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We all want our carpets to look clean and feel plush to walk on. Over time however, carpet colours can fade, the pile can deteriorate, and dirt can start to build up.
The good news is that by following a few tips and tricks, you can not only maintain the longevity of your carpets, but also keep them looking good.
Here are eight carpet care tips to help you get the best out of this popular flooring choice.
Welcome Mats to the rescue
A simple but effective way to avoid dust and mud particles reaching your carpets is to invest in a good quality rug or mat at the entrances to your home. Make sure it’s slip resistant, is designed to grab dirt and moisture, and is the correct size for your doorway.
Encourage all family members to wipe their feet as they enter the house. A ‘shoes off at the door’ policy is also a great approach.
Your welcome mats will be subject to a lot of traffic, so you need to clean them regularly to maintain their ability to trap all that dirt.
Vacuuming
More than 80% of the dust particles that settle on and in a carpet are dry. Regular use of a vacuum cleaner fitted with micro filters will go a long way towards keeping your carpet clean and looking smart.
To get the best results from vacuuming, try to empty the vacuum bag when it becomes around half full. Remember also to adjust the height of your vacuum cleaner so it’s at the optimum level for the carpet in each room.
Carpet steaming
For a really deep clean, you can put your carpet care in the hands of professionals. Steam cleaning will remove settled dirt particles, revitalise your carpet’s pile, and deal with unpleasant smells. How often you need to steam clean will be determined by the level of traffic your carpet is exposed to.
It’s important to use the right materials and equipment in order to avoid damaging your carpet. For this reason shampooing or steam cleaning your carpets yourself isn’t recommended – check out carpet cleaning services in London instead.
Dealing with spills
If a spillage occurs, don’t use strong bleaches or chemicals to get rid of stains as they may result in discolouring. The first step is to immediately use hot water before the stain gets dry and becomes difficult to remove. A mixture of white vinegar, washing up liquid and hot water can be sprayed on the area; after waiting 5 to 10 minutes, wipe with a dry towel.
Avoid sunlight
Protection from sunlight is an element of carpet care that we tend to forget about. Exposure to direct sunlight can lead to fading and leave your carpet looking washed-out. If your carpet is in a room that enjoys lots of direct sunlight, you can close curtains or blinds to protect it.
Tackling snags
If you discover a snag or a pile of yarn on the surface of your carpet, don’t pull it!
Pulling at snags can damage the weave of your carpet and create a bigger, more obvious fault than the original problem. Instead, use a sharp pair of scissors to snip the snag off, and tuck any remaining ends into the surrounding fibres.
Removing furniture marks
The use of heavy furniture on a carpet’s surface will inevitably leave dents and marks. To remove them, try loosening up the fibres with your fingers, before using your vacuum cleaner nozzle on the strongest suction level to lift the pile. Steaming the area is another option, but this is best left to the professionals.
The right way to temporarily lift your carpets
If you need to remove some or all of a room’s carpet – whilst decorating, for example – there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to do it. You should always roll the carpet as you lift it. Never try to fold a carpet as this can damage the pile and cause creases that are difficult to remove.
If you’re transporting a carpet to another room or property, keep it rolled up, and use protective wrapping during transit to keep it in tip-top condition.
Hopefully these carpet care tips will help you take care of your carpets and get as much life out of them as possible. What’s your top tip for carpet care?
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