4 Winter Carpet Cleaning Tips

Winter Carpet Cleaning Tricks

Winters in Maine and New Hampshire aren’t just tough on the outside of your home, they can also be challenging to the inside as you and your family track snow, dirt and salt inside – all of which can potentially stain and damage your carpet. By following a few simple cleaning tips, you can keep your carpeting clean and remove or reduce any salt stains.

  • Purchase door mats for inside AND outside your door. Wiping your feet off twice will help remove excess dirt or salt from your shoes. Once inside, be sure to remove your shoes and store them on a boot tray that will protect your floors from slush and sand.
  • Vacuum your carpets more frequently during winter, ideally 2-3 times a week, to remove any salt that may have been tracked inside. If salt is left to sit on your rugs, each time you walk over it the salt will act like a piece of sandpaper – cutting away at the fibers of the carpet. By regularly vacuuming your carpet you will reduce this wear and tear on your rug, prolonging its life.
  • If you already have a salt stain on your carpet you can use a mixture of warm water and white vinegar to remove or reduce it. Simply mix a half part warm water and half part white vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray the stained area with the solution. Gently stir the salt to the surface by blotting with a cloth or using a brush. Finally, press a clean, dry towel over the area. Once the carpet is dry, vacuum to remove any additional salt that remains.
  • At least once per winter have your carpets professionally cleaned. Salt and sand can really wreak havoc on your carpets, and the best way to truly get them clean and remove these outside contaminants is by using a professional cleaning company, like Octagon Cleaning & Restoration.

Professional carpet cleaners, like Octagon, use state-of-the-art equipment to safely remove salt stains and sand from your carpets. Our technicians will apply a pre-conditioner, groom the carpet, spot clean as required and extract dirt and steam clean stains using our truck-mounted units. This water-based vacuum extraction system eliminates the need for an in-home water or power source, and is more powerful than conventional portable machines. If are looking for help keeping your carpets clean this winter, call Octagon Cleaning & Restoration at (603) 239-2100 in New Hampshire or (207) 893-0002 in Maine.