Having your carpets professionally cleaned leaves them fresh, hygienic, and free from stains and debris. You want to keep your carpets clean for as long as possible to enjoy effects. Just follow some simple carpet cleaning tips and tricks to maintain the just-cleaned feeling.
Begin with the Right Cleaning
Hire a professional service that does not use excess detergents or chemicals. Too much sticky residue left behind on your carpet will only attract more dirt. The less residue there is, the longer your carpets will stay clean.
Vacuum Regularly
Once-a-week vacuuming should be sufficient for most homes, although you can safely vacuum up to once per day. Regular vacuuming will remove the dirt that becomes embedded in the fibers. Vacuuming also removes small particles, such as sand, that are abrasive to the carpet fibers. Keep the plate height set at the right level for your carpet to avoid fiber damage.
Some homes require more-frequent vacuuming:
- Homes with numerous dogs or cats
- Homes with young children running in and out
- Homes near undeveloped land, a pond, or a lake with a sandy beach.
If you use a vacuum that requires a bag, change it when it begins to become full. A loss of suction reduces the amount of dirt the vacuum picks up. Check the brushes on the bottom every few weeks to make sure they move freely. Strings and hair can accumulate on the roller and stop it from rotating
Avoid using cleaning powders on your carpets. Unless you can vacuum them up completely, they will cake and attract more debris. Powders form the same sticky residue that detergents create, especially in humid conditions. Chemical remnants from powders may even damage the carpet fibers.
Cleaning Spills
When spills do happen, clean them quickly. First, gather any solids. Then blot the area gently with a clean cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible. Work from the outside of the stain to the inside to reduce stain spread. Never rub spills; rubbing spreads the liquid and pushes it deeper into the carpet.
Always test any spot cleaning solution in a hidden area first to ensure that it doesn't bleach or damage the carpet. This Old House recommends a simple solution of 1/2 teaspoon of white vinegar to 64 ounces of water. Once you have removed the spill, begin blotting the area with this mixture.
If you have hard-to-remove spills, such as red wine, blueberry pie, or oils, you'll need a stronger solution or a specialized removal method.
Keep the Dirt Out
One of the best carpet cleaning tips is removing your shoes before you enter your home. The bottoms of shoes carry a large amount of dirt, sand, and damaging debris inside.
Set up an area near your front door for shoes. You may want to have slippers or other inside shoes ready for guests or family members to wear. Keep a good mat inside your front door for visitors to use to wipe their feet.
Even if you don't remove your shoes, always remove muddy boots before walking on your carpet. Pay particular attention to grease, gum, or other substances that end up on the bottom of your shoes.
Keeping your floors clean after a professional carpet cleaning is within the grasp of every homeowner. A few tips will allow you to have a healthy, clean carpet for a longer time.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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