Carpet Care Tips, carpet cleaning, Home Carpet Care Tips

Although carpet comes in a variety of styles, from Berber to shag, the flooring needs proper care to keep it looking new and clean. Heavy foot traffic wears down the pile in carpeting, and dirt left on a carpet indefinitely could leave a permanent stain. Using certain care tips keeps carpets from degrading before their time.

Vacuum the Carpet

Regular vacuuming removes dirt and dust from carpet that flattens and discolors the pile of the rug. Vacuum around baseboards with a sweeper attachment to remove dirt hidden along the walls of a room. Empty the sweeper bag before it becomes too full to ensure proper suction for the best overall cleaning.

Move Furniture

Move furniture, if only a few inches, to avoid crushing the pile of the carpet. Over time, the weight from furniture mashes the carpet and leaves permanent dent marks. Rearrange the furniture every two to three months to avoid damaging the carpet. Small discs, made especially for carpet, alleviate pressure put on the carpet by furniture legs.

Rugs

Welcome mats and scatter rugs help preserve carpets. Mats placed at doors leading inside provide an area for wiping shoes before entering the home. Rugs placed on top of carpets prolong the life of the flooring by protecting it in heavy traffic areas. Wash the rugs at least once a month, and dry completely before placing on the carpet.

Stains

Remove stains from carpet as soon as possible to avoid permanent marks on the flooring. Neutralizing the spill with club soda and blotting with white paper towels helps the removal process. After removing the stain, dry the carpet by directing a fan at the affected area. Allowing a carpet to remain wet promotes mold and mildew growth.