How to Clean High Traffic "Dark" Path in My Carpet

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and suggestions for cleaning high traffic areas on carpets, particularly where dirt and stains accumulate. Various cleaning methods and products are discussed, along with personal anecdotes related to carpet maintenance.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes their struggle with a darker area on their carpet despite multiple cleaning attempts using a carpet cleaner.
  • Another participant mentions considering hiring a professional carpet cleaner for similar issues.
  • Several users suggest using white vinegar as a cleaning solution, citing its effectiveness as an all-purpose cleaner.
  • One participant humorously suggests placing furniture over the stained area to change traffic flow.
  • Multiple participants mention using Oxiclean, with one sharing a method of mixing it with warm water and letting it set before cleaning.
  • Another participant expresses frustration with the inability to achieve a completely clean carpet, contemplating removing it to check for hardwood floors underneath.
  • One participant shares a long-term experience with carpet maintenance, noting that avoiding shampooing helped keep their carpets looking new.
  • Another participant discusses the challenges of cleaning berber carpet and shares their experience with using a powder cleaner.
  • One user mentions using baking soda and white vinegar together as a cleaning method, detailing their process and results.
  • Several participants express curiosity about the effectiveness of different cleaning products, including Windex and Purple Power.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best methods for cleaning carpets, with no clear consensus on a single effective solution. Some participants advocate for specific products while others share personal cleaning techniques.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a range of experiences with different carpet types and cleaning challenges, often influenced by factors such as household pets and foot traffic.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers within the consultant community who are dealing with similar carpet cleaning challenges may find the shared experiences and suggestions relevant.

KellyTheChef
KellyTheChef
Gold Member
Messages
7,533
Hey all!

We have a light tan freize (sp?) like carpet (cross between plush and freize...hard to describe) that has multi colors flecked throughout. It hides little imperfection stains...but has a darker area where we walk all of the time. I used my carpet cleaner for the hallway and the living room. The area where we walk is still DARKER. I even went back over it NUMEROUS times, and used the water surge so it would get doused with the carpet cleaning water solution...and went very slow so the scrubbing heads would have plenty of time to "scrub" before sucking the water back out.

Any ideas on what I can do here? I had even sprayed on a stain remover over the pathway, and waited a few minutes before using my carpet cleaner.

Thanks if you know of anything in particular that works well to get out high traffic path dirt!
 
I have that same problem. One of these days I am going to higher a carpet cleaner to come in and do it.
 
What about white vinegar? Its like the all purpose cleaner for me....
 
Put a couch over it and change the flow of traffic!(Sorry couldn't resist...our cream carpet is older than dirt...I'm AFRAID of what is under it!...clean just doesn't seem to happen no how many times I scrub it!)
 
I agree with Janet!

What about the Oxiclean don't they make a carpet cleaner?
 
cwinter474 said:
I agree with Janet!

What about the Oxiclean don't they make a carpet cleaner?
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Of course it probably looks funny with a couch in line with a door! :p
 
Every once in awhile we would use Oxiclean(sp?) DH would put it in a spray bottle with warm water & let it set in for awhile & then steam clean it...HTH
 
janetupnorth said:
Of course it probably looks funny with a couch in line with a door! :p
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True, but might be a good conversation started, or keep people from visiting.
 
I just shampooed my carpets yesterday....yuck, I don't think you can ever get carpet totally clean:yuck: Tempting to rip it up & see if I have hardwood floors underneath!
Good luck!
 
lacychef said:
I just shampooed my carpets yesterday....yuck, I don't think you can ever get carpet totally clean:yuck: Tempting to rip it up & see if I have hardwood floors underneath!
Good luck!
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That would be so cool.... I would LOVE to have hardwood floors!
 
I have hardwood in my dining room & love it. I'm pretty sure that I do have it in my living room too under the carpet...one day I'll get a wild hair & rip it up!
 
lacychef said:
I have hardwood in my dining room & love it. I'm pretty sure that I do have it in my living room too under the carpet...one day I'll get a wild hair & rip it up!
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put on your Nike's and "Just Do It"
 
This won't help you now but when we built our first house 20 years ago we had the yucky builder grade carpet. We lived with it as long as we could & 3 years later bought new carpet & upgraded to what we hoped would last with kids. The salesman told us to never shampoo (even professionally) your carpets. His reasoning was it will always have residue which will cause the dirt to build up and look dirty. He said vacuum every other day (I do every day cause thats my quirky personality) We never cleaned it and the day we moved out 7 years later they still looked new. When we were building this house in 1998 we went back to the same carpet store ordered the exact dark green we had in the other house and it still looks new. (same guy and he told us the same thing again) People will walk in and think its been replaced & comment on how soft it is. It actually is probably the only thing in the whole house we haven't changed. funny how even though we designed it and had it custom built we have "tweaked" it thru the years.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Teresa...I know that is what my problem is...I am HORRIBLE about sweeping! I don't know what the problem is since if I did it each day, it would take all of 5 minutes! THAT is what I need to do. Get this stain path cleaned up, and then vaccum each day!

I also have a dog (60#) and this door is where she comes in and out. If her feet are wet or dirty, I wipe them with a microfiber cloth...but I know she is the one really making the dirty path.

But, first things first...I need to get the dirt OUT OF THERE! (It actually just looks like a shadow...but it's only on the "path"!)
 
Teresa Lynn said:
The salesman told us to never shampoo (even professionally) your carpets. His reasoning was it will always have residue which will cause the dirt to build up and look dirty.
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That's what I was going to tell Kelly! Because of that residue, it will look dirtier even faster.
 
try windex....yes, the blue stuff!! you will be amazed!!!!
 
Kelly, I have berber and was told that I can't use a stain treater on it!! I was like what?!
I bought my house w/ the berber in place and replaced some other flooring in the house. I mentioned the "pathway" thru two of the rooms caused by 3 little boys living their prior. The people at the flooring store sold me some carpet cleaner that is all powdery type and not liquid.
I haven't tried it yet (been afraid) but I have steam cleaned my carpets with OxyClean instead of shampoo. I had to do this when the contractor that was working in my basement allowed someone to stand and they must have used the spot to wipe their feet in the middle of my light cream colored berber. The area was bigger than a basket ball!! It did come up but while steam cleaning, but when I was doing it my floor looked dirtier than it did. But it took out the "pathways" and looks great now!!
Best of luck!!!
 
Purple power they sell at auto zone
 
The Rainbow has removed stains that were in carpet for a long time, that even professional carpet cleaners were unable to get out; it has amazed several friends. I like the fact that it is an air purifier and that we have less dust and pollen in the air.
 
I was all excited for a moment, seeing posts from people I haven't heard from in years, only to see someone bumped an eight year old thread. Whatever happened to Janet, anyway?
 
I have a beige carpet that has a path despite the fact that I remove my shoes when in the house. I am using a liberal amount of baking soda and a spray bottle of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes then scrub with a toothbrush and scrub brush to get it down the whole shaft of the fiber; let it sit for a while. Then use a bath towel to rub the carpet as dry as you can get it. Vacuum. It takes some elbow grease. I just do a section of carpet each day. Probably take another two days before I am finsished, but it's working. You can tell exacty where I left off each day. I plan to keep vacuum handy and start vacuuming path daily from now on. Also ordered a carpet rake and plan to use that also, to fluff up fibers. NEVER use machine to clearn your carpet; it ruins them. Stains always reappear. Do them by hand. Folex is a great carpet cleaner, but the baking soda and white vinegar is working wonders on the path. UNGH...
 
I have not seen Janet here for a long time. I too was wondering about her.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best methods to clean high traffic dark paths in my carpet?

The best methods to clean high traffic dark paths in your carpet include using a carpet cleaner with a strong suction, steam cleaning, or applying a mixture of vinegar and water. Regular vacuuming and spot cleaning can also help maintain the appearance of your carpet.

Can I use baking soda to remove dark stains from my carpet?

Yes, baking soda can be effective in removing dark stains from your carpet. Sprinkle baking soda on the stained area, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, and then vacuum it up. This can help absorb odors and lift some stains.

How often should I clean high traffic areas in my carpet?

High traffic areas should be cleaned more frequently than other parts of your carpet. Ideally, you should vacuum these areas at least twice a week and deep clean them every 6 to 12 months, depending on the level of foot traffic.

What cleaning solutions are safe for my carpet?

Safe cleaning solutions for carpets include mild dish soap mixed with water, white vinegar diluted with water, and commercial carpet cleaners that are labeled as safe for your carpet type. Always test a small area first to ensure there is no discoloration.

Should I hire a professional to clean my carpet?

If the dark paths in your carpet are particularly stubborn or extensive, hiring a professional carpet cleaning service may be beneficial. Professionals have specialized equipment and cleaning solutions that can effectively restore your carpet's appearance.

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