Can You Restore Light Color Carpets?

Our poor carpets go through a great deal in their lifetime; trod on, stamped on, spilled on, and generally subjected to a daily use. This can be even further exacerbated if your color scheme is on the lighter side of the wheel. Lighter colored carpets are more susceptible to stains and general wear and tear, meaning in theory they have to be replaced more frequently. But can you restore them to their former glory using the correct methods? Let’s take a look….

Identify

Carpets are often aged by certain spots being noticeably more stained than others. When restoring your carpet, look closely at the different areas and identify the parts that seem more worn and dirty than others. This allows you to focus on these areas and really makes a difference to the carpet overall.

Clean

After identifying these areas, focus your energy on restoring them to match the surrounding carpet. Use a dedicated spot cleaner, or make your own using a mix of borax, salt, and white vinegar. Ensure to test any cleaner in an inconspicuous area first, and leave the solution on for a long period of time to allow it to work its magic. You should scrub the area after the soaking, but gently so as not to damage the fibers. Finally rinse and allow to dry.

Clean (again)

Next, you should vacuum the entirety of the carpet. Pay close attention to every inch of the material so no debris is left behind. You should then make another mixture – this time with white vinegar, salt, and warm water. Use a sponge to scrub this mixture into the carpet, then allow it to dry before examining to see if any areas need a little further attention. Finish by vacuuming & your light color carpet should be looking a great deal healthier than before!

Dye

If your still unhappy with the state of your light carpet, look into dying the fibers. You can choose powdered or liquid dye depending on the end result you require. Rent the equipment from hardware stores – the type you use should be informed by the size of the room. Be sure to protect the baseboards with tape and vacuum the room thoroughly before applying the dye.