=====[srform] Are your carpets dirty? Maybe it’s been a few years since they’ve been cleaned or you’re not up to date on your regular vacuuming....
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Are your carpets dirty? Maybe it’s been a few years since they’ve been cleaned or you’re not up to date on your regular vacuuming. All of these factors can contribute to drab, faded carpets, making your home look dirty.
Keep your carpets clean and your home looking beautiful with a regular maintenance schedule. While you’ll need the proper equipment to clean, such as a vacuum, brush or cleaner, you can save money by creating carpet cleaning solutions yourself. To help your carpets look their best, see a timeline and a few DIY cleaning tips below.
Sometimes, a dirty carpet can only be brought back to life with the help of an expert. Contact a carpet cleaning pro today for up to four quotes from contractors in your area for free.
Carpet Cleaning Costs
If you had a carpet installation, you know it’s an investment. And to keep them looking great, you’ll need to continue investing in keeping them clean. While there are ways to cut costs by choosing to DIY, it can vary depending on the type of cleaning needed and if you should contact a pro. The average cost to clean carpets is $168, with most homeowners spending between $137 and $181.
Whether you have carpeting in one room or many, one of the keys to keeping your carpet looking great is maintaining a schedule. It also can save you money in the long term. Use this as a guide for creating a regular DIY carpet cleaning checklist.
Weekly Carpet Cleaning
Depending on traffic flow to your carpeted area, weekly care is recommended. This will help you eliminate stains and dirt before they become a more serious problem. Here are two DIY solutions you should include in your weekly carpet cleaning routine:
1. Vacuum
For picking up dirt, pet hair and debris, vacuuming your carpet weekly is recommended. Be sure to dust any furniture first before vacuuming, so you can capture any falling dust while you run the machine. Don’t forget about small corners and nooks where dust and debris are likely to hide. For best results, be sure to empty the bag or container before beginning and don’t rush, take it slow to capture all the dust.
2. Spot Clean
After you’re done with your weekly vacuuming routine, check the carpet for any stains that might’ve appeared in the last week. The reason we suggest weekly spot cleans is because the earlier you catch a stain, the more likely it is to come out. While there are many spot cleaners out there, it greatly depends on the stain.
What I tend to use the most around the carpets in my home is baking soda and vinegar. It’s worked on tough stains like red wine, makeup and more. Simply create a baking soda paste by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of water. Spread over the stain and let it sit. Next, take a spray bottle of vinegar and completely saturate the area. You should see it begin to bubble. Let it sit for five minutes and pat dry. Repeat if the stain does not come out.
Monthly Carpet Cleaning
In addition to your weekly vacuuming and spot cleaning, once a month, you’ll want to add one more thing to the list; odor removal. High-traffic areas and homes with pets will likely need this carpet treatment the most. A great solution is a DIY dry carpet cleaning powder. Not only will it leave your carpet smelling fresh, but it also helps to disinfect the area. I like to include a little cinnamon as it smells great but also has natural anti-bacterial properties. See this tutorial from Extra Wellness on how you can make your own dry carpet cleaning and odor removal powder.
Annual Carpet Cleaning
With a weekly and monthly DIY carpet cleaning routine, you should be keeping your carpets looking great. However, once a year, you should do a deep clean of your carpets. This means you’ll likely have to rent or buy a steam cleaner. However, the recommended solutions can be costly. If you’re looking to save some money on your annual steam cleaning costs, you can use a natural carpet cleaning solution for less. You can see the complete tutorial on One Good Thing By Jillee.
Before you begin your steam clean, do everything you normally would during your weekly and monthly carpet cleaning routine. Though steam cleaning is already a longer process, this will help to ensure the deepest clean possible.
Tough Stains & Pro Cleaning
While keeping to a regular carpet cleaning schedule is ideal, you may have a big event at your home to prepare for or a set in stain that a DIY solution just won’t do the trick. If that’s the case, let the pros handle it. The average cost to hire a cleaning service is $157, with most homeowners spending between $122 and $167. They will bring the knowledge and expertise you need to quickly get your carpet looking its best.
Conclusion
Carpet cleaning is essential to any home. Large or small, over time, it’s bound to get dirty. By creating a routine with DIY carpet cleaning solutions, you can keep your carpet looking great at all times. Create a checklist you can use to keep track of when you need to clean and make DIY carpet cleaning solutions in advance so they are ready when you need them.
Looking for more ideas to keep your house clean and fresh? Read 7 Tips To Make Your House Smell Better.
