How to Keep your Carpets Looking New?
You recently installed all new carpet and its only been 6 months and it looks disgusting! You’re beginning to regret even considering getting carpet when you knew you should've went for something else, carpet is dated right? Not really. Carpet is still a great choice and a wonderful addition to your home. Just follow these simple steps and we guarantee you will always have the most fresh and clean carpet.
Yes, you must vacuum
We would like to believe you already do this, but just in case; please vacuum your carpet at least once a week! You will not regret it we assure you. Simply vacuuming once a week will guarantee that you will not allow for dirt and dust to accumulate amongst the carpet fibers which actually benefits you in more than one way. Less dirt and dust results in greater air quality, hence a more healthy environment for you and your family to live in. It also believe it or not prevents your carpet from wearing out. The dirt and dust left clinging to the fibers over time as well as being walked on countlessly will make them lose structure and look dull, faded, and old. Vacuuming on the other hand will remove this damaging dirt and dust and ensure that your carpet lives a long healthy life.
Do a deep clean
Did you know that most manufacturers recommend carpets to be deep cleaned at least once every 12 months? There’s a reason for that. If you follow these recommendations you will prevent your carpet from becoming dull, discolored, and crushed. You don’t disregard your cars oil changes, so why should you ignore annual floor upkeep? If you value your investment (which could have been thousands of dollars) you should also be on top of maintaining it. You don’t have to break the budget either. Performing a deep clean of your carpet can quite easily be a “Do it Yourself” project. You can rent a Rug Doctor from Home Depot for just $32 a day, and make it a weekend project once those spring cleaning days roll around. Trust us, you won’t regret it.
Remove those stains; ASAP
It’s an everyday occurrence; kids spill, pets destroy, you’re clumsy. You don’t have to let your carpet take the beating though. After your kid spills his third cup of juice on the floor this week alone you begin to ignore it and don’t do much about it. What if we gave you a list of great ways to clean these stains with some regular household items? That way you can always clean the spill before it has time to set and become a stain. Here are just a few great ways to tackle the stains and keep your carpet always clean.
Brake Cleaner
Yes, Brake Cleaner. Perfect for those difficult food stains. Apply the cleaner to a cloth and gently apply to stain area by dabbing and blotting. After stain is removed rinse the area with warm water and vinegar solution.
WD40
For grease and oil stains. Spray stained area and allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes. Afterwards blot the area with a rag and rinse well with warm soapy water or carpet cleaner.
Club Soda
Works wonders for urine removal as well as wine, coffee and other colored liquids. Pour a small amount over the stain and after allowing it to sit for a few minutes blot out with dry towel.
Baking Soda
Effective when used right away. Works great at removing smells and disgusting stains. Before applying baking soda first wipe up as much of the stain as possible, then apply a generous amount of baking soda. Allow for the area to dry before vacuuming it all right up.
Salt
For those more colorful stains. Do this ASAP, while the area is still wet clean it up with a sponge/towel and water. Pour salt over the area and wait for 10-20 minutes. Vacuum everything up once dry.
Watch It
Some of those very little things that you may not consider as carpet killing factors really do add up. Things like never walking on carpet while wearing shoes can significantly help with extending the life of your carpet. As well as targeting the areas where the most dirt is tracked in. Placing mats next to all entrances is a must for those with pets. The mats will guarantee that your pet doesn’t bring harmful dirt into your home. Simply pay closer attention to what causes damage and work towards eliminating it.
Maintain, Maintain, Maintain
Once in a while you will notice a snag in your carpet. These are inevitable and will occur. Don’t panic, and please don’t try pulling it out. Doing this will only make it much worse and cause more damage to your carpet. Instead find a pair of scissors and simply trim the lose fibers. Pay attention and do this whenever you see a snag, it’s much better to trim it then let your pets nails pull it.
Monitor High Use Areas
Some areas get more foot traffic than any other place in your home. Hallways and stairways may experience abnormal carpet wear as a result. Easy fix; place a rug strategically in these high traffic areas. A rug is much cheaper to replace than worn out carpet would be.
We hope this post was helpful to you. Remember to follow the above steps and simply pay closer attention to routine upkeep and vacuuming in order to ensure your carpet looks new for years.
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