Keep Your Carpets Looking Great

Even if you vacuum your carpets every day, eventually they will need a thorough cleaning.

One option is a steam cleaner, which injects a cleaning solution in the carpet and then immediately removes the liquid and the dirt. If your floor is extremely dirty, however, a rotary shampooer probably is your best bet. Make sure you follow the operating instructions carefully because these cleaners can leave a residue that attracts dirt.

You can rent steam cleaners and rotary shampooers at most carpet stores, home centers and rental centers. A one-day rental with supplies for an 8-by-10 foot room will cost between $20 and $30. Or, you can hire a professional cleaning service for about twice the price.

On a day-to-day basis, spills should be taken care of as they happen. Many types of stains can be removed with a mixture of water and ammonia or white vinegar. Dry-cleaning fluid works well, too.

Unfortunately, these remedies won't work on all stains. For more information, write the Carpet and Rug Institute and request its Spot and Stain Removal Guide, available for $1. This guide gives advice for getting out more than a hundred stains. The address is Box 2048, Dalton, Ga. 30722.

If you're not sure what caused the stain, you may have to try a number of cleaning methods before it's finally is gone. If the spot is still wet, blot out as much liquid as possible. Then use a removal solution available at most carpet stores.

First, test it on a piece of carpeting left over from installation. Or try it on an area of the floor that's out of view. If it doesn't dye the fabric, it's safe to use.

If the commercial solution doesn't work, blot the spot using a small amount of dry cleaning solvent on a white cloth. Follow with a mixture of an eighth-of-a-teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a pint of lukewarm water, which you again blot on the stain. Finally brush the carpet with your finger to restore its texture.