Your carpet has a much longer lifespan than you think. Even an old, worn out carpet that’s stained, torn, and burnt can still be revived to serve you for many more years. The carpet revival process is one that will save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars in replacements and allow you to get the most out of your investment. If you’re interested in getting your old carpets to look as good as new, read on to find out how to revive old carpet.
How to Revive Old Carpet - Tips from Carpet Pros
Of course, not all carpets can be revived using the same method. It all depends on how old the carpet is and how much of the damage it has sustained can be repaired. So how do you know whether your carpet can be revived?
• If the stains can be removed professionally;
• If it looks old due to a lack of cleaning;
• If it only has small tears and/or burns, and;
• If only a small area is damaged or stained.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can revive your old carpet:
Step 1 – Clear the Area
First, remove all furniture and appliances from the room to give yourself full access to all corners of the carpet. Fragile items like ceramics should be moved out of the way too.
Step 2 – Clean Up
Vacuum the carpet well enough to get rid of loose debris, dirt, dust, and hair.
Step 3 – Take Care of Mild Stains
Using a water and vinegar solution (equal parts water and vinegar) and a sponge or piece of cloth, dab at any mild stains on the carpet including food and pet stains to pretreat them.
Step 4 – Remove Tough Stains
Tough stains like grease, ink and oil are typically harder to clean. For hardened grease stains, use a dull plastic item to scrape off the stain until the majority of it comes off. Fresh grease stains should first be blotted using paper towels or other absorbent materials. Cover the stained area with some cornstarch and let it sit for three to four hours before vacuuming up the residue. Clean the stain completely using a solution of hot water and vinegar.
Step 5 – Fixing Burns
Fix the burnt areas of the carpet using small pieces of the carpet and some glue. Cut off small pieces of carpet from different areas (go for the areas that will stay unnoticeable after you return the furniture), apply some glue to the burnt sections, and stick in the freshly cut carpet fibers. Leave it to dry for just a few hours then use a pair of scissors or a blade to chop off any pieces that are sticking out too high.
Step 6 – Cleaning the Carpet
This step requires the use of a steam cleaner, so if you don’t already have one, you can hire one for the day. Steam cleaning is also known as the hot-water extraction method, and it is among the best and most eco-friendly ways to deep clean a carpet.
Step 7 – Getting Rid of Bad Smells
If there are any odors that remain after cleaning, sprinkle some baking soda over the dry carpet and allow it to sit overnight. The baking soda will draw out all odors from the carpet, and all you need to do is to vacuum it up in the morning.
To Summarize
Before tossing out your old carpet, check whether it can still be salvaged using this guide. A carpet is a costly investment, so it is essential to know how to revive old carpet. That way you can revive your carpet, rather than replace it which can be costly.
