Maintaining Your Carpet
Carpet rarely wears out in terms of fiber wearing away; rather, its appearance simply deteriorates over time to a point where it is no longer acceptable. Experience has shown that proper maintenance can help reduce the rate at which a carpet's appearance changes. Following are some general information tips that will help keep your carpet looking new longer.
- Place walk-off mats at all entrances. Keep walk-off mats clean so they don't become sources of soil themselves.
- Vacuum regularly. The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffic areas. Bear in mind that walking on soiled carpet permits the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before this happens.
- Most manufacturers recommend the use of vacuums with a rotating brush or beater/brush bar that agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for the vacuum to remove.
- If you use area rugs over your carpet, be sure to remove and clean them regularly. Clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath. After cleaning your carpet, remember to allow for complete drying before replacing rugs.
- Protect carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or awnings.
- Clean up spills quickly. No carpet is stain proof and stains are easier to remove if attended to quickly.
- Have carpet professionally cleaned every 12-18 months according to manufacturers requirements. The preferred method of cleaning is the hot water extraction method or "steam cleaning". This method also serves to refresh the heat-set in carpet. Manufacturers require that this type of cleaning be done in order to maintain the warranty on carpets.
- Most do-it-yourself cleaning equipment leaves carpet with too much water and detergent residue. Professional steam cleaning equipment does the best job of rinsing and removing the maximum amount of water from the carpet.
