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Hey there! I decided to start a new series this summer (while my schedule is a little lighter) that I’m calling… I Tried a Pin! I’ve pinned so many great-sounding ideas over the months that I’ve found at Pinterest and I wanted to give them a try. So my goal is to try one each week over the next couple months and see how they really work.
This week I tried out this pin that said using ammonia, hot water and an iron could remove stains from your carpet.
Ok… first off I have to let you know that I have old, cheap carpet! This carpet was here when we moved in almost 5 years ago. I’m sure it was the cheapest option – the carpet that comes when you don’t do an upgrade carpet. It was not in great shape when we moved in, but we figured our youngest was barely two-years-old at the time and that we’d wait a while and then replace the flooring.
Well… years later and with no extra $$$ that carpet is still there and with 3 kiddos it is in even worse shape now… so don’t be too scared when I show you the pics.
I know… gross! This is the worst area… right behind the kiddos’ stools and the entrance from the backyard… double trouble.
So the necessary gear… a hot iron, a spray bottle with 1 part HOT water and 1 part ammonia and some rags.
Spray the spots liberally… I gave mine a good soaking.
Cover the sprayed, spotted area with a rag and rub the area with the hot iron. The site said to repeat if needed. My carpets NEEDED it… so repeat I did… a few times.
And this is what I had at the end…
Now I could tell from my rags that dirt was coming up… they were well spotted… but I’ve got to be honest… I was hoping for more.
Here’s a side-by-side:
You can definitely tell it’s better and it is improved… and if your carpet isn’t poor quality and overly used it might make a bigger improvement for you too.
For me, it wasn’t enough to make me daily consider ripping out my carpet and staining the concrete.
One way to help keep your carpet looking great is by having a great vacuum. One place to find bagless vacuum cleaners in the UK at Argos. A few of my favorites are these vacuum cleaners.
Thanks for stopping by…
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Hi Friends & thank you bunches for visiting! :-)
I am so grateful for each and every one of you who visit me, inspires me, and have left me sweet comments letting me know that I've inspired you too. You can contact me here .
Have you ever tried carpet cleaner called Folex? You can get it at Lowe’s or order off of Amazon. It is a miracle.
I’ve never heard of Folex… definitely going to check it out. Thanks for the tip Becky!
I use ammonia in a carpet steam cleaner all the time like about every other day almost. Let me address some ridiculous myths I see all the time:
1. Using Ammonia in a steam cleaner will NOT damage or discolor carpet. It will NOT damage white or light colors or dark colors.
2. It will NOT cause your pets to urinate on it.
3. It WILL clean better than any store bought cleaner like Bissell or other for 1/20th the cost. It cleans better than laundry detergent, better that dish detergent, better than vinegar, better than window cleaner and anything else.
Good idea for a series! I, too, have tried several pins and had about 50/50 success. This is a great place to document those tries and share a “real world” view of the pins — thanks! I’ve pinned and shared the one you just shared. . .good to know your experience. I’ll have to look for Folex. . .
Bummer it didn’t work!
My carpet cleaner of choice: I borrow my mom’s carpet cleaner (but they aren’t that expensive to buy). Instead of the cleaning solution, I put HOT water and about 1/2 cup or so of oxyclean in the rinsing reservoir. That’s it. Afterward, I replace the water with clean water and go over it again with the rinse cycle.
It works GREAT. Carpets look new and smell great. Once upon a time, a carpet sales guy told us not to use carpet “cleaners” like Resolve, etc. he said they get it clean for a bit, but then the residue from the cleaner attracts more dirt! The oxyclean actually cleans the carpet and I have never seen the stains come back.
Great tip! I’ll have to try that next time I borrow the in-laws carpet cleaner.
You should try Folex {I get mine at Home Depot} that stuff is MAGIC. No joke
Two stand ovations for Folex… wow… putting it on my list now.
Great idea. I was just thinking yesterday that when I try a pin and I like it make a comment and if not delete the pin.
I have tried the carpet cleaning method you tried but I had better results. I do think it is more of a spot cleaner and not an overall cleaner. It works wonders on pet messes. Our dog Max has been getting sick and loves to getting sick on my cream carpet. So far all stains have disappeared using this method.
Looking forward to seeing what you try next
I think you are right Michelle. If you get to the stain pretty quick I think this method will work, but set it, old stains… just an improvement.
This one actually worked for me, but I did clean the carpet FIRST with a steam cleaner. And then I did the ammonia thing for the spots that didn’t come up with the steam cleaner.