Once you've found the best flooring for your needs, follow these carpet cleaning and maintenance tips to keep it looking new.Purchasing new carpet for your home is one of the larger investments you will make in your home’s upkeep, and it's important to find the right flooring to suit your needs.
These decisions are generally based on decor as well as functionality.
Once you've decided on a carpet, you need to make sure you take the follow through with proper carpet cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking great for years to come.
Here's how to make your carpet last longer and keep it looking like new:
1. Vacuum
The most important step you can take for the longevity of your carpet is vacuuming. Sand, soil and outdoor pollutants are carried into your home and collect on the fibers of the carpet.
With regular traffic, these react similar to sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes and can damage the fibers. The fibers are left looking dull and worn.
A large portion of the soiling on carpet is dry insoluble and is best removed by using a vacuum cleaner. A good guide to vacuum frequency is to vacuum once a week for every person and pet in the home. A minimum of three times a week for two or less occupants may be recommended.
Related Article
What's the Best Way to Vacuum? Don’t let dust bunnies and dirt balls rule your carpets. House cleaners reveal the most productive way to clean floors in your house.
2. Immediate stain removal
Quick removal of spills and stains is also very important. The longer a spill is allowed to sit on a carpet, the harder it is to remove. Water and blotting the stain with a clean white towel should always be your first defense when trying to remove stains.
If water alone isn't working, you can add a small amount of mild dish detergent to break the surface tension of the water. Beyond that, you should refer to a professional. Using a harsher detergent (high pH) can set a stain, making it impossible to remove.
Related Article
Carpet Cleaning Tips for Stubborn StainsNeed help with carpet cleaning and stain removal? Here's how to get out everything from bleach to chocolate, blood and red wine.
3. Regular carpet cleaning
Getting a regular carpet cleaning by a certified professional cleaner is recommended by the manufacturer in order to maintain your carpet’s warranty. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certifying body that sets the standards of cleaning recommended by most major manufacturers.
The institute provides extensive training and certifications for technicians in the carpet cleaning industry. Using a certified professional insures that your carpets will receive the proper care to extend the life of your investment. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning at least every 12 to 18 months.
Following these simple steps will greatly increase the life of your carpet. New flooring for your home is a significant investment. Keeping up with the proper care and maintenance of your carpet will insure that you receive the maximum life and appearance you expect and will also keep your home healthy and beautiful.
Source: Angie's List
These decisions are generally based on decor as well as functionality.
Once you've decided on a carpet, you need to make sure you take the follow through with proper carpet cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking great for years to come.
Here's how to make your carpet last longer and keep it looking like new:
1. Vacuum
The most important step you can take for the longevity of your carpet is vacuuming. Sand, soil and outdoor pollutants are carried into your home and collect on the fibers of the carpet.
With regular traffic, these react similar to sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes and can damage the fibers. The fibers are left looking dull and worn.
A large portion of the soiling on carpet is dry insoluble and is best removed by using a vacuum cleaner. A good guide to vacuum frequency is to vacuum once a week for every person and pet in the home. A minimum of three times a week for two or less occupants may be recommended.
Related Article
What's the Best Way to Vacuum? Don’t let dust bunnies and dirt balls rule your carpets. House cleaners reveal the most productive way to clean floors in your house.
2. Immediate stain removal
Quick removal of spills and stains is also very important. The longer a spill is allowed to sit on a carpet, the harder it is to remove. Water and blotting the stain with a clean white towel should always be your first defense when trying to remove stains.
If water alone isn't working, you can add a small amount of mild dish detergent to break the surface tension of the water. Beyond that, you should refer to a professional. Using a harsher detergent (high pH) can set a stain, making it impossible to remove.
Related Article
Carpet Cleaning Tips for Stubborn StainsNeed help with carpet cleaning and stain removal? Here's how to get out everything from bleach to chocolate, blood and red wine.
3. Regular carpet cleaning
Getting a regular carpet cleaning by a certified professional cleaner is recommended by the manufacturer in order to maintain your carpet’s warranty. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certifying body that sets the standards of cleaning recommended by most major manufacturers.
The institute provides extensive training and certifications for technicians in the carpet cleaning industry. Using a certified professional insures that your carpets will receive the proper care to extend the life of your investment. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning at least every 12 to 18 months.
Following these simple steps will greatly increase the life of your carpet. New flooring for your home is a significant investment. Keeping up with the proper care and maintenance of your carpet will insure that you receive the maximum life and appearance you expect and will also keep your home healthy and beautiful.
Source: Angie's List
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