Keeping your carpet in pristine condition is important if you want it to last as long as possible. There are plenty of care measures you can use to ensure your carpet looks its best. We put together a list of the top six carpet care tips we believe will give your carpet the ultimate care it deserves throughout it’s lifetime:
1.) Keep a vacuum handy
When taking care of your carpet, make sure you have a vacuum on hand. One of the main benefits of vacuum cleaning your carpet is the ability to remove any allergens or irritants. A general rule of thumb is to vacuum your carpets at least once a week, as this will avoid any buildup of dust mites, food crumbs, or any other residue that may harm the carpet.
You also want to make sure that you are using the right one for the material on your area rug or stair runner. The last thing you want is to have your vacuum damaging your carpet rather taking care of it. There are various of vacuum cleaners to choose from in the market, so make sure you are investing in one that truly gets the job done!
2.) The No Shoe Policy Advantage
When it comes to preserving the pristine condition of your carpet, implementing a no shoe policy in your home can be a game-changer. Not only does it contribute to a cleaner and more hygienic living space, but it also significantly extends the life of your carpet. Here’s why you should consider adopting a no shoe policy:
Minimizes Dirt and Debris:
Shoes carry dirt, mud, and various outdoor particles that can easily be transferred onto your carpet. By making your home a shoe-free zone, you reduce the amount of dirt brought indoors, preventing it from settling into the carpet fibers. This simple step goes a long way in maintaining the overall cleanliness of your carpet.
Reduces Wear and Tear:
Constant foot traffic with shoes can accelerate the wear and tear of your carpet. The friction between the shoe soles and the carpet fibers contributes to matting and deterioration over time. Going shoeless indoors minimizes this friction, preserving the texture and appearance of your carpet for a longer duration.
Prevents Stains and Spills:
Sticky substances, oils, and liquids often adhere to the soles of shoes, posing a potential threat to your carpet. Implementing a no shoe policy significantly lowers the risk of accidental spills and stains, allowing you to maintain the spotless beauty of your carpet effortlessly.
Promotes a Healthier Environment:
Shoes can carry not only dirt but also allergens, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms. By removing shoes at the entrance, you create a healthier indoor environment, reducing the chances of allergens and contaminants settling into your carpet. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with respiratory issues or allergies.
High-traffic areas, such as entryways and living rooms, often suffer the most from carpet wear. A no shoe policy helps maintain the vibrancy and color of these frequently used areas, ensuring your carpet looks as good as new for an extended period.
Incorporating a no shoe policy is a simple yet effective way to enhance the longevity and appearance of your carpet. Encourage family members and guests to embrace this habit, and consider providing a designated area for shoe storage near the entrance. Your carpet will thank you for the extra care and attention it receives with this small but impactful change in household habits.
3.) Clean up a spill or stain immediately
Accidents are bound to happen. Whether it’s a spilled drink or perhaps walking in with dirty shoes, your carpet will inevitably develop stains. The last thing you want to do in this scenario is leave the mess and deal with it later.
If you let the stain settle in, not only will it be harder to get rid of, but it can also stay there permanently, completely ruining your rug or stair runner. The quicker you act on cleaning up, the more likely you can save the carpet material from developing a permanent stain. The moment the carpet gets dirty, you should act as quickly as possible to remove any solid or liquid residue as this will make the rest of the clean up much more easier for you.
When dealing with a spill to avoid a long-term stain, here are some quick tips to help you get started.
- If you don’t have a specific carpet cleaning product, you can always create your own with materials you likely have at home. Here is one we recommend that is easy on many carpet materials:
- Mixture of water,vinegar and dish soap:
This quick at-home solution is gentle on carpet materials — even premium materials such as wool — and it’s formulated to get rid of some of the toughest stains.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon of Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Dish Soap
Here are some other tips to keep in mind when taking care of the stain at home:
- Be sure to always use a white cloth
Make sure you completely avoid any type of colored cloth, as they can cause more harm than good. The dye from a colored cloth or towel can actually rub off onto the carpet material when you’re cleaning the spill. By using a white cloth, you can save the carpet from getting even more strained than it already is.
- Don’t rub in the stain
Our first instinct when we deal with a stain is to scrub it away. What this actually does is push the itl deeper into the carpet material. You might even cause a permanent stain with this action.
Our recommendation is to first blot out the stain by gently placing an absorbent cloth on it. This will help absorb most of the spill from the top layer and stop it from going deeper into the material. This now makes it easier to clean up the rest of the stain, allowing you to use any other cleaning methods.
4.) Call in a professional cleaner!
If a DIY cleaning solution doesn’t do the trick, then your best option is to call in a professional cleaning service. A professional will arrive at your home with the right tools, products, and techniques to make sure you receive the best results for cleaning your carpet.
By calling in a professional cleaner, you can have the peace of mind that your carpet is receiving the best treatment … plus, you are saving yourself time and effort!
Another tip is to have a professional clean your carpet at least once a year, even if the carpet doesn’t look dirty. Over the course of time, your carpet will pick up debris and get dirty without you even realizing. Following a yearly or semi-annually professional cleaning routine is a decision that you won’t regret later down the road.
At The Carpet Workroom, we work in collaboration with our trusted fabric cleaning partner, Clifford Fine Fabric Care.They can take care of all your rug or carpet cleaning needs. Aside from carpet cleaning, we also offer cleaning of other fabrics and materials including drapes, upholstery, cushions, and more. Email us if you’re interested in setting up a cleaning service today!
5.) Minimize direct sunlight
Many homeowners love to fill a room with natural light to give it some life, but that could ultimately harm the color of your carpet material. It’s been proven that carpet fading is affected the most by sunlight directly hitting the carpet. The constant contact from ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sunlight will begin to deteriorate the carpet and alter it’s look through the course of its life.
You can’t completely avoid UV light in every circumstance. As a matter of fact, carpet fading is unavoidable and is considered typical wear and tear. Direct sunlight simply speeds up the natural deterioration process and can cause more noticeable changes to the material.
With that being said, we recommend you place your carpets away from areas that are consistently flooded with natural light. Here are some ways you can limit how much sunlight is hitting the carpet and how you can slow down the carpet fading process:
- Place your carpet away from windows or doorways that have constant light flowing in.
- Place your area rug in a central location in the room.
- Take advantage of drapes and window shades, or consider adding a tint onto your windows to limit how much UV light enters the space.
All in all, the less sunlight your carpet material receives, the longer it will retain it’s color.
6.) Get it prepared with Green Guard™
As much as you may try to keep your carpet free from stains, accidents are bound to happen. If you want the ultimate peace of mind so your carpet can withstand any stains, then your best bet is to get it treated with Green Guard.
Green Guard is a solution that is coated onto the surface of a carpet or other upholstery material . It’s designed to shield your carpet from stains or any particles that may ruin the material. Green Guard will also preserve the color of your carpet over the course of its lifetime.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has approved Green Guard as a safe product , meaning the product is designed to protect human health and the environment. It’s a biodegradable, skin-friendly, non-toxic product, which makes it safe for any home, especially if you have any children or pets.
We take the time to apply this solution in our workroom area. Our fabricators diligently apply the product using a conventional, low pressure sprayer. Once a Green Guard is applied, you won’t even notice it’s there. The product is engineered to ensure carpet can withstand everyday cleaning and will not easily wear off. We recommend you apply it after each deep cleaning or every 8-to-12 months to extend the life of your carpet.
Ask your project manager about applying Green Guard to your next project. You’ll be thanking yourself later!
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Adding an area rug or stair runner to your home is an important investment, and we at The Carpet Workroom want to make sure you get the most life out of your purchase as possible. Our project managers are experts in the best ways to protect your carpet — feel free to email us (info@carpetworkroom.com) to answer any questions you might have!
