We
have the best tips to keeping a clean carpet. We share tips and methods
straight from carpet cleaning Houston
professionals. Being in the business, we know all about traffic patterns
throughout the house, stain, wear, and how to prevent these issues. By
following these tips, your carpets can remain cleaner, which will make them
last longer. A clean carpet is also easier to maintain.
Vacuum
Frequently and Properly
The
first line of defense on proper carpet care is vacuuming. This will get rid of
most of the dirt and loose fibers as carpets begin to fray with age. The EPA
itself recommends vacuuming between 1 and 3 times a week, depending on the
frequency of traffic through certain areas, and how often that traffic brings
in dirt and other things from outside. Most of the dirt is trapped within the
first ten feet of a carpet that's inside the home, which causes the most damage
to carpets. Dirt twists and grinds against the carpet's fibers, which causes
tearing and fraying. Frequent vacuuming eliminates this dirt presence.
Allow
Stain Remover to Work
If
you have ever had your carpet professionally cleaned, you may have noticed
there was a period of time where the carpet cleaning Houston professional
appeared to be doing nothing. This is because any stain remover sprayed has to
have time to get down into the carpet and break down dirt. 10-15 minutes is
usually the standard amount of time given, and it is usually the most effective
for any stain remover. This allows the product enough time to break down most
of the dirt while not giving it too much time to start messing up a carpet.
Simply applying the stain remover, then immediately scrubbing can cause more
damage to the carpet and will only force a stain deeper. Proper application and
use involves spraying the desired area, waiting around 10 or 15 minutes, then
gently blotting and rinsing the carpet.
Place
Rugs Throughout the Home
One
of the main causes of carpets getting a dingy look is not dirt, but oils. Dirt
can simply be vacuumed up, and is easy to control. Any sort of oil present on
the carpet fibers can cause the dirt to become wet, which allows it to seep
into the carpet fibers instead of remaining on the outside layer of carpet to
be vacuumed. Most of the oils found in the home come from the kitchen and the
bathroom. Kitchen oils are released into the air in microscopic particles as
you cook, which then settle on the ground. Walking over this allows the oil to
spread throughout the home. Bathrooms are affected in much the same way, as
well as the natural oils your skin produces. The easiest way to prevent oils
from causing damage and spreading is to use rugs. Proper rug placement,
specifically in high-traffic areas, can soak up most of the oils. Rugs are also
easily washed, which prevents the dingy appearance on them. Any carpet cleaning
professional can give you an evaluation on where the best places to spread rugs
would be for maximum effectiveness.
Ask
for Personalized Tips
While
your carpets are being cleaned by any professional, don't be afraid to ask
questions. While inside your home, the professional can give you personalized
tips to keep your carpets clean, rather than the general advice found on the
Internet. This can allow for changes in where your rugs are, or how often you
vacuum based on your home's actual needs, and the professional can give you the
most effective ways to keep a clean home with your specific carpet type.
Carpet
cleaning Houston services follow proper procedures, especially keeping dirt and
oils off your carpets, that can greatly improve your home's appearance. It's a
simple task once you've learned the ways to do it, and proper stain removal
means never having to hide that embarrassing spill with awkward furniture
placement again.
