In a small bowl or bucket, mix one part white vinegar with three parts water. Dip the bristles of the scrub brush in the solution and rub them into the carpet. Massage the fibers thoroughly (without completely saturating the carpet) and follow with a cloth to help remove excess moisture. Don't become one of the many homeowners paralyzed by the idea of cleaning your carpet just because you don't know how to start.
If you're using a steam mop, make sure you have a carpet cleaning accessory that reduces friction and protects carpet fibers from damage. To clean carpets without a carpet cleaner, start by drying out any accumulated liquid or collecting solids as quickly as possible. Regularly vacuuming carpets is great, but that's not going to make carpets look like new. This cleaning trick works best on smaller, handmade rugs or old wool carpets, but you can also clean larger, heavier carpets if you have a few helping hands.
Then, moisten a clean cloth with water and wipe the stain dry, taking care not to rub or rub the area, as it may worsen the stain. Maybe you need to clean your carpet right away, want to save some money, or you just want to test it to see if you can. Of course, you'll need to check the carpet manufacturer's cleaning guidelines first, but superheated steam is great for removing dirt, removing grease and killing bacteria. In many cases, the stain will be absorbed without the need for any cleaning, just make sure you vacuum the area thoroughly.
Combined with some things you probably already have in your pantry (such as baking soda, white vinegar, and salt), you can even easily remove old stains from the carpet. Today's carpet cleaning machines are easy to access and are much less clumsy, and professional carpet cleaning companies have turned the process into a science. Renting those clumsy steam cleaners can get expensive over time, and calling the professionals to do the job will cost even more. If you've been researching how to clean the carpet yourself, you probably already know that there are several options.
If you can't imagine using a carpet cleaning machine as often (or if you don't have space to store it), you can rent one at your local home improvement store. With a few simple tricks and some supplies that you probably already have on hand, you can keep your carpet looking fresh and remove even the most persistent stains.
