When it comes to DIY carpet cleaning, you can’t go wrong with a shampooer. In this article, I’ll show why and how using one benefits not only your wallet but also your home!
One of its most attractive advantages is cost-effectiveness – which means that instead of spending more on professional service providers who may not do adequate work or provide quality results due to their high price; all while leaving behind an unimpressive appearance once everything has been cleaned (if done correctly), people will now have saved money doing things themselves at littlee..
Carpet Cleaning With Homemade Shampoos
Compared to other cleaning methods, cleaning carpets yourself is one of the simplest and most cost-effective tasks you can undertake.
There are still many things that can go wrong, but once you understand how to clean carpets properly, it can be an excellent way to save money.
Many people think that because they purchased the carpet shampooer, which it doesn’t take much to clean. It can be convenient to clean whenever you want, though, it can cost you more money if the carpets aren’t cleaned properly.
So, this brings us to the question of homemade carpet cleaning solutions.
There are many different opinions when it comes to cleaning carpets; should we should clean them ourselves, whats the best method, how safe is it, will it damage my carpets and so on. One of the most confusing topics can be homemade carpet cleaners. Most carpet shampooers that are in the open market of cleaning supplies come with manufacturer made detergents that claim to clean effectively. There are also carpet shampoos that are sold seperperatly that can have different benefits that the manufacturer carpet shampoos mostly don’t offer. Then, there is the cheapest way to clean, and that’s using homemade recipes. Then again, is it the cheapest way to clean? The answer, in theory, it is. Most recipes are made from cheap household ingredients that work together as a solution to clean the carpet. Then, there are some methods that aren’t as great as others, and can cost you more long term. The average carpet cleaner has been tested to see the effects on your carpets. Using homemade methods can either be a great thing or not. Carpets can last about ten years with proper maintenance, but using the wrong homemade method can quicken the wear on a carpet. A carpet cleaned with the wrong methods of cleaning can have you replacing a new carpet in as little as two to three years. That is a huge expense and definitely isn’t budget friendly, completely ruining the benefit of the cost-effectiveness of cleaning carpets on your own. So how can you win? Cleaning your carpets can lead to replacing and not cleaning will also result in replacing! Before you choose the best method or methods for your cleaning, consider the options.
1. Manufacturer Carpet Cleaning Detergent
As stated before, this detergent usually comes with your new carpet shampooer as a courtesy from the company. It can be sample size, or you can get bonuses, either way, trying it out can be ideal. In many cases, these detergents can work well, especially if you are buying a quality carpet shampooer. This isn’t always the case though and what works for others may not work for you. One of the major issues about these manufacturer detergents is that they work well, but they can be costly. They can give you that sample size, have you happy, then you find out the actual cost of going out and buying refills. Some machines also make this worse because they use a lot of detergent in one clean. This can cost you a lot, not as much as other methods, but it can still be an issue for those on a tight cleaning budget but have big messes to clean continuously. Many say that manufacturer carpet shampoos offer the bets cleaning solutions as far as getting down deep and getting rid of stains. They have chemical ingredients made for the most efficient cleaning while reducing the amount of residue left behind. With this in mind, those chemicals may not always be the best for the environment. As technology advances, they are creating environmentally conscience cleaning shampoos.
2. Other Cleaners
There are cleaners that are made to be used on any machine. They usually aim to be more environmentally friendly, and also be safer for the family while still providing the best clean. These cleaners can be very useful and can still be cost effective if you buy a quality brand of carpet cleaner. These types of carpet detergents also can be aimed at cleaning pet accidents, one of the most stubborn stains because of the smell that can come along with it. These types of cleaners that are environmentally aware can come with non chemical smelling odor blockers, perfect for those stains that can linger because of the scent. One of the common issues with these more natural detergents is that they can be soapy. This can mean you can use less and make the bottle last longer for you. Of course, it’s still important to get rid of the stain.
3. Homemade Recipes
This is the most natural way to clean your carpets because you should know everything you put on it. This method can be the most rewarding depending on the ingredients, and can either make or break your carpets. That’s why it can be a little riskier. If you choose to use at home methods, be sure to get the best ingredients.
Using Homemade Methods? Here Are Some Helpful Tips
It’s not easy trying to stay on budget, but using a homemade recipe can be beneficial. Here are some tips that can help you save money by not cleaning improperly.
1. It’s probably something you have heard of, but baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent. It is often used to clean even the toughest of stains and leaves surfaces sparkling. So, why not carpets? Well, of course, it depends on whatever works for you but using baking soda to clean carpets can cost you more money. The small particles of baking soda is made of stays in carpet padding and can lead to the need for replacing the carpet, something you should be avoiding if you can help it. Also, the carpet shampooer you invested in can get clogged or loose suction, depleting its efficiency to clean your carpets.
2. Test a section of carpet first. There are many homemade recipes that are out there. That doesn’t mean they will all work for you or have the same reaction as others. You can test on a small spot on the carpet and wait until it drys to access whether or not that carpet cleaner is for you.
3. Always read the fine print. It is always an excellent quality that your carpet cleaner comes with a warranty, but you may not be fully protected if you use home remedies on your machine. Certain warranties can only protect your investment if you use the manufacturer’s machines.
Cleaning With DIY Carpet Cleaners
One of the main reasons to clean with self-made carpet shampoos is the non-toxic nature of it. It also can be the cheapest way to clean the carpets. Here are some of the ingredients used to clean carpets with machines.
- Dishwashing Liquids
Many at-home recipes come equipped with a dishwashing liquid. It’s something you probably already buy so it can be easily accessed. It may seem way too simple, but the dishwashing liquid method has worked for many.
- Vinegar
Another common ingredient, it can have significant benefits for cleaning carpets effectively. It can be found working well with salt for light stains, and it is used in many recipes.
- Other Detergents
You can find other detergents for cleaning clothes in these recipes. The mixtures can create effective cleaning methods for your carpets.
Knowing The Warning Sign Of An Old Carpet
There are stains that simply can not be cleaned. Whether you hire a professional or not. Be aware of these signs as you clean your carpet. Again, if you clean your carpets the right way, then you can have a longer last carpet. Regardless, carpets are a luxury that will eventually fade, become worn, and need replacing. Carpet shampoo cleaners only go so far, so try using the best possibly methods to make the carpet lasts longer.
- Carpet Padding
It can be easy to know that your carpet needs replacing. You can also understand if your method of cleaning is damaging your carpets. The padding is basically the cushioning under the initial carpet. Any crinkling sound when walking on a carpet can be a sure sign of needing replacement. The cleaning method you choose may not clean the padding because it still absorbs the spills, but using carpet friendly methods can help.
- Odor
Stains can cause odors that linger in the carpet, but after a while if you notice that no matter how much you clean the odors seems to last, then it may be time to get a new carpet to clean. Carpet odors can not only be annoying and uncomfortable but can cause allergy symptoms for those in the vicinity.
- The Aesthetic Nature Of The Carpet
A carpet that needs replacing can be easy to spot. Stains that won’t leave and rips and tears can mean that a carpet has to be substituted.
It may be a bit dramatic to say you’ll be cleaning with more risk but for someone who doesn’t know what they are doing they can cost themselves more money. Carpets are great to have but whatever cleaning method you use, you have to understand it thoroughly, so you can protect the carpets you adore.