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 carpet protector? Having carpet protector 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.
Read our carpet protector page for more info here.
Shouldn't I wait as long as possible to have my carpet cleaned? No! Dirt can be as abrasive as sandpaper.
Every time you step on the carpet, dirt is transferred from your shoe and ground into the carpet.
The dirt is actually cutting the fibers, just as if you had used a knife.
These small cuts are causing the carpet to wear.
A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as clean carpet.
While vacuuming helps to remove dirt, by itself, it is simply not enough.
The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out.
Isn't the only reason to have the carpets cleaned to remove dirt? No! Outdoor air contains pollens, fungi, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, and hundreds of other chemicals.
When you and your family members enter your home, those indoor air pollutants are introduced by way of your clothing and shoes.
These indoor air pollutants settle deep within your carpet.
If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems, one major source of your problem could be these pollutants nestled within your carpets.
Even if you don't smoke, any of the 4,000 different chemical compounds found in cigarettes can be tracked into your home and left in the carpet.
Carpet cleaning will remove much more than dirt from your carpet.
Regular carpet cleaning will actually help improve your homes indoor air quality.