How to Disinfect Carpet Post COVID-19 Exposure

• 19 February 2021
• 8 Min Read
• By Jaipur Rugs

Having a sanitized carpet on the floor makes your day as soon as you step in the room. When it comes to a pandemic like this, sanitizing carpets, furniture, recliners is of utmost importance...

Placing a rug in a home completes it, no doubt but to maintain it as good as new is an art. It can be tedious at times if it is not given heed for a long duration. Now, it has become even more important if your rug has undergone Covid-19 exposure. If any of your family members have been infected with COVID-19 then you don't have to think of doing away with your rug that has been in your home for a long. You can simply disinfect it. How to disinfect carpet is the first question that will erupt in your mind especially if you are a cleanliness freak.

Since rugs are the locus of the room, they automatically become the area that experiences maximum footfall. You may not find the rug dirty but over time it does collect bacteria, pollens, allergens, etc from dirt, sweat, sneezing, or cough. These need to be attended to. The best way to do that is by sanitizing your carpet and making it free of any such impurities.

If this does not ring a bell for you then you may end up putting yourself and your dear ones at a higher risk of being inflicted with the virus. However, sparing a few minutes from your busy schedule can reduce the risk of being infected by a much larger scale. Here is a step-by-step procedure for you to follow.

The good news is that you don't even have to spend a dime for these in-house methods. You can always go for buying carpet disinfectants but home remedies are one of the best and easiest ways to get your rug cleaned.

Vinegar, Water, and Steam go hand in hand

If you wish to get the perfect carpet disinfectant for your rug that is not heavy on your pocket then you should go for something homemade. Buying a carpet disinfectant may cost you a fortune, especially in such harsh conditions as prices of sanitizing products are skyrocketing. Now is the time to try your hand at doing it yourself. Here are some steps:

1. Take equal quantities of white vinegar and water. Pour it in a sprinkler bottle. Close the cap and gently mix it. Use it to spray across the sections of the carpet and this will make your job a lot easier as you will not be creating a mess on and around the carpet.


2. Always keep in mind that you need to sprinkle the mixture and not shower your rug with it. Wetting the rug completely will harm its natural fibers and in turn, decrease its lifespan. Once the sprinkling is done, you have to allow it to dry.


3. Use a steam cleaner filled with water and white vinegar in a ratio of three to one.


4. Just give a few minutes and the steamer will heat up. Start off with one corner and go for a dive to cover the entire carpet. Vinegar and steam are the perfect combination to cleanse each knot of your carpet.


5. Once you are done with it, it is suggested to place the carpet outside where it can receive a lot of natural wind. Eventually, you will notice that it is looking as good as new only cleaner

Say yes to vinegar

If you do not have a steam cleaner at home then don’t bother to buy one. This method is different from the previous one. How to disinfect carpet without using steam? Yes, it can be done, and here is how. Prepare a mixture that includes equal proportions of white vinegar and cold water. Now add some soft detergent to the mixture and shake it well. Take a bowl, a scrubber, and a clean light-colored towel to get your rug free from bacteria and any impurities. Here is a step-by-step procedure that you can follow.

1. Keep your vacuum cleaner handy. Make sure your carpet fibers are not pressed under the legs of some heavy furniture pieces. Move the vacuum cleaner across the center and periphery of the carpet to make it free from any dirt and food particles that may have collected over time. It is easy for the dust to go unnoticed as your naked eye may not be able to spot it every time.


2. Once you have vacuumed the rug, you can spatter baking soda powder all over it without messing the rug too much. Leave the rug as it is for a few minutes.


3. While the rug is taking its own sweet time, you can get the carpet disinfectant-ready. Mix equal proportions of white vinegar and cold water along with some soft detergent. Stir it well and prepare a frothy solution.


4. Use that sponge or scrubber to soak in the frothy solution that you have prepared. Just make sure that the sponge is dipped enough into the solution but it should not drip as that might harm your carpet therefore avoid wetting the rug too much. While moving from end to end on the carpet, every time you feel that the sponge lacks a mixture, soak it again and get back to what you were doing.


5. Once you have covered the length and breadth of the rug, just give it some time. Now the role of a clean colored towel comes into play. Cleanse the carpet thoroughly but with a gentle hand. It is suggested to use a light-colored towel so that you will be able to check if the soap is coming off or not. Moreover, it will not leave its own color on the carpet.


6. Once you have rinsed the carpet, allow it to dry in the open. The carpet needs to be free of any moisture and only then you can vacuum it. Vacuuming is the key to getting rid of any moisture caught in between the rug material.

Make your own cleaning detergent

Why do you wish to buy a carpet disinfectant when you can make one at home? Just keep a few things handy and you are sorted. Here is the list: A container, a sponge, a clean colored towel or cloth, baking soda, soft detergent, and an old toothbrush.

1. Don't skip vacuuming. It will make your work a lot easier by removing all the unnecessary elements like debris, cookie crumbles, etc.


2. Once the smut is cleared, you are already halfway through. Now add lukewarm water into the container and splash some baking soda powder all over the rug.


3. Prepare a foamy solution of baking soda and soft detergent, stir it for a few minutes and you are all ready to go.


4. In case you witness any stains or spots across the rug, attend to them first. Use a scrubber or even your old toothbrush to make your rug stain-free. Lukewarm water is essential as it will allow the stains to dissolve so that you can get rid of them even when you rub the carpet gently. Never try to forcefully clean the rug with the help of a towel. Being harsh on it will certainly destroy its fibres and ultimately its natural look. Use the towel from one end of the rug to another and see that there is no residue of the soapy mixture.


5. Once the wiping is done, it is time to dry the rug. It is entirely on you to either leave the rug out in the open for it to dry or else you can even use a fan to do the job if it is humid outside. Eventually, your rug will be free from moisture and then you can bring it in and spend a few minutes vacuuming it. This will ensure that your rug is disinfected as well as extensively cleaned.

How often should you disinfect your carpet?

Disinfecting your rug from time to time is essential. Vacuuming is probably one of the easiest ways to do it. It will leave your rug both dirt and bacteria-free if done regularly. This will not allow impurities to settle in the rug fibres making it far more complex to be evacuated later. Don't let your rug go unnoticed, If case someone in the family has been COVID-19 positive then your rug needs immediate attention and your home needs a sanitized carpet. This will bring the spread of the virus to a standstill.

Even if you wish to discard your rug post-COVID-19 exposure then you can look up various options that Jaipur Rugs has to offer ranging from various weaving techniques to different materials. Moreover, if you wish to get something personalized then you can go for a custom rug which provides you an option to allow your imagination and our artisans’ creativity to come to life in the form of your rug.

FAQs

How can you disinfect the carpet?

Carpet cleaning is a process that involves the use of various chemicals and the application of heat and pressure. Remember that carpets can only be cleaned well by using a professional cleaning service. With that said, it is best to seek professional assistance if your carpet has become discolored or stained. Using bleach may also help clear stains from carpets, but do not apply this chemical on any type of flooring other than carpets, as bleaching can damage wood floors, tile floors, or linoleum floors.

How can I disinfect my carpet without washing it?

- Vacuum the floor thoroughly, paying special attention to the corners where dirt and dust collect. Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment or a soft brush.
- Mix up white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray down the carpet. Wait 5 minutes, then blot up excess moisture with a towel or rag.
- Spray large areas with a disinfectant cleaner.

Does vacuuming disinfect the carpet?

Vacuum cleaners are often sold as good for the air quality, but they don't actually clean the air. The filters on vacuum cleaners only trap particles, which is not the same as cleaning them. This can cause some problems because people might think their carpet is cleaner than it really is.

How often should you disinfect your carpet?

Carpets can build up a lot of dirt and grime in just a few months. Dirt is also brought in from outside, so it's important to vacuum your carpets at least once per week to keep the infestation down. Vacuuming rids your carpet of fibers and particles that can cause allergies and other health issues.