Your life is hectic and keeping your carpets clean is probably not a top priority. It’s understandable to decide between vacuuming the floor or taking a few minutes off at the end.
Carpeting is subject to a lot more wear and tear than you might think. It can be difficult to maintain your carpet’s cleanliness, from being walked on by dirty shoes to spills that leave a stain that is impossible to remove.
Tips for better carpet care
You don’t need to spend hours cleaning carpets like a professional in order to achieve professional-level results. It’s much easier to keep your carpet clean than cleaning up carpets you have let go of for too long. Here are five easy and simple tips to maintain your carpet’s clean state of health.
1. Use Area Rugs
Area rugs can be used as decorative rugs to prolong the life of your carpet, and provide extra protection from daily wear and tear. Although they are ideal for tying a room together and serving a larger purpose, area rugs can also be used to add a layer of protection. An area rug is easier to clean than fully-installed carpeting when it comes to ease of use.
If you don’t like area rugs, runners are an alternative. It is designed to protect your carpet from any potential damage. You can make your carpet friend in any circumstance: spills, pets, children, runners, area rugs, or even kids.
Clean Rugs
It’s possible to clean up a rug if there is a spillage, which happens occasionally. If the stain is really deep, you can lift the rug and turn it over to soak it. It’s cheaper to replace an area rug than to replace the entire room.
2. Don’t wear shoes inside
It is best to avoid the possibility of dirty shoes causing more problems. It can be difficult to clean up mud and grass. This can be prevented by establishing a house rule that no shoes are allowed inside the house. For everyone’s shoes, you can place a basket or organizer near the door.
How to Organize Your Shoes
An organizer or basket can keep you from tripping overshoes, or losing your sanity if your entryway is too crowded. Even better, you can make it a rule that only one pair of shoes is allowed at each person’s door. Any extra shoes can be stored in your bedroom closet, not in your entryway.
It should be easy for everyone to remember that shoes must be taken off every time they enter your home. Although it might take some time to make this a routine, it will become a natural part of your daily life. You’ll feel much happier when it happens and you no longer have to deal unexpectedly with muddy footprints.
3. Prepare for the Unexpected
Always be prepared, just like a boy scout. This is not about cleaning your carpet, but rather about responding to any stains that may have formed. You can make your carpet look as fresh and clean as possible by using things that you already have.
Baking soda, vinegar, water and soft towels are the best tools for removing carpet stains. You can also use an iron to remove a stubborn stain. Club soda can be kept handy in case you need to make fresh spills.
- Baking Soda or bicarbonate soda, as it’s also called, is easily available at most shops.
- White vinegar can be found in most stores in the condiment section.
- Good microfiber cotton is my favourite for all of my cleaning needs!
- Shoe storage is the key to any organizing system near your front door. This is what I do by my front door.
- You can make your own carpet cleaner by using a mason container with holes so that you can shake it out.
4. Carpet Stains
If you have to deal with spillage, don’t scrub it. Blot the area from the outside and work your way inwards. You can then soak the stain with club soda for around 10-15 minutes. Club soda can be used as long as it is clean and fresh. Next, blot it in the same way you did the first time.
It is important to be prepared for any spillages that may occur. This will make it easier to reduce the time spent on cleaning up set-in stains. You’ll be able to react quickly to any spillage and minimize the amount of work you have later. You will always have what you need in an emergency carpet cleaning situation.
Stains that have been set
You can use baking soda and vinegar to set-in stains. You have two options. In a spray bottle, combine vinegar and baking soda with 3 cups of water. Spray the set-in stain with this mixture. Make sure to soak it in. Allow it to sit for around 20 minutes before moving on. Alternatively, you can put the vinegar and baking soda directly on the stain. Let it bubble up and soak for the same time.
After letting the mixture sit, you can use club soda to blot it. You can use the iron if the stain isn’t coming out. You can place a towel on top of the stain, even if it is stained. Then use your iron to lift it from the carpet. If necessary, you can continue the process. The stain should become lighter each time.
Baking soda can be used in a second way
Baking soda doesn’t need to be kept in reserve until there is a stain. Baking soda is a great way of removing stains from your carpets without the use of harsh chemicals. Mix your favourite essential oils with baking soda and spread it on your carpets. Let the mixture sit in the room for around 15 minutes.
After letting the baking soda and essential oils sit, vacuum the room as you would normally. You will notice a brighter carpet and a freshening scent in your home. You can purchase carpet fresheners at your local store, but this is the best option for pets and children.
5. Maintain a regular deep cleaning schedule
For the sake of your carpet, you will still need to work extra hard every now and again. It’s best to plan when you will deep clean your carpet. You can rent a steamer if you own one.
Regular steam cleaning will keep your carpet clean and free from dirt and debris buildup. While vacuuming removes dirt from the surface, steam cleaning goes deeper. Although it takes more time, you will only need to steam clean once every two or three months. Once it’s done, you can put it aside for a while.
Regular steam cleanings can be extended by vacuuming at least once per week and following the tips we’ve already discussed. You can extend the time between your regular steam cleanings by being more active in maintaining your carpet’s cleanliness. This will allow you to get your steam cleanings closer to the 3-month mark than you would with a 2-month-old. You can do it either way, but make sure to keep up with the deep cleaning.
Carpet Cleaning by Professionals
Even with these tips, you will still need to have your carpet cleaning completed by local professionals. The steam cleaners that are available for consumers don’t provide the same deep-cleaning as professionals. You can make your carpet last longer by cleaning it regularly and keeping it looking great.
Conclusion
Although no one likes to clean their carpets, it is something that you will have to do from time to time. These simple tips can help you cut down on the amount of time spent cleaning. Keep in mind that the less mess you make, the easier it will be to clean up afterwards.
After your carpets have been cleaned, take some time to relax. You have earned some of the time you used to skip carpet cleaning back. You’ll feel even more relaxed with your carpet looking great.
