Carpet Care and Maintenance Tips For Healthy Long Lasting Carpet!

By Michael Furcron

Why is carpet maintenance important?

It's easier to ignore dirt in carpet than on hard floors because it's hidden in the fibers. But, just because you can't see it doesn't mean its not causing damage. Dirt is abrasive on carpet fibers and causes light refraction, which gives it a dull appearance. Basic carpet maintenance can greatly extend the life of your carpets as well as providing a healthy indoor environment for you and your family.

The most important carpet maintenance tip

The most important thing you can do to care for your carpets and rugs between professional cleanings is Vacuuming. The dry particulate soil, which makes up about 80% of soil in carpet, is abrasive and scratches carpet fibers making them appear dull. Much of this soil can be removed by routine vacuuming using a good upright vacuum with a reel-type brush. The brush is used to move the tips of the carpet pile so that dirt can be extracted. Make sure to change or empty the vacuum bag frequently.

Use entrance and exit mats at all doors to the outside

Place removable mats at all entrances and exits including back doors, garages, etc... A good mat will prevent most soil and debris from entering your home and ultimately your carpeting. These mats will also help keep your hard surface floors cleaner.

Restore carpet fibers matted by furniture

To restore matted carpet, from heavy furniture, use the edge of a coin to lightly brush the fibers. For really difficult matting, use a steam iron held a 3-4 inches from the surface, spray with steam and gently stroke the fibers with brush. Never let the iron touch the carpet, if you are concerned you might make this mistake, do not attempt using a steam iron.

Oops, I spilled... What now?

If you have an accidental spill, act quickly! Remove any solids from the surface, than blot as much as possible using a clean white towel. If you have muddy footprints, wait for them dry completely, then vacuum the dirt away. Contact a professional cleaner before applying any store bought chemicals, some chemicals can actually set a stain making it nearly impossible to remove.

Why should I invest in the carpet protectant?

 Having carpet protectant applied has many advantages. It will keep the carpet's ability to resist dirt, wear and tear, and stains. Many carpet manufacturers require a yearly professional cleaning to validate their product's warranty.