Using Vinegar to Clean Carpets? Here are 6 Things You Must Know!
Vinegar is a magical liquid that has myriad uses.
Most people in Frederick use this eco-friendly solution as a brightener, deodorizer, an all purpose cleaner, and also for cooking.
Moreover, it’s pet and baby friendly and does no harm even if ingested.
Vinegar can also be used for carpet cleaning. If you are looking for a safe and inexpensive alternative to carpet shampoo, vinegar is your answer.
This miracle cure can remove almost all kind of stains – red wine, pet stains or mud.
But does that mean you can directly pour a bottle of white vinegar on the carpet stains?
No!
Always check for color fastness and changes in texture on a hidden area before using it on the entire carpet.
3 Factors to Check Before Using Vinegar
1. Type of Stains
All substances are either alkaline or acidic. To clean, you need to neutralize the impact of the substance’s pH.
If it is an acidic substance, you should use an alkaline agent to clean it and vise versa.
Vinegar is highly acidic with a pH of 2.4 and so has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Due to the acidic properties of vinegar, it can clean alkaline stains like pet urine and wine very easily.
Avoid using vinegar on acidic stains like soy sauce or ketchup. It will make the stains harder to remove.
2. Carpet Material
Carpet material is another vital factor you need to consider before using vinegar for carpet cleaning
Carpets made of natural fibers and wool, or silk are delicate and should not be cleaned with vinegar.
It can damage your carpet fibers permanently.
3. Cleaning Technique
The cleaning method you use will greatly impact your carpet. In case of wet stains, blot it immediately with paper towels.
Then spray diluted vinegar on the stains and blot it. Repeat the process until the stains disappear.
#ProTip
Rubbing will damage the fibers. So don’t rub.
For dry stains, scrape off the residue gently. Also ensure you dilute the vinegar with water prior to using it for carpet cleaning.
3 Ways to Use Vinegar for Carpet Cleaning
1. While Steam Cleaning
If you have a steam cleaner, you can use vinegar instead of chemical based cleaners.
Just pour the solution in the steam cleaning machine and follow the instructions in the manual.
If it tells you to use water along with the cleaning solution, dilute the vinegar as recommended.
If it tells you to use cleaning solution directly, then you can pour vinegar in the tank.
As you start cleaning the carpet, you will notice a strong vinegar smell.
But don’t worry, it will subside as the carpet dries.
2. As a Carpet Deodorizer
Do you know vinegar can also be used to deodorize carpets.
Make a mixture of one teaspoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of vinegar, and two cups of warm water.
Pour it into a spray bottle.
You’ll notice the mixture will start bubbling.
Once the fizz reduces, spray the liquid on the carpet. The odor will banish as the carpet dries.
3. Along With Baking Soda
You may have heard of cleaning carpet with vinegar and baking soda, but not knowing the correct cleaning method may not give you the desired results.
The absorbing property of baking soda when combined with vinegar can be a powerful tool for stain removal.
To use vinegar and baking soda to clean carpets, first pour some amount of vinegar on the stains. Let it soak for a few seconds and then sprinkle baking soda all over the stain.
Vacuum the baking soda and see your stain disappear in minutes.
If you are short of time and not confident enough about using vinegar, contact Dri-Masters. They are the best carpet cleaners in Frederick, Maryland.
