10 Tips for Keeping Your Carpet Fresh and Clean
Carpeting – we walk on it, sit on it, put furniture on it, and lounge on it. It absorbs fur and dander from pets, food and drink that are accidentally spilled, and dirt and mud on the bottom of shoes, as well as enduring general wear and tear. While having your carpet professionally cleaned regularly is important in maintaining its health, taking care of your carpeting in between cleanings is just as essential. Below are ten tips for keeping your carpet in tip-top shape all year round.
- Take care of spills and stains right away – the longer you wait, the more likely your carpet will be permanently damaged.
- Make vacuuming a habit! Mark it on your calendar, set an alarm on your phone, write yourself a note – whatever you need to do to make vacuuming a consistent and regular practice in your home. Vacuuming sucks up dirt and dust and prolongs the life of your carpet by preventing the build-up of gritty particles that will damage cut carpet fibers.
- Get rid of pet odor and hair with baking soda! Sprinkle over carpeting, let it sit for at least 15 minutes (or leave it on overnight if you can), and vacuum. You can also pour baking soda on spots that need more attention, working the soda in with a stiff bristled brush and then vacuuming.
- Invest in a good carpet stain remover spray and use it religiously! Spray on stains, let it sit, and scrub with a rag or brush.
- Don’t neglect the areas of your carpet bordering baseboards, crevices, and hard-to-reach places. (Use the nozzle attachment on your vacuum.)
- Don’t allow shoes on your carpet. It’s one of the simplest solutions in preserving your carpet. Make a hard and fast rule that shoes are not allowed on your carpet, no exceptions. The dirt, mud, and other outdoor matter that is tracked indoors by shoes will slowly degrade your carpet.
- When rearranging a room, get rid of the dents left in the carpet by heavy furniture by rubbing them with a couple of ice cubes, then gently fluffing up the spots with a fork. Dab excess water with a rag.
- Combat candle wax drippings on your carpet by laying a towel over the hardened wax and pressing a hot iron over the towel. The wax will be absorbed into the towel, allowing you to easily remove it.
- Lay down rugs over your carpet. Design-wise, adding rugs to a room is a quick and easy makeover. As a carpet-saving strategy, it’s a barrier between spills, stains, shoes, and other offenders.
- Schedule professional carpet cleanings at regular intervals. Like having a mechanic change the oil in your car or going to your doctor for a check-up, a professional carpet cleaning service will perform the essential maintenance that your carpeting requires.