 | | December 23, 2024 |  |
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| 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 people rely on is baking soda. It can tackle a variety of cleaning tasks throughout the home, such as restoring your favorite dinner plates or getting rid of stains on coffee mugs. But when it comes to cleaning carpet, this hack isn't all it's cracked up to be. While it can help remove stains and odors from your carpet, this cleaning agent can potentially do more harm than good. |
 | | Credit: Karolina Grabowska/ Unsplash+ |
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| 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. |
| 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. |
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 | | PULIDIKI Car Cleaning Gel | | I gave this car cleaning gel to my husband as a stocking stuffer last year, and it's been a game changer for picking up crumbs, pet hair, dust, and any other debris that finds its way into our Subaru. Using it feels less like cleaning and more like playing with slime. In addition to car interiors, it's great for tackling grime in keyboards, remotes, and appliances. — Kelsey Morrison, House Outlook Editor |
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| Pauline Lacsamana is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in commerce, home, design, and lifestyle. She has bylines in The Spruce, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Hunker, MyDomaine, Parade, and more. |
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