Vacuum a carpet regularly to keep it in good condition.
Rugs and carpets in the main areas of the home tend to get a lot of wear. Maintain them on a regular basis so they feel soft under foot, add warmth to a room, look good and last a long time.
Rugs and carpets need to be cleaned and vacuumed regularly as footprints, food, grease or other stains will spoil their appearance and may also leave smells. Follow these tips to keep rugs and carpets spotless.
• Vacuum a carpet regularly and thoroughly to keep it in good condition, rather than waiting until the dirt becomes visible.
• For the first 6 months, gently brush new rugs to loosen and pick up material.
• Authentic Oriental rugs should be vacuumed only occasionally. Keep the suction level low to avoid damaging the fine fibers.
• Wet-clean every rug or carpet from time to time. Put small, washable rugs in the washing machine and clean larger ones by hand with a mild detergent, using a soft-bristled brush or sponge to release the dirt and grime. Rinse afterwards with water and, whenever possible, hang rugs outdoors to dry.
• Use a homemade cleaning powder for rugs. Mix 3 tablespoons (45 ml) soap flakes with 2 cups (500 g) cornstarch. Sprinkle the mixture on the rug, work it in with a scrub brush and vacuum.
• Clean and freshen a rug by sprinkling it with moist salt. Let the salt work for a few minutes and vacuum.
• Grate fresh potatoes and scald them with boiling water. After 3 hours, strain them and brush the rug with the potato water. Let it dry and vacuum.
• Freshen a rug’s colors by rubbing it with vinegar and water.
The occasional accident is unavoidable, but prompt action will help to prevent a permanent stain.
• Soak up rug spills immediately with clean, dry cloths. Weigh them down and leave them for several hours before treating the stain. When removing stains, work from the edge towards the center.
• Soften dried stains with glycerin to help to loosen them before further treatment.
• Treat coffee stains immediately by dabbing the soiled spots with a solution of 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vinegar and 4 tablespoons (60 ml) water, or a solution of mild detergent. Coffee stains should always be treated as quickly as possible.
• Use cold mineral water on bloodstains, blotting with a clean towel as you go.
• A minor burn spot that hasn’t destroyed the pile of a carpet or rug can be removed with an onion-based mix. Boil 1 cup (250 ml) vinegar, 1/4 cup (50 ml)talcum powder and two coarsely chopped onions. Allow to cool, then apply to the spot and let dry. Once dry, brush off the residue and rub the fibers gently until the burned bits disappear.
• To repair burn holes, use a razor blade to cut some fibers from a section of the carpet that’s hidden. Put some all-purpose glue into the burn hole and arrange the fibers in it. Weigh down until the glue dries.
• Treat grass stains with a solution of 1 cup (250 ml) water with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) ammonia, then dab the spot with plain water.
• Soak up grease or oil stains by sprinkling them with plain flour or cornstarch. Let sit for an hour, brush off and remove the residue with water.
• Blot wine stains with paper towels and treat with a solution made from 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) mild detergent and 1 quart (1 L) water. Blot any excess liquid.
• Never put salt on fresh red wine spills because it will set the stain and could leave an indelible blue mark on the pile. Also, it will cause the carpet to remain damp.
• Remove hardened chocolate with a knife, and dab away the residue with cold water, followed by warm water.
• Horrified to find a big wad of chewing gum stuck to the rug? Don’t worry. Place a plastic bag filled with ice cubes over it. This will make the chewing gum brittle and it can then be chipped away with a spatula or spoon.
TREAT WINE STAINS with DETERGENT, NOT SALT.
• To prevent furniture from leaving imprints in a carpet, buy little round plastic coasters just slightly larger in diameter than the feet of the furniture to place underneath them.
• Remove imprints by placing a damp cloth on them and ironing it carefully. Then brush the fibers in the opposite direction.
• Don’t let rugs slide. Place rubber rings from canning jars under each corner of a rug to keep it in place and use an antislip underlay to stop larger rugs from moving.
• Avoid electric shocks by spraying synthetic fiber carpets with a mixture of 1 cup (250 ml) liquid fabric softener and about 10 cups (2.5 L) water.
• To straighten rug fringes, spray them with laundry starch and smooth them with a comb.
• Spray straw rugs occasionally with a little salt water to keep them flexible.
• Use baking soda to remove bad smells from rugs. Simply sprinkle it on the surface, let it work for half an hour and vacuum it up. For stubborn odors, rub the carpet first with vinegar and water, then apply the baking soda.
Removing furniture impressions
1 Move the item of furniture to one side so you can reach the impression.
2 Place an ice cube on the compressed fibers to make them swell up then vacuum to make the pile stand up again.
