Low Tech Solution
My carpet in my apartment needed a little cleaning so I have begun scrubbing it myself. I used dish soap (since I already had it and it would not stain anything with bleach, etc). I would get down on my hands and knees with a hard-bristled handheld brush dipped in soapy water. It does a good job but is hard work. I did a little at a time. But it is hard for me to get up and down due to diabetic neuropathy in my feet.
So today I went hunting in WalMart for a larger brush with a long handle so I could stand. While looking I also looked at all the fancy vacuums which can wash with hot soapy water. It was tempting to just get one, but they were over $150. The normal vacuums were much cheaper. But I already have one of those.
I could not find the brush type I was looking for so looked online before I left, and they had one for $12. But where? I had to show my phone screen to customer service and ask where it was and they found it on their screen and pointed me to the auto supply aisle. Strange spot, but maybe it was for cleaning an auto service garage floor?
I decided to try out the cheap solution first. I got the brush and went home, and just poured soapy water on a section of carpet and started brushing. Not as effective as getting down on my hands and knees with the hand brush, and the new brush only seemed to slide easily in one direction. So no digging-in and swirling like with the little handheld brush
I finished a small section, and it looked much cleaner than it did before, so I am satisfied. Of course all it did was smear the "filth" around not suck it up.
But it is still strenuous so this could take a few weeks. I will do a little at a time. I hope it dries without discoloration, but the soapiness tends to prevent such growth, in my experience.
Honesty, I do not know what I am doing half the time and hate to spend money. But I am not really worried if I ruin the carpet since it is an apartment and I already know that when I move out they are replacing most of it with wood (or fake wood?). If I want them to do it now to my place I would have to move to a new unit, then move back. Too much trouble. Even if just one way.
I love low tech solutions!
So today I went hunting in WalMart for a larger brush with a long handle so I could stand. While looking I also looked at all the fancy vacuums which can wash with hot soapy water. It was tempting to just get one, but they were over $150. The normal vacuums were much cheaper. But I already have one of those.
I could not find the brush type I was looking for so looked online before I left, and they had one for $12. But where? I had to show my phone screen to customer service and ask where it was and they found it on their screen and pointed me to the auto supply aisle. Strange spot, but maybe it was for cleaning an auto service garage floor?
I decided to try out the cheap solution first. I got the brush and went home, and just poured soapy water on a section of carpet and started brushing. Not as effective as getting down on my hands and knees with the hand brush, and the new brush only seemed to slide easily in one direction. So no digging-in and swirling like with the little handheld brush
I finished a small section, and it looked much cleaner than it did before, so I am satisfied. Of course all it did was smear the "filth" around not suck it up.
But it is still strenuous so this could take a few weeks. I will do a little at a time. I hope it dries without discoloration, but the soapiness tends to prevent such growth, in my experience.
Honesty, I do not know what I am doing half the time and hate to spend money. But I am not really worried if I ruin the carpet since it is an apartment and I already know that when I move out they are replacing most of it with wood (or fake wood?). If I want them to do it now to my place I would have to move to a new unit, then move back. Too much trouble. Even if just one way.
I love low tech solutions!
51-55, M
