Three Steps for Easy Carpet Care

Your carpet takes a beating every day! Whether in your home or office, people are tracking in dirt and germs from outside, and constantly spilling. However, with the proper care, your carpet will not show wear as quickly, and will last for many years. Here are three steps you can perform to care for your carpet:

Step one: vacuuming

Did you know that something as simple as regular vacuuming can have a great impact on you and your family? Vacuuming removes loose soil and prevents dirt from being ground into carpets, which can damage fibers and reduce the useful life of your carpets. Vacuuming helps to preserve the fluffiness of the carpet fibers, helping them to stand back up. It also not only filters the dirt, pollen, and other pollutants out of your carpet, it also filters the air, making your home a safer place in which to breathe (especially for allergy and asthma sufferers).

Vacuuming is easy – but it can be more effective by keeping these simple tips in mind:

  • Dust blinds, window sills, and furniture first then vacuum away any fallen dust.
  • Use slow, front-to-back motions, moving to the side every 3-4 passes. Don’t ignore corners, where dust builds up.
  • Don’t press down or make too many passes over the same spot because that could cause your carpet to wear out faster than usual.
  • Empty the dirt compartment when your vacuum is 1/2 to 2/3 full.
  • Follow the vacuum manufacturers recommendations for proper maintenance, including checking and replacing the brushes and belts regularly.

Here are some general recommendations for Vacuuming Frequency:

  • Pet Owners: Vacuum daily in high-traffic or common pet areas to keep dirt and dander out of the carpet fibres.
  • Medium Traffic Areas: Vacuum twice weekly.
  • Light Traffic Areas: Vacuum weekly, using attachments at carpet edges and corners

Step Two: Spot Treatment

  1. Pick up any solids; then blot liquids with a clean sponge, dry white cloth or white paper towel, starting from the outside of the spot, and continuing to blot toward the center until area is barely damp.
  2. Do not scrub or use a brush on the spill, the carpet fibers may fray or change texture, which will damage the carpet.
  3. Use a product recommended by your carpet manufacturer. Carefully mix the solutions according to the directions, but try to keep the carpet as dry as possible while spotting. Always pretest any cleaner on a carpet swatch or in a hidden area of the carpet, just in case.
  4. Apply a small amount of the product, and gently blot from the edges of the spot towards the center. This process can be repeated if necessary.

Step Three: Professional Cleaning

If you find that, no matter how much you vacuum or spot clean, your carpet still does not look like it used to, then it may be time for a deep cleaning. However, even if your carpets still”look” good, if it has been 12-18 months since your last professional cleaning, it’s time to schedule again.

While it is an option to rent a carpet cleaning machine and do it your self, hiring a professional is the safest option and will produce the best results. With regular professional cleaning, your carpets will look great for years.

To keep your carpet at peak performance and to maintain your carpet warranty, many carpet manufacturers recommend and actually require professional cleaning by a Clean Trust (formerly the IICRC) Certified Technician every 12-18 months.