Cleaning your carpet is an essential part of keeping your home looking in top condition. An unclean carpet can ruin the ambiance of any room so it’s important to keep on top of it. However, not everyone knows how to properly clean a carpet. If you’re wondering how to give your carpet a longer life, take a look at some of the tips below. You’ll learn everything from how to clean your carpet, how often to clean carpets and what not to do.
How Often Should Carpets Be Cleaned?
Cleaning your carpets is a great way to remove any possible allergens, dust and reduce hayfever. If you have kids and pets, you may find that you need to pull the vacuum out every day but if not, how often you clean will depend on the carpet and the room.
For instance, did you that bedroom carpets are often dirtier than toilet seats? To avoid this, you must vacuum your bedroom carpets at least once a week. You can also use a cleaning spray to get rid of bacteria. If your carpet is stained, use a stain remover and blot the area then let it dry. When it comes to deep cleaning, your carpets will last longer if they are cleaned every three to four months.
Carpet Cleaning Tips
Before using these tips, you should find out what your carpet is made from. Different materials will require different methods of cleaning and the more you know about your carpet, the better it will look.
1. Vacuum
The best way to keep your carpet clean frequently is to vacuum regularly. However, the material of your carpet will determine how you use your vacuum. For instance, if your carpet is wool-based it’s best to not use the beater brush and vacuum in the direction of the fibers.
If your carpet is synthetic, using the beater brush will help to pick up grime, dirt, and dust.
2. Wash
Washing your carpet is the next best option. When vacuuming just isn’t cutting it anymore, it’s time to give your carpet a refresh. You can use a carpet cleaning machine which is designed to clean without leaving any water damage.
You’ll need to choose the right cleaning products, like shampoo, for your carpet. You can buy products that include carpet protection and decrease the chances of future stains. You could also opt for a steam clean, like this. This is often the perfect option if your carpet is damaged in a flood and you would like to restore it to its original glory.
3. Treat Stains
Many things can cause a dreadful stain on your carpet, including mud, red wine, blood, and coffee. If the stain is wet when you treat it, blot it and let it dry so as not to spread it. If it’s dry, try using a blunt scraper to remove some of the debris.
You can try to remove a dry stain but soaking a cloth and laying it on top of the stain, then using a hot iron on top to heat it up. Stains are often more removable when warmed. An organic stain remover can be useful if your stain is organic. For example, if your pet urinated on your carpet, you may have better luck removing the stain with an organic remover.
Before using any type of stain remover, it’s wise to test it in an inconspicuous spot in case it damages your carpet.
4. Baking Soda and Vinegar
Baking soda is an excellent way to freshen up any carpet. It can remove odors and generally revitalize. Sprinkle the baking soda generously across the entire carpet. Spray a small amount of water on top and leave to dry. Vacuum after thirty minutes.
Vinegar can sanitize a carpet and help to remove any stains you’ve had difficulty getting rid of. Create a one-part vinegar, three parts water mixture, and spray it sparingly across the carpet, adding a little more to areas with stains. Blot the stains and leave them to dry. Once dried, vacuum thoroughly.
What Not to Do?
Sometimes, our best intentions can lead to our worst nightmares. If you don’t know what to avoid, you can easily make a stained carpet look even worse. The first thing to remember is to never rub a fresh stain. It will only spread the stain further and create a bigger problem.
When using vinegar to remove stains, never use it neat on your carpet. This could lead to a bigger stain and damage your carpet beyond repair. Similarly, never use hairspray to stiffen a stain in an effort to remove it. The spray will only attract further dirt, bacteria, and damage.
White wine does not remove a red wine stain, so don’t bother trying. And, if you’re trying to sanitize your carpet and remove bacteria, never use bleach neat or diluted.
How to Clean Your Carpet: The Secrets?
Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes for cleaning a carpet. When you’re wondering how to clean your carpet, you’ll find the best ways take a little elbow grease. Maintaining the look of your carpet will take regular and often, tiring work but the result is worth it.
When all else fails, you may want to hire carpet cleaning professionals who can take over for you. If you have a carpet or rug you just can’t part with, it’s worth doing all you can to keep it in great condition. Take a look at more of our articles for some top tips.
Also read: 6 Benefits of Hiring Cleaning Service after Construction
