It’s no secret.
Carpets are warm and cozy, and there is much to love about them. But if you have a carpet that you really love, you want it to stay fresh and fluffy for as long as possible. The good news is that with the right care, you can keep it looking and feeling like new for years to come.
So If you are looking for tips on how to take care of your carpet, you are going to love this.
From vacuuming to stopping stains and damage, taking care of your carpets will not only extend their lifespan but also keep your indoor air clean. As you may know, carpets can trap dust, allergens, and bacteria that build up over time and impact the health of your home. If you don't clean them often or at all, then carpets become a home for dust mites, mold, and even pet dander. All of these affect the indoor air quality, and can become a problem for children and people who have breathing problems like asthma.
To help you prevent these, we give you our 10 carpet maintenance tips that work.
1. Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming is the obvious first step to maintain your carpet.
It stops dirt and debris from getting buried deep in the carpet fibers, which can damage the carpet over time. And this is precisely why some carpets have a worn out and dull look. Regular vacuuming helps get rid of those surface particles before they can cause any further damage.
Pro Tip: Try to vacuum at least once or twice a week, especially in areas with lots of foot traffic. You might need to vacuum more often if you have pets, to deal with pet hair and dander. Make sure to vacuum in different directions for a thorough clean.
Consider using a vacuum with a HEPA filter to catch allergens and improve indoor air quality.
2. Clean Spills Right Away
Spills happen, but acting fast can keep your carpet from getting ruined for good.
The longer a spill sits, the harder it becomes to remove. Why? When you don't clean up spills right away, they can soak into the carpet fibers and even the padding underneath. This makes them harder to clean and might lead to stains or smells that won't go away.
Pro Tip: When a spill occurs, dab (don't rub) the spot with a clean absorbent cloth or a paper towel. Dabbing helps soak up the liquid without spreading it more. For most stains, a mix of warm water and mild dish soap will work just fine. For stubborn spills like red wine or oil, try a bit of white vinegar or a store-bought stain remover.
Always check the solution on a small, hidden area first.
3. Deep Clean Your Carpet Once a Year
Even if you vacuum regularly, it might not be enough.
Carpets can collect grime, oils, and allergens that sink deep into the fibers over time. To bring back your carpet's freshness, you need to clean it every 12 to 18 months. A deep clean gets rid of dirt and germs that vacuums can't reach. This has an impact on how your carpet looks and helps create a healthier space to live in.
Pro Tip: Steam cleaning (also called hot water extraction) is one of the best methods for deep cleaning. You have two options: rent a steam cleaner or hire a professional service. If professional cleaning isn’t in your budget, you can still get the job done. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Use Mats and Runners
Carpets placed in areas with lots of foot traffic, like hallways and entryways, tend to wear out faster.
You can put mats and runners in these spots to protect the carpet from too much damage. Mats and runners catch dirt and debris from shoes, preventing them from being ground into the carpet. They also reduce friction in areas that see a lot of foot traffic, extending the life of your carpet.
Pro Tip: Put a mat at every entrance to trap dirt and moisture. Use runners in busy areas such as hallways or between rooms. Clean the mats regularly to prevent them from becoming dirt sources themselves.
5. Take Off Shoes
Walking inside your house with shoes on is a surefire way to get your carpets dirty.
Shoes can bring in soil, pebbles, and even chemicals, all of which can damage your carpet's fibers.
Pro Tip: Make a rule against wearing shoes in your home. Put a rug or shoe rack near the entrance for your family and guests to leave their shoes. If you find it awkward to ask guests to take off their shoes, then offer them some house slippers to wear inside.
6. Clean Pet Accidents Promptly
Pets are going to have accidents on carpets.
This includes urine, vomit, or feces. Why is it such a big deal? Well, if you don't clean up pet accidents right away, they can leave permanent stains and odors unless you own a pet-friendly carpet. The longer the “mess” stays on your carpet the harder it'll be to get rid of. Plus, you're more likely to be stuck with a smell that just won't go away.
For those searching how to clean dog pee off carpet (works for cats too), try this.
Pro Tip: Begin by soaking up the urine with paper towels, as much as possible. Then prepare a solution of water and white vinegar (1:1) to neutralize the odor. Spray it on the area and let it work for 10-15 mins. Soak up with towels and repeat if needed. If there are still some lingering smells, you should follow up with an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet stains.
Don’t use ammonia-based cleaners, as they may smell like urine to your pets and encourage them to mark the spot again.
7. Prevent Furniture Dents
Heavy furniture can make lasting dents in your carpet and make it look worn out.
Furniture that sits in one place for a long time pushes down carpet fibers leaving marks that are hard to get rid of. Similarly, avoid dragging heavy furniture over your carpets, as it can also create dents. These dents will make your carpet look worn out, even if they are new.
So here’s our carpet maintenance 101 tip.
Pro Tip: Put coasters or pads under heavy furniture to distribute the weight more evenly. Rearrange your furniture periodically to avoid leaving deep, permanent marks. Don’t forget about the chairs. If you see any dents, put ice cubes on the spot, let them melt, and then use a spoon to fluff the fibers back up.
8. Change Air Filters On Time
Maybe you never thought about this, but the air quality in your home affects how clean your carpets are.
Dirty air filters allow dust, pollen, and other allergens to circulate through your home and land on your carpets. Your HVAC system's dust and allergens can end up in carpets. This has an impact on indoor air quality and makes your carpets get dirty faster.
Pro Tip: Switch out your air filters often—about every 1-3 months. Clean filters reduce the amount of dust and debris that lands on your carpets. This makes it easier to keep clean and helps the air in your home stay fresher.
9. Make Carpets Smell Fresh with Baking Soda
As time goes by, carpets can start to smell musty or bad, especially in homes with pets.
Baking soda is a natural, inexpensive way to make your carpets smell fresh without using strong chemicals. It can neutralize odors by absorbing them instead of covering them up with fake smells. It offers a safe and eco-friendly way to keep carpets smelling fresh.
Pro Tip: Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet focusing on spots where odors are most noticeable, and leave it for 15-30 minutes. This allows the baking soda to absorb the smells. Then, vacuum the area to remove the baking soda and any smells it soaked up.
10. Too Much Sun Can Fade
Unfortunately, direct sunlight will fade your carpet.
All the carpet maintenance tips we shared so far aren’t going to help you when you get a sudden realization that your carpet has lost its color it once had. Direct sun exposure (depending on where you live) can generate enough heat to cause certain areas of your carpet to become discolored and faded and might even damage the fibers, making the carpet seem worn out. It’s hard to notice these things, and if you do, it’s already too late, so here is how to prevent it.
Pro Tip: You can use curtains, blinds, or UV-blocking films to limit the amount of direct sunlight that hits your carpets. You can also rotate your rugs and furniture to even out exposure. If possible, rearrange your furniture to cover the most sun-exposed areas and prevent noticeable fading in one spot.
Conclusion
And there you have it.
Carpet maintenance tips and tricks to help you extend your carpet’s life, keep your home fresh, and improve indoor air quality. But in case you were also looking for some new carpets, then we have something for you!
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