I have thick reddish burgandy carpet that I vacuum with my dyson every other day. So I'm not concerned with stains because you really can't see any. But the grease from ground in muffins, raisins, split milk and etc can be felt since we walk around in bare feet. It is getting pretty gross. I'd like to put a tarp or something over the carpet (at least until the kids stop dropping food), but my husband objects. So for now, I just have to find someway of cleaning up the grease. Since the area is too big for a "spot" cleaner I wanted to use the Zorb dry cleanser but don't want to risk the kids getting sick from it. Has anyone had any success with any dry "baby-safe" materials? I was thinking baking soda, but not sure if it would work. I had a wet/dry bissel vac, but I gave it away along time ago because I had no room to store it and it was very big and bulky. I've heard of Chem dry cleaners, but it's only one room I need cleaned and I don't exactly have alot of cash to throw around. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
rent a Rug Doctor from Home Depot or Safeway for about $20 & buy the carpet cleaner. It works great!
Dear S.,
You can definitely rent a steam vac pretty inexpensively and they work really well. Some years ago, I bought a Hoover Steam Vac on one of the shopping channels. Not only was it sale priced, but it was free shipping and handling and on "easy pay", meaning they broke the payments up over 3 months. I have MORE than gotten my money out of it! It's basically a vacuum cleaner with a tank on it....very easy to use.
Anyway, I would just clean the whole carpet in your dining room and start fresh. I've given this advice before, but what I did when my son was little was get vinyl backed table cloths at the dollar store and put them under his high chair and his regular chair when he got big enough to sit in it by himself. They catch all the spills, can easily be wiped off and even thrown in the washer and dryer several times before they wear out. You can put them down and then pick them up at each meal or snack time. They really do save your carpets! I used to buy about 5 every time I went to the dollar store. They're also great to use when the kids are painting or using play-doh or clay. They are real mess/time savers.
I agree with your husband, a tarp is a bit much, but I think you'll find the wipeable tablecloths a very portable, simple, and inexpensive solution until your little ones are better able to keep food off the floor.
Best of wishes!
Hi S.-
I have been told that a combination of washing with baking soda and rinsing with vinegar (which is totally safe) removes just about everything.
As far as dry products go, I am no expert. But these work for me (see below) and I swear by them.
1. Natures miracle (may take a few soakings). Let it dry and then vacuum. The enzymes should break down the nasty bits.
2. De-Solve It. This gets out paint, blood, grease, oil, grass stains, etc. It's a spray bottle and comes in a citrus/lemony scent and works miracles. Just spray on, rub, and then use water to "rinse."
3. Soi-love. I am not sure how to use this on carpets, but it also is a miracle worker.
4. Baking soda- if the grease is fresh, sprinkle it on and let it soak it up.
5. Dr. Bronners pure castille soap: $10 for a large bottle at Target- in the cosmetics section.
THe last thing is that you might want to rent a carpet steamer for an afternoon. Whatever the soap is they recommend, I recommend adding natures miracle to it.
I hope this helps!
-E. M
Baking soda is great for getting grease out of clothes — sprinkle it on the spot and iron it — so I would give it a try for the carpet.
An alternate suggestion to putting down a tarp is to add an area rug under the table. That way if you do get permanent stains, at least it won't be on your ”big“ carpet.
Good luck!
Try white vinegar, it works wonders. You should try it on a hidden part first then if no color change go for. Pout it directly on the stains, wait a few minutes then blot up. You might even warm it up before pouring it on the stains.
Good luck.
S.!
The product you are looking for is called Sol-U-Mel! It works wonders!! It is from a line called ecosense. Everything is 100% natural. Which means safe for everyone in your family! Take a look at it, I pronise you wont be let down! www.SaferForYourHome.com
Best Of Luck,
C.
Helping moms work from home
www.AtHome4MyGirls.com
Best way to get out stains and grease is to get a big bottle of spray Folex sold at Home Depot. Get a large plastic outdoor garden rake, can also pick up at Home Depot. Spray area and scrub vigorously back and forth, from all sides. Let dry and you not only get a clean carpet but a little arm exercise too. Another tip, I used my indoor garden rake to scoop up all the Lego, trains, toys into a pile and then let my boys sort them out and put them away.
We purchased a Hoover Steamvac at WalMart for around %60. It's a great investment in my opinion, and you can use any safe liquid cleaner in it as long as you don't put too much in. Some cleaners are more concentrated so you'd have to be aware of the concentration and adjust accordingly. It works a lot easier than trying to scrub the area by hand, and has the vacuum effect to pull stuff out of the fibers of the carpet rather than just getting the surface clean.
I do like the suggestion you got from someone about putting down an area rug. Also, if you haven't already done so, be sure you give the children a limited area that's designated for eating food ... such as only while they are seated at the coffee table.
S.
You could always rent a rug doctor. Its only 19.99 without chemicals for 24 hours.
W. M.
Hi S.,
You might want to try Charlie's Soap. You either spray and scrub or put it in a steam cleaner. Totally safe for use around kids and pets. I wash my cloth diapers with their detergent. The cleaner is cost effective and works miracles. Go to www.charliesoap.com. Good luck!
J. S.
