Your home carpet is going to go through quite a bit during its time on earth. If you live in an active household full of dogs, babies, and even larger children, your carpet is guaranteed to see a lot of staining and damage even just in its first few months. That’s why it’s so important for homeowners to keep on top of damage before it strikes. When you’re trying to get ahead of carpet staining and damage, there are a few tricks of the trade to keep in mind at all times. Here’s what to do if you’re looking to keep your carpet looking healthy and clean for the full span of its life.
1. Clean Regularly
The first tip of keeping a clean carpet is to make sure you never skimp on weekly cleanings. Even if you’re someone who only likes to clean a few times a month, making sure you don’t let your carpet collect a ton of dirt in between vacuuming jobs can help your rug’s health in the long run. You don’t have to do a thorough job every single day, just be sure to go over the highest traffic areas of your carpet with a broom, dustpan, and vacuum at least a few days a week to make sure you’re not letting grime build up past the point of no return.
2. Don’t Just Treat Stains: Prevent Them
Getting on top of a stain when it first strikes is important. However, making sure you do your best to prevent stains is even more crucial if you want your carpet to stay clean and well cared for. When it comes to pre-treating pet stains, it helps to outfit clean carpets with padding underneath and pee pads for dogs or cats on top. For spills and footprints, try to treat stains as they appear by gentling dabbing the surface with warm water, a moist towelette, and a bit of gentle dish detergent, preferably of a green variety. You can also encourage guests and family members to remove their shoes before entering the home to protect your carpet even further.
3. Use the Right Stuff
Sometimes, it’s not just about how you clean. It’s about what you clean with. When it comes to helping your carpet rather than hurting it while cleaning, investing in a few trusted green cleaners will go a long way toward overall carpet health. Even if you’re dealing with a harsh stain that simply won’t go away, don’t reach for the bleach or the chemical cleaners. Using green cleaners will help remove dirt and odor from your carpet without stripping it of its fibers and compromising its health. When it comes to cleaning carpet over a long period of time, the gentler you are, the better it will be for everyone.
4. Call a Professional
If you really want to give your carpet a thorough cleaning, seek out professional carpet cleaning services like Chem-Dry at least a few times every year, if not more. Giving your carpet a professional cleaning will leave it smelling fresh and looking great for years and years to come.