Keeping your home clean can be a real challenge, especially carpets which tend to accumulate dirt, hair, and pet dander over time. Luckily we have some tips to help you get your carpets clean- and keep them that way. In this article, we’ll outline six easy tips that will get your carpets clean and fresh in no time.
1. Clean up Spills Quickly
The best way to avoid stains is to try to prevent spills from happening in the first place. If possible, confine eating and drinking to non-carpeted areas to prevent food spills.
Unfortunately, spills are inevitable, but they don’t have to ruin your carpeting. The key is to clean up spills quickly to avoid permanent stains. Some types of spills even attract more dirt, so it’s important to stay on top of them before more damage is done.
Follow these tips to clean up messes without damaging your carpet:
- Blot liquid stains with a paper towel or clean white cloth. Avoid scrubbing which can damage carpet fibers and encourage staining.
- Vacuum or sweep up any solid debris before addressing the carpet.
- For most stains mix ¼ teaspoon of dish soap, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and a cup of warm water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture onto your cloth and dab until the stain lifts.
- Rinse with cold water and blot dry.
- For pet stains, look for a carpet cleaning solution with enzymes. This will break down the odor-causing bacteria that could attract your pet to give an encore performance in the same spot.
2. Vacuum Regularly
Regular vacuuming will help keep your carpet clean and fresh, plus it will remove allergens, dust, and other dirt from your home. Aim to vacuum at least once a week, but if you have pets, allergies, children, or areas with a lot of foot traffic you may need to vacuum as often as once a day.
For the best results follow these tips:
- Start from the outside corner of the room and vacuum your way toward the door. This way, you won’t step on the carpeting that you vacuum as you work.
- When you vacuum your carpet, slightly overlap each area that you already cleaned. This process ensures that you entirely cover the carpet as you sweep and pick up as much dirt as possible.
- Take your time and vacuum slowly. Rushing to vacuum quickly will likely cause you to miss spots.
- When the entire area is finished, consider vacuuming backward. For example, if you vacuum north to south, change direction to east and west.
Vacuuming regularly also prevents your carpets from getting too much wear and tear, which will help them last longer. It’s important to choose the right type of vacuum for the job. Keep the following in mind when selecting a vacuum for your home:
- Upright vacuums- The most traditional style of vacuum, come in bagged and bagless varieties. Most feature an adjustable roller for different carpet thicknesses. While they have excellent suction, they are usually a little heavier and bulkier than some of the other styles of vacuum.
- Cordless vacuums- These vacuums can be used on multiple surfaces, and you can easily move them around the house without the worry of wires. Historically they weren’t as powerful, but newer models give you cordless convenience without sacrificing suction. Be sure to look for a model that offers adequate battery life if you have a large amount of space to vacuum.
- Canister vacuums- This style features a vacuum stick with a carry-along tank connected by a long hose. These usually come with a lot of attachments to tackle any job, however, they can be bulky to drag around and store.
- Stick vacuums- These compact, lightweight cleaners are easy to use and convenient to tuck away when you’re finished however they usually aren’t strong enough to tackle heavily-trafficked areas.
- Handheld vacuums- Small handheld vacuums that pack a lot of punch. These little cleaners are great for small messes, stairs, and car upholstery but are not suitable for whole carpet cleaning.
- Robotic vacuums- These high-tech devices give you the ultimate hands-off experience. They can be programmed to vacuum on their own, even if you aren’t at home. Some are even self-emptying! Though the convenience is undeniable, these vacuums may not be the best choice for homes with small children where toys and other obstacles can be left around.
To learn more about the different types of vacuums available, check out our blog: What are the Different Types of Vacuums?
3. Clip Carpet Snags
If you notice a carpet snag, it’s important to clip it right away. Snags are usually caused by loose threads that have gotten pulled, so you’ll want to take special care to avoid stepping on them. This is especially true if you’re wearing shoes, which can further pull the snag out of place.
Don’t worry, ff you clip a snag, it won’t damage the carpet or wear away the fibers. You can snip snags carefully with a pair of scissors or a carpet knife, which you can find at most hardware stores.
Once you successfully cut the carpet snag, you can secure the ends with hot glue. You can also try twisting the fibers together before you glue them to help reset them back into the carpet.
Consider putting masking tape around the snag first so you can avoid getting glue anywhere else on the carpet.
4. Take off Your Shoes
If you have kids, you’ve probably noticed that they stampede through the house without a second thought about muddy shoes. This often happens in the hallway, near the front door, and in many other areas of the home.
The best way to prevent wear and tear on your carpets is by taking off your shoes before you enter the home. Not only is this important for children, but adults as well. After all, anyone can track mud and bacteria inside the house!
It may take a while to establish the habit of removing your shoes before entering, but it’s well worth it. Even shoes that appear clean can track in dirt and germs from the outside.
If you must wear shoes in the house, consider adding runners or an area rug over high traffic areas. This can help protect your carpet, and it can be faster and easier to clean than an entire room of muddy carpet.
5. Keep Your Carpet Clean with Household Items
Some homeowners are understandably hesitant to use chemicals on their carpets, luckily several household items do a great job keeping your carpets clean and fresh.
You can clean your carpets with gentle store-bought cleansers like Woolite, Dawn dish soap, or Murphy’s oil soap or you can try a chemical-free homemade solution using simple ingredients like white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon juice.
Try these custom household mixes for common carpet spills:
- Kool-Aid stains- Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp of Dawn dish soap, and warm water in a spray bottle.
- Pet stains- Add a little laundry detergent to a spray bottle of water and spray it directly onto the stain.
- Coffee stains- Mixture a solution of vinegar, water, and a gentle non-bleach detergent such as Woolite.
- Blood- Mix 2 tsp of liquid dish detergent that fights grease, such as Dawn in a spray bottle of COLD water and spray it directly onto the stain. Be sure to use cold water instead of warm water. This is important!
6. Get Professional Carpet Cleaning
If you’ve tried vacuuming and spot cleaning, but your carpets are still dirty, dingy, and smelly it may be time to call in the pros.
By getting your carpets professionally cleaned, you can get the cleanest freshest carpets possible without the risk of damaging your carpets. They may even be able to tackle some of the stains that you thought were hopeless.
You’ll want to get your carpet professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you suffer from allergies, consider a bi-annual carpet cleaning routine. Keep in mind that professional carpet cleaning is much different than what you can achieve with household items and vacuums. Our cleaning techniques remove dirt and grime from deep inside the carpet fibers. We can also remove some of the most stubborn stains!
Pro Tip: Look For Experience
Don’t trust your carpets to just anyone, call the experts at Hydra Clean Northwest. We’ve seen it all, and our years of experience ensure that your carpets will be cleaned thoroughly and safely, no matter how delicate they are. Call us today to discuss your carpet cleaning needs.