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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Tips for living: Carpet Cleaning

I have decided to put tips I learn along the way into this category, so tomorrow next year, when I can't remember what I used to do, I have a place to go, and remember again. Sad. True. 

Alright friends, in this post, we'll be keeping it real. No staged pictures with perfect lighting here. But you won't be sorry.

I came across the Most Amazing carpet cleaning tip yesterday that I must share.  Unfortunately, I have to keep digging to find the source, because someone (Mister) closed all of my open tabs I was getting ready to link over. In the meantime, I will share the awesomeness. 
 


Tools you need to clean stubborn stains:
Ammonia
Water
Spray Bottle
Iron
White Towels


Mix 1 part ammonia to 1 part water in spray bottle. (Note: Be careful with ammonia fumes when mixing and steaming, stay out of the steam and try not to inhale. Wear a mask and goggles if you are sensitive). Also, you may want to test this somewhere not obvious. I have cheapo builder carpet, and it didn't hurt my el-cheapo carpet at all.


Ready?


Find Stain(s):
In this case, a GIANT red and brown dog throw up spot (remember, we are keeping it real) in the front living room, right in front of the couch...(why don't they ever do that on the tile?). We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. It was still there. 


Iron and mixture
Stain - sprayed heavily
Put white towel on stain, iron with steam setting



Stain is absorbed into towel (double ew)
Not perfect in this case, red is HARD to get out. But WAAAY better

So, understanding red dog throw up spots are almost impossible to get out, I decided that dishes could wait, and I went searching for spots. Next stop, my bedroom. Some Crystal Light fell off the nightstand and spilled on the carpet. Again, red spots - GONE! 



                     Before                                                                      After




I'm getting excited now - I remembered a strange spot in the boys room. It's hard, like a shell. I've chipped away at it, I've soaked it. I have NO idea what it is, but no one would take the blame, and it wasn't going anywhere. This was the real test - Completely GONE!

                 Before                                                                       After


 I carried on this way for about an hour. I cleaned every spot I could find. This will keep my sanity in check until I can have the carpets ripped out carpets professionally cleaned again. 

Try it on some stubborn spots in your house! I hope I didn't gross you out and you come back and visit again!

xo-
Chris
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35 comments:

  1. Hi Chris, thanks for sharing the carpet cleaning tip. I'm saving the instructions and will try it out next time I have a carpet stain. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

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  3. I think this post was your source... http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/12/homemade-carpet-stain-removerno.html

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  4. I like your blog,and also like the article,and thank you for provide me so much information :)) carpet cleaning mesa

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  5. I tried this and it worked great! BUT...all the stains i removed resurfaced within a month...amI doing something wrong?????

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    1. That's so strange. I haven't had that happen at all. Are you using clear ammonia and a white towel? The only thing I can think of is that whatever stained the carpet seeped below the top fibers and down into the underlayment. But I can only think it would resurface if it got wet again and brought it up. I would try it a couple of more times really making sure to really spray the spot so it's quite wet, then put your towel on, double layered. Then steam, steam, steam that spot, holding down the steam button and really getting down into those fibers and the underlayment. It may just need a couple of treatments. I haven't had anything re-appear. I'm sure you are doing it right.
      Chris

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  6. Just did this... it sort of works. I think my carpet it just SO worn out nasty that the new clean(er) spots are the only clean spot! I would have to steam iron my whole room to see it all clean!

    WARNING: Do NOT get the spray near your base boards - I had a stain right up by the base board, sprayed, steamed and later noticed that the base board is now discolored - don't know how to fix that.

    Happy Cleaning everyone!

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  7. LOVE THIS!!!
    I had a perfect "L" where my sectional was sitting and I had a few stains here and there. Plus the entrances were looking pretty yucky. So I took your method and did those areas. Then I put the mixture in my steam cleaner and did the whole livingroom. Afterwards I put HOT water in the steamer that also heats and rinsed it. My carpet looks almost brand NEW!!!! Thank you so much!!! This should help sell my house!!!

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  8. My husband and I have owned a carpet cleaning company for over 15 yrs. The method you are speaking of is right but you should really only use for red stains. The very best method is white vinegar & warm water, 50/50 mixture. Spray on any stain and then use a wet vac to suck out, repeat process until gone. **Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and the only chemical that will dissipate leaving no residue in your carpet. If you have areas of yellowing, clean with the above process then spray lightly with hydrogen peroxide and walk away. Respray everyday until gone (should take no more than 3/4 days). On the above comment about the spot reappearing after a few months. Here's what happens...if you do not get the residue out of the carpet it will collect dirt/body oils/dust/ect over time. So really the spot underneath was never gone just the surface was wiped cleaned so now the residue is a magnet for anything that it comes in contact with. That is why you must extract it and any cleaner out by using a wet vac or one on those home cleaners. That is why vinegar is the best solution! Any other cleaner will leave a residue no matter how much you think you are getting it out...you are not! I hope this helps.

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    Replies
    1. Paula A. NielsenJuly 8, 2012 at 1:24 PM

      Wow--how informative--can't wait to try and share with my neighbor. Thanks

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    2. I had a really terrible stain that has been there for a very long time. I tried cleaning it with white vinegar and it really didnt make much of a difference. It made the surface a little lighter, but then it came back even darker than ever...until it was almost black...so then I tried to have it cleaned professionally, and he used one of those cleaners on it until he ripped a hole in my carpet. (and turns out the idiot didnt have insurance so the hole remains)but i tried this method just now and gave it about 4 applications and it worked like a miracle! Of course I will have to wait and see if it returns again. (I used up like 2 whole towels pulling gunk out of it)

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  10. Nice! Carpet steaming is actually very hard to perform despite the fact that it is the best carpet cleaning technique. It’s a good thing that you have here a very good illustration of how to do carpet cleaning with an iron. I can say that this is the best alternative of carpet steaming because it is a lot like it. I really consider trying this soon!

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  11. If you want your carpet always clean and keep away from the dust this page is perfect for you and the blogsite of Carpet cleaning Williamsburg, Va..

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  12. I agree with all your tips, but I would advise people to practice caution when handling ammonia because it is a harmful substance. Aside from cleaning your carpet on your own, it is still recommended that you let a professional cleaner clean your carpet. Let them clean it at least once every year. DIY cleaning is fine, but there are some solutions and processes for carpet cleaning that only professional services are capable of delivering.

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  13. Valuable tips for living carpet cleaning information for lots of people. I am sure they will love it and probably share it with their friends.

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  14. We have three indoor dogs. (Pomeranians)....most of the time they hit the potty pad, but sometimes they don't. We specialize in pee stains here. I love your suggestion, though. We had to buy a carpet cleaner, though. The doggone thing paid for itself inside a year!

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  15. Brilliant carpet cleaning tips! On the other hand, real wood flooring can also do the trick even without putting carpets. :)

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  16. I used to consider small spots a big problem. I'm really thankful to have learned a lot regarding carpet cleaning, especially by looking up DIYs like this one. It's very convenient because you wouldn't have to spend anything except for a few bucks for the recipe.

    Tyler Perkins

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  17. This is a great article this give me more insight into cleaning, your article has great insight these hint will really help my businessOur company does Bond Cleaners Brisbane which includes Carpet Cleaners goldcoast




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  18. Thanks for the tips. They are very useful and handy

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  19. I love the before and after photos!

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  21. Can I use hydrogen peroxide instead? Will it work the same as ammonia? I've seen a lot of homemade carpet stain removers online and I must say, sometimes it really depends on the fabric that you're dealing with. If you did everything and nothing works, throw down the towel and call a professional cleaner. This would be the best last resort!

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  22. This is great post..really inspiring me for my business.!!!!!!!!!

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  23. This is amazing. Thanks for sharing these great tips and wonderful idea.

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