Carpet does require some basic maintenance and attention for it to maintain its as-new appearance. It is less resistant to spills, debris, and dust than the hard floor covering options – but with a little effort and the right care, you can keep your carpet looking like new and great for many years to come.
Among the biggest drawbacks of carpet compared with other types of flooring is that it is more difficult to keep clean, fresh, and looking its best. Its tendency to wear with time, especially in high-traffic areas, and to stain easily means that some are reluctant to invest in carpet.
With proper care, however, it’s not difficult to keep your carpets looking, feeling, and smelling like new.
Here are some Carpet Cleaning tips to lengthen the life and ongoing beauty of your carpet.
9 Top Tips for Maintaining Beautiful Carpet
1. Choose the Right Carpet from the Outset.
Choose sensibly. Is your carpet for a formal living room, a bedroom, a children’s playroom, or a high traffic area? Do you have indoor pets? What kind of lifestyle do you lead? Do you entertain a lot?
Will you be better served by a plush, luxurious carpet or a durable, serviceable Berber, ideal for high traffic areas? Will wool, nylon, or polyester carpet be better for you and your budget? Do some research and talk to your professional, expert carpet supplier for advice and guidance.
2. Opt for Added Protection when you get your Carpet Laid.
When you have your carpet laid or cleaned, consider having a protective stain-resistant treatment applied. It can offer extra protection against stains and make them easier to remove if they occur.
You can also add floor runners where the carpet meets timber or tile flooring, These are unobtrusive and prevent the carpet from wearing at the edges or lifting.
Consider purchasing protective “feet” covers for the legs of chairs, tables, and other furniture to protect the carpet underneath.
3. By Vacuuming your carpet floors Regularly helps with keeping carpet Looking like New
Vacuuming is critical for removing dirt, dust, and other debris. Ideally, vacuum once per week, as well as spot-vacuuming if you notice the carpet is dirty. Handheld or Stick vacuums are a good option when it comes to vacuuming small spills. Vacuum thoroughly, in one direction and then perpendicular to it, and ensure you get into corners, along walls, and underneath furniture. Maintain and service your vacuum cleaner for optimal results.
4. Don’t Use Chemical Carpet Cleaning Agents.
Avoid using synthetic cleaners as they not only damage the carpet fibers but can also be harmful to your family and pets. Choose plant-based or biodegradable cleaners, or simply use white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
Sprinkle baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) onto the carpet and leaving it for 30 minutes before vacuuming thoroughly. This will freshen the carpet and help remove odors.
5. Place Rugs over High Traffic Areas in your Home.
Using rugs over high-traffic areas in your home can help to protect your carpet from wear and tear. Used in spaces such as under the coffee table or dining area further eliminates the risk of spillage and staining on the carpet. Though you will need to address these on the rug, it is much easier to clean or replace a rug than an entire carpet.
6. Eliminate Stains Fast from Carpet
Clean spills and stains as soon as they occur or as soon as you notice them. Common carpet stains include coffee, red wine, food, pet stains, child-related stains, and blood – and each requires a unique approach for best results. Blot the stain with a dry towel (don’t rub), remove all debris, and follow instructions for the specific type of stain you have. A simple Google search will provide guidelines for “how to remove xxxx from carpet”.
7. Make Your Home a Shoe-Free Zone.
Wherever possible, remove outside shoes before coming into your home, and maintain a shoe-free interior space on carpeted areas in particular. This helps keep dirt, dust, and dampness from outside out of your home, and is better for your family’s health and well being. Instead, go barefoot in the home or wear socks, slippers, or dedicated at-home indoor shoes.
8. Rearrange Your Furniture.
Doing this from time to time not only revamps the look and feel of a room but also helps prevent damaging weight marks from furniture from settling into your carpet.
9. Having your Carpet Professionally Cleaned Annually will help keep carpet looking like new.
There’s nothing like a professional steam clean or dry clean to revamp your home and your carpets. The amount of dust, dirt, and grime, not to mention stain removal and the removal of microbes like bacteria and mites that professionals can achieve with commercial-grade cleaning processes are remarkable.
It is well worth the financial outlay to have this performed once per year, summer is ideal as your carpets will dry much more quickly and you’ll marvel at how great your carpets and rugs look and smell.
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like the look, feel, and smell of freshly laid carpet. While timber and engineered flooring and tiles are incredibly popular today, carpets remain very appealing, especially for bedrooms. They add a cosy aesthetic to a room, keep the home warmer and drier in winter, and are comfortable to walk, sit, and even lie down on.