Your carpets have probably gone through a lot over the years. From kids dragging in mud to pets causing “accidents” to flu season causing bacteria to settle into the fibres. Sometimes, a simple vacuum will not be enough – you need to disinfect your carpet occasionally.
So, in this post, we will teach you how to do just that.
If you:
- Want to sanitise your carpet;
- Are looking for the best way to disinfect a rug;
- Don’t have a steam cleaner,
Then look no further! We have the solution.
Before disinfecting the carpet
Before you disinfect a carpet, there are a few steps you should take to prepare:
- Remove any furniture or items from the area to be disinfected;
- Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove any dirt or dust. This will ensure that the sanitising solution can reach deep into the carpet’s fibres;
- Identify any stains, like milk or tea stains, or heavily soiled areas and treat them before disinfection;
- Test the disinfectant solution you plan to use on a small, unnoticeable area of the carpet to ensure it doesn’t damage the carpet or change its colour;
- Have all the necessary tools ready, such as a spray bottle, clean cloths, and a carpet cleaning machine if using one.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your carpet is properly prepared and that the disinfection process is as effective as possible.
Disinfecting the carpet
Disinfecting a carpet is a must to maintain a clean house. Carpets can accumulate dust, dirt, and even harmful germs and bacteria. While vacuuming can help to remove some of these contaminants, it is important to disinfect the carpet periodically to ensure that it is completely clean and free of harmful microorganisms. Vinegar can be used as a natural disinfectant for carpets and is not only effective but also a low-priced option.
Disinfect a carpet with steam
One of the best ways to disinfect the carpet is to use a steam cleaner. It is a great machine that can help you deep clean your rugs and keep them looking and smelling fresh. Deep cleaning your rugs and carpets should be done at least once a year, so think about adding it to your Spring cleaning list!
So, let’s get right down to it and sanitise your carpet!
With vinegar
What you need: steam cleaner, white vinegar, and vacuum cleaner.
- Prepare a cleaning spray – Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle;
- Spray – Lightly mist the carpet with the spray mixture;
- Let it dry – Let the vinegar dry completely;
- Prepare a cleaning solution – Mix three parts of water and one part of white vinegar and combine them well. Pour it into your steam cleaner’s detergent vessel;
- Clean – Run the steam cleaner over the carpet as per the machine’s instructions;
- Let it dry – Let the carpet air dry. You can speed up the process by improving ventilation, opening your windows or using a fan;
- Vacuum – Once dry, vacuum the carpet to restore the look of the fibres.
With Borax, baking soda and cornmeal
What you need: baking soda, Borax, cornmeal, steam cleaner, white vinegar, vacuum cleaner
- Prepare a cleaning mixture – Mix ½ cup of baking soda, 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup of cornmeal and combine them well;
- Spread – Sprinkle the mixture over the whole carpet;
- Rub – Rub the powder into the carpet fibres using a clean, soft cloth;
- Let it sit – Let the mixture sit and work its magic overnight;
- Vacuum – Vacuum the powder off the carpet in the morning;
- Clean with vinegar and a steam cleaner – Repeat the previous cleaning method for the best results;
- Vacuum – When the carpet dries, vacuum it once again to restore the fibres.
Learn about our professional steam cleaning methods, prices, deals and more.
How to disinfect a carpet without a steam cleaner
We know that you might not own a steam cleaner, and renting one may not be the most budget-friendly option.
Worry not!
You can still sanitise a carpet using the same ingredients but apply a bit more elbow grease. So, here is how to disinfect a carpet without a steam cleaner:
With white vinegar, baking soda and dish soap
What you need: white vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, bucket, clean cloth, scrubbing brush, vacuum cleaner
- Spread – Sprinkle baking soda generously all over the carpet;
- Let it sit – Let it sit for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the cleaning mixture;
- Create a cleaning solution – Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a bucket. Add a little dish soap;
- Scrub – Dip a brush in the solution and scrub the rug thoroughly. Make sure the fibres are not soaking wet but damp;
- Let it sit – Let the mixture sit and work for 5-10 minutes;
- Rinse – Rinse the carpet with a clean cloth and fresh water;
- Let it dry – Let the rug air dry completely;
- Vacuum – Once dry, vacuum it to restore the look of the carpet fibres.
How often should you disinfect your carpet?
Disinfect your carpets regularly, at least every six to twelve months. However, if you live with pets or have children, you may need to do it more often. Also, if someone in your family has been or is sick, disinfect the carpets as soon as possible.
Get a professional to do it for you
Sometimes the best solution to disinfect your carpet is to have it professionally cleaned. The carpet cleaning specialists at Fantastic Services come equipped with everything they need to complete the job – specialised carpet cleaning machines, professional detergents, insurance and experience.
Rest assured, your carpet will be left looking good as new! If you are looking for a professional solution for your vehicle’s carpets, you can book a car valeting service with the addition – “sanitisation”.
Booking is easy – just use our online form and choose a time that suits your schedule!
You need your home sanitised?
Find a professional to take care of your home. Book antiviral sanitisation and cleaning.
Takeaways
- The best way to disinfect your carpet is by using a steam cleaner and white vinegar.
- If you don’t have access to a steam cleaner, you can still use household products to sanitise your carpet.
- Borax and baking soda can help you perform a deeper cleaning of your rugs.
- No matter the cleaning method, always do a test on a hidden area first.
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Did you enjoy this article? How did you get on with disinfecting the carpet? Please share with us in the comments below!
Image source: shutterstock / Pixel-Shot