Carpets make for cozy additions to your home with their soft, plush feel that can make any room more comfortable. Many Singaporean homes choose to add carpeted floors in their rooms, bedrooms, and dens as these provide soft cushioning to your feet when walking on them.
Acrylic carpet flooring, made from synthetic fibers, has been a popular choice for carpeting since the 1950s due to its low maintenance and durability. However, acrylic carpets tend to wear down over time, resulting in a flat, dense feel.
What is an Acrylic Carpet?
Acrylic Carpet is a type of synthetic carpet made from acrylic fibers, designed to mimic the look and feel of wool. It’s commonly used in residential and commercial spaces due to its affordability, resistance to fading, and lightweight nature.
Although there are lots of benefits that we can get from an acrylic carpet, it is also important to note that acrylic carpet has its disadvantages when in use constantly. Acrylic carpets are less durable than wool or nylon carpets. They can wear down quickly in high-traffic areas, making them less suitable for heavy-use spaces.
What You’ll Need
In this guide, we’ll show you a few tips on how to clean acrylic carpet floors using some standard household supplies and equipment, as well as detailed instructions. All you’ll need are:
- Baking Soda
- Laundry Detergent
- Carpet Cleaning Brush (we recommend a bristle broom with a long handle)
- Dry or Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
- Steam Cleaner with Carpet Cleaning Solution (follow the manufacturer’s instructions)
- Soft Dry Cloth or Sponge
- Paper Towels
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Shaving Cream
How to Clean Acrylic Carpet?
Regular Maintenance for Acrylic Carpet
Acrylic carpets require regular maintenance and specific cleaning methods to preserve their appearance and durability. A 100% acrylic carpet can be washed by hand or with a washing machine as long as you only use cold or warm water and avoid using harsh chemicals, or aggressive scrubbing –as these can damage the fibers. Additionally, here’s a guide on what you can do to regularly maintain your acrylic carpet.
Vacuum Cleaning
Vacuuming is the easiest and simplest way to clean your acrylic carpet. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dirt and debris regularly. Vacuum at least twice a week in high-traffic areas to prevent dirt from embedding into the fibers.
Immediate Spill Removal
Have an accident that result in spills on your acrylic carpet? Don’t hesitate and blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth to prevent staining. Avoid rubbing the spills on your carpet, as it can push the stain deeper into the fibers.
Lifting Dented Areas
If you’ve found an indent in your acrylic carpet, that is most likely caused by being weighed down by furniture and fixtures. Heavy furniture, like sofas, cabinets, and beds, can put pressure on acrylic carpets, causing them to flatten and wear down.
Thankfully, you don’t have to live with an uneven, dented carpet as there are simple ways to lift those indents back up. One way is to spray the dented area with warm water and cover it with a slightly damp cloth. Grab your iron, and lightly iron out the cloth-covered area. The heat from the iron creates steam, which then lifts carpet fibers to remove the dent.
Helpful Tip: Make sure you keep a damp cloth between the iron and your carpet to prevent the melting of the acrylic fibers.
Deep Cleaning for Acrylic Carpet
Deep cleaning your acrylic carpet at home is entirely possible if you have the right tools and proper techniques. Regular maintenance may keep your carpet looking fresh, but deep cleaning helps remove embedded dirt, tough stains, and odors.
Below are some of the deep cleaning techniques that you can follow to ensure your acrylic carpet is always clean and able to provide the best comfort for your home.
Spot Cleaning with Gentle Cleanser
You can clean stains in your acrylic carpet by deep cleaning it with a gentle cleanser. For most stains, it is safe to use a gentle, non-abrasive carpet cleanser. Mix the solution with water and apply it to the affected area using a sponge or cloth. Blot the stain gently, avoiding excessive scrubbing to prevent damage to the acrylic fibers.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Tough Stains
For tougher stains like wine, coffee, or even pet accidents –merely using a gentle cleanser might not be enough. Instead, you can use hydrogen peroxide to remove those stubborn stains.
Start by diluting the hydrogen peroxide with water in a 1:2 ratio. Apply it directly to the stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Afterward, you can blot with a clean, damp cloth until the stain lifts.
Helpful Tip: Always test the usage of hydrogen peroxide on an inconspicuous area first to avoid discoloration in your acrylic carpet.
Shaving Cream for Oil and Grease Stains
For greasy or oily stains on your acrylic carpet, you can utilize shaving cream to clean it all. Utilizing shaving cream is also very easy! You just have to apply a small amount of shaving cream directly to the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to break down the grease. Afterward, blot with a damp cloth and then rinse with water to remove any residue.
Baking Soda for Natural Deodorizer
Worry because there’s a bad odor coming from your acrylic carpet? Don’t worry as baking soda can work wonders to help eliminate the odors and refresh your acrylic carpet.
Simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the carpet and let it sit for 30 minutes to absorb the odors. Afterward, utilize a vacuum to thoroughly remove the baking soda residue from your acrylic carpet. Baking soda is not only an effective method to remove odor from carpet, but also a natural deodorizer that is pet and kid-friendly.
Steam Cleaning Method
Steam cleaning is an effective way to deep clean acrylic carpets. A home steam cleaner can lift dirt and allergens while refreshing the carpet fibers.
Steam does not only loosen dirt, making it easier to clean, but it also disinfects, deodorizes, and kills pests that may be lurking in your carpet. A steam cleaner typically works with a carpet cleaning solution to clean out dirt from your carpet.
Steam your carpet, making sure that you do not run over certain spots too many times to prevent making that area too wet and damaging the floor underneath. Let your carpet dry overnight with the windows open and proper ventilation around the room. Running fans around the room, or blotting the carpet with a towel or sponge can help it to dry faster.
These are some of the most effective ways you can do to clean your acrylic carpet. But do keep in mind, that you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations on which solution will work best for acrylic carpets.
Unsure Of Doing It Yourself? Call the Experts!
Whether you have a stained carpet, need spot repairs, or simply want to give your carpet a good shampooing, Luce can help you get back that plush brightness to your acrylic carpet.
Contact us today and we can set a schedule that works for you!
