5 Time-Tested Cleaning Techniques for Carpets, Rugs, and Floors

Even Supermom can't guarantee that no one will wear shoes indoors, that pets and kids won't bring mud inside, or that food and drinks won't spill over the living room carpet. We've all faced the challenge of stubborn stains, dirt, and odors embedded in our flooring. They show up unexpectedly and cling to your carpet no matter how much you scrub and scrub.

For this kind of challenge, you need a few tried-and-true tools that have been passed down through generations. Your grandmother's grandmother kept her carpets spotless without modern vacuum cleaners or commercial stain removers, so why mess with what works? These 5 classic cleaning methods can help you outdo Supermom in your fight against the ugly (and stinky) messes trapped in your carpets, rugs, and floors. First on the list: how to make your hardwood floor shine without a vacuum cleaner.

5: Try a Self-Cleaning Broom

For centuries, people managed without vacuum cleaners and might have even had cleaner hardwood floors because of it. Brooms, made from real broomcorn, have done the trick for generations. A traditional broom made from broomcorn cleans itself as you use it. Dirt and soil particles don't cling to these natural bristles the way they do with synthetic broom bristles.

When it comes to cleaning hardwood floors, a real broom is a better (and more affordable) choice than a vacuum cleaner – no need to change dirt bags or use electricity – and it works more efficiently than synthetic brooms. Mothers have been relying on this method for years to keep their floors dirt-free.

4. Shave Away Stains

You might try rearranging the furniture to hide that stain on the rug, but you'd have better luck tackling the stain first. A small spill might be wiped away with water and a cloth, but tougher stains like red wine or pet urine require a stronger solution. Lucky for you, the answer is in your shower!

A simple yet effective stain remover for carpets is shaving cream. Grab an old shaving brush or a cheap paintbrush (one dedicated solely for this purpose), and gently work the shaving cream into the stain. Once you've done that, wipe up the shaving cream and stain remnants with a clean, damp rag, then blot the area dry with a white or color-fast cloth.

3: Eliminate Carpet Odors

If you've ever had a wet dog stroll through your living room after a rainy day, you know how carpets trap odors long after the source has left. To refresh a carpet or large area rug that has absorbed unwanted pet smells, smoke, or other odors, mix 2 cups of cornmeal with 1 cup of borax and sprinkle the mixture on the carpet. Let it sit for an hour, then vacuum it up.

Another effective method for removing odors is to generously sprinkle cornstarch over the floor and vacuum it up after about an hour.

With either of these methods, you'll be surprised at how much fresher the entire room smells. However, to keep that fresh scent, make sure Rover stays dry next time before he rolls around!

2: Tackle Scuff Marks

Scuff marks on floors are unavoidable – even your grandmother, whose house always looked immaculate, couldn't escape them. It's unrealistic to expect your gorgeous linoleum to remain flawless forever, given the constant traffic of feet and paws and the furniture you drag across it.

So, what was your grandmother's trick for maintaining that perfect appearance? Likely, it involved the use of old-fashioned toothpaste (not the gel variety). You can often remove scuff marks from linoleum by using an old toothbrush to work the toothpaste into the mark, wiping it away with a damp cloth, and then washing the floor as usual.

1: Remove Grease Stains

Forget about grass or blood stains – grease is perhaps the toughest carpet stain to remove. But we have a secret weapon that'll banish it from your carpet fibers: flour.

Sprinkle the stained area with finely sifted flour, then place a piece of brown paper (such as from a clean paper lunch bag or shopping bag) over the stain. Stack some heavy items, like phone books or bricks, on top of the paper and leave it for about 30 minutes. Afterward, remove the weight and paper, and use a clean whisk broom to sweep up the flour. Repeat the process with fresh flour and paper as needed until the grease is completely absorbed.

Excerpted from "101 Old-Time Country Household Hints," © 2008 Publications International, Ltd.