Carpet Maintenance

Since carpet is used in high-traffic rooms, even though it is durable, it still needs to be well-preserved in order for it to last. With some simple maintenance tips, your carpet will be able to remain clean, safe, and beautiful for many years to come.

Prevention
The best way to keep your carpets safe is by avoiding it altogether. Put down mats in entryways and exits and use decorative rugs on the carpeted area to help protect them from excessive dirt build-up. Plus, rearrange your furniture from time to time so that permanent indentations aren't left in your carpet. Also, when selecting a carpet, think about your choice in color since medium colors can mask dirt and lighter colors are able to hide fading over time.

Daily Maintenance
Simple vacuuming with an upright vacuum will help keep your carpet clean. Though it is often recommended that you vacuum every other day depending on how your carpet is used, twice a week should do the trick. Or better yet, attack your high-traffic areas as much as possible (living rooms, bedrooms, entryways) and leave the lighter traffic regions for later when you have the time for a more thorough cleaning.

Complete Carpet Cleaning
Despite routine carpet maintenance, you still need to give your carpet a good going over once in while. How often depends on how you use your carpet and how many people and pets live in your house, but at least once a year at minimum. After all, can your carpet ever be too clean?

Professional Carpet Cleaning: Carpet cleaning is the very best way to give your carpets the cleaning they deserve. Professional carpet cleaners are the only people who have the proper truck-mounted equipment to get the job done right. Carpet cleaners use powerful hot water extraction that goes beyond the carpet, cleaning the backing and padding for a more comprehensive clean-up. This is the most recommended method for the best carpet maintenance.

Spot Maintenance
You carpet is so comfortable because of its soft cushion, but this also means that it is very absorbent as well. Stains will eventually occur and just because your carpet is stain-resistant doesn't mean the stain can be ignored; this "resistance" simply buys you time for purposes of clean-up. There are several cleaning techniques out there depending on the type of stain, each with pros and cons. Here are some basics:

Dry Powder: This is good for overall greasy stains; plus, it is easy and cheap. Simply apply the dry powder over the stain, let it absorb the grease and oils, and then vacuum. Of course, this may not work as well for heavier stains, and if your vacuum doesn't thoroughly pick up all the powder afterwards, more problems could occur at a later time.

Solvents: For marker, ink, or oil stains, it is best to use some kind of solvent (even WD 40 can work) to clean it up. Always remember to blot, don't rub when removing stains. Let the solvent sit for half an hour and then remove it with soapy water. For pet stains, you may have to find an enzyme remover (found at any vacuum store). Apply the remover to two-times the area of the actual stain since urine seeps to the pad and spreads. Then let it sit for a couple of hours.

Specific Stains: For wine stains, blot them with club soda for proper removal. For other red dyes that may penetrate your carpet, use a solution of peroxide and water (always pre-test your carpet before applying any strong chemical) and rinse with a solution of vinegar and water. For food stains, simply spray shaving cream on them, allow it to sit, and it remove with vinegar and water.

Carpet Cleaning
Though your carpet takes some caring for, the actual cleaning techniques are simple and easy to perform as long as you follow your contractor's advice after the install. They are always the best source for maintenance; also, when cleaning things yourself, always follow the manufacturers' instructions. Overall, make sure you get to the stains as fast as possible, perform your daily maintenance, and have some extra swaths on hand that match your carpet: no matter how much you preserve your flooring, repair may be needed in the future. Just always remember that the result is well worth the effort. The safer and cleaner your carpet remains, the longer they last and the more comfortable they become.