Your carpet underlay, also referred to as the carpet cushion or carpet padding, is placed under your carpet to increase the comfort of your carpet while also protecting it from premature wear. Carpet underlay comes in several materials including flat rubber, urethane and waffle. While the cleaning requirements vary based on the material, there are several general cleaning techniques to help you maintain the quality of your underlay. Here are a few tips on how to clean carpet underlay.
How to Clean Carpet Underlay - Removing Stains and Odors
This article takes you through the steps involved in cleaning your carpet underlay. It breaks down the process into simple steps that you can do on your own.
Step 1
Start by removing the surface carpet. if it’s not dirty or damaged, move it to another room so you can reinstall it after you’ve finished cleaning the underlay.
Step 2
Vacuum any debris or loose dirt from the underlay. Consider using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to prevent debris from blowing into the surrounding air. Your best bet is to use a vacuum cleaner with a dustpan, a broom and brush attachments. Once you’ve gotten rid of every trace of dust from the padding, you may proceed with the next step.
Step 3
Put on protective gloves. You may choose to use a commercial cleaner or make an effective cleaning solution with a few household cleaners.
Step 4
Soak a soft cloth in oxygen bleach then wring it out over a bucket or sink so that the cloth is moist. Use a soft cloth to gently dab the carpet pad, focusing on dirt-laden or noticeably stained areas. You don’t want to drag the bleach through a large area of the pad or add it directly to the carpet pad. Simply dabbing should be enough to remove the stain and smell.
Another diy solution you can try is by combining a mixture of ¼ baking soda, ½ warm water and ¼ white vinegar in an empty spray bottle. Seal the bottle well and give it a powerful shaking. Once the ingredients are well mixed, you may apply it to your carpet pad.
Apply the solution to the carpet pad, paying attention to stained areas. Allow the solution to sit for about three to five minutes before carrying on. If you’re using a commercial cleaner, check the manufacturer’s website or product’s packaging to determine how much time the cleaner needs to sit.
Step 5
Once you’ve given the carpet cleaner ample time to penetrate the stains or dirt, you can use a sponge, paper towel or washcloth to scrub the dirty carpet pad thoroughly. Once the padding is clean, fill another spray bottle with warm water and use it to rinse off the cleaning solution.
Step 6
Place a dehumidifier and industrial vacuum in the room and give the carpet underlay enough time to dry. However, it’s generally recommended to let the carpet air dry in a well-ventilated area.
Bottom Line
Those steps summarize how to clean carpet underlay yourself. If your carpet falls victim to dust, dirt or other assorted filth, cleaning it is easy. With a few basic house cleaning tools, you can clean the carpet pad in pretty much the same fashion as your carpet.
