Wall to wall carpeting didn't become popular in the United States until the housing boom of the 1950s. Before then, area rugs were commonly used but most people preferred the look of varnished hardwood floors for both their beauty and ease of cleaning since this was before residential vacuums had been manufactured and priced for the private market. These days, most homes have wall to wall carpeting in nearly every room. This means that more and more home owners had to begin dealing with spills and stains on the carpet and, as a result, many different home remedies sprang up which are still in use today.
Most carpet stains can be dealt with on your own provided you can get to them immediately. For stains such as juice or other beverages, club soda or vinegar can often work minor miracles. Keeping a spray bottle (or three) with various mixtures will help you deal with stains more easily. The basic solutions are detergent or vinegar mixed with water or a bottle of plain club soda. When you see a stain, simply spray with your preferred mixture and blot with a clean cloth. Never rub or scrub at a stain, no matter how tempted you may be, as this can actually drive the stain deeper into your carpet fibers, making it all the more difficult to remove.
For pet stains, odor is usually a major concern. Clean away what you can before spraying the area with a mix of vinegar and water. Again, simply blot until the stain is removed. The vinegar will help neutralize the odor while removing the stain. This same mixture and method can be used in a child's room or play area since vinegar is a natural ingredient and will not irritate skin or aggravate allergies.
While many stains can be handled without much fuss, carpets do see a lot of wear and tear which can result in the entire area looking dull and dirty. One professional who has built a career around carpet cleaning Dallas homes suggests having a professional cleaning once a year. This is the prevailing opinion for most carpet care professionals and if you have children or pets or if you entertain a lot then you may need to have your carpet professionally cleaned more often. The need for this kind of cleaning is not a reflection on your own cleaning skills, it is simply part and parcel with owning carpeting. No matter how good your vacuum is, nothing can really compare to the job trained professionals can do.
Most carpet stains can be dealt with on your own provided you can get to them immediately. For stains such as juice or other beverages, club soda or vinegar can often work minor miracles. Keeping a spray bottle (or three) with various mixtures will help you deal with stains more easily. The basic solutions are detergent or vinegar mixed with water or a bottle of plain club soda. When you see a stain, simply spray with your preferred mixture and blot with a clean cloth. Never rub or scrub at a stain, no matter how tempted you may be, as this can actually drive the stain deeper into your carpet fibers, making it all the more difficult to remove.
For pet stains, odor is usually a major concern. Clean away what you can before spraying the area with a mix of vinegar and water. Again, simply blot until the stain is removed. The vinegar will help neutralize the odor while removing the stain. This same mixture and method can be used in a child's room or play area since vinegar is a natural ingredient and will not irritate skin or aggravate allergies.
While many stains can be handled without much fuss, carpets do see a lot of wear and tear which can result in the entire area looking dull and dirty. One professional who has built a career around carpet cleaning Dallas homes suggests having a professional cleaning once a year. This is the prevailing opinion for most carpet care professionals and if you have children or pets or if you entertain a lot then you may need to have your carpet professionally cleaned more often. The need for this kind of cleaning is not a reflection on your own cleaning skills, it is simply part and parcel with owning carpeting. No matter how good your vacuum is, nothing can really compare to the job trained professionals can do.
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