5 Tips To Maintain Your Carpet

If you have carpet in your home you may already know that accidents happen. No matter how hard you try to keep your carpets fresh and looking new there will be spills, muddy shoe prints, and buildup from outside contaminants. Let’s face it, our carpets are abused on many levels. Your carpet is a large investment and that is why it is so important to have a comprehensive cleaning plan to extend its lifespan.

Carpet Maintenance Tips

Here are five tips you can follow that will help you maintain your carpets.

Dealing with Spills

Spilling colorful liquids on your white carpet can be a nightmare. In the event of a spill, take a washcloth and gently blot or dab up the liquid. It is important that you avoid using a scrubbing motion. Not only does scrubbing cause the liquid to spread to other carpet fibers it causes the liquid to seep deeper into the carpet padding. Always start from the outside of the spill and work your way inward.

Stains

If blotting the spill does not keep your carpet from staining grab some shaving cream. Shaving cream can help pull the stain from your carpet fibers. Apply the shaving cream and let it set for 30 minutes. Once the shaving cream has had time to set gently blot it away with a clean washcloth. Follow up with a vinegar and water solutions. One part vinegar to one part water. Then blot the solution with a clean cloth removing any residue. Caution: Not all carpets are same. Test the effects of the shaving cream on a small unnoticeable section before tackling the entire stain. If the stains persist contact your local carpet cleaning company to help in the removal or repair process.

Gum

Whether a member of your household lost their gum in your carpet or the sticky substance was tracked into the house on the bottoms of your shoes, it can be difficult to remove from your carpets. If you notice a mess of gum clinging to your carpets grab some ice cubes and place them on the gum for 30 to 40 seconds. This will cause the gum to harden and become easier to remove from your carpets. Some homeowners will take a pair of scissor to their carpet to remove the gum. We would not recommend this method as it can leave unsightly bald spots in your carpets.

Regular Vacuuming

This is the most obvious step to a clean carpet. As tedious as it may seem, regular vacuuming is a crucial step, as dirt and grime will get find their way onto your carpet. If the dirt is allowed to sit for too long it will start to break down your carpet fibers, causing permanent damage. Try to vacuum your carpets on a weekly basis, in areas with high foot traffic vacuum 2-3 times a week.

Contacting Professionals

No matter how well you maintain your carpet from day to day, it is crucial to have your carpet professionally cleaned from time to time. Did you know that having your carpets cleaned every six months can maintain your carpet’s warranty? In fact, some manufacturers require it. Professionals will deep clean your carpets removing the dirt and grime that a standard vacuum cannot reach. Carpet cleaning companies can often remove tough spots and stains from your carpets without damaging or discoloring the carpet fibers.