When it comes to the best cleaning products for tile floors, Gagliardi says to avoid sponges. "Chamois mop, sponge, or cloth—but not a sponge mop because it can push dirty water into the grout ," she says. Meanwhile, Vega suggests the Bissel Powerfresh Steam Mop ($89, amazon.com) accompanied by Clean Republic for tiled floors.

Carpet

"Always use a product that is formulated for use on carpet, especially for spot treating because you want something that can be easily absorbed back off the carpet after cleaning," says Gagliardi.

Best Carpet Cleaning Products

While there are so many vacuums on the market, doing your research is key to figuring out the best one for your floor type. A go-to for one expert? "My current favorite vacuum is the Shark Navigator ($199, amazon.com) ," recommends Vega.

Stone

Similar to cleaning tiles, you must be careful when tackling stone floors. "It is best to clean your floors every one to two weeks," says Stapf. "Be sure to regularly sweep your floors especially when cooking a lot to make sure food and other debris does not get kicked around and scratch up the floors."

Waxing Furniture

Many modern wooden furniture pieces come with a protective polyurethane coating, but for older items, nothing beats wax to protect against dust and moisture. Buy paste wax, the solid kind that is normally sold in tins. Natural (clear) wax works on any wood, but dark wood may benefit from tinted wax (it will mask tiny scratches more effectively).

Preventing Mildew

Be sure to keep surfaces clean, improve air circulation if possible, and reduce dampness (for example, don't bunch wet towels). In poorly ventilated basements, install open shelving, use a dehumidifier and fan, and store items in airtight plastic containers with desiccants (such as silica gel).

Removing a Wine Stain

Red wine stains may be a sign of good times, but pesky to clean. On delicate fabrics, you should soak the spot with denatured alcohol. Flush the area with white vinegar to remove any residual staining.

Dusting 101

Think beyond the classic feather duster: The oils in a lambs-wool duster help attract and hold dust, while one with an extendable handle lets you reach ceiling fans and other fixtures. A basic wide paintbrush (look for one with natural bristles) can reach into all kinds of nooks; use one to remove dust from a lampshade's pleats.

Removing Wax

Flickering candles set the mood for a dinner party, but there's nothing charming about spilled wax. To remove it from tabletops, heat with a blow-dryer on the lowest setting for several seconds; then scrape up using the edge of a credit card before buffing away the residue.

Caring for Marble

For routine cleaning, sponge marble with warm water and a mild, neutral detergent. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Wipe spills promptly; acids in alcohol and fruit juices are particularly damaging. Marble often comes with a protective sealer that helps prevent staining; reapply coating (available at hardware stores) once a year.

How to Wash Pillows, Blankets, and Down

Rather than pay for professional cleaning, you can safely clean many down-filled items yourself. You'll need a low-sudsing, mild detergent. One method: Machine-wash in a large front-loading washer, or handwash in a tub of lukewarm water and detergent. You'll have to gently squeeze soapy water through item; drain water.

Choose the Best Tools

Sparkling floors begins with selecting the best-possible mop. We prefer Libman's Wonder Mop, which can tackle virtually any surface, including vinyl, wood, linoleum, laminate, marble, stone, and ceramic tile. Its Microfiber GRIPSTRIPS lift stubborn dirt with ease, while the power wringer helps remove excess water.

Mop Frequently

High-traffic areas, like kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and entryways, require weekly mopping. Infrequently used rooms, such as formal living areas or guest rooms, can be mopped every other week, or even once a month, so long as they're vacuumed once ever seven days (this will remove dust and grit).

Care for Your Supplies

Keeping your mop impeccably clean is essential, since even a little bit of leftover soil can result in a sour smell or breed bacteria. To keep yours in good shape, rinse the mophead thoroughly in a bucket of clean, hot (but not boiling) water immediately after mopping.

How to Mop: Step One

Before mopping, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove grit, hair, and other large particles. Removing the everyday accumulation of dirt first makes the task of mopping less arduous. Be sure to blot dry any wet areas before sweeping or vacuuming; otherwise, you'll dirty the floor further by spreading the grime.

How to Mop: Step Two

Fill a bucket with warm water (unless your floors are waxed; in this case, you should use tepid water) and a small amount of cleaner —generally, a squirt or two is sufficient. Using too much can leave behind a residue, which will make floors look dull.

How to Mop: Step Three

Start in the corner farthest from the entrance and work your way backwards, towards the door. Keep the bucket on an unwashed portion of the floor. Immerse the mop in the bucket, remove it, and wring it out well. No floor benefits from copious amounts of water, which can seep between cracks and under baseboards, causing serious damage.

How to Mop: Step Four

Begin mopping along the edge of the baseboard in back-and-forth strokes. Move to the open area of the floor, overlapping the back-and-forth strokes as you work. Make two passes over each area—once to wet and to spread the solution, and again to remove it. If you don't pass a second time, detergent may remain, leaving the floor sticky and cloudy.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Looking for an easy all-purpose cleaner that can be used on a myriad of surfaces? Cheng says to mix two parts cleaning vinegar with one part water—then add a few of your favorite essential oils and decant everything into a spray bottle; shake to mix thoroughly.

Floor Cleaner

Concocting a floor cleanser is just as simple: Combine two teaspoons of baking soda, one teaspoon of liquid Castile soap, and roughly one-and-a-half cups of water and you're just a few spritzes away from shiny floors.

Streak-Free Glass Cleaner

A glass cleanser rounds out the DIY trifecta, notes Cheng: Mix together one quarter cup of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, and add a tablespoon of cornstarch and two cups of water. Shake your spray bottle well before you start cleaning, since the cornstarch can settle at the bottom, he explains.

Ingredients to Avoid

While the above formulas are absolutely safe for use, certain ingredients can't be combined, cautions Cheng. "These combinations create gases or vapors that can be harmful and should not be inhaled," he explains.