Our poor carpets go through a great deal in their lifetime; trod
on, stamped on, spilled on, and generally subjected to a daily use. This can
be even further exacerbated if your color scheme is on the lighter side of
the wheel. Lighter colored carpets are more susceptible to stains and general
wear and tear, meaning in theory they have to be replaced more frequently.
But can you restore them to their former glory using the correct methods?
Let’s take a look….
Identify
Carpets
are often aged by certain spots being noticeably more stained than others.
When restoring your carpet, look closely at the different areas and identify
the parts that seem more worn and dirty than others. This allows you to focus
on these areas and really makes a difference to the carpet
overall.
Clean
After identifying these
areas, focus your energy on restoring them to match the surrounding carpet.
Use a dedicated spot cleaner, or make your own using a mix of borax, salt,
and white vinegar. Ensure to test any cleaner in an inconspicuous area first,
and leave the solution on for a long period of time to allow it to work its
magic. You should scrub the area after the soaking, but gently so as not to
damage the fibers. Finally rinse and allow to dry.
Clean
(again)
Next, you should vacuum the entirety of the
carpet. Pay close attention to every inch of the material so no debris is
left behind. You should then make another mixture – this time with white
vinegar, salt, and warm water. Use a sponge to scrub this mixture into the
carpet, then allow it to dry before examining to see if any areas need a
little further attention. Finish by vacuuming & your light color carpet
should be looking a great deal healthier than
before!
Dye
If your still unhappy with
the state of your light carpet, look into dying the fibers. You can choose
powdered or liquid dye depending on the end result you require. Rent the
equipment from hardware stores – the type you use should be informed by the
size of the room. Be sure to protect the baseboards with tape and vacuum the
room thoroughly before applying the dye.
