Guest Post: Carpet Cleaning with Vinegar

If you ever wanted cleaning your carpet to be as simple as pulling something out of your kitchen cupboard then it really can be that easy. There is a variety of compelling and effective carpet cleaning solutions available on the market, but sometimes it can be just as beneficial to save the pennies and invest in natural methods. These are methods that are timeless and have been used for countless generations always producing fair and positive results. However if you wish to gain the full potential of cleaning then you could try professional alternatives such as Carpet Cleaning Devon from chemdry.co.uk.

It’s not often we really consider what methods and ingredients would have been used in the past to counterbalance the continual stains that probably adorned many home interiors. These would have been periods in time were solutions to cleaning as they are now would have not be so readily available; if at all. They would have had to be innovative and sourced their own remedies for cleaning, probably from natural commodities. 

The earliest and most primitive cleaning product was water, it began to slowly evolve over the centuries and by the 1900’s modern soap products began to appear. It is with hindsight now in a modern age that we are aware of the importance of cleanliness and hygiene; before the middle Ages the most developed cleaning compounds consisted of a mix of ash, animal or plant fats and oils. The dramatic fall of Ancient Rome saw a decline in cleanliness and hygiene which led to a culmination of diseases. Cleanliness was rejuvenated in the late 17th Century and with the introduction of the invention of soap it became more popular. However its popularity suffered in terms of whom was able to acquire this product as it was labelled a luxurious item and a heavy tax was imposed. During the 19th Century the cost of soap was lowered due to developments in the chemistry industry making it a more affordable and increasing its usage. 

Modern advancements in soap chemistry allowed the popularity of soap to again flourish and this combined with significant developments in 20th century technology (i.e. washing machine) boosted the cleaning revolution further. Following on from a rise in the use of detergents from World War Two soap began to wane in popularity and detergents became more widely consumed. 

Though these materials were highly endorsed through the development of chemical science, many natural solutions would have been used when basics such as soaps were inaccessible. For instance one particular natural cleaning remedy that has proved successful is Vinegar. In Ancient civilisation Vinegar was accidently discovered by the process of leaving grape juice undisturbed turning into wine and thus the remnants of wine then turning into Vinegar. The very first indication that Vinegar was used as a cleaning solution can be found around 5000 BC from Ancient Samaria. Since then many women over a period of centuries have used Vinegar as a cleaning resource and such methods and tips have been conceded to various generations. In 2003 a focus group were asked to recall memories of past wisdoms passed on by their grandmothers, such information suggested that many believed in the powers of Vinegar as a cleaning agent. However most of Vinegars abilities as a cleaning product have been lost or forgotten to a world that is consumed by convenience. 

When it comes to carpet cleaning Vinegar can really perform, if it is used correctly. It can be inexpensive and acquired easily with most of us already possessing it in some form or another amongst our household items. It can be utilized in various ways the most proficient being used as a base for carpet cleaning. The properties of vinegar make it naturally acidic and therefore it acts as an instinctive antiseptic, antibacterial and antimicrobial solution. It is an entirely organic and safe compound that can kill household bacteria and lift dirt from stubborn stains and surfaces. 

All you need to do to use it as a simple base for carpet cleaning is to create a mixture of one part Vinegar to four parts water. Generally it is advised to use cold water as opposed to warm due to warm water setting the stains rather than lifting them. A straight Vinegar solution can be applied on more stubborn stains as long as it is thoroughly blotted and any excess liquid removed. You repeat the steps of applying and blotting the solution to the stained carpet until you can see a significant result in the marks being removed.  Its innate properties allow it to penetrate dirt and bacteria whilst also refreshing and deodorising unpleasant carpet smells that sometimes come hand in hand with stains and blemishes. 

Baring this in mind Vinegar is a positive and useful solution to cleaning, one which has historical prevalence and multiple applications. The future is somewhat dependent on these old fashioned alternatives to cleaning, because it is resilient, reliant and productive without posing a threat to the environment or to a person’s health.  Even though manufactured products can yield incredible results they often have risks to health and the environment. Therefore if you can achieve similar and confident results in timeless organic remedies then adopting such methods could be indicative of creating a brighter future.