Vacuum cleaners have been around a long time. It is hard to even imagine life without having one of these trusty cleaning devices in your own home. In fact, life without a vacuum cleaner seems kind of impossible, doesn’t it? How did our ancestors clean their carpets and floors?
Well, in this article we are going to look at how you can clean your carpet without the aid of a vacuum machine or other carpet cleaning machine. But first, let us take a quick look at the history of vacuum cleaners.
Brief History
The earliest vacuums were invented many years ago. The word “vacuum” comes from the Latin word for “empty”.
These hand-held machines proved very popular throughout Europe during the 19th century. At that time, most people lived in small villages where they had no access to running water. So, using a hand-powered suction device was an effective way of getting rid of dirt and dust that would otherwise be difficult to remove by washing.
Hand-powered suction devices became popular around 1860. The first hand-powered suction device consisted of a simple bag attached to a handle which could be used to suck up various types of waste matter such as mud, sand, and leaves.
In 1877, Thomas Crowther improved on this design with his invention of the vacuum sweeper. This new model featured a rotating brush and a motorized drive system. The vacuum sweeper became extremely popular and remains so today.
In 1905, William Fife developed the first commercially available vacuum cleaner. He named his product after himself. His company name was W.F. Fife & Co. Incorporated.
The modern-day vacuum cleaner has evolved over the past 100 years from being just a tool for removing dirt, into a multifunctional cleaning machine. Modern vacuum cleaners are now equipped with powerful motors, automatic shut-off systems, anti-allergen brushes, HEPA filters, steam mops, and more! All of which are designed to make your everyday cleaning that much easier.
How To Clean Parts Of A Carpet Without A Machine
We have all had a catastrophic spill on our carpets or rugs. It is at times like that when you will need to clean just one spot on the carpet.
But, how do you get rid of that annoying carpet stain without using a machine? Well, there is actually a simple method you can use. All you need are the following:
- Spray Bottle
- Towel or Paper Towel
- White Vinegar – 1/4 Cup
- Dish Soap – 1 Tablespoon
- Water – 1/2 Cup
Mix all of these ingredients in your spray bottle, and you will be ready to get started. Spray your mixture onto the stained area of the carpet, don’t be shy, you can add a generous amount. Using a paper towel or a regular towel you must blot that area until the stain is removed. You can repeat the steps a few times if you have a particularly tough stain that won’t budge.
When you are cleaning your carpet, it is essential that you keep these tips in mind:
- Act Fast – If you do not act fast when you notice a stain or spill you are allowing the discoloration to seep into the carpet, and you will have a tougher time getting it out.
- Test – Before you actually apply your cleaning product it is recommended that you test it out first. Just in case your carpet is not colorfast.
- Don’t Over Do it – When you have a stubborn stain it can be very tempting to really get stuck in and scrub until you get it out. But this can damage your carpet more. Just lightly blot at the stained area and wait for the magic to happen.
How To Clean The Whole Carpet Without A Machine
Cleaning your whole carpet without a machine can be a daunting and even impossible prospect. But, while it is a time-consuming endeavor it is not impossible. Just make sure that you set aside a big chunk of time before you get stuck in with this method.
You will need the following before you get started:
- Lots of Towels
- Spray Bottle
- Baking Soda
- Carpet Brush
- Carpet Shampoo
- Warm Water
Now that you know what you will need, let’s get stuck in to how you can clean a carpet without a machine.
- The first thing you will need to do is sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the carpet. This will help to get any debris off the carpet. After a few minutes, you can use a brush and sweep off the baking soda.
- Now, add about two drops of carpet cleaner to a spray bottle filled with warm water. Once the lid is on, shake the contents so that everything mixes together. At this point, you will need to spray the water and carpet cleaner mixture all over the carpet. Spray enough to make the fibers damp but do not soak the carpet.
- Grab your carpet brush and lightly brush the whole carpet to remove any bits of dirt that have come loose as a result of the spray.
- You will need a lot of towels for this step. Blot the carpet until as much of the moisture is out of the carpet as possible. Once you have as much moisture out of the carpet as possible you can move on to the next step.
- Refill your spray bottle with plain warm water and spray it all over your carpet again. Just make sure the carpet is damp and not soaked.
- Grab another stack of dry towels and blot the carpet to get rid of the remaining dirt.
- If you do NOT have a loop-pile carpet you can do this step. Grab a carpet grooming brush and go over the entire carpet so that everything is neat and tidy.
Now that we know how to clean a carpet let’s talk about some things you always need to keep in mind.
- Pick the Right Day – When you choose a day to clean your carpets, it is recommended that you choose a warm day when you can have the windows open. This will help everything to dry faster.
- Move Everything off the Carpet – Before you clean you must take everything off the carpet. This will make your life much easier once you get stuck in.
- Pick Your Starting Point – When you start your cleaning process, make sure that you start in the far corner of the room and work backward to the door. This is so that you can easily get out of the room if you need to without potentially dirtying your newly clean carpet.
- Sections – It is recommended that you work in sections. This is so that you do not get overwhelmed by having the whole carpet to do all at once.
- Rinse – As you work it is essential that you rinse your carpet thoroughly this is so that all the dirt and residue comes out of your carpet.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we have gathered a few of the most frequently asked questions about cleaning carpets without a machine. So, without further ado, let us get started.
What Can You Use Instead Of Carpet Shampoo
You can use anything from dish soap to laundry detergent. Dish soap works well because it has a mild abrasive quality which helps loosen up the dirt. Laundry detergent works well because it contains enzymes that break down stains.
Does Baking Soda Clean Carpets?
Yes! Baking soda is very effective at getting rid of odors and removing stains. It also cleans grease and grime from your floors.
Can I Wash My Carpet With Water Only?
No! You should never wash your carpet with only water. The reason is that you could damage the fibers of your carpet. If you are looking for a way to clean your carpet without using chemicals then look no further than baking soda.
Does Vinegar And Baking Soda Remove Old Stains From Carpets?
Yes! Both vinegar and baking soda are great ways to remove old stains from your carpet. They both contain acids that break down the stain into smaller pieces.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of neat tricks you can use to clean carpets at home without the help of a vacuum cleaner or other machinery. We hope that our article has helped you discover how you can achieve a perfectly spotless carpet without the help of a machine.
Have a great day, and we will see you next time.