Magic carpet tips to sweep the dirt away
It’s a dirty job but then someone’s got to do it and when it comes to cleaning summer dirt from your floors Heather Greenaway reaches for the accessories that are right at hand around the home
CARPETS take a hammering all year round but in summer our floors take an even bigger battering as we trail in and out to the garden to catch the rays.
From daily dirt and paw prints to awkward grass, coffee and wine stains – carpeted floors can end up looking like a herd of cows has traipsed right through the house.
To help you keep your home looking pristine, 1001 Carpet Shampoo (1001carpetcare. co.uk ) has put together some top summer cleaning hacks and tips using just a squeegee, a lint roller and an ice cube.
Lint Roller to the Rescue
Have you noticed that no matter how hard you vacuum, there’s crud, crumbs and hairs your vacuum cleaner just can’t handle?
Try using a lint roller before applying 1001 shampoo or 1001 Carpet Stain Remover – the carpet will absorb the product instead of the dust and mud.
Squeegee that Pet Hair Away
A favourite hack of queen of the clean herself, Mrs Hinch, pet hair is notoriously difficult to remove with just a vacuum cleaner.
If your carpet has very short hairs, then you’re all set with the trusty squeegee. Wet the squeegee and use as you would on a window, then vacuum thoroughly.
Squeegee Those Stairs
Stairs are a difficult area to clean, especially with all those odd angles. With a squeegee and a can of 1001 Carpet Fresh, you can lift the dirt that’s trapped right in the corners that the vacuum can’t get to.
Use the same scraping technique and at the end, spray the carpet starting from the top of the stairs with a deodoriser.
Always Blot, Never Rub
It’s an instinct to rub dirt away but with carpets, rubbing leads to spreading. There’s also a high chance you might work the stain into the fabric. No matter what cleaning solution you use, be aware that only blotting washes the stain away as you’re applying pressure on the spot that leads to liquid being absorbed into the cloth or sponge.
Ice, Ice, Baby
This trick is meant for those impressions left on carpets from furniture, especially when it’s both heavy and not moved often but don’t despair – you can restore your carpet to its former glory with an ice cube. Place a regular ice cube on these dents and leave them to melt. Afterwards, blot the excess water and iron the area until dry through a towel. Once the fibres are almost dry, they’ll be pliable, and you can fluff them up.
Use a Spot Cleaner
Instead of cleaning your whole carpet, use a spot treatment cleaner to keep your carpets looking fresh. Brilliant if you’re in a rush, but the carpet needs a quick spruce.