Don't be lazy, get a door mat!
It's common sense, but think of how many of your friend's apartments and dorms lack the welcoming sight of door mat. These 18x28-inch patches of nylon fibers are your front line defense against the threat of mud, gum, and whatever green liquid you stepped on this morning. They are inexpensive, so go get one with your university's logo on it to show off your school pride, or maybe a funny one so everyone in the hall knows how unique and witty you are. Go you!
The No Shoe Rule
Why? Because germs. This one may have more to do with neurosis than actual facts–but living in an urban environment and seeing all the disgusting things that end up on the sidewalk? Yuck. I definitely don't want to track pesticides and lead paint in, but neither am I interested in tracking in dog waste and other bodily fluids thank you very much.
Layers!
If your friends are any type of fun you will eventually be engaging in some sort of drinking game. Whether its beer pong, ring of fire, flip cup, or quarters, all types of liquids will be splashing. So again be prepared, use a tarp, plastic bags, or plastic cover (all which can be found at your nearby hardware store). Arrange furniture to avoid people tripping and spilling their juice. Have your cleaning materials easily accessible for your guests.
Don't be lazy, walk your dog!
Pets are awesome, no argument there. But those furry balls of happiness can be the main culprits responsible for you losing your deposit. Have a set a schedule to walk your dog and you''ll be surprised how much "accidents" are greatly reduced. Pups are adorable but remember potty training isn't an overnight process so stains will most likely be unavoidable. In the event that there is an accident here's a way to clean it up:
Use old vinegar and baking soda. The steps are the important part. Pour enough vinegar to soak the stain and then add a small amount of baking soda. If you do the reverse, you will have a noisy, bubbly mess. Do it the right way, and you can hear the recipe cackling away, telling you how it is cleaning and deodorizing without leaving any residue. You need to let the spot dry for a day or two before sweeping up and then vacuuming. We cover the spot with a bowl or plate so that we don't have baking soda kicked from heck to breakfast. You can actually see the yellow color being absorbed up into your little mountain of baking soda
Be prepared!
Being prepared with house hold items like vinegar, baking soda, non-acetone remover, will help you attack any stain at a moments notice. The faster stains are dealt with, the better result you'll have. Here are a few tips to deal with the most common stains, you're welcome.
Alcoholic beverages: Quickly dilute the spot with cold water. Absorb the excess liquid. Then mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Apply the solution to the spot, and let the carpet dry. Vacuum gently.
Blood: Absorb as much of the blood as you can. Then mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Apply the solution to the spot, and let dry. Apply dry-cleaning fluid. Vacuum gently after the carpet is dry.
Chewing gum: Chewing gum can be a sticky mess, so harden it by pressing an ice cube against the blob of gum. Once hardened, the gum can be pulled off.
Chocolate: Immediately scrape the chocolate from the carpet. Mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Apply the solution to the spot. Rinse well. Vacuum gently.
Coffee: Blot spilled coffee immediately. Then mix1 teaspoon mild detergent,1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Apply the solution to the spot, and let dry. Apply dry-cleaning fluid. Vacuum gently after the carpet is dry.
Mud: Allow the mud to dry completely and then brush or scrape off as much as possible. Mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Apply the solution to the spot. Let the carpet dry. If the stain remains, apply dry-cleaning fluid and blot dry. When the spot is completely dry, vacuum gently.
Nail Polish: Blot gently and don't rub as you want to make sure you don't make the stain larger by spreading it around. If you have light colored carpet, a non-acetone remover is probably your best bet in getting the polish removed. Place a small amount on a cloth or sponge and blot the stain until no color remains.
Soft drinks: The carbonation in soft drinks will help you clean spilled drinks quickly, but act fast because some of the dyes in the drinks can permanently stain your carpet. Blot up the spilled drink. Mix 1 teaspoon mild detergent, 1 teaspoon white vinegar, and 1 quart warm water. Apply the solution to the spot. Let the carpet dry. If the spot remains, repeat the procedure. Vacuum gently.
Vomit: Treat vomit quickly. Blot up as much as possible, then dilute immediately with baking soda and water or with club soda. Apply a solution of 1 part ammonia and 10 parts water. Rinse with cold water, let dry, and then vacuum.
Wine: When red wine is spilled on your carpet, dilute it with white wine, then clean the spot with cold water and cover with table salt. Wait ten minutes, then vacuum up the salt.
A little water, a little soap, vacuum it up and you have clean carpet. Right?
Wrong! Soap is the problem! Can you imagine washing your car without rinsing off the soap? Soap leaves a sticky residue that actually attracts dirt. Imagine that film left in your carpet, making it stiff and sticky and even attracting dirt faster. The best thing to do is steam clean. You can request the aid of a professional, or run to a nearby store and rent a steam cleaner. Rental prices vary but are still inexpensive for the most part and the result will be worth it.
Share This Article
