subject: Residential Carpet Cleaning Tough Spills and Stains [print this page] Keeping your carpet clean is more than just about the look of the carpet. It is also about preserving the life of the carpet and freeing it from allergens and organisms such as carpet bugs from residing there. If you have recently had your carpet installed, you understand that it is more cost efficient to care for and maintain your carpet than it is to keep having the carpet replaced. Carpet maintenance is not as difficult as it may seem. There are a few easy steps to follow to keep your carpet clean and germ free. Vacuum your carpet on a regular basis. This may seem like common sense but it is a step that is often overlooked in carpet maintenance. To make sure that the vacuum is picking up as much debris as possible vacuum in multiple directions.
Each time you vacuum, replace the bag you were using with a new one and clean the filter. Use water to clean up spills. Water is an adequate cleaner for most carpet spills when used correctly. For tougher stains that water alone will not clean up, there are residential carpet cleaning products available. Mild carpet shampoos are usually the best alternative. Only use harsher products when absolutely necessary. Avoid feverishly scrubbing a stained area. Doing so will not only adversely embed the stain deeper into the carpet but it will also weaken the carpet fibers and cause the carpet to wear quicker in those areas. Also, eventually the stain will make its way back to the surface of the carpet as if you had never cleaned it at all.
The best way to remove a stained carpet is to place a thick cloth over the stained area andweigh it down with something heavy. Let it stay that way overnight. The goal is to let the cloth absorb the stain first and then you can clean it. Never try to dry the area with a heating device such as a blow dryer. This will only permanently seal the stain into the carpet. Steam clean the carpet. Steam cleaning will kill dirt and allergens that vacuuming even regularly cannot prevent. You can either hire a professional to do it, or you can do it yourself. Steam cleaning vacuums are available both for rent and purchase. Take preventive measures. Using a welcoming mat upon entering your house or apartment can prevent tracking dirt from the outside. Keep in mind that once the mat reaches a certain level of saturation, it will no longer be as effective in trapping dirt so keep them clean as well.
Residential Carpet Cleaning Tough Spills and Stains
