Shea Simmons
Let’s get real for a second: carpets can get gross. Thankfully, two ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen are all you need to get them clean again, and you can probably guess what they are.
While nothing beats a professional cleaning job, if your carpet needs a refresh, you can give it (and your appliances) your own DIY best deep clean with vinegar and baking soda.
To get started, Alex Varela, general manager of Dallas Maids, recommends sprinkling some baking soda over your carpet and letting it sit for 15 minutes.
It will absorb any odors and soften grease and dirt so they’re easier to clean later. Next, just vacuum as usual, but be sure you’re thorough enough to get any larger particles.
Next, it’s time for the cleaning solution: mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Be sure to use warm, not hot, water, as that could shrink the carpet fibers. Then, spray the solution on specific spots or all over your carpet. After you’re done, it should feel damp, but not wet.
Using a bristle brush, scrub any visible stains. For set-in stains, consider making a vinegar and baking soda paste, applying, and letting sit it for 10 minutes before scrubbing. When you’re finished, just blot dry with a towel. Don’t rub, though, as this could work any missed stains into the carpet.
Finally, let your carpet dry. Be sure you allow some air to circulate to prevent mold and mildew, and boom! You’ve got clean carpets.
[Via MyDomaine]
