From our guest blogger Nicole
Everyone knows that taking good care of a carpet will ensure a cleaner and healthier home and the longer durability of the carpeting. Carpets could actually be some of the dirtiest places in your home, whether you notice that or not, so make sure you regularly vacuum and spot clean them.
Professional carpet services are great, if you can afford them, but there is another alternative – cleaning carpets and rugs with green methods whenever they need treatment.
Powerful spot removers which are sold in the shops are usually full of chemicals, which are harmful to the environment and sometimes even to human health. If you don’t want any added risk, there are ingredients and natural products you can use for a successful cleaning of your carpets.
The problem with using commercial stain removers is that they are full of acids, pesticides, lye and other dangerous chemicals which are almost impossible to remove completely. The residue on the carpet can easily pollute the air in the room, which leads to respiratory illnesses, allergies and even a weakened immune system. These chemical also pollute the groundwater the minute you rinse the sponges and towels you’ve used for cleaning.
The green substitutes of these products are easily accessible, easily applicable and above all, eco-friendly and healthy. Here are four green-cleaning methods for your carpets which you can try right away:
Professional services
At least once a year invest in professional cleaning services for your carpets, curtains and upholstery as these often go together in a package offer. There are companies which offer complete green cleanup with special vacuums and tools. This will improve the air quality in your home and you will have a peace of mind.
Create an eco-friendly spot cleaner
Take a bucket of water and mix equal parts of water and white vinegar. Stir the mixture and apply directly on the stain. Let it soak for ten minutes and blot the area with a sponge gently. You can repeat this process as often as you need. Another great product is baking soda – sprinkle it on your carpet, leave overnight and vacuum on the next day. This is a natural deodorizer for carpets and rugs. For tough stains mix baking soda and vinegar and use the created paste to apply on the stained area. Leave it to dry and then vacuum it.
Get organic carpeting
Many of the non-organic carpets have toxic chemical like polypropylene in their fibers and padding, especially if it says that the carpet is stain-resistant. If you acquire organic carpeting, this is one step closer to a greener, healthier and cleaner home. A carpet that is biodegradable won’t harm the environment when you dispose of it either.
Maintenance
One of the musts when it comes to carpets is maintenance. If you neglect your carpets, the result won’t be a pretty sight and it gets harder to turn them to the way they used to look. Vacuum them every few days to remove the dust and dirt. This way you prevent the dust from spreading around the house and you improve the air quality considerably. Think about prevention – don’t step with shoes on the carpet and if you spill something, treat the stain immediately. This is the only way to actually prolong the life of your carpets.
Follow these easy steps for green care and cleaning of your carpets and you will notice the big difference shortly!
Nicole is passionate about travelling, flowers and home organizing.
Thanks for sharing some of these tips to stay green when cleaning carpets. Personally I always love to utilize white vinegar for tough stains.