What To Know
- Additionally, you can help preserve your carpet by placing a mat by your entrances and exits, encouraging your family members and guests to wipe their feet as they enter.
- Moving your heavy pieces around about once a year — even just a few inches at a time — can have an impact.
Carpet is a common fixture in many offices and homes. This is because carpet is soft and cozy under your feet, and carpet creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, since it comes in such a wide array of styles and colors, the right carpet can really tie a room together.
Unless you let it go into disrepair. Nothing is more off-putting that dirty, dingy, stinky carpeting. Fortunately, keeping your carpet clean and fresh is simple and straightforward. There is no need to get down on your knees to scrub or steam clean your floor yourself: there is a better way to clean carpets!
If you are at a loss when it comes to carpet cleaning advice, you’ve come to the right place. By following these five basic carpet cleaning tips, you keep successfully keep your carpet looking and smelling great for years to come.
Tip #1: Tackle Spills Immediately
When spills happen, you need to act quickly. Immediate action is the best way to prevent a spill from turning into a permanent stain. Do not delay when you notice a spill! Grab some materials and get to work.
To start, blot a spill up with a folded, clean towel. Try to avoid rubbing, as this can reinforce the stain. Select a commercial cleansing product that is approved for use on your carpet, or create a DIY cleaning product from equal parts vinegar and club soda. Apply your cleansing product to the stain and blot again. Finally, wait for the area to dry and then vacuum up any remaining residue.
Tip #2: Upgrade Your Vacuum
If your home contains carpet, you closet probably contains a vacuum cleaner. However, that old dinosaur of a vacuum may be doing more harm than good! Weak and out-of-date vacuum cleaners may fail to lift out dirt, causing your carpet to degrade faster. Additionally, a worn out vacuum may damage your carpet fibers.
For best results, you should be using a higher-end vacuum cleaner. Look for a vacuum that has a suction power of 245 AU (air watts) or higher. Experts suggest that this is the best vacuum bang for your buck. Be sure to vacuum all of your carpet on a weekly basis, or more often as needed.
Tip #3: Vacuum High-Traffic Areas More Often
Unless you have a super fluffy dog or messy kids, vacuuming your home once a week is probably sufficient. However, the dirt, dust, and debris that gets frequently tracked in on your shoes can be slowly damaging your carpet in high-traffic areas. Certain areas of your home — such as entryways, hallways, or even living rooms — could benefit from daily vacuuming.
Additionally, you can help preserve your carpet by placing a mat by your entrances and exits, encouraging your family members and guests to wipe their feet as they enter. If you want to take it a step further, you might consider making your home a shoe-free zone. Place a shoe rack by the door and hang up a friendly sign.
Tip #4: Move Your Furniture
Big, substantial furniture — such as desks, dressers, pianos, and couches — can cause dents in your carpet. If you leave your furniture in the same location for years at a time, these indentations can become permanent. Additionally, when your furniture stays fixed in one spot, stains and spills are more likely to happen in similar spots over and over (such as next to the couch).
You might not consider the location of your furniture pieces when it comes to carpet maintenance. However, moving your heavy pieces around about once a year — even just a few inches at a time — can have an impact. Make your calendar and have some fun rearranging the furniture in your home.
If you notice carpet dents that don’t seem to be going away, try placing a ice cube in each dent overnight. In the morning, use a spoon or carpet brush to re-fluff the fibers and remove the dent for good.
Tip #5: Hire a Professional
Treating spills and vacuuming regularly can go a long way toward keeping your carpet healthy. However, there is really no substitute for a professional carpet cleaning every now and then. A professional cleaning can lift out stubborn dirt, remove stains, and extend the life of your carpet at home.
Plan to have your carpet cleaned by a professional about once a year, or more often if you have small children or pets. If it has been a while since your last cleaning, think about making an appointment today.
