Some types of carpet can last up to 20 years when well-maintained. Carpet maintenance includes regular vacuuming, deep cleaning, and handling stains the right way.
Carpet cleaning mistakes can quickly date your carpet and shorten its life, making it look old and forcing you to replace it sooner than you want. A good synthetic carpet costs $3 to $6 per square foot installed, and luxury wool carpets cost up to $25 per square foot. At those prices, you want to keep your carpets in good condition for as long as possible.
Keep reading to learn how to clean carpets the right way by avoiding common mistakes.
1. Waiting Too Long to Vacuum
Carpets can be deceiving because the fibers hide messes, from dirt to crumbs. There are also lots of microscopic particles in the carpet, like dust and allergens, that you’ll never see.
Waiting too long between vacuuming can leave your carpet dirty and smelly. It also gives the dirt more time to settle into the fibers, where it’s more difficult to remove. Vacuum a minimum of once weekly with two times or more a week being ideal for carpeted floors.
2. Ignoring Spills
Messes on carpets are common, especially if you have kids or pets. You’ll get the best stain-removing results when you tackle those stains as soon as you see them.
Dried stains that are set into the fibers and are more difficult to remove. You can often soak up at least part of the stain with a rag if you start when it’s still wet. Fresh stains are often fully treatable with all signs of the stain gone while set-in stains might not ever come out fully.
3. Scrubbing Stains
Your instinct when removing carpet stains might be to scrub hard, but that often damages carpet fibers and forces the stain deeper into the fibers. It can cause the fibers to fray or come loose, which makes them stand out and look worn.
Start by dabbing wet spills gently to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. For solid items, scrape off as much as possible.
If you need to use water to help remove more of the stain, apply just a small amount. Pouring too much water on it can damage the carpet.
4. Not Testing Cleaners
You’ll find lots of DIY carpet cleaners online and many commercial cleaning solutions at stores. Don’t assume those products or recipes are safe. Always test a cleaning method on a hidden patch of carpet to make sure it doesn’t damage or discolor the fibers, and follow the instructions exactly.
5. Not Using a Professional Cleaner
You can vacuum and spot clean your carpet on your own, but having an occasional professional carpet cleaning goes deeper than your home cleaning methods. Professional carpet cleaning tools pull out more residue and debris from deep in the carpet, leaving you with a cleaner home. Professionals might also have tools to handle set-in stains that you can’t remove yourself.
Avoid Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes
Common carpet cleaning mistakes can cause permanent stains or damage to your flooring. Learning how to clean carpets the right way helps you get more life out of your floors.
When you need professional carpet cleaning services, contact us for a free estimate or to schedule a cleaning service. We have the right carpet cleaning tools and products to do the job the right way.
