The Basics of Maintaining a Clean Carpet
Quality carpet maintenance starts with a regular cleaning schedule.
Carpets are an expensive installation in any home or building, so it’s important to take steps to extend their lifetime. How long a carpet lasts depends on how often and how well it’s maintained. Regular vacuuming, stain removal, and cleaning are essential. The following steps detail the basics of maintaining a clean carpet to maximize its longevity.
Regular carpet cleaning
Quality carpet maintenance starts with a regular cleaning schedule. Consider how much foot traffic a carpet experiences to determine how often it should be vacuumed; carpeting in commercial buildings likely needs to be vacuumed daily, while carpeting in a residential home may only need to be vacuumed twice weekly. Allowing dirt and dust to accumulate in a carpet breaks down the fibers, decreasing its longevity, so it’s essential to vacuum regularly.
Additionally, treat stains as soon as possible; the longer a stain sits, the deeper it becomes ingrained in the carpet and damages the fibers. Apply baking soda to a stain to help absorb the particles and vacuum afterward to remove the baking soda and dry the spot. Occasionally, professional carpet cleaning may be necessary.
Preventing stains and spills
The best way to avoid stains is prevention. Ensure all pets are trained to go to the bathroom outdoors, as pet waste can permanently damage carpeting. Do not allow alcoholic beverages or wet foods to be consumed over the carpeting, and ask that all shoes be removed at the door. Preventative measures ensure that stains do not occur to begin with, as some stains are impossible to remove once they happen.
Avoid common mistakes
All homeowners should be educated on cleaning and maintaining a carpet properly. Do not wait for a stain to occur to learn how it should be removed; research common stains and the best cleaning methods for each, and be sure to have the necessary products on hand. Using the wrong products, amounts, or methods can permanently damage a carpet, so read the instructions for each product carefully and do not cut corners. When uncertain, it may be best to call a professional, as a visit from an expert is sure to be less expensive than replacing an entire carpet.
The best way to ensure the longevity of a carpet is regular carpet maintenance. Carpet maintenance consists of both prevention and cleaning. Homeowners must not wait until their carpet is noticeably dirty or stained; follow these tips to ensure that carpeting lasts for years.
3D Carpet Cleaning and Restoration offers home service cleaning and sanitation, air duct cleaning, and 24-hour flood service in Tampa & South Florida. Call (813) 833 - 4126 today.
