Carpeting can be a costly investment for your home, so taking extra measures to clean and care for it will help protect your investment. Proper care will prevent damage, extend the life of your carpet and keep it looking new. Knowing a few basic tips will help to keep your carpets clean and damage free for years to come.
Routine vacuuming
Carpets should be vacuumed on a regular basis, to remove dirt and dust trapped in the fibers. Although most household vacuums aren't powerful enough to remove debris deeply embedded in the base of the fibers and under pad, they still suck up a great deal of dirt and dust. You should invest in a high quality vacuum. It may be a little costly, but the results will speak for themselves.
Vacuum bags should be replaced regularly, to keep your vacuum working at it's peak performance. When vacuuming, extra attention should be given to high traffic areas. You may want to make several passes over these areas to ensure the removal of excess dirt build up. Area carpets can be used in high traffic areas, to protect your carpet. They can easily be washed or taken outside to beat the dirt out. There is an accessory you can buy for about twenty dollars, called a carpet groomer.Working it over the carpet lifts and loosens deeply embedded dirt, before you vacuum. It might be a worth while investment.
Dirt and dust also accumulate along the edges of the carpet. A crevice tool should be used to clean this area, along with the baseboards. Did you know you should wear socks or slippers in the house? The natural oils present on the bottom of your feet transfer to carpets and dirty them.
Stain removal
It is important to address spills as soon as they happen, to avoid a stain setting in. One key thing to remember is to blot, don't rub. Rubbing results in breaking down the carpet fibers and spreading the stain. Here are a few tips for stain removal. Remember to always use a white cloth to avoid transferring dye from a colored cloth to your carpet.
Food stains: Most food stains can be removed with shaving cream. Spray it on the stain and let it set for fifteen minutes, then rinse with a vinegar and water solution. Brake cleaner can be used on food stains as well. It contains the same chemical that dry cleaners use to remove stains from clothing. Dab a little bit on a cloth and gently blot the stain. Rinse with a mild soap and water solution. Never pour the brake cleaner directly on the carpet as it can dissolve the adhesive which holds the fibers in the carpet.
Red Dye: This is present in things like Kool Aid and Popsicles. Apply a solution of 30/70 peroxide to water. Wait thirty minutes and blot up as much moisture as possible, then rinse with a vinegar and water solution.
Ink: Apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth. Blot on the stain and wait thirty minutes. Blot up as much moisture as possible and rinse with soapy water.
Gum And Wax: Use ice cubes to freeze and harden the substance, then chip it off with the blunt end of a knife.
Pet Stains: Blot up as much as possible. Treat area with a solution of vinegar, water and a squirt of dish washing detergent. Lay several paper towels over top and weigh them down with a heavy book or weight. This should soak the stain out of the carpet.
Cleaning
Vacuuming and stain removal contribute to the upkeep and cleaning of your carpet, but a good thorough cleaning should be done at least once a year. This will break down dirt and dust, draw out deeply embedded build up and kill harmful germs and bacteria. There are a few different methods available whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. A good vacuuming should be done and stains pretreated before cleaning. Furniture should be moved before cleaning to allow for access to the whole carpet. Don't just clean visible parts of the carpet.
Steam Cleaning: This method uses hot water to produce steam that penetrates the carpet fibers. The temperature of the steam loosens embedded dirt and dust mites and kills bacteria. This is then sucked out of the carpet. As it is not possible to remove all the moisture from the carpet, keep this in mind. It can take three to four days for the carpet to thoroughly dry. This is ample time for odor causing bacteria and mildew to grow. You may be worse off than before you started.
Dry Carpet Cleaning: Chemicals are used to clean the carpet, in the form of foam or powder. The chemicals make their way to the base of the carpet fibers, dissolving dirt and stains. The dissolved dirt is absorbed by the cleaning agent and sucked up in a powerful vacuum. There is moisture involved in this process, but not as much as steam cleaning.
Carpet Shampooing: This really isn't a good method. The shampoo never gets completely rinsed out and leaves a sticky residue. This attracts dirt and captures it in the carpet fibers. If you have used a shampooer, there is a way to remove the residue. Rent a carpet shampoo machine that uses water. Mix one cup of vinegar to two and a half gallons of water and go over the carpet. The vinegar pulls the old shampoo from the carpet and cleans it as well. Go over the carpet again with just warm water in the machine.You may have to do it a couple of times, but you will notice your carpet is softer and cleaner.
Maintaining and cleaning your carpets will provide you with years of use. These routine steps will keep your carpets looking and smelling clean. It's a simple and low cost way to protect your investment, and your family from the bacteria that can live in your carpet.