Whether it’s wall-to-wall or a hand-tufted runner, carpet offers numerous benefits, from plush comfort to cozy insulation and sound absorption. The only drawback is that carpet can be tough to clean, which is why we’re all for an effective hack to make it look (and smell) as good as new. One cleaning solution that many…
Why Baking Soda Is Bad for Your Vacuum
When using baking soda to clean a carpet, you typically vacuum the area, sprinkle on some baking soda, let it sit for a while, then vacuum it up. Sounds easy, right? Well, here’s the thing — while baking soda is a multipurpose ingredient that can be used in all sorts of DIY home cleaners, it’s not suitable for carpets or vacuums. Baking soda is made of fine particles that can get embedded in the carpet fibers (potentially requiring professional cleaning). It can also damage your vacuum by getting into the motor and clogging the machine, rendering it unusable.
In a YouTube video from Performance Reviews, a vacuum was tested against three cups of baking soda. By the second cup, the vacuum’s performance took a hit. And by the third cup, the suction was less effective and baking soda started coming out of the vacuum and filter. The moral of the story? Baking soda and vacuums don’t mix.
What To Do Instead
So, how do you freshen up carpet without ruining your vacuum? Using a steam cleaner is a fantastic option for both disinfecting and removing stubborn stains. For a DIY cleaning solution, you can use 1/4 teaspoon dish soap (make sure it’s the clear kind) and 1 cup of room temperature water to remove stains on a carpet. Another option is to buy cleaning products specifically made to clean carpets, like OxiClean or Folex.
