Your expert carpet cleaning guide by Rebtex

When you invest in a high-quality floor covering, be sure to give it the care and love it deserves to stay in the very best condition. As with any floor, carpets will need regular maintenance to guarantee a superior finish. Thanks to the professionals from Rebtex, here are a few top tips to maintaining your quality natural fibre or woven vinyl carpets. They also provide some all-important life hacks with 22 solutions for everyday spills and stains!

Get the basics right! Daily vacuuming is required to maintain your carpets. A thorough cleaning with a dry powder is recommended every 6 months, depending on how much traffic it receives. Sprinkle the dry powder of a reputable brand on the carpet, leave for a while and vacuum. The rubber backing is a natural latex that will crumble in time. A rug, if not fitted with a supporting underlay should be lifted and swept out regularly.

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Solutions to common spills and stains:

As with all spills, you need to work fast to save your rug. Dab the spill and dry with paper towelling as quickly as possible. Remove solid substances using a knife or spoon work in the direction of the fibre. Do not drench the carpet or spill. Apply the cleaning solution and cover the wet spots with a good absorbent cloth or tissue. Place a heavy object on the covered spot and do not walk on the area until it is completely dry.

Cleaning guide: The following list is provided to assist you in the event of a spill:

Alcohol: 

20% shampoo + 5% vinegar & 75% water

Beer:   

Shampoo + vinegar and lukewarm water

Blood:

Old stains: shampoo with 5% ammonia, and then dab with vinegar

New stains: Cold water and salt

Butter: 

A hot iron (clean with shampoo + vinegar + water)

Carpet glue:  

Remove immediately using acetone or alcohol

Chewing gum:

Treat with special stain remover, cover with ice until set hard – crumble and scrape              off the residue using a spoon, observing the fibre direction

Chocolate:

Tepid water + 5% ammonia

Coffee / tea:

Water + shampoo + 10% ammonia

Cola:

Shampoo + vinegar + water

Egg:

Shampoo + cold water + vinegar or 5% ammonia

Grease / grass:

Dab with paper towelling, apply shampoo + vinegar

Ball point:

Water

Jam / Honey:

Lukewarm water and cloth

Lacquer: 

Dab with white spirit – do not rub Latex

paint:

Do not let stain dry – water + shampoo

Lipstick:

Water + shampoo – alcohol if necessary

Mould:  

Water + 5% ammonia

Mud:  

Dry & scrape off and vacuum – iapply 1 big spoon ammonia / l water on stain

Nail polish:

Use acetone and rinse with water

Oil paint: 

Dab with white spirit – do not rub

Red wine:

Immediately dab – vinegar and white wine can be used

Sauce / oil:

Dry carpet powder – water and alcohol

For more on the maintenance of your carpets, visit Rebtex.