Carpet may be one of the easiest types of flooring to maintain, yet the beauty and life of your carpet depends directly on the type of care it receives. Quality carpet that is well-maintained should last for many years.
Proper cleaning will keep it looking great for its full lifetime, help improve your indoor air quality, and help maintain your carpet’s warranties.
Improper maintenance methods can cause the opposite results, causing lackluster carpets that actually attract dirt and dust.
Three Steps for Proper Carpet Care
Here are three simple steps to keeping your carpet clean and looking great:
- Vacuum regularly — the more you vacuum the better your carpet will perform.
- Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to re-soil by leaving behind oily residues.
- Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime. The CRI recommends hot water extraction or steam cleaning as the preferred methods for cleaning your carpets.
Recommendations to Stopping Problems Before They Start (stop dirt before it enters your home)
- Use mats – outdoor and indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters your home. Take special care during Kansas City’s spring and winter seasons when rain, snow, sleet and sludge can wreak havoc on your clean carpets
- Take off your shoes – You can save wear and tear on carpet by asking everyone to take off his or her shoes before entering.
- Change your air filters – Change air filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems as recommended by the manufacturer’s directions. The more dust and particles removed by the filter, the less that fall on the carpet.
Reducing the Impact of Stains and Soil
The majority of stain complaints are actually soil related. When spills are not cleaned up quickly they can leave a residue after removal and will begin to attract dirt. Oil in the form of body oil, oil tracked in on shoes, and air borne cooking oil can also leave a residue after they have been removed. This residue readily attracts soil from ordinary shoe traffic, and the resulting discolored area appears to be a stain.
When spills are cleaned with a detergent solution and the area is not sufficiently rinsed with plain water a detergent residue is left that begins to attract dirt. It is important to rinse thoroughly with water and blot dry after removing any spill.
The Carpet and Rug Institute has a large resource of information on carpet cleaning solutions, the proper equipment that should be used in carpet cleaning and service providers that clean carpet right the first time. Without proper care and maintenance, the chance of faster re-soiling, higher wear, and stains reappearing is a lot greater.
We will provide you with the highest quality carpet at the lowest possible price along with all the information you need to properly maintain your carpet.
