Carpet cleaning is an essential part of regular home upkeep. It removes dust, grime, pet hair and dander that builds up over time.
Stains from food, drinks, mud and other sources can also be reduced or eliminated with proper treatment. Blotting a stain as soon as it occurs reduces the chance of permanent color change. Contact Cleaning Services Salt Lake City now!
- Vacuum Regularly
If you’re going to invest money in wall-to-wall carpeting, regular vacuuming is one of the best ways to extend its life. Vacuuming removes dirt and other debris that can damage the fibers, which will shorten the carpet’s life. In addition, it improves air quality and helps your carpets stay soft and cushy.
Frequent vacuuming also prevents soil from working its way down into the pile where it can scratch and abrasive the individual fibers. This can lead to premature wear, which is why it’s so important to use a high-powered vacuum cleaner that’s designed to be gentle on the carpet.
A good rule of thumb is to vacuum your carpets at least once a week, or more often if there’s heavy foot traffic. Areas such as hallways, foyers and mudrooms tend to collect the most dust and dirt, so they should be vacuumed more frequently than bedrooms or other low-traffic areas of the home. When vacuuming, be sure to work slowly and thoroughly, allowing the suction of your machine to pull up ground-in dirt and debris. Vacuum a second time in the same direction after you’ve worked your way across the room to pick up any dirt that may have been missed.
You can reduce the amount of dirt that settles on your carpet by putting preventative measures into place, such as using doormats at all entrances and taking your shoes off before entering your home. You should also trim your pets’ claws and nails, not only to cut down on the amount of pet hair that ends up in the carpet but to avoid pulling on the carpet fibers and causing them to loosen.
It’s also a good idea to clean up new spills and spots as soon as they occur. This will not only prevent them from staining and soaking in, but it’ll help you avoid the need for professional carpet cleaning services that are often required when stains sit too long. When you do need to hire a professional, make sure they’re CRI certified and only use products that are approved by the manufacturer of your carpet.
- Keep the Area Clean
Carpet adds warmth and comfort to any room, but it also tends to be more high maintenance than hard floors. Whether you have clumsy kids, pets or just a steady stream of friends visiting, it’s easy to end up with dirt and stain buildup on the carpet. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks you can use to keep your carpets cleaner for longer.
Vacuum regularly. Dirt has abrasive qualities that can actually erode the fibers of your carpet over time. The easiest way to avoid this is by vacuuming at least once a week (twice a week in busy areas). This will remove most of the dirt and prevent it from becoming ground in and creating permanent marks in your carpet.
Spot and Stain Removal
When something spills on your carpet, blot it immediately with a cloth or paper towel. Then, apply a cleaning solution to the spot. You can use a store-bought spot remover or make your own by mixing one part liquid dish soap and two parts water. Once you’ve blotted the area dry, apply a deodorizer to the carpet. This will help eliminate any odors that are trapped in the fibers.
If you have a stain, such as red wine or nail polish, that won’t budge, try using rubbing alcohol or paint thinner. It can help dissolve the stain and make it easier to clean. Then, use a putty knife to scrape up the remaining solids and place them in a dustpan. If there’s any remaining dye, you may need to use Scotchguard.
Preventing Dirt
Prevention is always better than a cure, so try to minimize the amount of dirt that gets tracked into your carpets in the first place. Door mats are a good idea, and you should encourage family members and visitors to wipe their shoes before entering the house. You can also place a rug in the entranceway, which will help to protect your carpets from mud and other debris. Finally, you can invest in a bike shed to keep bicycles and other outdoor gear off the floor.
- Prevent Stains
Stains on carpets are unsightly, but they don’t have to be permanent. If you vacuum regularly and keep your carpets clean, stains won’t have as much of an impact on the look and feel of your home. Stains are also harder to remove the longer they sit, so it is best to try and prevent them as much as possible.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent stains is to clean up any spills immediately. The longer a spill is left on the carpet, the more it will soak into the fibers and become more difficult to remove. When a spill happens, it is also important to blot the area rather than rub it. Rubbing can cause the stain to set in and make it even more difficult to remove.
In addition to cleaning up spills as soon as they happen, it is also a good idea to use a carpet protectant that will help to reduce the amount of stains your carpet experiences. Most new carpet has a built in stain repellant, but if your carpet doesn’t have it, you can get a protectant applied by a professional. This will not prevent all stains, but it will significantly reduce the number that your carpet experiences.
Other ways to help prevent stains on your carpets include keeping a shoe-free policy and using doormats. Encouraging family members and guests to remove their shoes at the door will help to prevent dirt, mud and oil from being tracked onto your carpets. Placing a mud-repellent rug or plastic mat at the entrance to your house will also help to reduce the number of stains on your carpets.
It is a good idea to have a stain removal kit on hand for when stains do occur. This kit should contain a stain remover that will work on a variety of different types of stains. The kit should also contain a color restorer that can be used to bring back the original look of the carpet. Having this stain removal kit on hand will help to ensure that any stains caused by accidents or natural disasters can be quickly and easily removed.
- Keep the Area Dry
If you’re not careful, your carpets can become a haven for microscopic organisms like mold and mildew. Keeping them clean is important for health reasons and also to prolong their life and maintain their appearance. It’s recommended to vacuum your carpet at least once a week, and more often in high-traffic areas. Vacuuming helps to remove dirt and other particles from deep within the fibers, which can prevent them from being trapped by the cleaning agents used during a professional carpet cleaning service. Spot cleaning is another important aspect of keeping your carpets clean. By removing spills and other accidents quickly, you can prevent them from setting into the carpet, causing discoloration and staining. Be sure to blot, rather than rub, to avoid spreading the stain and pushing it deeper into the carpet fibers. Using carpet cleaners specifically designed for your carpet type is important, as the wrong ones can cause permanent damage.
The process of deep cleaning your carpet can be time consuming, and it’s essential to allow the area plenty of time to dry afterward. Several factors influence the drying process, including:
-Temperature: Warmer temperatures speed up the drying process, as they help the water evaporate more quickly. -Ventilation: Opening windows and turning on fans increases air circulation, which decreases humidity levels and helps the carpet to dry faster.
-Fan Speed: Increasing the speed at which the fan is running can also increase the drying speed. -Dehumidifiers: These devices work by pulling moisture out of the air, which is particularly helpful in the case of water-soaked or flood-damaged carpets.
When you need to get your carpets cleaned, be sure to allow ample time for the area to dry before putting furniture back on it. It can take up to a full day for some larger rooms of carpet to be completely dry, and placing furniture on wet floors can lead to unwanted microorganisms growing in hidden, damp crevices.
There are many things you can do to keep your carpets clean and looking great. Vacuuming on a regular basis, preventing spills and stains, and making sure the carpet is fully dried after cleaning can extend its lifespan and keep it looking beautiful.
