Carpet cleaning tips are helpful bits of information that every homeowner should know if they want their floors spruced up with a classy, stylish, and colorful carpet or rug. It cannot be denied that carpets can be very tiring and tedious to clean. But, just knowing the basic carpet cleaning tips will help you to discover the easier ways to clean and preserve these floor decorative pieces.
Carpet Cleaning Tips: Brooms vs Vacuum
Some homeowners will probably tell you to sweep your carpet daily using brooms with stiff bristles. However, brooms will only cause the dirt and dust particles to sink deeper in between the fibers.
Ideally, carpets should only be vacuumed weekly. The sole exception to this rule is if the carpet is frequently being stepped on since it is placed in areas with heavy traffic. Vacuuming your carpet frequently prevents the build up of sharp, gritty particles that can cut and tear the fibers. As a result, you prolong your carpet’s life. If you have extra time to spare, make sure that you clean the areas surrounding your carpet, such as radiators and baseboards with a crevice tool.
Never rush when vacuuming your carpet. This is particularly true for plush carpets that have dirt and grime deeply embedded. Clean it very slowly and make several passes, so that the suction can clear out all the dirt.
Cleaning Carpet by Section
If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, divide your carpet into sections. Make sure that you vacuum one section thoroughly before moving to the next. Be more thorough, however, on specific areas where people sit and step on it. For these places, do not vacuum in straight lines. Instead, move the vacuum in a crisscrossing manner, with the strokes overlapping. To prevent odors, you can add baking soda inside your vacuum bag. For additional protection, apply soil retardants immediately after you have cleaned your carpet. Soil retardants are also advisable for brand new carpets before they are laid out on the floor.
Spots and spills on the carpet are a bane to every homeowner. Before buying a carpet for your home, you should already inquire with the store on cleaning solutions for it in case of spills, spots or stains. Or you can do a small test in an inconspicuous area of your carpet. A good cleaning solution should not discolor or damage your carpet.
Carpet Cleaning Solutions
Before applying the cleaning solution, blot or scrape carefully the area. Try to remove most of the spill or stain as you possibly can. When you apply the cleaner, you must start from the edges of the stain going toward the center. This will prevent the spill or stain from spreading any further. Blot up any excess moisture with a clean white bath towel. With this same towel, gently brush the fibers back to a standing position. If you have applied too much cleaning solution so that your carpet is too moist, place a stack of white towels – around 3/4-inch thick – on top of the spot. Weight the towels down with a heavy piece of furniture or thick books.
Check out the 12 Steps in the Carpet Cleaning Process:
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