Carpet Care Secrets
9 carpet care secrets everyone should know!
Now that it’s clean‚ how can you keep it that way?
1. Vacuum‚ vacuum‚ vacuum…
Dry soils are abrasive and damaging. Over time‚ they abrade the fibers causing them to look dull and lifeless. Soils accelerate the damaging wear we all know as “traffic lanes.” Regular‚ daily vacuuming helps arrest this damage BEFORE it happens‚ extending the life of your carpet and making the most of your investment.
2. Clean spills when they happen.
Get spills when they happen! Many carpets are stain–resistant‚ so acting quickly often avoids permanent damage. Don’t use hard surface cleaners. Try tap water first. Wet–dry vacs are indispensable. Use professional spotters. Over–the–counter spotters may cause damage‚ cause a stain to become permanent or lead to stubborn resoiling problems. Not sure what to do? Steam A Way offers a variety of professional spotters. Call our office first to determine the spotter that fits you need.
3. Blot‚ DON’T scrub!
One of the most important of the carpet care secrets! Always remember‚ if you have a spill‚ BLOT it up with a clean white towel. Don’t panic. Be gentle. Work from the outside of the spot towards the center so it doesn’t get bigger. Don’t scrub it, don’t rub it‚ don’t be too aggressive‚ or you’ll end up with a permanent and obnoxiously visible fuzzy spot.
4. Mom always used a door mat…
…and‚ you should too. About 80% of the dirt in carpet is brought inside on shoes. Well–swept sidewalks and steps‚ along with mats placed at entrances can help keep dirt from reaching your carpet. Outside‚ doormats help knock dirt off your shoes before you enter your home. Inside‚ door mats and runners help catch soils‚ preventing them from entering your carpet. Just be sure to keep these mats and runners clean.
5. Bare feet aren’t as clean as you think.
Believe it or not‚ body oils from your feet can actually leave your carpet dirty. Rather than walking around with bare feet or in socks‚ you may want to use a pair of house slippers.
6. Keep food and drinks in the kitchen.
Seems too easy‚ doesn’t it? Yes‚ one way to cut accidental spills in half is to simply keep food and drink out of reach of your carpet.
7. It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind…
…and to rearrange her furniture. The repeated foot traffic getting to and from your favorite place to sit causes those ugly‚ matted traffic lanes. So‚ three or four times a year‚ why not just move things around? It’s a great way to break up your use patterns and spread the wear around more evenly. You’ll see a difference in the long run.
8. They all look the same to me.
A great carpet starts with a great fiber. For longevity‚ cleaning and comfort‚ nylon can’t be beat. It’s virtually unanimous among carpet cleaners that nylon will outperform olefin and polyester every time. Choose the best nylon carpet your budget will allow.
9. And‚ last but not least of the carpet care secrets…
…don’t forget to maintain your carpet. Read your warranty – manufacturer’s recommend professional cleaning every six to twelve months. Depending on your busy lifestyle‚ even that may not be enough. Vacuum‚ spot clean as necessary and monitor the overall condition of your carpet. The time to clean it is BEFORE you’re too embarrassed to have company for dinner. Embarrassing levels of soiling actually contribute to permanent damage. Stay ahead of the dirt and enjoy your carpet longer.