Anyone who has bought carpets before know that they are a substantial investment. Therefore, you want them to last, not only because it makes them a cost effective flooring option, but to ensure that their condition does not deteriorate over time, leaving your carpets looking tired and worn.
If you implement a regular maintenance schedule, you can prolong the life of your carpets. It is a long held believe that prevention is better than the cure when it comes to carpet care. If you get onto problems like dirt, grime and spills quickly, you can stop any permanent damage from occurring.
In this guide, we will offer some tips that will help keep your carpets looking better for longer.
Vacuuming
The most important aspect of caring for your carpets is vacuuming. Dirt, grime and debris that is invisible to the naked eye are trodden in from outside. The more these materials are walked on, the harder they are pushed into the pile, making them nearly impossible to remove unless you have a revolving brush at the suction end of your vacuum cleaner.
The key is vacuuming regularly. You can never vacuum too much. If you carpets are in a high traffic area (i.e. a business corridor or retail shop), daily vacuuming is required.
When vacuuming, it is important to run the bar over the carpet slowly, allowing it to do its job properly. Concentrate on high traffic areas – in front of chairs, doors and stairs.
The vacuum itself should be properly cared for so it can continue to clean effectively. Remember to empty the bag and remove anything that is stuck in the bar/brush or any other part of the machine.
Spills and stains
If something spills on your carpet, it becomes a ticking time bomb. Leave it too long and it’s going to leave an ugly stain on the material that is going to be difficult to remove.
Before the liquid can set, soak up as much as you can with a towel or paper towels by blotting. To dilute the stain, apply a little water with either a commercial product, dish washing liquid or vinegar. Keep blotting and repeat the process as necessary until it’s all gone. Be careful not to over wet the stain as it might cause a browning stain. Place paper towels over it for a few hours. When it is dry, vacuum the area.
Wear prevention
The other preventative care measure with carpets is reduce the wear and tear on your carpets. This can be done in a number of ways.
- If possible, periodically change the position of your furniture so that one area doesn’t take the brunt of heavy furniture.
- Place rugs or mats near external doors to catch the dirt and grit being walked in from outside. Rugs are also effective in corridors as it lessens the impact of being constantly walked on.
- Footwear like trainers and heels that can damage the pile should ideally not be worn.
Professional cleaning
Carpet should be professionally cleaned at least ever 12-18 months by a professional or a commercial carpet cleaner. However, if the carpeted area is heavily used, you might need to do it once every 3-6 months.
We hope this blog has been helpful. Make your carpet last by being vigilant with your carpet care.
