Carpets are undeniably a welcome addition to any space and are often used as decoration accessories. However, in the past years, it has been observed that the most critical aspect of carpeting, its care, has not received the due attention it deserves, which is a terrible shame.
It’s not just the dirt and dust you have to worry about when it comes to carpet. You should care for your carpet if you would like the carpet to last longer. But cleaning a carpet is a significant expense. So, we tend to do it just by ourselves to save lots of cleaning services.
This post will share all the tips and tricks on how to make your carpet look new again quickly. Keep on reading, and don’t forget to share your results in the comment section!
HOW TO KNOW IF A CARPET NEEDS TO BE CLEANED?
Carpets are a great addition to your home. They’re soft and comfortable, and they can really add some warmth and coziness. But as anyone who has tried to clean one knows, they’re also a nightmare. There are so many diverse styles of carpets out there that it can be hard to tell which ones need cleaning or what the best way of cleaning them is!
Luckily, we’ve collected some basic information about how to determine which stains indicate it’s time for professional help:
? Stains
Stains on a carpet are a sign that the carpet has become dirty and needs to be cleaned. Food, drinks, or pets can cause these. You can extract most blots from your carpet by vacuuming them up and cleaning them with water (in some cases).
? Visible dirt
Visible dirt is the most obvious sign that a carpet needs cleaning. Dirt can be caused by a number of factors, including pets, children, and spills. Soil and dust are two common types of soil that may be present on your carpets when you don’t vacuum them regularly.
? Odors
If you notice that a room smells musty, it’s important to think about whether or not it’s time to clean the carpets. A musty scent can be induced by mildew or bacteria growth underneath the carpeting. This is usually caused by moisture buildup due to humidity and poor ventilation in the home. Even if you don’t see any visible signs of mold or mildew growing on your flooring, there may still be an issue brewing underneath that could cause long-term damage if left untreated.
? Allergies
If you have allergies and you’re looking for ways to reduce your symptoms, carpet cleaning may be the answer. Carpets can snare dust mites and other allergens like pollen, mold spores, and animal dander that trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. Carpet cleaning traps these irritants within the carpet fibers, so they’re not released into the air to inflame your respiratory system.
WAYS TO CLEAN THE CARPET
How do you clean the carpet? Do you vacuum it every day? Or does your housekeeper bring in a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar and then rub it back and forth across the floor? I’ve always been curious about what things people do to keep their carpets clean, so here are some of the most favored methods:
? Steam clean
If you’re looking to clean your carpets, steam cleaning is the most effective way of reaching all the dirt and grime. This method uses hot water and high-pressure steam to loosen stains on your carpet, which then allows for easier removal. However, if you do choose to buy one, be sure that it’s built with its own detergent so that you can operate it right away!
? Dry cleaning
Dry cleaning is a process that uses chemicals to remove stains from fabrics. The process involves soaking the fabric in a solvent, then rinsing it clean with water. The solvent itself evaporates and can’t be seen or smelled by humans.
The chemical used for dry cleaning comes in liquid form, which you’ll use to soak your clothes before washing them over and over again until no more dirt appears on them (you may need to try several times if there’s a lot of dirt). If you don’t care about how much time this takes or if there are any stains left after using the dry cleaner’s chemical solution, then feel free to skip ahead!
? Cleaning by yourself
You can do carpet cleaning even just by yourself! Vacuum cleaners, carpet shampoos, and steam cleaners are available at home centers and appliance stores. A professional service will cost more than you would pay to rent or buy a machine and supplies. However, they can be hired to clean larger areas such as your whole house.
If you decide to buy a machine, look for one that has a beater bar or brush bar that helps loosen embedded dirt, so it doesn’t clog up the vacuum’s suction mechanism. If possible, use an upright vacuum instead of the smaller models because these have stronger suction power and better agitation capabilities.
Keep in mind that vacuuming is not enough. You’ll need some other method of removing trapped soil from deep within the pile fibers of your carpeting, whether by using spot cleaning solutions or renting commercial equipment like an extractor or dry foam cleaner.
DIY CLEANING TIPS (No carpet cleaner involved!)
The first and easiest way to clean your carpets is to do DIY cleaning.
If you’re going to make this approach, be sure you have the right tools and materials before starting. You’ll need an upholstery brush or vacuum attachment, a bucket and sponge or cloths, warm water (hot if possible), a mild detergent like dish soap or “all-purpose” cleaner, and dryer sheets. A steam cleaner can help if you have one available, but it isn’t necessary. You can still get the job done manually with little effort.
Start by vacuuming any loose dirt out of the carpet fibers before moving on to scrubbing. Using your upholstery attachment on low speed (or your hand if there’s no attachment), scrub both sides of each square foot of carpet with warm water until it’s evenly wetted down all over. Then go back over it again with just dampness from your hands instead of wetting it down again. This prevents not to dilute any chemicals that might be present in whatever product was used last time they were cleaned this way. After this, you can do spot cleaning.
>>Spot cleaning
There are a few ways to spot clean carpeting. The simplest method involves using a damp cloth or sponge and blotting the area soiled with liquid or dirt. If there is more than one stain, use a carpet cleaning solution to remove stains from food spills and other substances.
After blotting the area dry with paper towels, you can vacuum over it with your vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining dirt particles that may not have been removed by blotting alone. Be cautious not to overwet your carpet, as this will make it harden into place and make it more challenging for you to scour later on in the future! Finally, do not scrub too hard because this could cause damage that would require replacing your entire carpet instead of just repairing small areas where needed (such as around electrical outlets).
TAKING CARE OF YOUR CARPET
Not all carpets are created equal. In fact, there are different grades and qualities of carpeting that can be used for your home. Whether you’re looking for something durable and long-lasting or something more plush and luxurious, you need to know what steps to take in order to ensure that your new flooring stays in good condition for as long as possible.
? Vacuum regularly
Vacuum your carpet (or any mat) at least once a week to remove dirt, hair, and other debris that can cause stains and increase wear on your carpet. It’s also important to use only a high-quality vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush. This will help lift the dirt out of the fibers instead of pushing it deeper into the carpet. Never use the beater bar on your carpet, as this could cause excessive wear over time.
? Consider placement
You should also consider placement. The carpet should be placed in high-traffic areas, like the living room and hallway, but not in a bedroom or bathroom. When it comes to low-traffic areas such as bedrooms and bathrooms, consider using a different flooring material such as tile or wood flooring instead of carpet.
? Don’t skip the borders
You should also clean the borders on all sides of your carpet. Many people don’t realize how dirty a border can get just from walking over it every day. There is a lot of dirt that ends up here, so this area needs to be cleaned often.
? Prevent soiling
You can greatly reduce the amount of soil, grit, and debris that find their way into your carpet by using a mat at the front and back doors. The same is true for the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom areas. In addition to preventing soil from entering your home through these doors, they also discourage tracking in dirt from outside footwear.
If you have a living room area with hardwood floors or tile that you want to protect from scratching, use a doormat there as well.
? Remove stains immediately
You may have heard the expression “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, and the second-best time is now.” This is similar advice for stains: it’s always better to remove them ASAP, but if you wait too long, they can be very difficult to get out.
The first step in removing stains from your carpet is to use an appropriate stain remover. The kind that professionals use comes in powder form and has a pungent odor. It works by lifting up the stain so that you can scrape it off or blot it away with paper towels.
You can also buy pre-mixed liquids at most home improvement stores. If there are any spots on your carpeting where pets or children often walk through mud puddles after getting dirty playing outside, keep some of these handy in case there’s an accident. Just remember not to rub aggressively when using them!
? Prevent discoloration
Conversely, if you notice that stains are setting into your rug anytime soon after they happen, don’t try anything drastic like hot water or bleach, as these chemicals could actually make matters worse by intensifying discoloration on top of what was already there!
? Don’t neglect odors
If you’re dealing with a lingering smell, it can help to tackle the problem as soon as possible. The longer an odor sits on your carpet, the more likely it is to leave a permanent mark on the fibers and become impossible to remove.
Use a stain remover that contains enzymes if possible (enzymes break down organic matter), or use baking soda and vinegar if you don’t have access to an enzyme-based cleaner right away. For best results, combine these methods with hot water extraction cleaning machines such as steam cleaners or wet vacuums with HEPA filters. If you don’t have handy access to these materials, try buying professional products. Remember, they won’t be cheap, but they will get rid of any smells almost instantly!
? Schedule regular carpet replacement
Carpet is a material that needs to be replaced every 5-7 years. This is because it can get stained, worn out, and damaged by heavy foot traffic, spills, and even pets. The good news about carpets is that they can be cleaned easily and often if you want them longer, up to a decade!
It’s also recommended that you have your carpet professionally cleaned at least twice a year. This will prevent stains from setting in while also removing dirt particles that could cause damage over time. If you have playful kids or pets in your home, consider having your carpets vacuumed more frequently, as their little feet are notorious for tracking mud and dirt through the house!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
? How often should I clean my carpets?
It’s advisable that you clean your carpets once a year or more often if you have pets and/or children. If there’s a lot of traffic in your home, or you live in an extremely dusty environment, then it’s also a good idea to get those carpets cleaned more frequently.
If your carpet is stained (maybe by spills), having it professionally cleaned will help remove stains from both the surface of the carpet and beneath its padding. This is especially helpful if you have allergies. It can be problematic for individuals with allergies to avoid getting sick if their carpets are full of dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens that can make them sick.
? Why is vacuuming so important?
Vacuuming is a significant part of keeping your carpet clean! It removes dirt and dust that gets trapped in the carpet, which can help keep dust mites away. Vacuuming also helps to keep your carpet looking good for longer because it removes some of the allergens that can make you sneeze and cough.
However, vacuuming alone isn’t enough. You need a deep clean once every six months or so to remove dirt that accumulates below the surface of your carpet fibers over time.
? Does steam clean damaged carpets?
No, steam cleaning is an excellent way to clean carpets. Unlike dry carpet cleaning methods (like vacuuming), steam cleaning uses hot water and a cleaning solution, which helps caulk any dirt that has gotten into the fibers of your carpet. Steam also loosens pet hair and dander, so you don’t have to spend hours on your hands and knees trying to remove them yourself.
? What causes carpet fibers to become discolored or stained?
Carpet fibers can become discolored or stained for several reasons. The most common cause of these stains is dirt, which is often tracked in from outside. However, food spills and pet urine are also common culprits of carpet staining. Cigarette smoke, soil, and paint can also be responsible for discoloration or staining on your carpeting. Red wine (which contains tannins) can stain a carpet if not cleaned up quickly enough after the spill occurs.
? Can the discoloration of carpet fibers be removed?
Yes, it is possible to remove discoloration from carpet fibers by using a professional cleaning solution. However, the type of stain will dictate how well it can be removed. A wide range of stains can be removed from carpet fibers when they are professionally cleaned, including food and grease stains, as well as ink and pet urine stains.
FINAL WORDS
Now that you know some simple ways to take care of your carpet, it should be a breeze. And remember: the best way to keep your carpet looking great is by vacuum regularly cleaning, making sure to clean the edges and corners as well. If stains occur on your carpet, remove them as soon as possible before they set in!
