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How to Clean Mud from Carpets and Rugs

Mud - it invariably gets tracked into your house and onto your rugs and carpets, especially at this time of year. If you have pets, you know they can't take their shoes off when they come in on a rainy day! You might lay down a towel for the animals to walk over when they come in, but that is often not enough (and animals can be really sneaky about avoiding the towel). 

Kids and grown-ups alike may forget to take off their boots or shoes at the door, or tramp on in and get mud on the carpet before they take off their footwear. 

Mud can get on your carpets all year round for all of the above reasons and loads of other reasons. In the winter, it can become particularly bad; heavy winter boots and shoes, and the rainy weather make it worse. If you burn firewood in the winter, that can get mud on your carpets and rugs, too.

So what is the best way to clean mud from your carpets? Here are some tips.

Let It Dry
It's very tempting to jump right in and clean the mud immediately, but it may make things easier in the end if you allow the mud to dry. One thing you can do right away while the mud is wet is scoop up any clumps with an old spoon and paper towels. Then, allow the mud to dry. 

Vacuum
Once the mud has become dry dirt, vacuum the area thoroughly, going over the spots multiple times. Use a full-sized vacuum, not a hand-held one, because you'll need plenty of power to get the dirt up. If you need to, use a dry scrub brush to loosen the dried mud before and while you vacuum. 

Stain Removal
If, after the scooping, drying, and vacuuming, there is still a stain, then you need to take more action. If you have a carpet that is not acetate or rayon, you can use a cloth to rub in some rubbing alcohol. Then cover the stain with several layers of paper towels dampened with rubbing alcohol. The paper towels will begin to absorb the stain. 

As you see this discoloration happening, replace the paper towels with fresh, alcohol-dampened ones. Make sure you keep the stain and the paper towels damp with the alcohol. 

Detergent
Another method to attacking the stain after vacuuming is to use dish detergent. Mix 2 teaspoons of liquid dish detergent with 2 cups of hot water in the mixing bowl of an electric mixer. Then whip the mixture at high speed until you get a thick, rich foam. 

Using a sponge, apply this thick foam to the stain and rub it in well. Then rinse the sponge and go over the area with warm water. Finally, use clean towels or face washers to blot the carpet. The stain should be soaked up into the rags as you blot.

This MOO carpet foam costs around 10 cents to make and works as well, if not better, than the aerosol foams that cost upwards of $8 a can, it is well worth trying.

Prevention is always the easiest problem solver. Making sure shoes and boots are taken off before coming inside (whether you have carpets or not) will not only keep mud off your floors, but dirt and dust too. They'll be easier to look after and look fabulous much longer. 

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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
    • Learning Centre
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2023
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    • Newsletters 2021
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  • Saving Money
    • Latest Tips 2023
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    • Cheapskates Tip Store
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  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files