Cleaning Tips for a Long-Lasting Carpet

Dirt can be detrimental to the freshness of a carpet in the long term. When you walk across a dirty carpet, your movements press dirt into the yarn, leaving small nicks on the fibres. The dirt you collect with your vacuum cleaners is made up of more than just outside dust and the skin flakes of human habitation. It also contains the fibres of your carpet. In time, this will make carpets stain more easily. The following tips will give you a hand in countering that effect.

Carpet cleaning professionals will do a much better job, but hiring one is still an expense. You can alternate between professional cleaning and a more DIY approach. Steam cleaning machines can be a great way to keep your carpet fresh if you know how to work with one.

You can rent a steam cleaner, picking the machine up late in the day, as it may allow you a half-day rate. If you decide to buy one, more expensive models of steam cleaners have powerful suction and jets, as well as a heating element that keeps the water scorching hot. You should do online research to pick the right choice for your needs.

The rental machines tend to be on the heavier side, holding more water and possessing a wider wand. This makes them great for high traffic areas and larger places. The models you can purchase at more affordable prices are smaller, easier to move around the house. Doesn’t matter whether you buy or rent one, your carpets would thank you for it, if they could.

Cleaning tips that will give you a hand to have a long-lasting carpet

Cleaning the Carpet as Early as Possible

How often a carpet needs cleaning is reliant on the amount of traffic that goes through it. Having pets makes that timeframe even shorter. Cleaning your carpet when the colour starts dulling out is a good first step. If you wait too long and your carpet becomes dirty, then cleaning it will be way harder and more costly. Don’t allow things to go that far, stick to cleaning regularly, as soon as the colours start getting muted.

Vacuuming Before and After Cleaning

Vacuum every time before you go for a steam cleaning of your carpet. Removing the larger particles of dust and soil is a great first step. Once you’re done cleaning and the carpet is dry, vacuuming again will help pick up any soil that was stuck to the surface during the drying process.

Pre-Treating Stains on High Traffic Areas

Mixing a bit of detergent and hot water in a spray bottle and misting the dirtiest areas is a good first step. Let that sit there for a few minutes before you focus on your general cleaning.

Moving and Raising Furniture

If your furniture is too heavy to move, you should put wood blocks, plastic film or aluminium around the legs of the pieces. This should prevent stains from paint finishes, rust from metal furniture and more from ending up on your damp carpet after cleaning.

Don’t Make the Carpet too Wet

DIY machines may spray too much water on the carpet, not to mention most don’t have enough suction to get rid of the excess moisture. For that reason, you should do a pass with a solution of water and soap. Do another pass with a neutralising rinse solution and two or three drying passes to ensure the water is completely out of the carpet.

Let Things Dry Completely

Wet carpets are a great home for mildew and mould. Carpet cleaning means you should open the windows, using a dehumidifier and fans. Put your air conditioning in a moderate setting to evaporate the excess moisture. Don’t put the furniture back on or walk on your carpet until it’s been dried completely.

© Carpet Cleaner Ltd