6 Awesome Tips To Keep Your Carpets Clean

We’re all familiar with the signs that our carpet is getting old: depressions left by couch feet, matted areas by the front door, and stray fibers poking out above the rest, not to mention the myriad stains and occasional burns that occur.

Life happens, as they say, and you can’t do much about it. You can, however, do something about the impact that life has on your beautiful carpet.

Vacuum the right way

Turns out your mom was right, there is more to vacuuming than just running your upright across the carpet as fast as you can and calling it good. Go over each section from multiple directions so the nap of the carpet isn’t just pushed one way. This will not only clean the carpet better, it will help keep the fibers plush and prevent them from getting matted in high-traffic areas.

We recommend vacuuming at least once per week in frequently-used areas, paying close attention to the carpet near entries that receives the heaviest soiling. Sprinkle a mixture of baking soda and a few dried herbs ten minutes before vacuuming for a homemade carpet freshener.

Adjust your beater bar

Some vacuum cleaners have an adjustable beater bar that helps loosen soil particles from the carpet fibers. If your bar is set too low, it can wear the carpet before its time. Some vacuums have an option to lift the bar completely.

Check your vacuum’s owner’s manual and ask your carpet pro for advice about your specific carpet.

Lift up those depressions

If you’ve decided to rearrange your furniture and are annoyed at those depressions left by the couch, fret not. Just take a steam iron and hold it above the surface of the carpet. After a minute or two, you’ll be able to lift the fibers back into place with the edge of a spoon. Be careful not to let the iron touch the carpet, it could melt the fiber.

Cut – don’t pull – loose fibers

If you’ve got some scraggly carpet fibers, resist the temptation to yank them out. This will only result in further damage and possible unraveling. Instead, take a pair of sharp scissors and trim the stray fiber even with the rest. No one will notice the slight repair.

Clean spills immediately

Spills can quickly turn into stains if you don’t clean them up right away. Use a white cloth and blot up liquids. Remove as much of the spill as possible before applying any kind of cleaning solution.

Blot, don’t rub or you’ll only make it worse. Apply spot remover from the outer edges towards the center and blot up all moisture with a white cloth. Afterward, carefully brush the nap back into place.

Invest in professional cleaning

Once a year or so it’s worth it to invest in deep carpet cleaning. Either hire a professional or rent a quality steam-cleaner and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Deep cleaning is necessary to remove particles that the vacuum left behind, and to prevent mildew from growing and stains from setting.

A little bit of work goes a long way toward protecting your investment. Follow these tips and you’ll add years to the life of your carpet.

6 Awesome Tips To Keep Your Carpets Clean – Flooring Vancouver | AAA Flooring