Stains are part of life, so keeping your carpet clean can be a struggle. From food spills to natural oils from your feet, carpet stains are inevitable. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to keep your carpet looking its best.
One of the simplest ways is to keep stain resistance in mind when purchasing a carpet. Look for carpeting with a stain-repellent finish. This means that the carpet has been treated with chemicals that make it less likely to stain or soil.
Other than that, the best way to keep your carpet looking its best is to keep it clean. Follow these simple tips to keep your carpet looking its best and keep dirt and stains at bay.
Clean up Spills Quickly
Spills happen, but the last thing you want to do is allow potential carpet stains to sit for a long time.
If you spill on your carpet, act quickly to prevent it from becoming a permanent problem.
- Clean up the spill as soon as it happens before it has a chance to set in.
- Vacuum or scoop up any solid material (ie; food)
- Use an absorbent material like a clean white towel or paper towels to soak up as much of the spill as possible by blotting the area (do not scrub!)
- Spray a solution of equal parts vinegar and baking soda to the area and let it sit for 10 minutes. Avoid using bleach or harsh detergents that can damage your carpet fibers.
- Blot the solution with your towel and reapply if necessary.
- Place the absorbent material into the trashcan and wash your hands to prevent any cross-contamination of bacteria.
Spills are unavoidable but there is no need to let them become a permanent problem on your carpet. The faster you clean up a spill, the less of a lasting impact it will have on your carpet.
Keep Your Carpet Dry
One of the best ways to keep your carpet clean is to keep it dry. When carpet gets wet, bacteria and dirt from your shoes and pets can quickly cause stains. Since water is can cause carpet stains, it’s important to keep it as dry as possible.
This can be done by keeping shoes and pets off the carpet and trying to prevent spills as much as you can. Wet carpet also poses other problems, including mold growth.
Mold growth in carpets happens more frequently in humid conditions. When it rains, water seeps into the fibers of a carpet and then dries, leaving behind salts and minerals that can cause discoloration, mildew, and even structural damage.
To prevent mold growth, keep your home at a comfortable temperature and well-ventilated to prevent excess humidity. If you live in warm, humid climates you may need to consider running a dehumidifier. If you do find mold in your carpet, it’s best to replace the carpet.
Don’t Scrub Stains into the Carpet Fibers
Another great way to keep your carpet clean is to not scrub stains into the fibers of the carpet. Natural fibers like wool and cotton can be easily damaged and stained by rubbing. The best way to avoid this is to use a microfiber cloth or paper towel when cleaning.
If you must clean the carpet, try to avoid scrubbing into the threads. Instead, place a cloth or paper towel over the stain, and using a vacuum, press lightly over the area while vacuuming. This can help to lift the stain without damaging the carpet fibers.
Vacuum Often
The best way to keep carpets clean, as well as have them last longer, is to vacuum often. Regular vacuuming removes dirt and debris that can cause stains.
The carpet in your home gets dirtier quicker than other surfaces. Therefore, it is important to vacuum frequently, especially if you have pets or children. Leaving food crumbs and other particles on the floor can cause stains very quickly.
Regular vacuuming also keeps the carpet fibers from becoming packed with dirt and debris. Over time, the fibers can become weak and begin to break down causing your carpet to sag and fall apart.
How often should you vacuum your carpet?
There’s no set rule or schedule that dictates when you should be cleaning your carpets, but experts generally recommend vacuuming at least once a week. However, it depends on your lifestyle and the type of carpeting in your home. If you have children or pets or if you suffer from allergies, you may want to consider vacuuming your carpet more frequently.
Use Area Rugs to Protect Your Carpet
If you are prone to spills and stains, use area rugs to protect your carpets. Area rugs help to protect your carpet from dirt and stains from shoes and furniture.
They can be used as extra seating, as a play area, or as protection from dirt. They come in all shapes and sizes, so they can be a great way to protect your carpeting without taking up a lot of extra space.
Keep in mind that you will also want to care for and clean your area rugs. Here are a few easy ways to keep your rugs looking great throughout the year.
- Wash your rugs regularly to keep them looking new and prevent dirt from building up over time.
- Spot clean any areas that seem to accumulate dirt more quickly than the rest of the rug. Use a natural shampoo or soap, because detergent will leave a residue on the surface of the rug that can dull its appearance over time.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, as this will help to remove dirt from the rug’s surface and reduce how often you need to wash them.
What About Plastic Floor Mats?
Will plastic floor mats help protect your carpet?
While they are often cheaper than area rugs, plastic floor mats can pose a risk to your carpet. Many of these mats are not engineered well, and walking on the mat may stretch the plastic and cause damage to your carpet. If you are looking to protect your floor from dirt and wear, consider upgrading to an area rug instead.
Take off Your Shoes
What’s the easiest way to protect your carpet from stains? Take off your shoes before entering your home! The soles of your shoes are often made of rubber or synthetic materials that can hold dirt and stain carpets.
Not only can you ruin your carpets, but you could also make your family sick. Studies have found that 40% of shoes worn outdoors contained traces of the bacteria Clostridium difficile. This bacteria easily transfers to the flooring in your home where your children play.
To prevent this, remove your shoes before entering your home. Keep a designated area for shoe storage, so you can create a habit of taking off the shoes without worrying about where to place them. You’ll also want to ask guests to kindly remove their shoes before entering your home. You’ll be surprised to see how much cleaner your carpets will remain when you don’t walk around the house while wearing shoes.
Get Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned
Cleaning your own carpets can save you a little money initially, using the wrong detergents can cause your carpets to wear down prematurely. Also if you don’t get your carpets rinsed well enough the detergent residue can attract more dirt. Not to mention the mold and mildew that can result if you don’t get them dry enough
If your carpets are looking a little dingy, or need a freshen-up, the best thing to do is have them professionally cleaned. Professionally cleaning your carpets can help to keep them looking their best and in good condition. Professionally cleaning your carpets can help to remove stains, clean the carpet fibers, and remove trapped odors. Professional cleaners use special tools and equipment to make sure your carpets are safely cleaned and sanitized.
Professional cleaning is usually a bit more expensive than doing it yourself, but it can save you a lot of time and effort. Professionally cleaning your carpets can make them look and feel like new.
Conclusion: Be Diligent About Carpet Cleaning
Carpet is one of the most versatile and durable floor coverings available. It’s strong enough to stand up to some serious wear and tear and provides a comfortable surface to walk on. However, you must keep your carpet clean to increase its lifespan and protect it from stains.
If you need professional carpet cleaning, be sure to book with Hydra Clean Northwest this spring season.