You want your carpet to stay beautiful as long as possible; carpet is an investment in your home. Carpet damage happens over time as you, your family, and even your pets wear down the fibers from foot traffic, and the mud and dirt tracked in during rainy weather can cause even more damage. However, you can fight off this additional damage and keep your carpet looking its best with a few simple steps.
Keep the Dirt Outside
A good mat just inside or outside your exterior doors is a great place to start in keeping mud out of your home. Of course, not everyone always wipes her feet well. The debris gets tracked in on the bottom of everyone's shoes and deposited on your carpet. These sharp, rough particles wear down the fibers in your carpet.
Consider just what mud and other outside debris contains. Sandy material and grit abound in everyday mud. Sand is very abrasive—just think about sandpaper or sandblasting operations. If sand can remove paint from metal, think about what it can do to your carpet. Very small pebbles or other rock material also gets tracked inside in muddy conditions. Even on dry days, these materials get tracked into your home.
Keep the Dirt Off Your Carpet
Doormats will not keep all the debris out. For high-traffic areas, consider a carpet runner or throw rug to reduce the dirt, eventual wear, and carpet damage. Runners are excellent for use in main hallways or entryways. Choose washable materials so you can easily clean your rugs when they become too dirty.
You also get an added benefit with runners or mats: Purchase them in colors that can mix or match with your decor. This provides a new look for areas in your home without an expensive investment.
Vacuum Thoroughly and Often
The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends vacuuming all flooring at least once a week. High-traffic areas should be gone over more often. As soon as you notice debris or mud, get it cleaned up. You may need to use a rag or paper towel to pick up large blobs of muddy material. Just be careful not to push the dirt down into the fibers. Scoop the dirt up; do not press on it.
Let wet areas dry a bit before vacuuming, then go over the area as thoroughly as possible. Remember that no matter how good a vacuum you own, some of the debris will work its way through the carpet backing to the padding underneath. For the best vacuuming results, change your bag or empty the dirt container frequently. When the bag or container becomes too full, the suction of your vacuum may be reduced.
Get Professional Carpet Cleaning Every 12 to 18 Months
The Carpet and Rug Institute also recommends residential homes have professional carpet cleaning done every 12 to 18 months. This is the best way to ensure that all the ground-in dirt is fully removed from your carpeting. Good cleaning extends the life of your carpet.
ZEROREZ® uses no shampoos or chemicals that can cause carpet damage by reattracting dirt from the sticky residue left behind. There are no toxins to harm your family or pets. So go ahead and play in the rain, just make sure you clean your carpets afterwards.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
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