You will want to protect your carpet before family members and guests ever come inside by using doormats and area rugs at every entrance to your home. These valuable additions add style as well as remove soil and debris tracked in on the bottoms of footwear. Also, rugs and mats will keep outdoor moisture from touching your carpet pile and possibly leaving a mark. It’s an absolute no-brainer to use them!
Daily Care
As far as your daily care and maintenance, that starts with taking the time to select a vacuum cleaner that will match your specific carpet perfectly. Maintaining your carpet’s appearance is made immensely easier when you purchase a quality vacuum model that is the right fit for your carpet. In addition to being lighter in weight and easier to use, today’s vacuum cleaners have stronger suction power and are more effective at removing particles. Regular vacuuming will extend the life and appearance of your carpet by effectively removing as much loose dirt and dust as possible. If these particles remain in the carpet fibers, they will dull your carpet’s appearance over time. The right vacuum is worth the investment.
Spills
Whether it’s a child, a pet, a party guest, or even your own mishap, spills and stains are inevitable inside the home. You should always treat a spill as soon as it occurs in order to maintain your carpet’s appearance. If the liquid soaks into the carpet fibers, the likelihood that it becomes a permanent stain increases greatly. So do not wait, immediately grab a dry cloth or paper towel to blot up all of the liquid and debris. Rubbing or scrubbing the affected area is counterintuitive and can actually damage the carpet fibers. Take a breath and respond promptly with purpose.
A step-by-step stain removal guide
- Vacuum any dry particles.
- Check your manufacturer warranty to ensure your vacuum is covered.
- See Carpet & Rug Institute's List of Certified Vacuums recommended by industry experts.
- Scoop up and blot as much of the spill as possible.
- Prepare a detergent or vinegar solution. For detergent solution: mix 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid dish soap with one cup of warm water. For vinegar solution: mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with four cups of warm water.
- Test the cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous section of carpet. We want to make sure the solution doesn’t cause any discoloration or damage!
- Apply the solution to a cloth and use the cloth to apply the solution to the stain. For the best results, work from the outside of the stain toward the center.
- Leave the cleaning solution on the spill for at least five minutes so it can work its magic.
- Blot with a clean white cloth until the stain no longer transfers. Be careful not to rub the stained area, or you might damage the carpet fibers!
- Rinse the spot with cold water, making sure all excess cleaning solution is removed from the carpet.
- If the stain is still visible, repeat the process until it is removed or no longer transfers onto the cloth.
- If the stain remains, try mixing a different solution and repeat steps 3 through 8. If the stain remains after trying both solutions, contact a professional cleaner.
- Once the stain is removed, layer white paper towels on the area to soak up any extra moisture. Weigh down the towels with a non-staining glass or ceramic object (like a paperweight) and let sit overnight.
- When the carpet is dry, vacuum the area to restore the texture.
Click HERE for a list of Certified Cleaning Solutions. Remember to double check the manufacturer warranty for recommendations for your specific flooring.
