How to Clean Carpets and Rugs Without Vacuum?

It’s no secret that carpet can be a dust magnet. Spills, pet hair, food debris, dirt, fine particles of dust, even dust mites are all potential dangers. Well, vacuum cleaning your carpet is the best way to get rid of dirt and debris embedded into it; what if you don’t have a vacuum or if you are looking for more cleaning alternatives. 

Thankfully, there are different ways to clean your rugs and carpets very effectively from the comfort of home without using heavy carpet cleaners. Here we have shared some of the smart ways, tips, and tricks to clean your dirty rugs and carpets on your own. 

1. Remove Loose Dirt and Dust From Your Carpet

• The first step to clean carpets and rugs without vacuum is to remove loose dirt and dust from them. There is no doubt that vacuuming is the best way to tackle the job; still, you can do it using a stiff-bristled broom and dustpan combo. Since they have stiff bristles, they are good for loosening dirt from the carpets. To get the best results, brushing in one direction is a great way to collect all the dirt and dust in one area. It will help you in the easy collection of dirt in the dustpan. You need to keep in mind that brushing in a straight line with short strokes is a good technique here. 
• Another best method to remove loose dirt and dust from your carpet is using a carpet beater. You need to hang your carpet up in the balcony or yard and beat it up with a carpet beater. 
• If you are looking for a more effective and less time-consuming method, carpet sweepers are the best option. They don’t require electricity to run and have a completely manual operation. In addition, having rollers and brushes at the base, they are easy to glide on the carpets and rugs. And thus, the rotating brush captures dirt and dust easily. The best part is that they are very light in weight for easy operation and are an excellent device for carpet’s dry cleaning. 

2. How to Remove Pet Fur from Your Carpet?

Having pets in your home often results in pet fur being deposited into rugs and carpets. So, if you don’t have a vacuum cleaner, you can use the following methods to remove pet hair from the carpets. 

• Lint rollers help effectively in catching out the pet fur from the carpet.
• You can also use your regular kitchen sponge to remove pet fur from rugs. Simply wipe it over your carpet, and it’s done.
• A plain hairbrush also works great on the pet hair in your carpet. For best results, make sure to use a brush having stiff metal bristles. 
• Using a rubber squeegee on your carpets to remove pet hair is another great way. A squeegee collects pet hair that has been deeply embedded in the carpet fibers. And why only a rubber squeegee- since it has natural gripping properties, making it much effective in gathering the pet hair.
• Most importantly, brush and groom your pet often to avoid shredding.

3. Treating Stains on Your Carpet Without Vacuum?

Spot cleaning means removing small and fresh stains from your carpet. So, if you think about dealing with stains of mud, wine, coffee, or blood, etc., without using a vacuum, try out these hacks to get the best results.

I. Organic Stains (like blood, juice, or wine)

Pour on a capful or two of Hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes (no longer than 10 minutes). Now rub it gently using a soft absorbent cloth dipped in warm water. Finally, blot it out completely using a dry towel. 

II. Oil or Grease Stains

Firstly, use a plain cloth or blotting paper to wipe up the oil or grease on the carpet. This will get off most of the top layer. Now, pour a little rubbing alcohol over it for a few minutes. Finally, blot it with a clean cloth.  Sometimes, you may need to repeat the procedure a couple of times if the stain is deeply embedded into your carpet. 

III. Rust Stains

To remove rust stains from your carpet, pour some lemon juice over it and let it sit for about half an hour. Now, gently scrub it with a brush or rag soaked in warm water until the stain disappears. 

III. Wax/Chewing Gum

To remove wax or chewing gum stains from your carpet, fill a plastic bag with ice and rub the area until the stain solidifies. Now break it up with a sharp object. Vacuuming after will give the best results. 

4. How To Deep Clean Your Carpet Manually?

To clean carpets and rugs without vacuum cleaner, we recommend using the best DIY carpet cleaning solution.  

I. Using Dish Soap, Baking Soda, and Table Salt 

So, what you need is dish soap, baking soda, table salt, and water. Now how to make it- it’s as simple as it sounds. 

You need to mix /8 teaspoons of dish soap with hot water inside a spray bottle. Now, mix the ingredients properly. Again, mix equal amounts of table salt and baking soda in a separate container and allow it to combine gently. 

The next step is using this DIY carpet cleaning solution to deep clean your carpet.

Sprinkle the table salt and baking soda mixture onto the area of the carpet where you need to deep clean. Then, spray the dish soap and water solution to it and allow it to sit for at least five minutes. After that, use a soft-bristled brush to gently brush the carpet in a single direction. Brushing helps to collect loose hair and debris from it, making them easy to dispose of.

Now, dry the area using a dry cloth or towel. Once dry, spray some fresh water over it to rinse off the soapy mixture completely from it. Then dry it again with a rag or towel. The method is not only best for spot cleaning but also for the deep cleaning of the whole carpet (but you need a bigger brush).

As a bonus, this DIY carpet cleaning solution works as a deodorizer too. 

II. Using Vinegar

Mix up one part of white vinegar to three parts of water and fill it in a spray bottle. Now spray the mixture on the spot and leave it for a few minutes. Then blot it with a clean microfibre cloth. This will sanitize the carpet and lift stubborn stains and odors.

5. How to Disinfect the Carpets?

Steam cleaning is the best way to disinfect rugs and carpets due to the heat of the water vapor they emit. You can use a steam mop to effectively kill dust mites, pollen, and bacteria from your carpet.

But if you don’t have a steam cleaner, you can also use a simple homemade solution and a scrub brush to disinfect your carpet. What you need is to mix one part of white vinegar with three parts of water in a bucket. Now dip the bristles of the scrub brush and rub them on your carpet well deep into the fibers. After that, blot the excess moisture with a microfiber cloth or rag and dry it completely. 

Do’s and Don’ts of Carpet Cleaning 

Do’s

• Remove all furniture and items from the carpet before cleaning it.
• Use moderate amounts of cleaners and soaps on your carpet to avoid damage to the carpet fibers.
• Rinse off any cleaning solution used during the cleaning process.
• Do a spot test on a corner of the carpet to determine the rug’s color-fastness to prevent its fading, especially when using chemicals like hydrogen peroxide.
• Use a wet cloth to wipe off spills instantly so stains won’t remain on it.
• Ensure the carpet is adequately dried as the trapped moisture may lead to mold or mildew growth in the fibers. 
• Better to open your windows and allow adequate ventilation to quick up the drying process of your carpet.     
• Professional cleaning at least once a year is very much important to extend the life of the carpet.

Don’ts

• Never use neat vinegar on carpet stains as it can damage the carpet fibers.
• Don’t use bleach on natural carpets to avoid damaging the carpet fibers.
• Don’t use too hot or too cold water on carpet stains.
• Don’t rub too much on your carpet while cleaning. 

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