Households are being urged to sprinkle bicarbonate of soda powder in their hoovers to banish odours and spring clean their carpets.
Vacuuming is a constant and, seemingly, never ending chore. No matter how regularly you hoover your carpets, dust, dirt, hair, debris and food crumbs seem to collect again, turning a clean and hygienic home into a messy house again.
And if your carpets are getting on a bit, they might well be lacking in freshness compared to when they were first installed.
That’s why cleaning firms urge households to revitalise flagging carpets by using a common household item – bicarbonate of soda.
Known as baking soda in the US, bicarb of soda has almost magical cleaning properties which can remove stains, banish smells and destroy germs too.
According to Arm & Hammer, you can sprinkle bicarb onto your dirty carpets, and then simply hoover it up again.
This nullifies unwanted odours and returns freshness to your carpet or rug.
The firm says you should sprinkle bicarbonate of soda “lightly all over the carpet or area rug”.
It adds: “Use a heavier amount on high-traffic areas such as hallways, walkways, or in front of the couch. WAIT. Let the baking soda sit on the carpet for ~15 minutes.
“VACUUM: Vacuum the carpet as you normally would. Bonus: the baking soda keeps deodorising in your vacuum cleaner bag or canister!
“When cleaning your carpet with baking soda, let it sit for at least 15 minutes. The longer the baking soda stays on the rug, the more odor, dirt, and oil it will absorb, for a more thorough clean. Try leaving baking soda on the carpet overnight and vacuuming in the morning.”
However, one thing to consider is how strong and durable your hoover is. Cheap models, which are prone to clogging easily, might not fare so well with large volumes of powder pressing against their filters.
As Homes and Gardens reports: “Knowing how to clean a vacuum filter, regardless of type, will avoid baking soda settling into the pores, or potentially damaging any metal components over time.
“So, using baking soda in moderation and cleaning the filter regularly is the best way to avoid any damage. Many people use baking soda often and discover no problems from it, but at the same time, many users have reported damage from doing so.
“If you’re worried your vacuum isn’t strong enough, it’s probably best to be safe and avoid using baking soda entirely. Instead, consult your manufacturer’s recommendations for home cleaning products.”
