If you've chosen carpet for your home, you've made a great investment that, with the right care, will last you for many years to come. We've assembled our best tips for maintaining carpeting that will help you to extend its life and keep it looking new!
Taking Care of Your Carpet
Carpet cleaning is actually easier than you might think. The simplest way to clean is with a regular vacuum treatment, roughly once a week if not more often. This will keep loose dirt and debris from getting ground in, which can damage fibers and cause discoloration. Make sure you're using the right type of vacuum as recommended by your manufacturer (consult your warranty information for more info).
Here are a few handy stain removal tips:
- The longer you let a spill sit, the more likely it is to stain, and the harder the stain will be to remove later. Treat any spills immediately after they occur.
- Food spills are often mostly solid material, so remove that first using a spoon or dull knife. Blot with water and a clean cloth, then vacuum the affected area on the highest suction function. You can continue to add more water as needed, vacuuming until all moisture and stained residue have been removed.
- For tougher stains, you may need to use a spot remover - again, consult your warranty information before using any product or chemical on your carpeting, and be sure to blot - never rub! Consult a professional carpet cleaner if you are unable to remove the stain completely.
Keeping Your Carpet Beautiful
With just a few simple routine steps, you'll be able to reliably keep your carpet looking fresh.
- Vacuum regularly, at least once a week.
- Be sure to use a vacuum type and setting that matches your carpet - depending on which type of carpet you have, you may need a vacuum with a beater bar or a rotating brush, or use no attachments and set it to suction-only.
- Have your carpet cleaned professionally every year.
- Never pull on snags or loose fibers - clip them with scissors to avoid damage.
- Surface burns can also be clipped - but deeper, more extensive burns may warrant a full replacement.
- If you have heavy furniture, you may notice dents left in your carpet upon moving it. Try gently stroking the dented area with the edge of a coin to smooth these dents out.
- If your carpet experiences any water damage, simply drying the surface may not be enough. Consult professional cleaners immediately so that you can get your carpet dried from both the front and the back.