The majority of us use an upright or canister vacuum to clean a carpeted room or even a huge area rug. However, not everyone has a vacuum, even if it is a handheld one, or the vacuum is broken, or the baby is sleeping and you don’t want to wake him up.
Whatever the reason, there are alternatives to vacuuming to remove dust and debris from carpets. Whether your carpet is wall-to-wall or too vast to readily remove off the floor will determine which one you choose.
If your carpet has stains, use these instructions to spot clean and remove the exact type of stain. Although most of the tips suggest vacuuming after the stain has been cleared, you can use one of these alternatives instead.
Broom and Dustpan
A broom, dustpan, and a bit of elbow grease will remove dirt and debris from carpets. The broom must have stiff bristles like Libman’s Precision Angle Broom to effectively loosen and lift away the dirt from the carpet pile. You can use a small dustpan or one with a handle to reduce the need to bend.
Start at one end or corner of the carpet and work toward the other end to avoid missing areas. Use short, quick strokes. If debris begins to pile up, sweep it into the dustpan before you reach the end of the job.
* Tip
When using a broom and dustpan to clean a carpet, plan on dusting after the carpet is cleaned. Using a broom will cause dust to float freely in the air and you’ll need to dust furniture and shelves as a final task.
Carpet Sweeper
Your grandmother may have used a carpet sweeper but you can still purchase a manual carpet sweeper today at a much lower cost than a vacuum. Carpet sweepers do not require electricity, there are no settings to deal with, and they are simple enough that a child can use one.
Operated with the same motions you would use with an automatic vacuum, the sweepers of today use two or more electrostatic rollers that travel over the carpet picking up dust, pet hair, and debris. The collected dirt drops into the attached bin until you empty it over a trash can. Most sweepers can be used on carpet and hard surface floors.
Carpet and Rug Beater
If you can take your carpet or rug outside and hang it over a clothesline, porch railing, fence, or even heavy furniture, a carpet and rug beater will remove an amazing amount of dirt. Often made of rattan, a rug beater has a sturdy handle and a wide paddle at the end. Start at the top of the carpet and take out all of your frustrations as you see the dust fly away. Be sure to beat both sides of the carpet for the cleanest results.
You can also use the rug beater to fluff and remove dust from upholstered furniture cushions.
* Tip
If you have an old tennis racket, put it to use as a carpet beater. It will work great and you might improve your backhand swing.
Stiff-bristled Scrub Brush
Using a stiff-bristled scrub brush will remove dust and debris effectively. Once again, it is best if the carpet is moved outside and hungover sturdy support. Start at the top and methodically work your way down the surface of the carpet pile using short, quick strokes. Clean away hair and debris from the brush often while you are cleaning the carpet.
Carpet Sticky Roller
Just like a clothing lint roller or a piece of sticky packing tape wrapped around your hand works great to pull lint and hair away from clothes, so does a carpet sticky roller. The long handle makes cleaning easier than on your hands and knees and the wide roller has sheets that can be peeled off and tossed as they become coated with dirt. The rollers are particularly great at capturing pet hair from carpets and upholstery.
* WARNING
Don’t leave a carpet lint roller on the carpet for long periods (hours or days). The sticky substance on the roller might leave a residue on the fibers where it is resting.
Shaking
For small carpets and rugs, an open door or window and a good shaking will work wonders to remove dust and dirt. After shaking, beat the rug on a sturdy railing to help loosen even more dirt.
Wash the Rug
Unless your rug has a tag that clearly states it is dry clean or spot clean only, most throw rugs can be washed, even those with a rubber backing.
A front-loading washer or top-loading washer without a center agitator works best for rugs to prevent damage during the final spin. If the rug is too large for your washer, visit a laundromat where the machines have more capacity for big items.