Of all the resources for people who live in apartments, some of the most critical include information about how you can keep your home clean. Maintaining a clean apartment will help you feel better, make your guests feel more impressed, and will help you get that security deposit back. Keep your place spotless with these nine carpet cleaning tips.
1 – Vacuum Often
One of the best ways to keep your carpet clean is to suck dirt out before it has an opportunity to settle in. Change the bag and filter, then vacuum slowly enough to get all of the dirt you can. Make sure you’re setting your vacuum to the correct height so you can pick up dirt without damaging the fibers. To do this, start with the vacuum high, then lower it until you can feel it begin to pull itself forward. Try to give your carpet a once-over at least weekly, and occasionally give it a deeper clean. When you do a thorough clean, you may want to pre-treat problem areas and move furniture to make sure you get the entire carpet.
2 – Use Floor Mats
Vacuuming won’t be as hard if you place a mat inside or outside your apartment door. This is a good place for you and your guests to shake dirt and moisture off of your feet before you step foot on the carpet. If you want, you can use the mat as a place to remove your shoes before you walk across your carpet to further reduce exposure to soil, wetness, and grime.
3 – Blot Stains Instead of Rubbing Them
If you spill something on your carpet, do not rub it. Rubbing will only push it further down into the fibers. Instead, dab at the spill with something dry to remove as much of the spilled substance as possible. Start at the outside of the stain and work your way in so you don’t spread the stain any further than you need to. Apply just enough pressure to soak the stain into the cloth, towel, or sponge you’re using to blot.
4 – Clean Stains with Shaving Cream
Most households have shaving cream somewhere in them, and it’s actually a great cleaner if you don’t have something specifically created to treat carpet. Shaving cream removes a lot of common stains in a pinch. Spray it onto the affected area and let it sit for about half an hour. That will give it some time to lift the stain before you blot it away with a dry cloth. White clothes are better because they don’t have colors to bleed. Finally, spray the area with vinegar water and wipe it clean to rinse any remaining shaving cream.
5 – Use Club Soda
Club soda is another common ingredient you can use to treat stains. Put it on a cloth and use it to blot the stain. Once you’ve gotten the stain out, rinse the area with warm water, and lay towels on the wet part to help it dry.
6 – How to Get Gum out of Carpet
If you end up with gum on the carpet, getting it out can be a nightmare. The trick is to freeze the gum so it gets less sticky. As gum gets cold, it becomes more brittle, which makes it easier to work with. As a last resort, you can lift the frozen gum and use a sharp knife to free it from the carpet. Just be careful you don’t cut too much of the carpet (or your finger), or you’ll have an even bigger problem!
7 – Lift Spilled Wax
If you love the smell of candles, you might eventually end up with dried wax in your carpet. Use your iron on top of a cloth to re-melt the wax and soak it up. It’s very important to only use the iron for a few seconds so you don’t burn your carpet.
8 – Treat Grease Stains with Dish Detergent
It makes sense that dish detergent can get grease out of carpets since it was designed to get grease off of dishes. Find an excellent grease-cutting type of detergent, then mix some up in a cup of water. Spray it on your grease stain and blot it all up. Repeat as necessary, then rinse and dry the carpet.
9 – Get a Rug
This one isn’t technically a carpet cleaning tip– it’s more of a mess prevention strategy. A dark colored rug under your tables or other areas where you eat and drink a lot can save you a lot of effort in the long run!
Apartments for Rent in Arizona
If your carpet is already too far gone, it’s a sure sign that you need a new apartment. Heers Management offers clean, inviting apartments in Phoenix. All of our units are kept in great condition, so they’re ready for you to move in and set up your new home. Now that you know enough carpet cleaning tips to keep your place pristine, contact us to set up a showing and find your next Phoenix apartment.