5 Old-Fashioned Cleaning Tips for Carpets, Rugs and Floors Home & Garden | Not even Supermom can ensure that no one ever wears shoes in the house, that animals and children never track mud through the halls, or that no one ever consumes food or drinks over the living room carpet. We've all been victims of stains, dirt and odors trapped in the flooring. They attack when you least expect it and cling onto your carpet for dear life, no matter how much you scrub and scrape. For this kind of battle, you need a few secret weapons that people have been using for generations. Your grandmother's mother's mother got her carpet clean without modern vacuum cleaners or stain solutions, so why change something that works? Our 5 old-fashioned cleaning tips can help you be better than Supermom in your battle against the unsightly (and smelly) enemies locked into your carpet, rugs and floor. First up: how to get a hardwood floor spotless without a vacuum cleaner.15 Ways to Fix Everything With Vinegar

Despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of drops, spills, accidents, and whatever's on the bottom of your shoes. To learn how professionals handle problem areas and keep carpets looking new, we spoke with cleaning expert Mark Tarbox, the owner of Best Carpet Cleaning Experts in San Antonio, Texas, who has more than 30 years of experience. Blot Stains, Don't Rub ThemBlot Stains, Don't Rub ThemDab stains with a cleaning solution and a clean cloth, paper towels, or a sponge. "The key is blotting. Blotting puts a small amount of pressure on the stain to soak it up," Tarbox says. "Rubbing causes the particles to get ground into the carpet fibers, and this can lead to the premature breakdown of those fibers." Always blot from the outside of the stain inward, as blotting outward can spread the stain. The Club Soda ProcessThe Club Soda ProcessYou may have heard that club soda is effective against beer and wine stains. It's true—if you use it correctly.

Blot the area with the soda on a cloth. If that doesn't work, mix one part white vinegar with one part water and pour it into a handheld sprayer. how much does a pool acid wash costSpray the solution on the entire stained area and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to soak in. pool cleaning leaf netThen press a clean sponge onto the area to soak up the solution and the stain. above ground pool cleaners canadaTarbox says you may have to repeat this process to eradicate the stain.carpet cleaning cost estimatorOnce the stain is gone, rinse the spot with warm water. handheld steam cleaners do they work

Use your hand to brush the carpet strands into their natural direction. Finally, lay white paper towels over the area and weigh them down with something heavy, like a phone book. carpet cleaning extractors saleThe towels will absorb the dampness from the carpet. Leave the towels in place until the carpet is dry, usually about one day. 3 Tough Chainsaws, Tested How to Fix Washing Machine and Dryer Problems What to Do When You Find Old, Disconnected Wiring Behind Your Walls How to Make Speaker Holes in Your Ceiling 4 Tips for Building Your Own Bar 8 Tips for Installing Laminate Flooring Who Knew Watching a Box Get Built Could Be So Satisfying? Stacked Wood Screens Are Certainly One Way to Cover Your Fireplace How to Install & Cut Crown Molding Easily Tips & Tools to Regrout Your Bathroom How to Build This DIY WorkbenchFollow me over to the blog for more homemade goodness . . .

I have a confession. I'm obsessed with vinegar. I first discovered my love for vinegar when it came to cleaning our wall-to-wall white carpet. Vinegar has helped me maintain my sanity (while living with white carpet and two hot-mess-cats) until we can finally rip our carpet up for good. Over time, I discovered so many more uses for vinegar. I thought I would share some of my fave vinegar tips with you today. Although the majority of our house is filled with annoying carpet, we also have a lot of tile. I used to use my beloved Swiffer on them, but about 6 months ago I somehow snapped it in half. Apparently I'm an aggressive mopper. Rather than replace it, I decided to bust out my old sponge mop and try something new. All I do is mix 1/2 cup of vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water and then use my sponge mop to clean the floors. And now I can never go back....the vinegar just works so well and makes the floors so shiny. We have a sink that was painted white by the previous homeowners  (with the same stuff I painted our tile with) and it gets seriously disgusting really quick.

So does the drain. I daydream about a life without a white sink. Anyways, I clean and deodorize the whole thing by pouring a cup of baking soda in the drain followed by one cup of vinegar. I let it sit for 5 minutes and then run hot water down the drain. Then, I soak a sponge in vinegar and clean the sink. It makes it sparkly clean and gets rid of any grossness. This little tip is actually what inspired this entire post. My sweet Mama read my paint tricks post and told me she really loved the vinegar tip. It got me thinking about how I use vinegar for a bazillion different things, and that it would be fun to share some of them with you. You can see the vinegar paintbrush tip here. A great idea for the holidays. 10 thrift store furniture makeovers. Follow my blog with Follow my blog onWhat Are Those Black Patches in My Bathroom?What is that stuff collecting in the corners? What is that mildewy smell? It must be mold again! There are many chemicals on the market that can kill mold, but polluting your house with additional toxic stuff might be counterintuitive if you're trying to avoid health hazards.

Don't worry, there are several safe and natural ways to get rid of black mold in a bathroom or carpet. Save money by using common household products you may already have in your kitchen cupboard and avoid paying expensive service bills. If you have a small infected area, you can clean it up yourself without a professional. Is Black Mold Dangerous?Left unchecked, it can be a health hazard, causing potential respiratory problems and severe allergic reactions. Especially if you have a pet, a baby, or elderly folk in the home, it can be detrimental to their immune system! Step-By Step Guide: How to Get Rid of MoldStep 1: Find some eye goggles, a pair of latex or rubber gloves, and protective clothing that covers your whole body. Wear a filter dust mask to prevent inhalation. Step 2: Contain the effected area. To do this, use duct tape and a plastic sheet to seal off vents or openings where air might flow in or out. You might place a small fan in an open window to direct the mold spores outdoors.

Remember, mold can easily be transported to different areas in your house on pets or on the soles of shoes. Step 3: Take a stiff brush and clean the area with mild soap and water. Throw away all porous items or materials exposed to the mold. Step 4: Apply a disinfectant (one of the solutions listed below) to the area. Don’t forget to spray the surrounding area to kill mold spores you can't see. Step 5: If directed, rinse the area with hot water. Let it dry completely. If there’s excess water, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to suck it up. Vacuum thoroughly after the area has completely dried. Do not scrape dried mold, as it can be released into the air. What Products Can Be Used to Clean up Black Mold? Wear eye goggles and a mask to protect yourself! Cleaning Black Mold YourselfInstead of calling in the experts and paying a hefty amount to have the mold removed, there are ways you can handle the problem yourself. Before you begin, here are some ideas for how to do it and what you'll need.

Vinegar: The Cheapest, Safest Way to Remove Black MoldVinegar is a non-toxic and safe alternative. According to one study, a solution of vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% mold, and 80% germs such as viruses. Keep a spray bottle full of white distilled vinegar in your bathroom and kitchen for quick cleaning. Personally I don’t mind the smell of vinegar but if you find it too strong and unpleasant, just add a few drops of essential oil (like lavender) and you will be able to tell the difference. Tea Tree Oil Is Also Extremely Effective!Getting rid of black mold with tea tree oil is an extremely effective method. Tea tree is an essential oil that is safe for people and pets. It is more expensive than vinegar but a few teaspoons go a long way. I've used it successfully on a small area of the rug and a moldy shower curtain. It does have a distinct smell but don't worry, the smell will dissipate over time. Since it has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, aside from killing all types of mold, tea tree oil can be useful for treating lice, dandruff, athlete's foot, and many other conditions.

It is a good idea to buy a small bottle and keep in your house. Remember, a little goes a long way. TIP: Make sure you buy real tea tree oil, made from the Melaleuca alternifolia. To mix the solution: 1 teaspoon tea tree oil Combine in a spray bottle, shake, and spray on effected areas. You don't need to rinse. If you have extra solution left, just save it for later since it won't lose its potency. Grapefruit Seed ExtractThe advantage of using grapefruit seed extract is that it is odorless. It is also expensive and can be bought at most health food stores or online. Grapefruit seed extract will also disinfect and deodorize the area. How to mix the solution: 20 drops grapefruit seed extract Combine in a spray bottle and spray on effected areas. Like tea tree oil, it has a long shelf life and can be saved. Other Mold Removal ProductsUnless you have an extremely large affected surface, these should be your last alternatives due to their toxicity.

Some may even harm the surface the mold is growing on. Use these solutions with caution. Borax: Use a ratio of 1 cup Borax to 1 gallon water. Hot water will dissolve the Borax quicker. Although Borax doesn't give off toxic fumes, it is less effective on carpets. It is recommended on hard, flat surfaces like tiles. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a scrubbing brush or cloth to wipe the mold away. There's no need to rinse. Hydrogen Peroxide: Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Leave it on effected area for 10 minutes before rinsing. Although hydrogen peroxide is a safer alternative to bleach, it is a bleaching agent, which may cause material to fade. Ammonia: Mix a solution of 50% "clear" ammonia and 50% water. Do not mix with bleach, as this will create an extremely toxic, dangerous fume. After spraying the solution on effected area, leave it for 2-3 hours before rinsing. Bleach: Use a ratio of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water.

Spray it on and don't bother rinsing. Bleach cannot completely kill mold growing in porous materials. It only kills the top surface and, if left in a pool, it creates a moist area that invites mold to grow back. Another disadvantage of using bleach is that it emits corrosive chemical fumes and will damage cloth and other porous materials. Shopping List for Do-It-Yourself Mold RemovalPlastic sheets to close openings and doorways Disinfectant (see list of options above) And don't forget a vacuum, fan, and protective clothing, if needed! What Is Black Mold?It is a growth of small organisms, particularly Strachybotrys chartarun and Strachybotys astra, which are extremely dangerous to younger kids, babies, and older people, and have been linked to many health problems, including respiratory problems like bronchitis and asthma. Pets can also develop rashes and other issues when exposed. Black mold can be found anywhere in your home, including ceiling tiles, water-soaked wood, walls, floors, and carpet.

Small leaks or plumbing problems often lead to the growth of mold because the organism thrives best in moist environments. Flooding or leakage from the rain can leave carpets damp for a prolonged period of time. If your carpet has gotten wet and did not dry thoroughly, mold may bloom and spread in that damp area. If you touch it with a gloved hand, it feels slimy. It usually looks black but may also have a shade of greenish-yellow and spreads in a spotty pattern. Black mold will have a very distinct mildew smell. Sometimes the signs are not as evident. It may grow in places where you can't see it, like behind a wall or under a carpet. If you begin experiencing an allergic reaction or suddenly having respiratory problems, you should check for signs of black mold. Mold Prevention Is Key!According to the CDC, there are some preventative measures you can take to battle black mold. The following are some of their suggestions:Maintain moisture levels in your home. Buy an air purifier.

It can help clean the air and destroy spores. Make sure there is adequate ventilation. Use a fan or open the windows to your bathroom or window. Black Mold Health EffectsAccording to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), Stachybotrys is responsible for mold allergies and over 100 cases of lung disorders. To avoid the risk of getting mold allergies, it is extremely important to remove all mold, regardless of what type you find. Your family’s health depends on it. People who have allergies, respiratory disease, or any type of immune suppressing disease should be especially wary. Symptoms of a Reaction to MoldMinor symptoms include: Headaches, dizziness, red eyes, rashes and hives, asthma, lethargy, and/or wheezing. Major symptoms to look for: Memory loss, irregular blood pressure, damaged digestion, damaged respiratory, and/or infertility. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health problems. You should contact your doctor immediately and get rid of the mold!