Carpet represents a substantial investment in the scheme of interior furnishings. With proper and regular care, you can add years of life to your carpet and help retain its original beauty. The best advice for retaining that like-new appearance is not to allow the carpet to become too badly soiled. Once that happens, stronger cleaning reagents and harsher mechanical action are required to recapture an acceptable appearance level.
The key to keeping your carpet looking great centers around three basic steps:
- Vacuum thoroughly and frequently.
- Prompt, correct removal of spots and spills.
- Periodic overall cleaning.
Vacuuming
Your vacuum cleaner is probably your best weapon in keeping your carpet free from soil. Vacuum regularly to keep soil from becoming embedded in the carpet’s pile, where it is more difficult to remove and where it can even cause fiber damage, and dull the carpet’s beauty. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar and good suction for dry soil removal, and equipped with an effective high filtration bag.
Thoroughly vacuum the light traffic areas at least weekly, and even daily in the heavily used areas. Vacuum slowly, with a number of passes, to allow the beating and extraction action to remove embedded particulate soil. Consider the use of walk-off mats at entry areas to reduce the amount of soil entering the interior spaces.
Spot Removal
Accidents will occur, but prompt first-aid is vital to preventing permanent damage. A wet/dry vacuum will help greatly in removing spots and stains. Use cleaning solutions sparingly and blot … don’t rub. A weighted pad of color-fast towels or tissue, placed over the wet area, will absorb additional moisture and the staining substance.
Be mindful not to leave residual detergent in the carpet, as it will attract soil causing the spot to “reappear”. Unfortunately, not all spots and stains can be completely and safely removed.
Refer to our handy D. A. Burns Carpet Spot Removal Guide to help you with any “accidents” on your rug or carpet. Remember … spills and stains should be treated immediately.
Overall Cleaning
How often your carpet will need an overall cleaning depends on foot traffic, soiling conditions, type and color of the carpet. Generally, an overall cleaning is appropriate when your carpet seems to have lost its luster, or the traffic areas are showing soil.
Should you choose to do-it-yourself, select the cleaning method and equipment carefully. Follow the instructions and avoid high pH cleaning solutions and excessive abrasive action. If cleaning a stain resistant yarn system, first do a general cleaning and then, if necessary, spot clean with approved cleaning reagents. Do not apply any cationic (anti-static/anti-microbial) chemical treatments to stain resistant yarn systems.
A professional carpet cleaner will select the best method of cleaning to keep your carpet newer looking longer, and in less frequent need of overall cleaning. Always insist that he/she be experienced, well equipped and properly trained. Having the best in equipment is not enough … it’s the cleaning technician behind the equipment that really makes the difference.
So remember … regular vacuuming and prompt spot removal will postpone the need for more expensive, overall cleaning to restore your carpet’s color and texture.
Planned Carpet Maintenance
The usual procedure with new carpet is to allow it to become heavily soiled before cleaning is even considered. This leads to expensive periodic cleanings that are less than effective in restoring the carpet to an acceptable appearance level. This procedure results in a more rapid loss of the carpet’s original appearance and wear-ability because accumulated soil, and traffic, change the carpet’s color and texture by permanently damaging the fibers.
Planned carpet maintenance is designed to:
- Provide less expensive preventive cleanings rather than infrequent, less effective restorative cleanings.
- Maintain a more uniform level of original color and texture because soil and stains are not allowed to accumulate between infrequent cleanings.
- Extend the life of the carpet by reducing acid exposure and damaging fiber abrasion caused by soil.