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7 DIY Carpet Cleaning Hacks That You Need to Know

Cleaning your carpet can be challenging. Use these carpet cleaning hacks to keep your carpets looking neat and new!

DIY Carpet Cleaning Hacks

Cleaning carpets is a dreary chore and also a massive one as it takes up so much of our time. If you have always had a carpet in your living space, you probably spend a lot of time for its upkeep every month.

And even if you just take it out to clean in the snow, it needs a thorough cleaning before it can be used. Not to mention spilled food, pet-related accidents, or the dirt and grease which makes it dirty.

But all this should not discourage you from investing in a carpet. There are so many easy hacks to clean them using household items.

Salt, baking soda, shaving cream can all help with keeping your carpet clean. You also must remember that not all carpets and rugs have the same texture.

Thus, they might need different kinds of maintenance. Some synthetic carpets undergo stain-resistant treatments, which makes it easier to upkeep them.

Shag rugs and wool carpets need more care and have to be cleaned more often. So, here are some very simple DIY hacks to clean your carpets at home.

1. Use Baking Soda for Greasy Stains

Baking soda is very versatile and can totally save your carpet from dirt and grease. You must know that heavy and oily stains should never be allowed to sit long on carpets.

The easiest way to take out the greasy smudges is by using baking soda. Instead of rubbing the stain away apply a generous amount of baking soda on the area.

Then, let it sit for a few minutes and let the soda absorb it. It basically dries out the oil and the grease and does not let them settle.

It simply leaves a very manageable stain which can be easily dealt with. This is one of the easy cleaning hacks you must definitely try.

baking soda cleaner

Credit: Galway Design Box

2. The Magic of Shaving Cream

Dirt and grease stains are often a much bigger problem than residual crumbs. Especially, if your carpet is light-colored.

We’ve all at some point dropped drinks or spaghetti on our rugs, and it’s not as disastrous as you think. It can be very easily removed with shaving cream.

It’s a great help when it comes to this problem.

After you vacuum your rug, just blot the stain first and apply some shaving cream to it.

Let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it away with a damp sponge or a cloth.

shaving cream on carpet

Credit: Pinterest

3. Food Stains Can Be Fixed with Salt

Salt can be a huge help when it comes to cleaning your rugs. If you get some oil food on the carpet, do this.

Mix alcohol and salt in a 4:1 ratio. Apply it to the area, and then rub it away.

For spilled ketchup or wine, blot the excess spill first and just sprinkle a generous amount of salt. Then, let it be for a few minutes.

The salt absorbs the moisture and some of the stain. Then just vacuum it till the remaining stain is completely gone.

food stains

Credit: Helpling

4. Lint Roller Always Helps

Lint roller can be your hero if you’re a clean freak who owns a carpet. From rugs to pillows to couches, they can clean everything.

Especially, if you have a carpet with long hair. Sometimes the crumbs and small particles get stuck as the fibers of the carpet hide them.

A lint roller can easily slide over anywhere, and it’s amazing how fast it can clean up your messy carpet.

Lint Roller

Credit: Clean Mama

5. Try Ironing Stains Away

The most effective way to clean out stubborn stains is to use a water-vinegar mixture and an iron. First, you need to vacuum the carpet so that the residual particles and dirt go away.

Then, make a solution with 3 parts of water and 1-part vinegar. Apply this to the stained area and leave it to work through the layers for 5-7 minutes.

Place a terry towel over the area and iron the stain out. Basically, the pressure and the heat take the stain out and it gets absorbed by the towel.

Ironing Stains

Credit: Pinterest

6. Club Soda Is a Talented Agent

Pet urine on carpets is often a huge problem. But, believe it or not, they can be dealt with pretty easily.

Take some paper towels and blot out as much urine as you can. Then soak the area with club soda.

Afterward, rub in the carpet shampoo and clean the area thoroughly. Spilled coffee is also a huge issue, as it happens so often.

Club soda works on that too. Just pour some soda over the stain and blot it. Then you can vacuum the area.

Club Soda

Credit: Pinterest

7. Toothbrushes Keep Rugs Clean Too

Shag carpets have areas our vacuum cleaners simply cannot reach. A regular toothbrush with soft bristles can be a huge help.

Especially with taking out stains that have settled. Apply the vinegar or baking soda, depending upon the nature of the stain.

Then, you can gently work on the stain with the toothbrush.

Toothbrushes Keep Rugs Clean

Credit: fabhow.com

Have any of your own cleaning hacks? Share them in the comment section!

Also, have a read about some of these amazing smell hacks.

Dan Casey

Saturday 16th of January 2021

The iron cum steam cleaner is a tip from the future! Appreciate your knowledge. As one who struggles with being sloppy and being a neat freak, I trust you've given me the keys to my happiness. Thanks and keep up the good work!

Karo Tries

Tuesday 19th of January 2021

Hi Dan,

I feel you! I'm all a bit like that too!

Alicia Hursley

Thursday 17th of September 2020

The toothbrush tip for the rugs is genius! I just tried it and the stain seemingly popped right out. I love finding sweet hacks like this. I mean I usually have my rugs cleaned professionally once a year just because I feel like it genuinely improves the mood and health of my home. But finding ways to get stains out and deep clean on my own between is honestly like finding a hidden treasure to me. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sharolyn Wickersheim

Monday 1st of July 2019

I read through your blog post here. I was hoping you could help me with something. I was wondering, Do you know of a good organic kitchen cleaning product? The in laws are coming into town for the 4th and I want a perfect kitchen. :) Thanks in advance for your answer.

Karo Tries

Thursday 4th of July 2019

Hello Sharolyn,

in fact, I have the whole post on it! Check it out here: https://craftsyhacks.com/kitchen-cleaning-hacks/

There are more than enough tricks that'll help you to keep that kitchen naturally shiny.