There are a lot of cleaning tips and tricks on the internet that makes cleaning tasks easier, especially on carpets since they will stain easily if you’re not too careful with it. But have you known about the shaving foam hack yet? If not, then let’s dig in about this so that you too can try it on your carpets as well.
The Science Behind Shaving Foam
Shaving foam contains surfactants, which are compounds that reduce surface tension between two liquids or a liquid and a solid. In the context of carpet cleaning, the surfactants in shaving foam help to lift dirt and grime from the carpet fibres, making it easier to remove them.
Moreover, shaving foam is designed to be gentle on the skin, which means it won’t be too harsh on your carpet’s fibre. This is particularly important for delicate carpets made from materials like silk or wool. Source: Rug Love
Pros:
- Easily available! Most of the DIY hacks contain products that are easily available in houses.
- Inexpensive! Shaving cream or shaving foam is extremely cost-friendly when compared to expensive carpet cleaning solutions.
- Quick results. If the stain is new, and you immediately clean the carpet with shaving foam, it will get the stain out of your carpet fibers in less time.
Cons:
- There are various stains that are too tough to be cleaned by shaving foam. Shaving foam is ideally suitable for coffee spills or mud stains. But when it comes to heavy and tough stains like an oil spill or grease, shaving foam won’t be a good option.
- Certain chemical-based products might create a reaction when mixed with shaving foam. For instance, red wine, vinegar, or cosmetic stains when mixed with shaving foam does not make the stain go away. It might even create a reaction that can lead to discoloration of the carpet.
- Not suitable for delicate and expensive carpet fabrics. You do not want your expensive and beautiful carpets to lose color or get damaged while performing DIY techniques. Some things are better handed over to experts. Source: Wir Reinigen Deinen Teppich
The Method
- Perform a spot test on an inconspicuous area of your floor, such as the edge of your carpet, to ensure the shaving foam won’t leave a stain or have a negative reaction with your carpet type.
- Grab a clean, dry cloth such as a napkin or paper towel. Begin by blotting the stain using a cloth to help absorb the excess moisture. Don’t scrub or rub the stain, as this risks spreading the stain’s particles. If you’re cleaning an older stain without excess liquid, move on to step 3.
- Take a sponge and soak it in warm water. Wring the sponge out and blot the stain, but avoid pressing too hard as this can spread the spill into your carpet fibres.
- Apply the shaving cream directly onto the stain – simply cover the stain with the shaving cream, making a layer of foam at least one inch thick. Let the cream sit for a half hour until it’s dissolved.
- Begin working the shaving cream into the stain using your fingers. Mix it deep into your carpet fibres to ensure it penetrates the stain. Blot the area with a wet sponge or damp cloth to rinse and scrub gently for the toughest stains.
- Use a dry cloth to pet the stain dry and wipe it away.
- Repeat steps 3-5 if the stain doesn’t come out completely.
- Once you’ve rinsed the area with warm water and dried it with a cloth, let the spot air dry. You might need additional ventilation, such as a fan, to ensure the area dries completely. You can also open your windows to let air circulate in the cleaning room. Source: Prolux Cleaning
We hope that you will add this to your carpet cleaning hacks so that stains won’t be a problem anymore. If you need more tips like this or you’re looking for professional carpet repair, then look no further because we are here to handle it for you. Just give us a call!
