by Madison Briggs

Created on: May 09, 2008   Last Updated: March 22, 2010

Carpets in your home take a lot of wear and tear from foot traffic, pet traffic and everyday dust, dirt and grime. Even when stains or dirt are not visible, your carpets most likely are hiding grime deep in their fibers. Carpets are expensive just like all floor coverings and keeping them clean will prolong the life and enjoyment.

Weekly Carpet Cleaning Tips

*Invest in a good high powered vacuum cleaner and vacuum at least once a week, or more often depending on home's occupants and traffic areas. Pets, children and smokers require more vacuuming.

*Set your vacuum to the correct height of your carpet pile and vacuum slowly making several crisscross passes. Quick vacuum passes can leave a lot of dirt remaining deep down in the fibers. Using beater bar heights can grab hold of some looped styled carpets and damage.

*To freshen your carpets, sprinkle baking soda and vacuum thoroughly.

Stains and Carpet Cleaning Tips

*Liquid spills require immediate blotting action. Do not rub, but rather, blot dry as much as possible with a white cloth or clean towel to avoid dye stains. Rubbing only drives the stain deeper into the carpet fibers.

*Wine or other red dye stains from liquid or food-apply a solution of club soda and peroxide, keeping in mind peroxide is a bleach agent. Mix 30/70 and apply. After 30 minutes, blot dry then apply mixture of vinegar and water solution to rinse and blot dry.

*Mud needs to be allowed to dry completely to avoid a bigger stain. After it dries, lightly brush then vacuum well.

*Gum needs to be frozen solid before removal. Do not place ice cubes directly onto the carpet, but place in plastic bags directly onto the gum for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once gum is frozen, peel from the carpet. Canned air used for computer keyboard cleaning can be used also to dry the gum to the point of brittleness, then just pick the gum pieces up and vacuum well.

*Spray non-gel type shaving cream on stains and leave for 15 minutes to set. Do not rub in. After 15 minutes, spray on vinegar and water solution and blot dry.

CARPET SHAMPOOING TIPS:

*Know whether your carpet is synthetic, wool, silk or other material. Cleaning methods and products vary according to the material.

*Try to avoid using carpet shampoos as it is nearly impossible to get the entire shampoo residue out of your carpet. This residue can actually cause your carpets to become dirtier quicker in the weeks following shampooing as the residue attracts dirt and grime.

*Avoid applying too much water while using a steam or carpet shampooer. Too much water can damage your sub-floor and drive dirt deeper into the carpet instead of lifting it out.

*The best cleaning solution for shampooing with a machine is a mixture of 1 cup of white vinegar per 2 1/2 gallons of water. The vinegar neutralizes old shampoo residue, adheres to new dirt and grime, pulling it to the surface to be cleaned away instead of pushing it farther into the fibers. After using this solution, make an additional pass using warm water.

*Keep in mind that rinsing after shampooing is as important as shampooing. Shampoo residue attracts dirt and makes your carpets stiff. Rinsing will make your carpets soft and fresh again.

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