3 Carpet Care Tips
Carpet cleaning can be compared to exercise! If you get into a routine and habit by keeping it up, you will see great results and feel better for it. Understanding the right way to clean carpet will help you save time by doing it correctly the first time with products that do the job right from the start. Below are three simple steps to keeping your carpet clean looking great:
- Vacuum
- Clean spots and spills quickly with products that contain an enzyme based cleaners.
- Professionally deep cleanyour carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.
Stop Dirt at the Door
Preventing dirt and grime from getting on the carpet in the first place is a great way to start keeping it clean. The following helpful hints can stop dirt in its tracks.
- Use mats— Outdoor/indoor mats and runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house
- Shoesoff at the door — You can save wear and tear on carpet by asking everyone to take their shoes off before entering your home.
- Change your air filters— Change air filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems as recommended by the manufacturer’s directions. The more dust and particles removed by the filter, the fewer that fall onto the carpet.
Spot Removal Steps
Act Quickly! Most newer carpet today has already been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Staining is caused by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.
Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth saturated with cold water just enough to be wet but not dripping with water. If caught immediately and depending upon what was spilled, most spills can be removed.
Do not scrub the area! Scrubbing may cause pile distortion in the affected area. If the stain Is remove by blotting the stained area, use the same method for drying the carpet with a new cloth.
If the above steps did completely remove the stain: You may use a spot cleaning agent. Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to be certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.
Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently.
Work from the edge of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Please remember not to scrub the area. Blot in order to absorb as much as possible, and repeat if necessary. We want to lift the stain out.
Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill.
Please be patient: Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times. After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of cloth(s) to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object or simply standing on the cloth(s). Lift the cloth to determine the amount of moisture being lifted from the carpet. Continue to fold the cloth as needed.
Blot dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed
Allow to air dry. A box fan can be used to quicken the drying time.