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Carpets and floors can quickly become dirty from spills, pet accidents, high traffic areas, mud being tracked in from outside, and more. While professional carpet and floor cleaning services do a great job, they can be expensive, and it may not be practical to hire them for quick cleanups or routine maintenance. Luckily there are several effective do-it-yourself methods for cleaning carpets and floors at home. Here are some of the top DIY tips and solutions for cleaning carpets, area rugs, hardwood floors, vinyl floors, tile and more.

Vacuuming

The first step in any carpet or rug cleaning routine should always be to vacuum. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush and strong suction. Go over all areas slowly and methodically to lift up as much embedded dirt, dust, pet hair and debris as possible before using any cleaning solutions. Hard floors should also be swept and vacuumed regularly to keep them free of grit that can scratch floors.

Spot Cleaning Carpets

It’s a good idea to spot clean carpets frequently to remove new stains before they have a chance to set in and spread. Mix up a simple spot cleaner by adding 1/4 teaspoon clear dish soap to 32 ounces of warm water. Spray or dab onto the stain, let sit for a few minutes to allow the solution to break down the stain, then blot with clean paper towels or white cloth. Rinse the area with cool water and blot dry. Repeat as needed for tough stains. This works well for stains like food, drinks, dirt, grease and more.

DIY Carpet Cleaner Solution

For periodic overall carpet cleaning, make your own cleaner by mixing 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 2 cups hot water into a spray bottle. Spray onto carpets in 3x3 foot sections, allow to soak in for 5-10 minutes, then scrub the areas with a non-bleach scrub brush. Use towels to soak up the dirt and cleaner residue. Let carpets completely dry then vacuum again. This solution helps lift up dirt from deep in the carpet fibers.

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

For unfinished hardwood floor cleaning, sweep then mop using warm water mixed with a small amount of vinegar or non-sudsing ammonia. For finished hardwood use warm water mixed with a tiny drop of dish soap then mop floors with a barely damp mop. Avoid flooding floors with water as this can damage wood. Always be sure hardwood is dry before walking on it or replacing rugs.

Luxury Vinyl and Tile Floor Cleaner

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and regular vinyl tile floors are easy to clean yourself at home. Simply sweep then mop using warm or hot water mixed with a couple drops of dish soap. Rinse the mop head frequently as you clean then allow floors to dry completely. Do not use excess water that could leak under perimeter edges of vinyl flooring.

Sanitizing Tile Floors

Because tile floors are prone to growing mold and bacteria in crevices and the grout lines, it’s important to sanitize them periodically. Mix 3/4 cup of bleach into 1 gallon of warm water. Mop this solution onto tile floors and grout, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and let air dry. This kills bacteria leaving floors cleaner and fresher smelling.

Area Rugs

Gently beat small area rugs outdoors first to remove dry soil and refresh the fibers before vacuuming them. Flip over and vacuum the rug backing also. For a deeper cleaning, lay washable small area rugs onto a tarp and use a carpet cleaning machine filled with soap and water to wash and extract dirt. Allow it to dry completely before placing rugs back onto the floors.

These are some of the best tried and true homemade cleaner recipes and cleaning methods for effectively cleaning carpets, rugs, hard floors and more inside your home. Following regular DIY cleaning routines can save paying for pricey professional cleanings!

If you feel that your DIY carpet cleaning methods are not capable of restoring the original lush of carpets, you may consider replacing them with new ones. We can help you with it. At Pay As You Go Carpets receive on-the-spot carpet credit. Get £600 today for fresh flooring and make repayments weekly at only £10.