11 Carpet Care Rules For Easy Maintenance

By Jason Roberts

When it comes to floors, there is nothing as good as having a clean new carpet. The bad news is, everything wears out and carpets aren’t an exception. The good news is that with proper care, you can maintain the new look for an extended period. What you need to do is to follow the tips listed below.

1. Take care of spills or any other droppings immediately

Allowing a spill to settle provides just enough time for it to penetrate deeper, dry and form a stubborn stain which might be hard to remove. It is therefore advisable to remove it immediately. Moreover, a drop of any solid material (such as food) should be carefully removed, to prevent it from smearing all over. You can use i.e. a spoon to get the most of it, and with some wet napkins you can make sure nothing remains behind. Finally, you may want to add some water mixed with detergent on the affected spot, which you can then remove with a wet-dry vacuum.

2. Use a certified solvent for spot removal

Use a spot removal solution approved by Carpet and Rug Institute of America, since they recommend products which are proven to be effective. No matter the size of the spot, apply a few drops of solvent onto a new cloth. First use the cloth to test if everything is ok, by applying it on a corner of the carpet, under a piece of furniture. If you happen to see a change in color, change the solution or contact a professional carpet cleaner. Else, rub the cloth gently on the affected area, until you remove the stain completely.

3. Use hydrogen peroxide for persistent stains

If you have a stubborn stain, that persist in staying on your carpet after cleaning, use 3 percent of Hydrogen Peroxide to moisten the tufts in the affected area. Blot the area and repeat the procedure until the stain disappears.

4. Choose the right vacuum cleaner

Go for vacuum cleaners which allow you to set different levels of height. Choose models with large wheels, since they are easier to move on frieze or shag carpets. Look for models with strong suction. If you’re into canisters, take a look at the Panasonic MC-CG902 or the Miele Complete C3 line.

5. Vacuum regularly

Dust makes its way into your carpet continuously, but you won’t be able to see it until it properly accumulates, usually after forming a soil pile. The result might be a change in color that will make your carpet look old, while also increasing its chances of wearing out. To prevent this from happening, you are advised to vacuum regularly. Cleaning your carpet once per week will keep it looking new and beautiful.

6. Use professional cleaning services every 12 to 18 months

No matter how good you are at cleaning, chances are you will make some mistakes. The only way to ensure your carpet maintains its perfect condition is to hire someone who can do this better and whose services are guaranteed to be effective. Once per year should do just fine. Make sure you read some reviews about the company you are planning to hire before actually doing it.

7. Remove burnt fibers

Most of the times, carpet burns don’t go deep, but affect the surface fibers and this makes carpets look ugly and dirty. You can remove the burnt area by just using your fingernails to cut the place out. For extreme cases, you might have to use a patch.

8. Remove furniture marks

Having a carpet on your floor means that heavy furniture will be lying on top of it for some period and, as a result, dents will form. Dents make carpets look bad, so if you’re rearranging the furniture, you can handle them using some water and a hair dryer. You can also stroke the areas using a coin’s edge.

9. Use walk-off mats

Walk-off mats should be placed on highly trafficked areas, with a greater chance of wearing out. These usually include the hall entrance, the front of the sofa and all the areas around the dining table.

10. The ‘no shoes’ rule

Shoes carry a lot of dirt and dust from outside. Stepping on your carpet with your shoes on means exposing it to stains and wear. The best way to prevent this is to make it a rule to leave all shoes at the entrance. You can inform anyone who comes in your house by installing a ‘No shoes on’ sign.

11. Get rid of any loose fibers

Projections, lint or snags of fibers make your carpet look old. They can be removed by just cutting them out using a pair of scissors.

To sum it up, maintaining the beauty of your carpet begins with you. Carpets can maintain their new look for a longer period if you respect some simple rules. Clearing burns, spills and droppings are some of the things you can take care of without the help of an expert. Proper care might save you thousands in time.