Carpet Care And Maintenance

Carpet can be luxurious and comfortable, but it also requires regular maintenance and care to look like new. Proper care can help extend the life and beauty of your carpet.

Follow these simple steps for easy and quick carpet maintenance.

1. Vacuum Regularly

Vacuuming regularly is one of the best ways to keep your carpets looking new. Vacuuming prevents soil and dirt from being embedded in carpet fibers.

The amount of foot traffic in the area will determine how often you vacuum.

• High-Traffic Areas: Everyday or twice a week for lanes.
• Areas with Low Traffic: once or twice per week for lanes.

Vacuuming helps keep fibers soft and pliable, as well as preventing dirt from sinking into the carpet.

2. Remove Spills Right Away

Spills happen. You can expect at least some spills. If you are prepared, however, you can prevent them from setting in stains which will be more difficult to remove.

Be sure to have carpet cleaners on hand so that you can clean up spills as soon as possible. Blot the stain, not rub it.

Here are some helpful tips:

• If there is solid material in the spill (e.g. cereal bits, pasta, or rice), use a dull knife or spoon to remove as much as possible. Use a dull spoon or knife to remove as much material as possible.
• Add water to the stain and use a blotting motion.
• Use the highest suction level when vacuuming. If necessary, add a bit more water to the stain and repeat until you are done.
• Use only spot removers approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute of America.
• Test the product on a small corner of the room before using it to make sure that the color doesn’t get changed.

Spills can be cleaned quickly to prevent permanent stains and maintain the appearance of your carpet. Spills will happen. But if you clean them up quickly, no one can tell.

3. Get Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned Every Year

It is important to have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12-18months. The preferred method is hot water extraction (also known as “steam” cleaning). You may be required to hire a certified professional to clean your carpets as part of the warranty provided by the carpet manufacturer.

This step is important, even if you want to cut costs on carpet cleaning in Lower Hutt. This is one of the best ways to keep your carpets in pristine condition.

Hot water extraction removes embedded dirt, while also sanitizing your carpet and refreshing it.

4. Use a Coin to Remove Furniture Dents

Heavy furniture can cause dents to appear in your carpet or even cause the piles to be crushed. Move your heavy furniture periodically to avoid permanent crushing.

You can remove dents by gently stroking with the edge of the coin. You can also use an ice-cube to fluff the carpet fibers and loosen up the piles.

5. Clip Snags, Don’t Pull

As your carpet ages you will find snags or sprouts. You may be tempted to pull up the snags and move on, but this could cause damage to your carpet.

Snags and sprouts can be clipped with a scissors. Clipping the carpet will enhance its appearance without damaging it. Clipping the carpet in certain areas is fine, but not other areas.

6. Use a Squeegee for Pet Hair Removal

It can be frustrating to shed and deal with pet hair. Vacuuming may help, but not all the hair.

A squeegee will remove pet hair quickly from carpets that have short fibers. Simply run the squeegee over your carpet to remove pet hair and vacuum the piles. Use a squeegee that has a long handle to save time.

7. Use Mats at Entryways and Blinds in Sunny Areas

When it comes to keeping carpets clean and bright, mats and blinds will be your best friends. Place mats in front of every door to prevent dirt and mud from being tracked in.

Throw rugs are a great way to add a little extra flair in high traffic areas like hallways.

Consider using blinds or curtains along with throw rugs to protect areas that are exposed to UV damage. The sun’s rays over time can cause discoloration. Close the curtains or blinds in these areas to keep your carpet looking fresh and bright.

Final Thoughts

You can maintain your carpet for many years with the right care and maintenance. Cleaning up spills promptly, vacuuming frequently and getting your carpets cleaned professionally can help extend the life of carpeting in your home.